The Edgewater - Laughlin, Nevada - A Decent Hotel Casino at a Reasonable Price

What to say about the Edgewater Casino Hotel in Laughlin, NV? Like the other nine hotels that line the Colorado River in Laughlin, it has good views. Its rooms are middle-of-the-road-Holiday-Inn types. It's got more or less the same steakhouse as each of its neighbors, this one called the Hickory Pit (with Yukon steak saut, and hickory smoked pork chops); more or less the same casual restaurant (Coco's, open 24/7); the same buffet (Grand Buffet, with weekend brunches free to guests with a member's card, featuring hand-carved beef, rotisserie chicken, and Italian, Mexican, and Asian food); the same pool ("conveniently located near Dairy Queen and the Hotel Gift Shop''); the same beauty salon; and the same fitness center (open from 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.). In other words, with room rates as low as $15.99 a night, the Edgewater is a budget hotel. For the gambler watching his pocketbook it offers clean rooms and affordable fare including, besides the DQ, a McDonald's, a Sbarro, a Krispy Kreme, and an Orange Julius all on-premises.

Like the other hotels along the Colorado, the Edgewater (owned by the same outfit that runs the nearby Colorado Belle) touts its proximity to Laughlin's riverwalk. Like the others, it's got water-taxi service to the larger Bullhead City across the river. It's got bars. It's got an arcade with, as it says, "30 of the most state of art games.'' At its Kokopelli's Showroom the Edgewater has live floor shows featuring acts you never heard of - including comedians like Richard Villa and Jason Collings, Chas Elstner and Laura Park, and Kivi Rogers and Johnny Watson. The Edgewater will steer you to jet ski rentals and boat rentals; to bass, catfish, striper, and trout fishing; to the many area golf courses; and to shootouts in the town of Oatman, some 20 miles away.

What, then, sets the Edgewater apart? Well, for one thing the 26-story, 1,400-room hotel has a neon-blue waterfall painted down its front wall. For another, it's one of the most centrally located of the riverwalk hotels. It boasts the "newest and most exciting slot machines on the river'' including the omnipresent Wheel of Fortune and Mega Bucks. Its casino is one of Laughlin' largest, featuring 3-card poker, Let it Ride, Pai Gow, and Roulette. Cash promotions include a $500 bonus for Royal Flush jackpots, $100 for straight flush jackpots, and daily specials that include so-called "Quads of the Day,'' where four-of-a-kind can win a player another $100.

Guests at the Edgewater have loved it: "Great people, great casino;'' "An excellent place in which to stay;'' and "Relaxing if you want it to be.''

And they have hated it: "Wish I could say something positive;'' and "This isn't Vegas, baby;''

One visitor, though, probably best summed up the hotel when he wrote that the Edgewater is "one of the best for your buck hotels in Laughlin.''

For reservations call 800-677-4837, or email ewreservations@cb-ew.com .