Golden Nugget Las Vegas

The Golden Nugget is Downtown's best-known hotel and one of the most comfortable places to stay on Fremont Street. It opened in August 1946 and was transformed in the 1970s under Steve Wynn, who became majority shareholder in 1973. Landry's has owned and operated it since 2005. With 2,419 rooms, it is a large, full-service resort right on the Fremont Street Experience.

The pool complex, known as The Tank, is the hotel's best-known feature. It covers three levels with grottos, swim-up bars and hot tubs, and it is built around a large shark aquarium. The enclosed waterslide that runs through the shark tank has been closed for the rest of the 2026 pool season, along with the aquarium itself, after an inspection found a gap in the structural seams, though the other pools and bars remain open. Check the hotel's website for updates if the slide is a reason for your stay.

In the lobby, the Hand of Faith is displayed: a gold nugget weighing 875 troy ounces that was found near Kingower in Victoria, Australia, and has been on show here since 1981. It is described as the largest gold nugget on public display in the world. Restaurants include Vic and Anthony's Steakhouse, Grotto Ristorante, Lillie's Asian Cuisine, Red Sushi and the Chart House, which overlooks an aquarium.

The Golden Nugget suits couples, groups and families looking for a mid-range base with a pool and good restaurants, and it is a sensible choice for anyone who wants to spend time Downtown rather than on the Strip. Note that the casino and Fremont Street are busy late into the night at weekends, so ask for a higher floor if you are a light sleeper.

The lobby display of the Hand of Faith is free to see, so even if you are staying elsewhere it is worth stepping inside during a walk along Fremont Street.

The hotel sits on the Fremont Street Experience, so the light canopy, the stages and the classic casinos are right outside. Circa, the Four Queens and El Cortez are all within walking distance, and The Mob Museum is a few minutes away. The Strip is a short taxi or ride-share ride south, and the Arts District is close by for restaurants and bars.