The Las Vegas Courtesan

Wells, Nevada is a small town that barely straddles the Interstate-80 about 60 miles from the eastern border of Utah. Since the conservative Wendover, Utah, influences West Wendover, prostitution is banned in the area (though after reading a bit online, there is local interest to have brothels on the Nevada side). Supposedly a good number of visitors can come from the Salt Lake area since Wells is the first stop inside of Nevada that has brothels. The two brothels in this town looked semi easy to get to on Google but turned out to be more difficult since a snowstorm had set in and the directions I had found from the street address seemed to be a ways off from the brothels’ red glow I saw in the distance. After speaking with Bella’s on the phone, they directed me easily to the best route to the brothel so I didn’t get more turned around in the snow. 

There are two brothels in Wells: Donna’s Ranch and Bella’s Hacienda Ranch. The two are easily located right next door to each other in case you want to try them both out and see what they have to offer. These brothels are on the other side of the tracks in a more commercial side of town away from any homes and, really nothing else is near by. They are hard to see from the freeway due to a large bridge that goes over the railroad tracks past the truck stops, but once you get over the bridge there is a large billboard that points you in the right direction. You can also visit Bella’s Espresso House on the way in or out of town right off of the same freeway exit. They are the same owners of Bella’s Hacienda Ranch, and supposedly serve some great breakfast (though my coffee was so-so), but the “extras” are served only at the brothel. I’m sure if you get a girl in one of the houses they will sure leave you hungry on your way out of town.

Donna’s Ranch is the only other brothel located in Wells besides Bella’s, but also has a location in Battle Mountain approximately 120 miles to the West on I-80. This brothel is yet another one that claims to be the oldest brothel in operation in Nevada like the one in Ely, but this one boasts operation since the late 1800’s. I don’t know who really wins the oldest brothel contest, Donna’s or the Big Four Ranch. I guess they will have to duke that one out with the historians. 

As I entered the brothel I got a real uncomfortable vibe from the bartender and got a slight eye roll when asking for the line up. I think I had to repeat myself and then some other male patrons in the bar piped up wanting to see the girls as well instead of just drinking their beers alone. I don’t know if it was the fact that they only had two girls working that evening or what exactly was going on, but at last the girls came out and introduced themselves. The tour consisted of a little history of the brothel, mostly boasting about the old owner Jack Dempsey and showing the small room that he used to stay in. I’m guessing all of the girls of these brothels get a little training on the history of the brothel and what to tell potential clients on the tour so they have something interesting to talk about along the way back to their rooms. The girl took me back to her room, where she stays and entertains, to discuss any private details and pricing. This was one girl who didn’t negotiate at all, and really didn’t want to hear what I had to say or what budget I was wanting to spend. It was her semi-high half hour rate or nothing. When I tried speaking to work things out she cut me off and said, “Well thanks for coming by Donna’s!” I guess I will just see myself out, then!

Of course you can’t judge any brothel by one individual girl’s demeanor, but I really didn’t care for Donna’s after that. I did make note that they had a jacuzzi VIP room, but not much else. If I had the choice between the two and was stuck in Wells, I’d pick Bella’s first.