We have used the El Cortez twice. Rooms were clean and close to the elevator both times. The rooms are a little smaller than the Orleans but larger than a lot of other places. If you stay there ask about breakfast specials and other pormotions. Liked the room and the rates.

The Golden Nugget is nice but be prepared to do a lot of walking. Everytime we stayed there they put us in the room at the end of a very long hall.