I guess it would be that the security people were so nice. We checked into the hotel early in the morning and used the valet parking. We unloaded our own luggage which is fine but when we got inside to check in we had 6 adults and three sleeping babies with no offer at all for help. We was tired and signed our papers and was asked for our credit card even though our rooms were prepaid. When i asked why I was told in case there was any more charges like long distance or other things. When we arrived in our rooms they was very clean and neat but very warm. The next night we arrived back to the hotel and it was still very warm also in the other rooms we booked. It was about 11:30 and we called the front desk to ask where we could get a tooth brush and was told one would be sent up and we also told them our AC was not working , 15 minutes later we received a call to tell us no one could deliver the tooth brush but we could go to the front desk and get it. We waited an hour and called the front desk again about the AC and was told they would send someone up. About 1 o'clock two guys finally arrived and said that they have to manually turn the heat off and the AC on in the rooms. When we checked out we was then charged an extra $14.17 a day to use the internet or any of the other hotel services. So we ended up paying an extra $57 on top of the $286. we already paid. They said when we signed in we agreed to the extra charge but was never informed at 1 in the morning that we would be charged extra. Being on a tight budget that was my gas money to go home on. The hotel management was uncaring about the extra charges and the AC and wait time on getting it fixed. Then they charged my card $100. per room, ($200 for both my rooms) and said they would put back on the card what I don't use. What the heck....

We have stayed at Santa Fe Station a number of times. The rooms are basic but they are big enough, the bathrooms are small as reported however, with little counter space. Beds are comfortable. I never noticed a smoky smell in the rooms or anything less than cleanliness. The elevators are a bit slow, but since the hotel is not overly crowded this isn't really a problem. The buffet is very good. Have never had a problem getting free drinks while I was playing in the casino. All staff is friendly, never had a problem with that either. We don't feel the casino is "tight" -- it's still a better shake than some place on the Strip. You get a free paper every morning on your door and there is a small but new fitness room available for your use. It's very easy to get from parking garage to your room and to the casino. No bells & whistles here, but it's comfortable, with a convenient location near the freeway.

When I found out my flight was cancelled due to a mechanical malfunction, I immediately called Santa Fe Station. I wasn't even going to cancel my reservation, just push my arrival date for the next day. After being put on hold for over 10 minutes, I hung up, went to their website, and e-mailed reservations about my situation, and left it at that.

The next afternoon, I arrived at the property and was told by Selena, the Front Desk Agent, that Santa Fe Station has a 48 hour cancellation policy and since I didn't change my reservation within that period prior to my arrival, I was charged for the night before. Selena, obviously aware of my immediate dismay, showed not one ounce of sympathy or understanding of my position. Just kept repeating the 'policy' while cutting me off mid-sentence as I'm trying to explain to her what happened with my flight. When it was clear that she was in control and there was nothing I could do at that moment, I let her check me in. While she was on the computer, and not lecturing me, I shot off a question "So, if your flight is cancelled, or there's a family emergency and you check-out a day early, everyone is charged for late changes or cancellation?" Her answer was simply, and with more vigor than before, "Yes. Like I keep telling you, we have a 48 hour cancellation policy..."

Looks like I picked the one hotel in America that charges a one night late change/cancellation fee regardless if a situation arrises that's within your control or not. And, if you don't get why they're policy is the way it is, then they've got Selena over there to make sure that you understand it.

While I did not stay at this hotel (it was a long distance from the strip), I was at this hotel/casino for a training. The conference rooms are upstairs and very nice. Our event was catered by the hotel, and the food was very good. The negative is walking through the smoke filled casino to get to the conference rooms upstairs- which thank goodness do not have the smoke feel. As you leave the second floor from the conference rooms you can tell halfway down the escaltor the 'smoke layer' begins.
If you want to enjoy the Vegas attractions, this might be a bit far out for you (with good traffic it's a 15 min drive by freeway). If you are looking for a nice place to have a conference/meeting away from the strip with good food, this is the place!!