El Cortez

Name: El Cortez
Address: 600 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101, Las Vegas, NV, US
Price range: $39+

Reviewed by the Las Vegas Guide editorial team · Updated July 2026

The oldest continuously operating casino in Las Vegas (since 1941), El Cortez is an adults-only Fremont East landmark with low-minimum tables, vintage coin-drop slots, 364 rooms from historic cheapies to boutique Cabana Suites, and free guest parking.

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Is El Cortez Worth It? Honest Review, Rooms & Rates

El Cortez is the oldest continuously operating hotel-casino in Las Vegas — open at 600 Fremont Street since November 7, 1941, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013. Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky were among the mob partners who bought it in 1945, Jackie Gaughan ran it from 1963 to 2008, and the Epstein family owns it today. It anchors the Fremont East district, one block east of the Fremont Street Experience canopy, as an adults-only (21+) throwback where the gambling, not the amenities, is the point.

The 41,842-square-foot casino got a $20 million renovation in 2024 that added a high-limit slot room, two new bars and a Starbucks, but the floor keeps its signature draws: low table minimums and one of the last banks of coin-operated slot and video poker machines in Las Vegas. The 364 rooms run from 198-square-foot Original 47 vintage rooms above the casino to renovated Tower Premium rooms and 64 boutique Cabana Suites in a separate building across the street. Dining is Hot Noods (Asian noodles), a Chicago hot dog cart and Starbucks, plus three bars including the Parlour Bar; the longtime Siegel's 1941 restaurant closed in April 2026, with a New York-style steakhouse named Alex Prime announced to take over the space. Self-parking in the attached garage is free for hotel guests.

The trade-offs are real: there is no pool, the $30-plus-tax nightly amenities fee stings against room rates this low, and the cheapest Original 47 rooms are tiny and reachable only by stairs. The casino permits smoking and it shows, sit-down dining is thin until Alex Prime opens, and the blocks east of the property get rough late at night. For low-limit gamblers and old-Vegas romantics, though, rooms from $39 a night make El Cortez one of the best-value sleeps downtown.

Insider tipPick your building for peace and quiet. The Cabana Suites sit in a separate block across the street from the casino, so they dodge the floor noise and smoke; the bargain Original 47 rooms are directly above the gaming floor and reachable only by stairwell, while Tower Premium is the one modern, elevator-served option.

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Rooms

Cabana Suite, 1 King

A 400-square-foot suite in the separate Cabana Suites building across the street from the main casino, completed in 2009 in the former Ogden House. Comes with a king bed, love seat, mini refrigerator, custom furniture and a large walk-in shower — the quietest option at El Cortez since it sits away from the casino floor.

Tower Premium, 1 King

A newly renovated 320-to-334-square-foot room in the hotel tower with a king bed, a seating area and contemporary decor. The most conventional modern hotel room on the property, and elevator-served — unlike the vintage wing.

Original 47 Vintage Room, 1 Queen

A 198-square-foot room with one queen bed in the historic wing directly above the casino floor, sold as the cheapest and most atmospheric way to sleep in a 1941 landmark. No elevator — these rooms are reachable only by stairwell, and casino noise carries.

Location

600 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

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Frequently asked questions

Is El Cortez really the oldest casino in Las Vegas?

It's the oldest continuously operating hotel-casino in the city, open at 600 Fremont Street since November 7, 1941 and on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013. A mob partnership including Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky bought it in 1945, downtown legend Jackie Gaughan ran it from 1963 to 2008, and the Epstein family owns it today.

What is the El Cortez amenities fee, and does it cover parking?

El Cortez charges a $30-plus-tax amenities fee per night — its version of a resort fee, which stings on rooms that start at $39. It bundles in self-parking in the attached garage, fitness-center access, two bottles of water a day, in-room coffee, local calls and boarding-pass printing, so the guest self-parking is really paid for through this fee rather than being separately free.

Can you still play coin-drop slots at El Cortez?

Yes — El Cortez keeps one of the last banks of coin-operated slot and video poker machines in Las Vegas, played with casino tokens rather than paper tickets. They sit on a 41,842-square-foot floor known for its low table minimums, which got a $20 million refresh in 2024 that also added a high-limit slot room and two new bars.

Is Siegel's 1941 still open at El Cortez?

No — Siegel's 1941 closed in April 2026. A New York-style steakhouse called Alex Prime, named for Alexandra Epstein-Gudai of the hotel's owning family, was announced to replace it but had not opened as of July 2026. Until it does, sit-down dining is thin: on-property food is Hot Noods (Asian noodles), Starbucks and a Chicago hot dog cart.

Does El Cortez have a pool?

No — El Cortez has no pool, and its only recreation amenity is a small fitness center (treadmills, ellipticals and bikes) included in the amenities fee. If a pool is a must, other downtown casino-hotels a few blocks west have them.

Is El Cortez on the Fremont Street Experience?

Not under the canopy itself — El Cortez sits one block east of the Fremont Street Experience canopy, in the Fremont East Entertainment District, an easy walk to the light shows. The trade-off is the scene right outside: quieter and grittier than the main drag, and the blocks just east of the property can get rough late at night.

Rating

4.0

Number of rooms364 rooms in four styles: vintage Original 47 rooms above the casino floor, budget Pavilion rooms, renovated Tower Premium rooms and suites, and 64 boutique Cabana Suites in a separate building across the street.

CasinoYes — 41,842 square feet, refreshed in a $20 million 2024 renovation that added a high-limit slot room and two new bars. The floor is known for low table minimums and keeps one of the last banks of coin-operated slot and video poker machines in Las Vegas (played with casino tokens).

RestaurantsHot Noods - Asian noodle bar Starbucks - coffee Chicago Hot Dog Cart - quick bites Alex Prime - New York-style steakhouse announced to replace Siegel's 1941 (closed April 2026); not yet open as of July 2026

NightlifeThe Parlour Bar - craft cocktails ShowBar - retro lounge Roulette Bar - casino bar

PoolNo — El Cortez has no pool.

Health club or fitness equipmentSmall fitness center with treadmills, ellipticals and bikes; access is included in the amenities fee.

Pets allowedNo. Any pet found in a room incurs a $300 cleaning fee.

In-room Internet accessYes, free Wi-Fi.

Hotel amenitiesGift shop, two bottles of water daily, in-room coffee, local calls and boarding-pass printing (all included in the amenities fee).

Parking garageYes — attached garage. Self-parking is free for hotel guests, included in the amenities fee.

Check-in time2 p.m.

Check-out time12 p.m. (noon).

Minimum age to reserve a room21 years — the entire property, hotel and casino, is adults-only; every guest must be 21+ with valid government-issued ID.

Incidental chargesA credit or debit card is required at check-in for the incidental hold — cash is not accepted. Holds: $50 per night up to $150 for Pavilion rooms and Cabana Suites, $150 per stay for Original 47 and Tower rooms, $250 per stay for suites.

Prices From$39

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