Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino — Hotel in Las Vegas

Some slot machine stalkers ruined my night and the casino supervisor did nothing to stop them.

My friend and I gamble here very often, multiple times a week, but after this experience, we'll probably be gambling elsewhere from now on. This Saturday night (8/16/25) I was playing one of those progressive "Three Little Piggies" games where the coins shoot up and make the pigs get bigger or whatever. I had invested a few hundred on a higher denomination, and I got up at one point leaving the "free games" at 19. I got up for a minute to go to the bathroom.

When I came back, some guy was sitting at the machine calling someone on his phone. He wasn't playing, just sitting there. I asked him if he was playing and he said "I'm gonna play." I waited a few minutes but he still didn't play. This is when I realized he was involved in some sleazy nonsense. If it's not already clear, he's a professional who waits for customers to get up from a hot machine so he can reap the benefits after you fed the machine with money. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if he was actually playing, but him just hogging a machine for no reason is ridiculous. I guess he was waiting for someone else to come who had the money to play it or something. I asked a slot mechanic if he was allowed to do that. The slot mechanic tried to talk to him but the guy told him to buzz off, so the mechanic got a supervisor, and he mentioned to me that the guy hogging the machine was here all the time. Of course he was.

Anyway, the supervisor came up and I explained the situation. She tried to talk to the guy. He still refused to get up. She stood about 15 feet away, just watching the guy sit there. I asked her what was going on. She mumbled something about not wanting to go up to him now. Eventually, she went and got two security guards and they went and talked to him some more. I couldn't hear what was said, but the supervisor ended up doing nothing even though the guy was clearly NOT playing.

During the commotion, about five other guys were circling the area and coming up and talking to the guy. They were obviously part of the operation. And some other weirdo in sunglasses came up and threatened me basically, told me to go away if I know what's good for me. He did it right in front of the supervisor and security guards and all they did was admonish him and tell him not to talk to me. By this moment, all of these guys should have been kicked out. There's absolutely no reason for this passive response to such nonsense.

This went on for like 20 minutes, us all standing around with the supervisor not having the courage to take any action despite having two security guards at her side. Eventually I just walked away. I have better things to do. When I left, the security guards and supervisor were still standing there unsure of what to do, and the guy and his crew were still hogging the machine. As far as I know, they never forced those guys to get up.

I'm not surprised that some shady guys were hanging around a casino, that's almost expected, but I'm really shocked that the casino would take their side over a regular gambler. The rule is clear, if you're not playing, get up and let someone else play. And in this case they were clearly on a team and they have guys going around stalking people who play progressive machines, waiting for them to get up, and then occupying the machine. Does Santa Fe think that's good for business? To side with a bunch of exploitative slot machine stalkers instead of their gambling customer base? I'm shocked. I wouldn't recommend coming here unless you wanna be harassed by a bunch of sleazy dudes and have the casino...

I went on a solo trip for about a week. I spent quite a bit of money and they kept my deposit because I spilled crackers which I also tried to clean as well, the housekeeping had to vacuum. What a travesty! The deposit is $150. It was a complete waste of money. I spent about $750 just on the room alone not including food and drinks. It was not chill at all due to the parties next door and them smoking weed for two days. I couldn’t sleep for two days. I did call the front desk and let them know the second night. I want to make it very very clear that the manager John or Jonathan is one of the rudest and ill informed managers I’ve ever come across. Being a director and realtor I know with every inch in my body that he is not in the right profession and should probably be fired. I have travelled extensively and this was just a solo chill trip for me since I just got back to Vegas. Also another front desk girl Carly car something was also so rude because I had complained about my neighbors. I’m so sorry I don’t mean to bother the staff and have them maybe do their job. She acted as though I was making it up and even kind of laughed and said mmmhmmmm. And, also treated me with very ill intention as well. Obviously the problem starts at the top and kind of touches each team member. That being Jonathan. Obviously this casino is not luxury. However, I was paying luxury prices. The least Jonathan could have done was treat me with respect. I don’t believe he knows what that word means. It’s sad and pathetic when people rip you off and treat you so bad and try to make you feel like you are the one doing something wrong. That is very wrong. I was paying $130-$150 a night with a $150 deposit that Jonathan was very excited to keep. His excuse. Spilled crackers. Im serious. I spilled my crackers and he was very upset about it. I did not ask for a free night or any comps. I guess Jonathan just assumed and was so rude he told me I had to check out by 11 and remove myself from the property or he would have security do it For him. For what reason??? None! I have no idea why that would even come up because I had done nothing but eat the food and chill in the room and gamble a bit. I got out of there as fast as possible wanting to escape the horrible way Jonathan made me feel. I was shocked and disgusted. Not only as a traveler but as a human being. The way I was treated was probably the worst in Las Vegas and I’ve been here since 2016. I will never waste my money there again. I will never go there again due to being treated horribly. However I do have seven thousand followers on Facebook and I plan on sharing this experience on Facebook as well. Please do not waste your money there, there are far better hotels in Vegas that are cheaper and the staff actually treat you with respect and are so kind. I would like to follow up with Jonathan’s manager soon. But it was obvious he didn’t want me speaking to her and said she wouldn’t be in til later. After I checked out of course. he said she would not be in until later. I am not the type to write reviews like this I tend to stick to the happy yay reviews. But this is what it is. So save your money this place is horrible with a horrible staff and I wasted well Over $750 for what? Probably close to $1100 for 5 days and the extreme mistreatment from Jonathan summed it all up and will always give me a sour taste in my mouth and memories that were pretty awful,...

UPDATE: My family and I have been coming here for several years and in the beginning I rated this property via Google, but never provided a review (narrative) to support my rating...and since this property is kind of like our "second home," I figured I'd finally provide some ample comments. I also submitted a Yelp review of this property back in 2016; however, since then, my opinion/review of this place has changed (improved). I'll tell you, my initial visit to this property wasn't as memorable as how I feel about this place now - I have a much bigger appreciation of Station properties. Also, I probably wouldn't be visiting Santa Fe Station as much if my family and I never moved residence.

I had the opportunity to stay in a double queen room several years ago for 2 nights and I can't say that I was impressed with the room. Specifically, the bed was very uncomfortable and I woke up with a very sore back. I am unsure if the beds are still less than adequate, and I don't anticipate accomplishing a staycation anytime soon to determine if anything improved, so my opinion on the beds may be slightly outdated for other guests.

The gaming areas are suitable; I know there will always be one or two machines that people will wish that certain properties would have, but this casino has a legitimate amount. I know this game isn't as popular, but I do wish that this casino had the Let It Ride table game. This game is/was one of my favorites, but I don't think it received that long-term popularity. The slot techs in this casino are awesome - I don't think I ever came across any slot tech that I can't stand. Most, if not all of them are personable which is appreciative at times...this also includes majority of the casino hosts that I had the pleasure to talk to.

The restaurants and other entertainment areas on this property are great - see my Google reviews for some of the businesses. I am glad that the food court received a little updating to its choices and a remodeling to a couple of fast food places. Also, there's been some significant updates to the property with respect to their poker room and night club (Stoney's North Forty) - both look very nice. I also got a glimpse of a new room (old poker room) that is still under construction and it looks great so far...can't wait to see the final product.

One of my biggest complaints of coming here are the parking areas...specifically, as you leave the North-end VIP parking lot area. There's 2 cross traffic stop signs that majority of people DO NOT stop (go figure with this city), and it's a blinded corner which makes exiting the parking area like pit row in a NASCAR race at times. Also, the parking area in general is just horrible and tends to get congested with awful drivers. I feel that the layout could be more efficient and safer for customers/guests.

Overall, I enjoy this property - between the theaters, Charcoal Room, food court area, or simply playing the machines, it's definitely worth the visit. If you've never been to this property before, definitely check it out. And personally, I enjoy Station's rewards program over majority of other rewards programs...