I check in... mass confusion at the front desk. Was given a room on the 17th floor of the California tower. (supposed Adult section, but kids were in the elevator many times)

My main reason for staying and picking this hotel was because I had seen a ad that mentioned the hotel had ALL NEW rooms as if all rooms had been remodeled, which I found out was NOT true, because my room was the same 1984 dump I had stayed in before, but it was only for one night and the rate was cheap, so I thought... it would be ok.

Then I went to the buffet, it was ok... nothing to write home about.. a tad high, but ok for what it was and where.

After loosing $20 bucks in the casino I headed upstairs and upon entering the room I could smell the scent of what I thought was skunk. I called downstairs... NO OFFER to move me to another room... instead I was told housekeeping would come up, I told the lady on the phone I doubted they could do anything, so they sent up someone from the maintenance department, he arrived within 15 minutes and said he thought although it did smell like skunk, he believed someone in one of the adjoining rooms was smoking pot and it was seeping through the interior door of the room. So he called housekeeping for a ionizer and said it would take the odor away.

After he left the odor only grew stronger and I thought enough is enough... then I called the front desk and asked to speak with the HOTEL MANAGER and she thought it was a odd request that I wanted to be moved because of someone smoking pot.

Yeah, doing drugs next door.... EFFECTING MY HEALTH and she finds it odd I want to move???? ANYWAY after demanding a different room, she offers me a even worse room on the 14th floor , where I could hear a child cry most of the night. (yeah in the adult section of the building)

The AC didn't work in the room... was 117 outside, but the same maintenance guy came to the room and had the AC going in about 10 minutes.

I have a feeling people are using this as some kind of flop house... the cars in the parking lot are old pieces of junk that couldn't cross the desert to get there. I think people are using the low rates in order to have a place to spend the night. Sad. yes, but odd for a hotel that was once so nice. Now just a flop house for the homeless. WILL NOT RETURN and remember ALL ROOMS have NOT been remodeled as some of their ads seem to suggest. (now thinking about it... they're saying... A room is all new... not ALL rooms.... yes, a tricky way to word it)

To be honest, we only came here because we were offered two free nights through their slot card club (affiliated with the Stratosphere in Vegas). I was happy we went despite the 116 degree heat. While we had only reserved a regular room, we asked nicely at the front desk if we could get a remodeled room and we did, at no extra charge. That was just the beginning of great service, we were very pleased with all the workers - cafe, buffet, table games, everyone gave great service. We didn't walk around to all the other casinos due to the heat, but we briefly entered the Golden Nugget and Edgewater. I preferred the Aquarius casino over them both. The buffet was average at best, but the view at lunch from a riverside table was great. The cafe "gourmet BLT" sandwich was awesome. Walking across the street to the outlet mall was convenient.

We arrived early for check in and played some slots to stretch the time before we could register.
When we did register, the man at the counter was curt, dismissive, and rude. At this point I was ready to tell him to take a hike, but bit my tongue and hoped for a Birthday fun time.
The room was "used" but tolerable. Staff was friendly and helpful.
Food was tolerable although nothing but ordinary.
I did not stay the night when I encountered a floor worker with a surly attitude. My questions were ignored and that was when I realized that this is a substandard establishment. I left and drove home that evening.
Will I return???? Need you ask?

My second time to Laughlin and first to the Aquarius.
After 28 hours from melbourne Australia to laughlin, I arrived at the Aquarius and it took about 15 minutes before an agent was available to check me in. The registration desk is a bit disorganised as you pick an agent and queue up (Murphy's law being I will always pick the slowest person....).
When I was checking in, the front desk told me I had booked a standard room and for $20 a nite I could upgrade to a remodelled room. After reading the reviews, I decided to do it (although when I booked I was not given the option of booking a remodelled room at a higher rate so I feel I may have been ripped off). Anyway, the room was still under $50 plus tax.
The room was fine. The first day there was no shampoo or soap, which didn't worry me as I bring my own due to allergies. The bed was a little too firm for me. The room was quite ok. I did see a standard room and glad I paid the extra! PHEW!
The buffet was good at Aquarius and the cafe was fine too. No problems with dining experiences at Aquarius. The drink service was a little slow and slots appeared to be tight, although I did pick up $1000 in one hit off a 5c machine which made my stay more enjoyable. The pool is a little sterile and lacks atmosphere, but was so hot when I was there I did not hang around too long.
I would recommend staying at the Aquarius, however if I venture back to Laughlin, will be looking at the Golden Nugget which seems nicer and has a better pool area.