Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall

Description:

• Just 5 miles from the Strip (which means it's not precisely near anything, but if you have a car, it's also not far), Western-themed Sam's Town is immensely popular with locals and tourists alike. This unexpectedly pleasing resort is well worth considering for the price. Off the beaten track though it may be, regular (if not exactly frequent), free shuttles to the Strip and Downtown may help you with any feelings of isolation. The addition of a new entertainment complex (including an 18-screen movie theater, a 56-lane bowling alley, and a child-care center) makes it an even more positive option, particularly for families.

  Sam's Town's main draw is its centerpiece atrium, a high-rising edifice that is part park, part Western vista. With living trees and splashing fountains, plus silly animatronic animals, it's kind of goofy, but also a nice, albeit artificial (as if that's unusual for Vegas) place to wander through and sit (which is a rare thing for this town). And if it's a bit noisy, well, we'll take the splashing sounds of the water over the ka-chinging of slots any day. The other public areas, including the casino, have gotten a face-lift. If it isn't up to the impossible standards set by the new Strip hotels, everything is certainly less dated and dark.

  Rooms are adequately sized, if a tad dim, thanks to the Western/Native American-themed decor, but they are clean and fine, especially for the price. All have either mountain views (higher up is much better) or inside-atrium views, which are great fun.

  And bless it, the hotel continues to find ways to improve through almost nonstop remodeling or expansion. And while we love it when a place does not rest on its laurels but constantly seeks the improvements of change, that also means that every time we come here, some wall is up indicating that construction is going on, and every place within the hotel is subject to the whims of fortune and decor. The point being, don't totally count on anything we've mentioned above being here forever -- after all, they took out a diner with the best burger in town and a large country-and-western dance hall of considerable tradition.

  There are a variety of other dining options, such as Sam's Town Firelight Buffet and a cart in the atrium that serves homemade ice cream.

  Roxy's Saloon, one of a dozen bars on the premises, offers live entertainment (country and western) for dancing, daily from noon to the wee hours. There's also a deli in the race-and-sports-book area, a bowling alley snack bar, a food court, an ice-cream parlor, and the aforementioned 18-screen movie theater and entertainment complex, complete with child-care facility.

  The Sunset Stampede is a laser-and-water show that takes place four times daily (at 2, 6, 8, and 10pm) in the Mystic Falls Park. It begins with a howl from an animatronic wolf atop the waterfall, and then water spurts in sync with orchestral themes, as lasers fire pretty colors around the room. A 10-minute show, it's not long enough or special enough to be worth the drive from the Strip (though there are free buses to transport you -- call for details), but if you happen to be around, grab a seat at the bar early. This is particularly important for kids, as it gets pretty crowded, and it's tough to see the show unless you are up close.

  The enormous three-floor casino has a friendly, casual atmosphere.

  Facilities: 7 restaurants; 12 bars; food court; casino; showrooms; 18-screen movie theater; 56-lane bowling center; outdoor pool; video-game arcades; tour desk; car-rental desk; shuttle to Strip/Downtown; laundry service; coin-op laundry machines in adjoining RV park

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010

Other features:

Wedding chapel and a 56-lane bowling alley are available on-site. A huge multiplex cinema has been added to show the latest films.