Since the Gold Coast is the featured casino in Scott Krause's review this week, I thought I'd add a few things from my last trip that he missed.
First, the bad news. They have increased the resort fee which adds $11.40 a night to the booked rate. Previously it was the lowest resort fee in the area. Now Silver Seven (Terribles) beats them with just a $3 fee. On my last trip I went into the lounge to listen to some afternoon music. Generally this required buying a drink from a waitress. There were no waitresses and the regulars knew to go up to the bar to get what they wanted. The bar would provide a tray if they had a few folks in all together. For me, I enjoyed an hour of free music and drank nothing. The pool was equipped with a new device for the handicapped that worked sort of like a crane and got folks into the water. I still thought the buffet was one of the best values in the area. I hope that the rates drop to make the resort fee a wash. Otherwise it will be a deal breaker. On the other hand, I went for five days booked on B Connected with the resort fee at the old $3 rate and they did not charge me the fee on the way out. It was not my gambling as I don't gamble there. I buy the rooms.

I had another good time at this casino. I had some trouble with room key, but they were prompt and helpful with the situation. Desk clerks have always been friendly. Good choice of restuarants with one of the better Chinese in town. Most patrons of the hotel are friendly also.

Maybe the night we visisted was an off night. Every one seemed like they had just started. The dealer seemed new, so did the pit boss, and even the woman at the B Connected desk.

It's an okay casino otherwise about a mile west of the strip. $5 blackjack with 3 to 2. Decent, but not perfect, video poker payout tables.

What draws me to book the Gold Coast for my next trip is the heated pool adjacent to the workout area. It is rarely crowded and I can actually get a bit of swimming in in the morning after using some of the workout machines. The cold water in the workout room is delightful for both the workout and the swim. I like the little hot tub. And I love that there are plenty of places to sit with the paper or a book for while in semi shade and read for no extra expense.

I like the casino in general. The American Casino Guide 200 points for a free buffet works well for me and there is still decent video poker scattered around. About the only thing I don't like is having that chain TGIF instead of a good old fashioned diner. But the buffet is fine. It is hard to beat the buffet price since it includes coffee.

I also like the access. There is a free shuttle for most of the hours of the day, but the 202 bus takes me right there on the edge of the parking lot, so if I stay there and play poker on the strip until the late hours I can easily get safely back with no need of cabfare.

Just got back from a 2 night stay there. Ate the dim sum at the Ping Pang Pong, amazing variety and very good. It can be a little hard to understand the servers but it's authentic. They use to have 9/6 job .25 at 2 of the bars, but they still have good vp on the floor. I like the rooms had somewhat of a view and they are bright.