Las Vegas - Golden Nugget - any advice on getting a 'nicer' room there?

Quite keen to stay at the Nugget on Sun 27 and Mon 28 Feb. There's a nicely priced internet special but it offers a room in the South Tower and I was hoping to get something in the North Tower instead.
I asked about the price of a Suite there, but was told it was a whopping $230 or so, so I had to decline.
Now, I'm not wanting to try and wing a suite or anything, but the reviews of people who've stayed here differ wildly as to the state of the rooms they've stayed in. So I was wondering if anybody had any advice as to how to get a room in the North Tower without paying over the odds.
Or if anybody has stayed there recently, to exchange a $10 upgrade coupon - or how I should find some-one who'd be willing to do this.

Hope someone out there can help. This will be the first time I've ever been in Vegas.

One possibility would be to contact Casino Services and see if they can upgrade you or if they can offer you a room in the North Tower for the same rate as you would pay for the South Tower.

I suggest contacting the concierge - they always have the inside information.

Golden Nugget doesn't have a concierge..their bell desk does all of the concierge-type stuff, but won't be able to help with the North Tower requests. Ask when you check in about a North Tower upgrade, depending on their occupancy, they maybe able to do it. Usually, the North Tower is reserved for casino guests (its where all of the suites are), so depending on how many casino folks are there, you may have a shot..

As for the condition of the rooms, they are exactly the same (except for a few minor details)..the difference is promixity to Fremont Street and the Casino. North Tower rooms are right over the casino (hence the reason they are for the high-rollers). So if are concerned about quality of the room itself, don't worry. In fact, the South Tower rooms have better views (Strip, Mountains, etc) than the North Tower rooms, most of which have no view at all..

Best bet is the slip the check-in clerk a $20 when checking in. You'll defiantly get the North Tower and will likely get a suite to boot. Do a search on "$20 trick" for more info.

The Nugget was just sold to Landry's. Maybe you could become a regular at their restaurant and ask your waiter? :D

Golden Nugget doesn't have a concierge..their bell desk does all of the concierge-type stuff, but won't be able to help with the North Tower requests. Ask when you check in about a North Tower upgrade, depending on their occupancy, they maybe able to do it. Usually, the North Tower is reserved for casino guests (its where all of the suites are), so depending on how many casino folks are there, you may have a shot..

As for the condition of the rooms, they are exactly the same (except for a few minor details)..the difference is promixity to Fremont Street and the Casino. North Tower rooms are right over the casino (hence the reason they are for the high-rollers). So if are concerned about quality of the room itself, don't worry. In fact, the South Tower rooms have better views (Strip, Mountains, etc) than the North Tower rooms, most of which have no view at all..

That's definitely food for thought. I think I've come to the conclusion that there are a lot of moaning minnies on other travel websites. As nobody I 'know' who's stayed there from FT has expressed any of the concerns - thread bare and stained carpets, cramped rooms, miles to get to the room..etc... I think I'm going to be VERY happy to stick with the South Tower and glory in a view of the Nevada Mountains - (its exo'ic, innit?).

I've just been a bit overwhelmed over what's on offer in the States, for a budget even smaller for the one I allocate when I'm in Tokyo, I've been able to stay at the Hyatt New Jersey, the Venetian, the Westin (it's a weekend, can't be too choosy!) and the Nugget - in Tokyo, one of the best rooms I've been in was in the Holiday Inn Narita. God bless the US hotel system, and when that fails, God bless PL.

I agree with the poster above, I've stayed in both towers - the rooms are pretty similar as I remember. The one difference which may be important ( as also mentioned above, I think) is that it's quite a hike from the casino/front doors to the South Tower elevators. The rooms were certainly not dirty, stained, etc. I just remember the bathrooms being a little smaller than expected.

If you have booked an internet package you may be offered a "free" (tax payment required about $5) ticket to Downtown Jordy Brown - see it - it's fantastic - it's a "more current" Danny Gans show, and certainly more improvised. I normally avoid free show offers but this was a gem.

Catch him before the Strip snaps him up!

I agree with the poster above, I've stayed in both towers - the rooms are pretty similar as I remember. The one difference which may be important ( as also mentioned above, I think) is that it's quite a hike from the casino/front doors to the South Tower elevators. The rooms were certainly not dirty, stained, etc. I just remember the bathrooms being a little smaller than expected.

If you have booked an internet package you may be offered a "free" (tax payment required about $5) ticket to Downtown Jordy Brown - see it - it's fantastic - it's a "more current" Danny Gans show, and certainly more improvised. I normally avoid free show offers but this was a gem.

Catch him before the Strip snaps him up!

Alas, the wording on that offer was a bit misleading:
Reservations during the dates of January 9 - February 17, 2005 will receive complimentary Gordie Brown tickets

But what it REALLY meant was
Reservations FOR STAYS during the dates of January 9 - February 17....

and $60 a ticket is a bit steep for us when there's a gigantic chasm 'nearby' to check out.
We did get the lovely winter rate though - just caught it as the price for our room doubled :)

BTW,the suites are pretty fantastic,and a bargain at under $250