The D Las Vegas is one of the newer Downtown hotels and it has been a really welcome addition to an already obviously impressive list.
I say ‘new,’ but the property has been around in one form or another for more than 40 years. It initially opened as the Sundance hotel in 1980 and became Fitzgeralds seven years later.
In 2011, it was bought by Golden Gate owner Derek Stevens and reopened as The D the following year after a $22million renovation.
The D Las Vegas overview
Location: Downtown
Opened: 2012 (as The D)
Number of rooms: 638
Gaming space: 42,000 sq. ft
Operator: Derek Stevens
Permanent shows: None
Attractions: Fremont Street Experience, dancing dealers, Sigma Derby
Price guide: $$
Location
The D Las Vegas is located Downtown at the eastern entrance of the extraordinary Fremont Street Experience.
That is the quieter end of Fremont Street, but the bustling heart of it is just a two-minute walk away.
It is also a very good location, in truth. If you are staying at The D Las Vegas you are as close to El Cortez and the Container Park as you are Circa, Plaza and the free music, and you are also right next to the SlotZila zipline attraction.
Getting around
One of the best reasons to visit Downtown Las Vegas is how easy it is to get around by foot and the D is very much part of that.
There is a five-minute radius around The D Las Vegas that essentially contains pretty much everything you will want to do and see Downtown.
To the east is El Cortez and Container Park, and head west and you will quickly reach Circa and Plaza while passing some truly iconic casinos and neon along the way – including Vegas Vic.
Head north, meanwhile and within five minutes you’ll be at Downtown Grand, the Mob Museum, California Hotel and Main Street Station.
The Strip is obviously a bit further out, of course. You will need to use a taxi or the Deuce Bus to get there.
The D Las Vegas Rooms and Amenities
Rooms at The D Las Vegas are reasonably spacious and have a fresh modern décor. You will get at least 300 sq. ft of space too, and that can be increased relatively easily by nabbing one of the corner rooms.
There are a limited number of premium suites available in the 34-story tower too if you are fancying something a little more spectacular.
All in all, the rooms at The D Las Vegas are among the very best standards for Downtown.
Amenities are solid for a Downtown property too, with a pool and fitness centre available. There is also the huge added bonus for guests at The D of free access to the incredible pool area at Circa, Stadium Swim.
Food and Drink
The D is really more about atmosphere than it is dining, but Joe Vicari’s Andiamo steakhouse does provide a high-quality eatery on the property.
It is the bars that really make it stand out, though. Bar Canada is a must-see for fans of Canadian Sports, in particular Ice Hockey. If you are in town during the NHL season, definitely check it out during Vegas Golden Knights games.
The casino at The D Las Vegas also has a really nice old school feel to it, it has its own vintage slots area to compliment the modern games.
Longbar keeps the drinks coming and the atmosphere fed on the casino floor, and D Bar brings the party out onto Fremont Street.
Vue Bar, meanwhile, is a hybrid of them both with it situated on the second floor with an outdoor patio.
Shows and Attractions
There are occasional shows at The D Las Vegas, and there probably will be again, but it is not something upon which the hotel hangs its hat so expectations should be curbed.
Attractions are aplenty, though. The Fremont Street Experience is literally just outside, as is the SlotZila zipline. The Container Park is very close by too.
There are a couple of attractions inside too, not least the Dancing Dealers in the casino.
One unique thing The D has to offer is the vintage slots. This is where you will find the brilliant Sigma Derby. It is a mechanical horseracing game you bet quarters on and the only remaining original version in Las Vegas. Make sure you see it.
The D Las Vegas Pool
The D pool is a decent enough size with a modern feel and is one of the best in Downtown. In fact, it is one of the few Downtown.
It’s a small pool and nothing like the sprawling complexes attached to the mega-resorts on the Strip. Itt is perfect for an escape from the craziness of Fremont Street, though.
Guests of The D also get access to Stadium Swim at Circa, though, which is one of the best pools in Las Vegas and comes with a 135-foot screen showing live sports. It truly is a modern Vegas icon.
Conclusion
The D Las Vegas is one of the very best Las Vegas Hotels in the Downtown area. In fact, there are one or two on the Strip that it puts to shame too.
Pros: Great location, brilliant atmosphere and access to Stadium Swim at Circa.
Cons: So few dining options may not appeal to some.