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| - For all the times I've been to Vegas, I actually haven't stayed in many hotels, because I have family and friends there. One of the few times I did stay in a Vegas hotel, I was co-planning a group trip for about ten people, and the Boulder Station was our weekend headquarters.
Boulder Station isn't especially close to the Strip, although it's not too long of a cab ride if you want to head down for the day. But if your main reason for coming to Vegas is to lose money at the casinos and gorge yourself on all-you-can-eat buffets, Boulder Station can provide you a full Vegas experience without ever having to leave the premises.
The hotel itself is not fancy, but clean and quiet. The beds aren't gross, and housekeeping does a fine job. We never heard any other guests or any disturbances. The rooms are fine - decorated in a slightly cheesy fashion, but they did at least make the effort - but you're not going to spend much time in your room when there's money to be lost, now are you?
Boulder Station has plenty of dining choices for you. The Feast Buffet is a pretty typical all-you-can-eat - we went when it was transitioning from breakfast to lunch, and it had the usual fruit-and-salad bar, hot dishes, and carving station. The Boulder Cafe is a casual family-dining type place with bland, decent, but unremarkable food. The Pasta Palace is their nicest restaurant, and it has a pretty, vaguely Tuscan-style interior, but the food isn't worth the high prices - just your standard Olive Garden stuff. For those who prefer their food franchised and nationally branded, there's also a Subway, a Starbucks, and a Winchell's Donuts.
In addition to all the usual table games, slots and video poker, Boulder Station also has a Regal movie theater and a kids' arcade (because, you know, Vegas is such a family-friendly place). There are several bars scattered around, and apparently a showroom called the Railhead, which I can't personally speak for.
With reasonable room rates, clean and quiet accommodations, and slots that are just as money-hungry as any other Vegas casino, save yourself a grip of cash by staying off the Strip. Compared to places that outfit their staff in gladiator costumes or medieval garb, Boulder Station is - dare I say it? - a slightly classier Vegas alternative.
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