I believe the Gold Coast Hotel is on the other side of the Rio - away from the strip. Went in once a few years ago - to check on one of their restaurants - and it looked ok (didn't get in any rooms) - and even if they don't have a shuttle - I think you could hop on the one next door at the Rio.

I am signed up for several emails - such as from Wynn's, etc - and usually get some word of "deals" - and would also suggest you check the rates at the Flamingo Hotel, which we like for reasonably priced rooms (normally?) - especially if you can get a room with a view of the Bellagio fountains - ideally about 18 floors up - looking toward Bally's/the strip.

Try www.cheapovegas.com I like their attitude and have used them several times.

Here's an example for the Golden Nugget. They are an AAA 4 diamond hotel, located in downtown Vegas.

http://links.mkt1937.com/servlet/MailView?ms=NDQ4MzMwMwS2&r=MTg2MDU5Mjc2OTAS1&j=MTMyNzQyODY4S0&mt=1&rt=0%%FORWARD_INFO%%

Note the $39 per night weekdays and $79 weekends.

Go to LasVegasAdvisor.com and find their link for "hotel deals". They often post unadvertised special rates for Ballys, Harrahs (a couple doors down from Ballys) and the Flamingo, and many other hotel deals too. Note that some/many hotels add a "resort fee" daily to the room rate, Gold Coast's fee looks like only about 4 bucks a day...but Ballys, Harrahs and all that groups hotels add no fees.

Gold Coast does have a shuttle that drops and picks up right next door to Ballys, so you don't need a car if you don't want one.

Have stayed downtown once - and it was ok (a bit tacky in places) - but much prefer being on the strip - or close to it.

Gold Coast is off of the Strip . . . west of the Rio on Flamingo. It's okay. . . nothing great. As I recall (We stayed there twice.), the bed was not very comfortable. Of course, that was before the refurb, so keep that in mind.

I am trying to decide between Gold Coast and South Point.

Can get room at South Point for a week at approx $500 or at Gold Coast for about $400 [with the $3 day resort fee].

We will have our own car. Not into gambling but will want to see a show or 2. Will want to eat at good restaurants for dinner.

This is our second trip. We stayed at Harrah's last time. It was ok, nothing special. As I said, we are going for the auctions so we don't need to stay on Strip per se.

Looking for hotel that is updated, nice, clean. Any input on which of the above hotels would be better. South Point is a Deluxe King Mid-Level View and Gold Coast is a Premium King.

On another note - BOTH say room's are request only and cannot be guaranteed. I would be very upset to get a smoking room. What are the odds of having them switch us from non-smoking to smoking? Is this typical of LV hotels?

I have stayed at both (South Point and Gold Coast) and much prefer the former. The Gold Coast cheapest rooms have not been refurbished and all rooms have extremely small bathrooms.

The South Point rooms and bathrooms are much larger and nicer though a little longer drive to the Strip. Amenities are head and shoulders over the Gold Coast. On Thursday afternoons @ 2PM there is the Dennis Bono show, but you must pick up your complimentary (free slot card required) variety show. You will receive 2 free funbooks at check-in that include complimentary entry to any of the weekly entertainment in the showroom - choose Deja Vu and you will receive a free drink, a drawing ticket and $5 free slot play. There a slew of good dining options and the funbook contains a coupon for a free dessert at both Don Vito's and the Primarily Prime Rib. The is a free lounge show on Fri + Sat by pianist/singer Wes Winters starting a 6PM.

Oops - I missed that you are considering a premium room at the Gold Coast. In any case, the bathroom size remains the same - tiny. If you decide on the Gold Coast, the dim sum at Ping Pang Pong is probably the best in Las Vegas and the Cortez Room offers pretty good prime rib at a very good price.

No question the South Point is newer and nicer - and also has a movie complex built in. There was some recent discussion about it in here - on another thread - and they have good dining - but the Gold Coast I think has a good steak? house - and the Rio is just next door, and the Palms is across the street.

The South Point also has some nice 11 PM to 7 AM specials in their good coffee shop - or at least - they used to.

Dined there several times when we were looking at purchasing an apartment complex across the street.

A couple miles south of the South Point is the newer, luxury M Resort - which is worth checking out - and they too might have some deals. http://www.themresort.com/

The South Pointe is about 9? miles from Bally's - but if you know how to use some of the surface streets - you should be able to move in and out without too much trouble.