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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.