This $1,000-per-night Las Vegas suite takes you back to the 1980s
Editor's Note
You don't need Marty McFly's DeLorean to travel back in time to the 1980s.
You just need to book a stay at the El Cortez hotel's Jackie Gaughan suite – a $1,000-per-night space that's frozen in time.
Steeped in history
The El Cortez Hotel, located off iconic Fremont Street, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. It's one of the oldest and longest continuously operating hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and part of the historic downtown Las Vegas skyline.
The El Cortez's story began in 1941 when John Kell Houssels, John Grayson and Marion Hicks built the hotel with 59 rooms off Fremont Street.
These historic rooms have been renovated and are still available to book today.
The El Cortez was sold four years later to a notorious group of mobsters that included Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Meyer Lansksy, but the group's ownership of the hotel and casino was quite short, with Houssels buying back the hotel in 1946.
Houssels then kicked off an expansion featuring a barbershop, nightclub, swimming pool and a four-story wing.
In 1963, Las Vegas legend Jackie Gaughan took over the ownership of the hotel and casino. He lived at the hotel with his wife, Bertie, until his death in 2014.
Gaughan was a key force in downtown Las Vegas’s development and he actually owned one-third of the land in the area at one point. Under Gaughan's ownership, the El Cortez’s hotel room count was expanded to 297 with the building of Tower II in 1980.
Gaughan later sold the property to his business partner, Kenny Epstein, in 2008.
The Jackie Gaughan suite
In 2017, the El Cortez opened the Jackie Gaughan suite to guests as a bit of "one-of-a-kind vintage Las Vegas." However, you won’t be able to book this suite on the hotel’s website like you would their other rooms.
The suite is by special request only and goes for $1,000 a night during the week and $1,500 per night on the weekends. Despite the price, the suite gets booked about once a month, according to the hotel.
The 2,800-square-foot space features two master bedrooms, a "romper" room, four balconies, two and half bathrooms, a kitchen, a vintage wet bar and large dining and living room – all done up in fabulous retro style.
The suite has been featured in magazines like Billboard and music videos like Ellie Goulding’s “On My Mind.”
Getting there
The Jackie Gaughan suite is located on the 15th floor, which is the top floor of the main tower of the hotel.
It is located at the end of the hallway – you follow signs pointing to the "owner's suite."
When you get to the door, the first thing you'll notice is a call box to the left.
It is a still fully functioning, black and white, Unisonic video door phone system from the 1980s. It projects an eerily ghostly image of whoever is on the other side of the door when you answer a call from within the room.
Once inside, you are immediately greeted with the letters "J" and "G" on the handles leading into the suite's living and dining room area.
The living room
When you open the J and G doors, the room is filled with a lot of natural light due to the many windows in the space.
A pale pink color palette is consistent throughout, from the walls to the '80s-style light fixtures and curtains.
The hotel has tried to preserve as much of the original furniture in the suite as possible – although not all of it is original in this room.
The kitchen
In the kitchen, most of the working appliances are from the 1980s, including the refrigerator and oven.
The bedrooms
The suite features two master bedrooms, one for Jackie and one for Bertie, and each has a dedicated bathroom.
Both the bedrooms (and bathrooms) have windows offering spectacular views of the city.
Jackie's bedroom
Jackie's room features a large walk-in closet in this western-themed room.
Connecting the rooms is the so-called "romper" room that features colorful artwork, swag pillows and a balcony. It's an ideal place to relax and entertain guests.
Bertie's bedroom
Bertie's bedroom features two large queen beds and a walk-in closet in the adjacent hallway.
Bertie's bathroom
The suite features several bathrooms, but the one that screams "Las Vegas" is the one in Bertie's bedroom.
It has stunning views of the Las Vegas skyline and mirrors everywhere. There's clearly no detail that was overlooked – including the golden swan faucets in the marble bathtub.
And yes, the toilet is made of marble – and feels it like when you try to lift the cover.
Bottom line
If you're looking relive a little piece of Las Vegas history, the El Cortez Hotel may have what you're looking for.
One of the hallmarks of the El Cortez is how seriously it takes preserving and honoring its history. It's the only standing casino today that has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
El Cortez was also a place that was special to Tony Hsieh, the late Zappos CEO, who often used the Parlour Bar as a meeting spot throughout the years. The casino has dedicated a special corner to Hsieh, dubbed "Tony's corner."
For me, though, the crown jewel of the El Cortez is the Jackie Gaughan suite. Visiting it gave me the chance to relive the 1980s for a little bit – not to mention the chance to experience how a Las Vegas mogul lived for a day.
The view from one of its four balconies can't be beat, either.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.