It depends on what you like, and what you're used to. If you're a Golden Nugget or Strip guy, you might not like the El Cortez.

We stayed there, for the first time, in September. The room was very comfortable, and clean, though the furnishings were obviously older. We liked it and will probably stay there again, on our next trip. We also liked the coffee shop. We asked for a tower room, so we weren't in the old (original...built in 1941) section.

Pictures:

Our view wasn't so great...

We also stayed at the newly remodeled Plaza Hotel. It was new and it was comfortable, and we had a pretty nice view, right down Fremont Street...BUT...they had a very LOUD band playing at the end of Fremont Street until 1 a.m. weeknights and 2 a.m. weekends...kept me awake .