Downtown Grand Casino and Hotel

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Like its name suggests, Downtown Grand is near the heart of downtown Las Vegas, just a block from Fremont Street Experience. It's got comfortable accommodations, a hip rooftop pool, a bistro-style restaurant and an artsy bar. The vibe: Urban cool, New York-esque, eclectic What we love: That's not vandalism in the casino. The graffiti is part of Downtown Grand's chic industrial-style décor. When the property was renovated, a lot of the original girders and duct work were kept on the casino floor. You'll also notice reclaimed bricks on the walls, along with existing rust and the aforementioned graffiti -- which we think looks pretty darn good. There are paintings by local artists on the ceiling in the Art Bar. We're not kidding. Come in and order a glass of wine or a handcrafted cocktail (like The Hideout)...then sit back and look up. If one of the paintings catches your fancy, you can actually buy it. The Pool Deck at Downtown Grand is one of the nicer pools in downtown Las Vegas. It's situated on the resort's third-floor rooftop. Along with fabulous views and an infinity pool, there are lounge chairs, cabanas, a large bar and outdoor gaming tables. Insider tips: A self-parking garage for Downtown Grand is located off Ogden Avenue, between Third and Fourth streets. If you're a hotel guest, you can park here for free. If you're visiting the casino, restaurants or bars, you'll receive two complimentary hours with validation -- otherwise expect to pay $3 per hour (up to $24, which is the daily maximum). The hotel is a short drive away from many of downtown Las Vegas' most popular spots -- places like The Neon Museum, Downtown Container Park, The Smith Center and the Las Vegas Premium Outlets - North. Craving a bite of a fresh-picked apple? Check out the Downtown 3rd Farmers Market held every Friday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. near the corner of Stewart Avenue and Casino Center Boulevard. In addition to fruits and veggies, you'll find lots of great artisanal breads, cheeses and jams from local farmers and ranchers. Good to know: All of the rooms at Downtown Grand were completely overhauled when the hotel opened in November 2013. This is great and everything feels fresh and modern, but the walk-in showers take a bit of getting used to. They are big and because there are no doors or curtains, steam doesn't build up. This means you may feel chilly while cleansing. Be aware that the rooms aren't soundproof, so when things are noisy out on Fremont Street or from a music festival being held in the Fremont East Entertainment District, you'll hear it. Fortunately, the front desk hands out free ear plugs, so if you need peace and quiet to sleep, be sure to ask for a pair.  There aren't a lot of restaurant choices in Downtown Grand. The Freedom Beat features an Americana menu and is open 24 hours. Small items are also served in the Art Bar or on The Pool Deck. But if you're looking for a heartier meal, check out the award-winning gourmet pizzas at Pizza Rock and the dry-aged steaks at Triple George Grill -- both restaurants are just steps away.