Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino

We were busy over the holiday and stopped by the casino and treat corner. The casino was large enough to enjoy a little gaming without feeling overwhelming. If you need a sugar shot, the pink box donut spot has you covered. The person behind the counter was friendly while we tried to choose from all the options. Get a mocha latte too, they're pretty damn good!

I can't recommend this hotel in its current condition. During my stay I saw problems with security, cleanliness, repairs, and billing that made me question how the property is being managed. I documented several things with photos and video, and this review is based on what I personally saw. My biggest safety concern was the room door. It looked closed but didn't latch securely, and could be pushed open with little pressure. I have video of this. In a casino hotel with constant foot traffic and public access, a door that closes and latches properly should be a basic expectation. The room also had visible mold-like buildup in several parts of the shower, and the shower head leaked constantly. The toilet ran throughout my stay, which I also recorded on video and which seemed like it could be a long-standing plumbing problem. The mini-fridge still held items from a previous guest when I arrived. Taken together, these made me question whether rooms were being turned over and cleaned properly. Around the property, the hallway carpet looked old, worn, and stained, with seams held together using tape. I couldn't find any inspection notice or certificate posted on the elevator, which seemed unusual for a hospitality property. The casino had active roof leaks, visible ceiling damage, and several areas sectioned off. Some machines were covered or blocked because of water intrusion. Since this is the main revenue area, seeing it in that state suggested the maintenance problems extended beyond guest rooms. There was also a billing problem. My Agoda reservation said the resort fee was included in the total I'd prepaid, but I was asked to pay it again at check-in. The manager said this had happened to other guests too, which sounds like a recurring issue that senior management should address to prevent double charging. The staff I dealt with were polite and professional, and seemed to be doing their best. My concerns are about the property's condition and management practices, not the employees. They were the best part of the stay. Any one of these problems would have concerned me. Together, the door, sanitation and upkeep issues, roof leaks, and inconsistent resort fee charges look like long-term deferred maintenance and inadequate oversight, rather than a short-term operational problem. Travelers should know what I encountered before booking.

You won't get the Bellagio fountain show here, though you might get lucky and spot an 85 year old watering the cactus collection outside their trailer park. The place has a bit of a Vegas-in-the-fifties feel, and I think it's worth trying once. It's a different kind of stay if you'd rather skip the constant traffic and packed places. You also avoid the $12 ATM fees, $45 resort fees, $25 public parking, and $50 valet parking. There are pros and cons, depending on what you're after.

The people are nice, but the check-in process is the problem. This is the second time I've traveled here from Phoenix only to find the front desk closed early and the pass down badly handled. Now I'll be waiting an hour or more for someone who knows how to check customers in. Please give the staff training to manage the process.