The Rush Tower is now Open
November 24, 2009
Mayor Oscar Goodman turned out for the event
The Rush Tower at the Golden Nugget had its grand opening last night. Our Mayor Oscar Goodman was in attendance with his trusty martini, as was Miss Nevada USA and other celebrities who I have no clue as to who they were. I heard a rumor that one guy was Quentin Tarantino’s dad, but who knows? It was a big bash and lots and lots of people turned out to see the new digs and spill stuff on the new carpet.
A little beefcake for us ladies
There is a new valet parking in front of the Rush Tower so you can have an easy check-in. You walk into the gorgeous lobby and look up to a huge, 75,000 gallon aquarium filled with over 1,000 tropical fish. Part of the Chart House restaurant is right there behind the registration area and behind that is the aquarium.
A wet hello
It was really funny when we were standing there waiting for the ribbon cutting ceremony. I looked up and saw a diver in the aquarium holding up a sign and waving. I started taking pictures and slowly all the photographers started seeing it. It seems no expense was spared during this big celebration.
The Lobby
The theme throughout the new Tower is sort of a chocolate pallet with rich browns and reds. The style is really reminiscent of the 1960s. The chandelier covers much of the lobby area and twists and turns into the next room with a nice spiral.
Beautifully designed rooms
The $150 million Rush Tower is currently open and accepting reservations. They have more than five hundred guest rooms. These rooms are twenty percent larger than the current standard rooms. The tower also includes four Penthouse Suites and seventy Junior Corner Suites which provide incredible views.
The standard bath in the Junior Corner Suite
If you read this blog regularly, you’ll notice I’m always raving about the Golden Nugget’s pool. And I can’t stand pools! But I love the Golden Nugget’s pool area. You could spend all day and all night down there. Well, now they’ve done it one better! They’ve added an upstairs pool called “H20.”
The reflective sign at H20
This is an 85 degree pool that has a see-through edge. You can lounge around the pool in one of the many cabanas or sit out in the sun. The best part of this pool is children are not allowed. You must be at least sixteen years old to enter. There is also a bar up there next to the pool so your margarita may never run dry.
Poolside at H20
They do have the usual game tables and roulette right to the side of the lobby. The tables are smoke-free, but you can smoke at the slots. The slots are right along the wall next the card tables so I don’t know what the point of that is. I guess it is really annoying for nonsmokers to have a cigarette constantly burning in their face at blackjack. I saw some of the minimums were quite high at those tables, $25 and $50.
Blackjack tables
There is the usual array of slot machines around and some are progressive. Everyone can probably find one of their favorite slots. I did notice a bank of Wheel of Fortune.
Some slot machines
Okay, let’s talk rooms. These rooms are simple but spectacular, in my opinion. They went with sort of a chocolate type of color scheme which sounds awful, but it is so very beautiful. So, gorgeous, in fact, I’m going to do my best to copy it in my bedroom.
Rooms with fabulous views
The furniture will remind you of the 1960s, and for an older hotel like this, it seems to be the perfect choice. Everything is simple, sleek and the bathrooms are to die for. Such a beauty this place is. The room rates will hover around $200 for high end weekend, but they are really going to give some of the strip hotels a run for their money on value. I want to stay there!
Ribbon cutting ceremony
The ribbon cutting ceremony went off without a hitch. Our Mayor only spilled his drink a couple of times that I saw. I did overhear him telling someone that this was a real martini, not one of those chugging ones he usually carries around. What? Our Mayor will be seen carrying a huge, fake martini?! Yes, you just heard it here first. But this night, he had the real deal.
Charles Williams
I saw a guy wandering around in a lime green suit that was a lot like a zoot suit. A lot of people seemed to know this guy, but I didn’t. Eventually I cornered him and asked him who he was. He said his name is Charles Williams and he’s been gambling at only the Golden Nugget since the 1960s. He was a sweet man and I talked with him about gambling for a little while. His favorite game is betting on sports. He did really well last year, but this year not so much. The gold medallion around his neck is actually a design made with his name. I saw he had a great smile, but I put the camera on the guy and he froze up. I tried a couple of shots but I couldn’t get that guy’s great smile out of him. So much for my dreams of a photography career.
Table games area
So, on your next trip to Las Vegas, you should probably stop into the Golden Nugget and see what they’ve done over there. It is really pretty cool. Especially those rooms and that new upstairs pool!
Written by BigRedDogATL on November 29, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Pam:
Did you use any of the photography tips I gave you a couple of weeks ago? The pictures look pretty good.
Written by Pam on November 30, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Yeah, Big Red! I’ve been playing with some settings and seeing what happens and it has helped a lot. I messed around with the ISO in the lobby and it did a great job getting the yellow out. Thanks so much for your tips.