Me and my sister stayed at the El Cortez for a few nights in March this year. Overall the hotel was ok, just what you would expect for the price you pay.
The rooms are spacious and clean. Ours had lovely views of the hills. Only downside was that there was no hairdryer and we had a room close to the lifts so it was very noisy.
The lobby and casino area were ok. Looked pretty old fashioned and full of old people so if you are under 50-60 you will feel a bit weird. Didn't bother us too much though as we only used the hotel to sleep in and not much else.
The area around it was ok. It is a good bit away from the strip but if you have a car it's fine and there are also frequent buses running. You also have a good few bars and 'very important for us' a starbucks 5 minutes walk away.
I would recommend this hotel if you just look for a cheap place to stay while in Vegas or if you are over 50. If you are in your 20s, like us, and looking for a cooler Vegas experience then spend the extra few bucks and book a room on the strip.

My husband & I booked a week's stay at the El Cortez, just a block from the Fremont Street experience. I was skeptical about staying in downtown Vegas, but I can honestly say I had no reason for doubts. From the bell service as soon as we arrived, through our last day's checkout, we were treated like old friends & valued customers, even though this was our first stay there. My husband even got to play poker with the owner! The casino smells fresh & is breathable when you walk in, despite the smokers - something unique, in my experience. We had a jacuzzi suite, which would have gone for much more on the Strip - but you have to call the hotel to get one. They've been reserved in the past for high rollers & pit bosses. It was a great value at $125 for a weeknight. They've just recently been made available to the public & I'm so glad we booked one!! Everything about this smaller hotel & casino was clean, friendly, value-oriented (the players' club is defeinitely worth joining) & focused on customer service. This will definitely be our place from now on!

We went to Vegas last week and stayed at the MGM...but I also booked a room at the El Cortez for $30 one night/free the next for a "Vintage Room" because I figured if we wanted to hang out downtown...a $30 room for 2 nights was cheaper than a DUI driving back to the strip! We arrived early and they had a room ready for us. Check in was quick. Hotel room was nothing fancy, but very clean. View was of a wall...but not a big deal to us. Cleaning lady "cleaned up"/got rid of some things we had left laying out from other casino's such as playing cards from the Four Queens, etc. which I found kind of strange, but oh well...no harm done. Roberta's was a GREAT place to eat, especially with the 1/2 off coupon I had, and I loved the casino there. Walk felt very safe from Freemont experience as long as you stayed on the same side of the street as the El Cortez. Saw 2 security guards on that side. Other side had some people begging for money, etc.

This Hotel was great. It is away from the strip but a short bus ride to the strip. Everything is cheap down here so it saves you a ton of cash. When we arrived at the hotel to check in they gave us a free 2night stay if we returned next month and a room up grade!!! Take we only paid $28 a night!! Yes $28 a night. Then we received coupons to the buffet that was there. So we both ate for $7 at a buffet!! Yeah the buffet wasn't all that but it was almost free which made it great! Table start at like $5 won over $100 in blackjack. I enjoyed this casino I don't think I will stay on the stripe again. Can't beat the proce the staff is friendly and you get 2 enjoy downtown las vegas