Fodor's Expert Review Boulder Station Hotel & Casino

The story of how Station Casinos came to dominate the Las Vegas "locals casino" scene—and divide that dominance into regions—is exemplified by Boulder Station. It opened in early 1994, cementing what's now the Stations formula with its attached Regal movie theater, Feast Buffet, Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, and The Broiler steak house for living-it-up occasions. As with some of its sister properties, the 24-hour coffee shop has been remodeled and given a new name, The Brass Fork. The unintended consequence of that corporate success is that Boulder Station is now extremely local, serving primarily the east side, and unless there's a special concert act at The Railhead music venue, it offers no real reason to cross town for those living closer to other Station properties. Some of the 299 rooms and suites have distant views of the Strip and downtown, and midweek room rates can dip well below $100.