Sams Town

Just six miles from the Strip, Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall is nestled in the shadow of the Sunrise Mountains in Las Vegas and boasts more than 600 rooms, decorated in a Southwestern theme.

Taking what was a calculated risk for 1979, father and son Sam and Bill Boyd opened Sam's Town. Their goal was to create an environment where locals would feel comfortable playing. More than three decades in business, Sam's Town has become an indispensable stop for locals and visitors alike.

Rooms are built around a truly spectacular indoor atrium, Mystic Falls Park, that must be seen to be believed. With a nine-story glass roof and a 25,000-square-foot indoor area filled with trees, waterfalls and footpaths, it is one of Las Vegas' unique surprises.

The restaurants here are among the town's most popular. Willy and Jose's Cantina serves regional Mexican dishes with spirit, while the extensive menu at Billy Bob's Steak House & Saloon, featuring huge steaks and ribs, is as delicious as they come. T.G.I. Friday's has an outpost in Sam's Town, as do several fast food eateries including McDonald's, Sbarro, Panda Express and Subway.

The free "Sunset Stampede," a dancing waters and laser show, dazzles crowds nightly. Dozens of other amenities -- including a 56-lane bowling center, an 18-screen movie theater, an arcade, Gatsby's Salon and the Sam's Town Live entertainment complex -- serve only to complement what is still one of the most popular locals' casinos, with three separate floors of round-the-clock gaming action, a fine race and sports book, a lively bingo hall and a poker room.

Among the hotel amenities are free daily shuttle service to the Strip and downtown, a pool, laundry services and a rental car desk. There are even two RV parks with a total of more than 500 spacious spots.

It may not be on the Strip or in the heart of downtown, but Sam's Town is still every bit the quintessential Las Vegas experience. Missing this resort is to miss the frontier spirit that built Las Vegas from the dust in the first place.

Amenities

Attractions: Yes. Sam's Town boasts Mystic Falls Park, which includes a 25,000-square-foot indoor park complete with the Sunset Stampede light, laser and dancing fountains show. There is also a 56-lane AMF-equipped bowling center, the Century 18 Sam's Town cinema and a video game arcade.

Business Center: Yes.

Casino: Yes, the casino is spread across three levels. Games include blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, craps, Let It Ride, pai gow poker, roulette, Madness 21, mini-baccarat, Megabucks, Super Megabucks, slots and video poker. There is a poker room, a keno lounge and a bingo room.

Check-in Time: 3 p.m.

Check-out Time: Noon.

Child-care Facilities: No.

Convention Rooms: Yes. There are 30,000 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities, with rooms ranging in size from 720 square feet to 10,000 square feet.

Entertainment: Headliners and special events are featured in Sam's Town Live. Roxy's Lounge showcases live local bands.

Health Club or Fitness Equipment: No.

Hotel Amenities: Currency exchange, laundry services, luggage and maid service, wake-up calls and rental car service (Advantage Rental Car).

In-Room Internet Access: Yes, for an additional fee.

Incidental Charges: Hotel requires a credit card upon check-in for incidental charges.

Minimum Age to Reserve a Room: 21 years.

Nightlife: Along with Roxy's Lounge, there are several casino bars as well as bars at T.G.I. Friday's, Billy Bob's Steak House & Saloon and Willy and Jose's Cantina.

Number of Rooms: 646.

Parking Garage: Yes, three parking garages.

Pets Allowed: Yes in the RV Park, not in the hotel. Pet must be under 25 pounds.

Policies: Children 14 and under stay free with an adult. The maximum total number of guests (adults and children) in a room is four.

Pool: Yes, one outdoor pool and a Jacuzzi.

Race & Sports Book: Yes, a 13,000-square-foot race and sports book with 60 big-screen TVs.

Resort Fee: 4.50

Restaurants: Sam's Town has the following dining options: Billy Bob's Steak House & Saloon, Firelight Buffet, Willy and Jose's Cantina, Calamity Jane's Ice Cream Parlor, Food Court, Sports Deli, T.G.I. Friday's and Bowling Alley Snack Bar.

Room Service: The hotel does not have room service, but food delivery is available through T.G.I. Friday's.

RV Park: Yes, there are two: One is open seasonally, the second is open year-round. Rates vary according to the season.

Shops: Yes. There's a gift shop, Sheplers Western Wear and Bogart's Leather.

Shuttle Service to the airport: Yes. The hotel has a free daily airport shuttle that departs for McCarran International Airport at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (arriving at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.) and returns from the airport to Sam's Town at 11:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.

Shuttle Service to the Strip: Yes. There is also shuttle service to Downtown Las Vegas.

Spa: No, but Gatsby's Salon offers hair, nails, skin and massage services.

Standard Room Amenities: Air conditioning, alarm clock/radio, remote-controlled cable TV, electronic door locks, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, pay-per-view movies, telephone, voice mail.

Wedding Services: Yes. Ceremony and reception services are available in the observation deck, ballrooms and convention facilities.

Wheelchair Accessible Rooms: Yes.