
El Cortez Hotel and Casino
Best for travelers seeking a historic, adults-only downtown Fremont Street experience and easy access to the Fremont Street Experience.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
El Cortez Hotel and Casino is a vintage, adults-only downtown casino hotel on Fremont Street for travelers who want classic Las Vegas history and a compact, walkable downtown stay. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is a large, all-suite Italian-themed Strip resort with canals and extensive dining, pools, and meeting space — read this if you want to compare old-school Fremont atmosphere with a full-scale Strip megaresort.
Updated

Best for travelers seeking a historic, adults-only downtown Fremont Street experience and easy access to the Fremont Street Experience.

Best for guests who want a spacious all-suite Strip resort with canals, many dining options, multiple pools and large meeting/expo facilities.
When El Cortez wins: choose El Cortez if you value a compact downtown location on Fremont Street, vintage Vegas character, an adults-only policy, free guest parking included via the amenity fee, and straightforward casino action without the scale of the Strip.
When The Venetian wins: choose The Venetian when you want large all-suite accommodations, many restaurants and bars, multiple outdoor pools, a full-service spa and an extensive conference/expo footprint on the Las Vegas Strip.
Bottom line: pick El Cortez for downtown history, intimate scale and 21+ crowds; pick The Venetian for a big‑scale, all‑suite Strip resort with canals, dozens of dining options and more on-site amenities.
| Category | El Cortez Hotel and Casino | The Venetian Resort Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Vintage downtown casino hotel with historic 1941 character and adult-only policy | Landmark, all-suite Italian‑themed Strip resort with canals and big‑resort scale |
| Location | 600 East Fremont Street — steps from the Fremont Street Experience (downtown) | 3355 Las Vegas Blvd S — on the Las Vegas Strip near Grand Canal Shoppes |
| Size (rooms) | About 362–364 rooms | 4,078 guestrooms |
| Built / history | Opened 1941; on U.S. National Register of Historic Places | Not published |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool | Number of outdoor pools - 4 |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues including Siegel's 1941 / Alex Prime Steakhouse, Hot Noods, Sushi Ichiban, Eureka!, Starbucks and several bars | About 20 restaurants, 4 bars/lounges and 6 coffee shops/cafes |
| Casino & gaming | Casino with ~750 slot machines, 24 gaming tables and a sportsbook | Large casino floor (supplier lists 1,140 slots, 115 gaming tables, sportsbook and VIP rooms) |
| Spa & fitness | NV Spa (12 treatment suites), 24-hour fitness center | Full-service spa and 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Event/meeting space | Fiesta Room ~3,200 sq ft (meeting/event space ~3,200 sq ft total listed) | Extensive conference and meeting space (about 209,030 m² / 2,250,000 sq ft and 350 meeting rooms listed) |
| Family / age policy | Adults-only (21+); guests under 21 not permitted | All-ages property (not adults-only) |
El Cortez sits at 600 East Fremont Street, one block from the Fremont Street Experience and inside the Fremont East Entertainment District.
Choose El Cortez if you want immediate downtown nightlife and pedestrian access to Fremont Street.
The Venetian is on Las Vegas Boulevard South and places you amid the Strip’s shopping, shows and major resorts.
Choose The Venetian for direct access to the Strip and integrated shopping and attractions.
El Cortez offers roughly 362–364 rooms across several building sections, including tower and cabana suites.
Rooms at El Cortez are compact and historic; expect a downtown‑style room inventory with some cabana suites.
The Venetian lists 4,078 guestrooms, including a long list of luxury and newly remodeled suites and premium rooms.
Expect suite-scale space and a wide variety of remodeled premium configurations at The Venetian.
El Cortez focuses on classic downtown dining and several distinct bars and lounges.
El Cortez offers straightforward, locally focused dining and unique downtown bars.
The Venetian lists about 20 restaurants and multiple bars covering a broad range of cuisines and service styles.
The Venetian gives you many on-site dining choices without leaving the resort complex.
El Cortez does not have an on-site swimming pool; the property’s identity is focused on downtown gaming and historic spaces.
If a pool is essential, El Cortez is not a match — it’s a downtown, non‑pool property.
The Venetian provides multiple outdoor pools and the resort’s signature canals and gondola rides.
The Venetian is the clear choice for on-site pool time and iconic canal attractions.
El Cortez offers NV Spa and a small 24-hour fitness center, plus intimate nightlife spots on the casino floor.
El Cortez covers basic wellness needs and downtown nightlife in a compact setting.
The Venetian features a full-service spa, larger fitness facilities and bigger-scale nightlife and show programming.
The Venetian offers more comprehensive spa, fitness and entertainment choices for resort stays.

El Cortez — steps from the Fremont Street Experience and downtown attractions.

The Venetian — thousands of suites and a wide range of upgraded room categories.

The Venetian — multiple outdoor pools and canal attractions on property.

El Cortez — strictly 21-and-over property with vintage Vegas character.
If you want the full Strip resort scene, choose The Venetian for its size, suites and attractions; choose El Cortez if you prefer classic downtown Vegas and an adults-only stay.
No — El Cortez is an adults-only (21+) property; guests under 21 are not permitted.
Neither property is all-inclusive; meals and drinks are priced separately. El Cortez charges a daily amenity fee that covers select perks but not full meals.
The Venetian — it lists about 20 restaurants and multiple bars and cafes versus El Cortez’s several downtown-focused venues.
Explore how El Cortez Hotel and Casino stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·