Why book? In a city of superlatives, it seems Vegas was lacking a few things, like Nevada’s longest bar and the largest sportsbook in the world, as well as massive pool area facing a 40-foot-high screen devoted to professional sports watching. Circa has stepped in to fill that void.
Set the scene For years, Downtown Las Vegas has been threatening to gentrify. With the continuing renovation and expansion of the Fremont Street Experience, the rotating programming at the Mob Museum, and the renos in the Arts District, it’s come a long way. But until Circa opened in October 2020, no new hotel had been built here for 40 years. And what a tribute to all the fun and wackiness of Downtown. The soaring, streamlined tower was an instant landmark, and the place has distinguished itself as an unapologetic, adults-only temple of fun. It plays to a pretty specific demographic: sports lovers who come for its Stadium Swim pool complex—pool, lounge seats, sports bar and bungalows all facing a massive, 40-foot-high HD TV that always has a major game playing. (A major perk here is that the pools are always heated to between 78 and 94 degrees, which sounds odd in the city’s 100-plus-degree temps, but is so crucial. Vegas hotel pools can be shockingly cold.) Those same, hard-partying sports aficionados love the three-story, amphitheater-style sportsbook, which seats 1,000 people in stadium seating and private boxes for viewing on the 78-million-pixel screen. Even with all its high-tech features, Circa is meant as a paean to Downtown’s golden era. You’ll see plenty of old-school touches, like Vegas Vickie, the 25-foot-tall reclining neon cowgirl who used to grace the Glitter Gulch casino and now greets guests just past the lobby, and in the swanky 60th floor rooftop Legacy Club (with a case of 500 gold bars whose fluctuating value you can see on a ticker above them).
The backstory Derek Stevens, who developed and owns Circa, has been betting on Downtown since the early 2008, when he and his brother Greg Stevens bought The Golden Gate and later Fitzgerald’s, which he renovated and transformed into The D. The Michigan-born sports fanatic and auto part manufacturing company owner bought the Las Vegas 51s baseball team, built the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, and finally went really big with Circa. While this part of Downtown was attracting plenty of looky-loos to the circus that is the Viva Vision light show over Fremont Street (and to get spit out of Slotzilla, the slot machine-themed zipline that travels over it all), Circa ushers in a new demographic. They’re a well-heeled crowd here to have fun, bet real money, and pay up for some of the best new dining experiences in town.
The rooms Circa’s standard rooms are refreshingly straightforward king rooms configured in different ways depending on whether you’re traveling as a couple or a group. In other words, no one is looking askance at those who are rolling with a crew and need a pull-out couch (such as in the “flex king” room). The contemporary-leaning mid-mod vibe of the rooms is all masculine chocolate browns, white and navy—heavy on functionality and low on fluff. If you’re planning on some in-room entertainment, the suites, which range from 822 to 1,612 square feet, are the way to go. Think full wet bar and refrigerator and black quartz dining tables. The rooms come with a variety of views, but we think the view over Stadium Swim is the most fun.
Food and drink Circa was not messing around when it came to not only installing the obligatory Las Vegas steakhouse, but also a pan-Asian eatery that’s both an ode to the Midwest and to Las Vegas, a fantastic (if very expensive) deli, and some other good dining. Barry’s Downtown Prime Steakhouse moved in when Chef Barry Dakake exited the Palms, and this venue occupies a sexy space lit by an artificial tree in one room, and with lots of little nooks for intimate dining in booths and a wine rack-enclosed private dining room. Major standouts include braised beef short ribs with harissa, surf & turf elevated as filet medallions with Maine lobster and truffle aioli, and a truly eye-popping 40-ounce tomahawk ribeye. Dakake is only sourcing from humane farms and doesn’t serve foie; and though it’s a tabernacle for carnivores, there’s also a great vegan menu. Don’t miss the pan-Asian eatery 8 East by local culinary celeb Dan Coughlin, whose Le Thai has been a Downtown standby for years (he learned to cook from his Thai mother and he’s a bit of a culinary celeb around these parts). Saginaw’s Deli is another standout, opened by the owner of famed Michigan deli Zingerman’s. Its Royal Flush Reuben is not cheap but will easily feed two (or four).
The neighborhood/area The Fremont Street section of Downtown is like the blowsy old lady in your neighborhood with red lipstick on her teeth who you can’t help but love for her general wackiness. It was the original Vegas before the multi-billion-dollar production values of the Strip and elevating it to contemporary Strip standards—even with all its high-tech tourist attractions—is a heavy lift. But Circa is doing just that while staying true to the unapologetically hard-partying nature of the neighborhood. The entrance, right on the Fremont Street Experience, is a glittery nod to 60s and 70s-era glam. There’s plenty to keep you inside this resort for days, but you could easily venture out to the funky dive bars, the (wild) people-watching, and the galleries of the 18b Arts District, all just steps out the front door. With so much to do, you might not even make it to the Strip.
The service Service here is friendly and accessible—but also totally capable. Like other of the best concierge teams in Las Vegas, they’ll make tee times, remind you about games, suggest things to do around town, help secure concert tickets. Las Vegas is all about having connections—and they’ve got them.
For families Circa is the only hotel-casino in Las Vegas that limits its guests to those who are 21 and older. In other words, this is not a family-friendly destination.
Accessibility Circa is fully accessible, with pool access ramps, wheelchair-accessible restaurants, van parking, accessible meeting spaces and business center, as well as a fitness center that’s accessible.
Anything left to mention? You won’t want to miss an evening at Stadium Swim. During the day, it’s a full-fledged party (there’s a certain cruise ship feel to the pool and screen scene). But at night, sitting in a rooftop pool looking out at all the old Vegas icons that surround you is one of the most nostalgic feelings you can have—even if you never experienced Downtown in its golden era.
8 Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
United States
https://www.circalasvegas.com/
702-247-2258