For an affordable price, the D Las Vegas puts you in the heart of downtown's Fremont Street Experience while offering comfortable rooms along with two popular Detroit-area dining imports.
The vibe: A bit of Michigan in Vegas, high-energy, excellent value, everybody's family here.
What we love: We think it's cool the way the D melds the Motor City with Sin City.
Its owners, Derek and Greg Stevens, were raised in Michigan. Joe Vicari's Andiamo Italian Steakhouse, famous throughout Detroit for its fabulous food, is a true dining gem at the D. You can indulge in a five-star meal here without the five-star price tag. Don't miss the Andiamo Grande Meatball and 32-ounce Andiamo Tomahawk ribeye steak. Plus, the cannoli is so good you'll leave the gun and take it. We're also glad the Stevens brothers got American Coney Island to set up shop in the D's facade along Fremont Street Experience. Come here to get a taste of one of the famous Dearborn Sausage Company frankfurters (complete with chili and the secret sauce).
The D has its own pool and hot tub. Not many hotels in downtown Las Vegas can boast the same thing.
Insider tips: Go on a blast to the past by visiting the second floor of the D, where you'll discover a variety of classic coin-operated machines like Sigma Derby (the electronic horse racing game introduced in the mid '80s). The D is home to the Longbar, which lays claim to being the longest bar in Nevada. It's a laid back spot to mingle and have a drink. With 15 big flat-screen TVs mounted side-by-side down the length of the bar, you'll also want to watch the day's games here (particularly if a Michigan team is playing). Get an eyeful of eye candy at the D.
Outside on Fremont Street, the D Bar is staffed by bikini-clad bartenders who dispense an array of frozen drinks. Inside the hotel, you can have cards dealt to you by one of the hotel's gorgeous Dancing Dealers. Before it became the D Las Vegas, this hotel was known as the Irish-themed Fitzgeralds. A piece of the Blarney Stone from County Cork, Ireland, still resides here. On special occasions (like St. Paddy's Day), look for it to be pulled out and put on display in the Vue Bar for a little luck-inspired kissing.
Good to know: There are four elevators serving the 34-story tower at the D. They are slow and fill up fast. During peak occupancy you could spend 15 minutes or more waiting to ride up to or down from your room. The rooms at the D were all remodeled when the hotel was rebranded and relaunched in late 2012. Although they are contemporary in décor and come with Serta mattresses and 32-inch HD TVs, they don't have microwaves or coffeemakers. And if you want a fridge, you'll have to pay an additional fee.
As part of Fremont Street Experience, there's a concert stage positioned right next to the D that hosts bands until midnight on weekdays and until 2 a.m. on weekends. If you don't like noise, request a room on a high floor. Ear plugs are also available at the front desk. But your best bet is to just go out and join the fun. Speaking of noise, the air conditioning units are loud, but they work well and keep the rooms cool. Reopening date: June 4, 2020