I spent time at Palms Casino Resort, and it ended up being one of the more rewarding off-Strip visits of the trip, especially from a new player value point of view.

Palms sits just west of the Strip, near Rio and Gold Coast, and while it’s technically off-Strip, it doesn’t feel isolated. There are buses right outside, and by car or Uber it’s only about 10 minutes back to the Strip, depending on traffic. That makes it easy to include in a Vegas itinerary without committing to staying there.

One of the first things I did was join the players club, and this is where Palms really stood out. After earning 500 slot points, I received $40 in free slot play, along with two complimentary lunch buffets at the AYCE Buffet, which normally sells for USD $42.99 per person. For a new member offer, that’s genuinely generous and immediately tangible.

The casino itself feels fresh, clean, and comfortable, which makes sense given the recent refurbishment and the fact that Palms is now owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The investment shows — the property feels well maintained, staff were attentive, and service across the casino and dining areas was solid.

I ate at the AYCE Buffet, and the food quality lived up to expectations. There’s a wide range of options, and everything I tried was well prepared. The steak was a highlight, and the eggs benedict was particularly good — not something every buffet gets right. Overall, it felt like a buffet that’s trying to offer quality rather than just volume.

Timing matters, though. When I first went around New Year’s Eve, the buffet had a queue of close to two hours, which is significant. After the New Year, that dropped dramatically to around a five-minute wait, making the experience much more relaxed. Same food, very different entry experience.

Another interesting feature at Palms is the Unknown bar, which has a striking and slightly confronting art installation: a dissected shark display. This piece is associated with Damien Hirst, whose work is known for preserving animals in formaldehyde and pushing the boundaries between art, shock, and spectacle. Whether you love it or hate it, it definitely stops you in your tracks and adds to Palms’ reputation for mixing casino culture with contemporary art.

Walking around Palms, there’s plenty to see beyond the gaming floor. It doesn’t feel cramped or dated, and it has a younger, modern edge without being uncomfortable or loud. The slot floor was easy to navigate, and while I didn’t do extended table play here, the overall environment felt fair and player-friendly.

From a value perspective, Palms impressed me. Between the new member players club offer, the quality of the buffet, and the general comfort of the property, it delivered more than I expected for an off-Strip stop.

Overall, it was an enjoyable, worthwhile visit. Palms feels like a property that’s found a good balance between modern Vegas style and genuine player value. For anyone willing to step slightly off the Strip, it’s well worth including — especially if you’re eligible for those new member offers.