If you're not going to wear underwear....a TR.

I can't believe we have not even been back a week yet, and I am sooo ready to go back!!! I did NOT want to come home this time. Well, I never do.

So, on with the TR. My husband, Trey, and I were in Vegas from June 28 to July 5. We flew United out of IAH on some free vouchers my husband had gotten for sales. Love those! Good job, babe! Unfortunately, our flight was about a half hour late, as the "cleanup crew" was late to clean the plane. Boo and Hiss.

Also, this was the first flight I had been on that had no music, tv, movie or other type of entertainment. I guess they figure everyone plugs into their phones now. Guess I need to get a portable charger. Flight was fine after the delay.

Rented a car from EZ, though I really think we don't need one. My husband was playing in a WSOP event at Rio, but he could have taken a cab. We used the car a little, as he does not drink much, but certainly could have done without it. IMHO.

Our first three nights at Aria. Two comped. No offers in the mail, but called and got two nights. Hoped they would take some off at the end, but only EC's and a $50 resort credit we forgot we had! I can deal with that. For some reason, we keep screwing up our play there. On the third night, we mostly played at CET, as we had a free play offer of $175 that had to be used that day. Thank goodness, that $175 lasted me eight or more hours! I think the room was around $150 before credits were taken.

Make sure to check your bills, though, as we had several local calls on there that we did not make. They took them off without question.

We have been loyal to Paris for almost ten years now, and are Diamond and have a host there, but I do love the beds at Aria and the dark colors and relaxing vibe of the casino, so have started to start our stay there on the last few trips. I was a little worried, as I had just read about really bad bell service on here, but we gave our luggage over to the guy at the valet, who was super courteous. He said please let us know if there is any problem at all with your room, and also, if there is something good.

We were the only ones in line, at the invited guest line, and did not ask for an upgrade. We got in around 11:00. No early check-in fee. We were given a nice view of the strip toward Luxor, and the three pools. Very nice check-in guy. Easy peasy. Always good to get a room instead of having to wait.

Up to the room and our luggage got there before we barely had time to close the door. Kind of odd thing, we happened to walk in on the guy who was checking/refilling the minibar. He got us to use our key for the door, as he had it open, to check and make sure we really had that room. We did that another day, too, same check. Good.

So, a quick toss of the luggage and down to the casino. I mostly played VP that day, had a few 4oaks, one with aces,but no kicker. Ended the day up $22. I call that a good start!:evillaugh

We ate lunch at The Pub in Monte Carlo with a $50 voucher from myVegas. Went to desk in MC, very quick to put on the card. Easy to use at Pub. I got a bacon/beef burger, where it is actually made with ground bacon. It was okay. A little dry, as I think they have to cook it more. Great fries and an apricot ale, which I lovelovelove. Trey got a french dip and a Stella. The meal came to $51. $1.00 plus a good tip from us. Thanks myVegas!

The definite hilight of the first day, and maybe the whole trip, was Raiding the Rock Vault! We had gotten half price tickets,but I would pay full price if I had to and would definitely see this show again! It is at LVH, which seems to have been spruced up a bit. We played a little VP before the show, and I met a super nice local. An older lady who had lived in Vegas for 20+ years. She had very interesting stories, but seemed a little lonely. Glad we struck up a conversation. I love meeting new people!

Now, on to the show...and the lack of underwear!!

If you don't know already the show features members of rock bands from the 80's doing songs from the 60's to the 80's and doing them damn well! There are also a few actors who pop in from time to time to give an "update" and some cool videos on the back screens. Did not pay all that much attention to the videos, though, as the band was incredible! We had seats right up next to the part of the stage where it juts out,and all of them come up there, close enough to touch. No cameras, but when they see you using phones to take pics, they will come right up and ham it up with you.

There was a meet and greet before, that I did not know about, or would have done, and some of the folks who went said it was great. The band pointed them out several times during the show, and they got some kind of goody bag at the end.

Okay...about the underwear....One of the lead singers, the short one, did not wear any! Okay, he is a rocker, I know, but there is a rule he forgot. If you are not going to wear underwear, your pants must be tight, so that your "jewels" don't jingle. It got me really tickled, which I don't think is what he was going for! When we were standing, and he came to our little part of the stage, I could not look at him, only look down and giggle. Uncomfortable!

Other than that, the show was truly AWESOME! My husband really loved it. We had just been to see the GooGooDolls and Daughtry the night before, and I think he had a better time at RRV.

The crowd was quite mixed, from young, to two much older ladies( I am 52) who had sparkly, lighted braids in their hair. Go, girls!!

After the show, we bought a tshirt, for only $10!! and had them all sign it, along with a cd. They were all very nice and we also had a few pics taken with some of them. Go See This Show!!!

If you are still with me, on to Day 2. Went to the pool for awhile around 9:30. Had the pool all to ourselves for awhile which was really nice. Stayed about three hours. Dang! The heat really gets to me! Spent most of the time in the pool reading a Sookie Stackhouse paperback. (Good stuff!)

Trey played in a poker tourny at Aria, that started at 1:00, so I had a little soaking with my book in their awesome tub. Ahhh. ( One thing I don't like about Paris' regular rooms...tiny tub.)

Finally made it down around 3 or 4 and hubby was still going strong in the tourny! Yay!!

I settled in to VP and ordered a mojito, not sure if they would serve it on the floor. Indeed, they did!! Over and over!! They were yummy!! I had quite a few! The VP, or slots, were not so kind to me as the first day, and I went through my daily bankroll about the same time the hubs finished the tourney. He came out 17th, for around $600 on a $200 buy-in. I thought that was great, but he was a little disappointed. Said that, even though they kept consolidating tables, he kept getting put right beside the guy with the largest chip stack. He really like this tourny and the way it was run, though.

Since I had not eaten a thing all day, unless you can count a little mint!! we went to 500 degree pizza and had a slice. Was it that good, or was I just starving? Will have to go back to give it another try. I thought it was some damn good pizza!!

Day 3...back to the pool, though a little later, around 10:30 and they had let other people in our pool!! What!!?? We only lasted about two hours today...due to hangover? or heat? You decide.

Up to the room to shower and change and head over to the Quad, as I had $175 in free play that had to be used at the Quad, today. (So, low play the last day = no help at checkout. Can't blame them.)

I love what they have done at the Linq. In February, it was only open half way. It is really a nice place to hang out, night or day. You even get a little of the AC from the businesses. We gambled at the Quad, VP and a little Alice in Wonderland for me. That freeplay kept me going for at least eight hours and quite a few tier credits. Love freeplay and rarely get it from CET.

We also met up with some friends there, and they are always fun to hang out with. We all went to eat at the Yardhouse because we could not find Guy Fieri's. It is on the other side of the Quad, as it turns out. We ended up LOVING the YH and went back two days later for more. They, of course, have many, many beers and their system is very cool looking with all the pipes running in. When I get rich, I'm gonna have a mini-system like that...say, maybe 8 taps or so. Love me some good beer. Don't know anything about it, just love it.

We got several apps, including Ahi sliders, by far the best, and a poke bowl, which was okay. Some bearnaise sliders also. Our friend got a burger and his wife got a tuna roll. As the waiter explained, it was not your typical tuna roll at all. It was huge, and VERY different. A meal, more than an app.Tuna, edamame, quacamole on top. I know it sounds weird, but I had it the day we went back,and it was delicious! I could not eat the whole thing.

Oh!! Best part of the meal?Truffle fries! Little skinny bites of delight! Warning, you get fries with almost everything, so instead of getting extra, just ask that your fries be "truffleized"!! So yummy!!

I actually had a pineapple ale that night, good, but not as good as the apricot ale at The Pub in MC. The next time, I had a watermelon beer!! Oh my yumminess!!Got one to go. Clue,they can't give you one to go, but as you start to walk out the door, they will exchange their glass for a plastic one.

Also, at the door, you cannot bring in other alcohol or "sippy cups". Our friend had one, and they asked for it, and her name, so she could get it back when we left. She was so confused, she could not remember her name. I guess you had to be there, but it was hilarious, and we laughed about it the rest of the trip!

Before going to the Quad, we went by the Rio for my husband to register for a three day tourny. The line was huge to register, but went very fast. He found me by a 100 play VP machine, and I left .29 up!! The tourney did not turn out so well for him, sadly, but I got more time with him.:evillaugh

We also stopped by Paris on the way and picked up our free High Roller tix and his $100 Diamond dinner certificate. Nice guy at the desk gave us two tickets to the comedy show that night after we tipped him $5. I don't think the folks at the TR desk get many tips and they are always so helpful.

After that, we stopped off at Bally's for yes, a little VP for me, slots for Trey. I sat down at one of the new machines...they are everywhere...not sure if I like them yet. My card would not work. A security guard came up and tried it, nope. She then called for an attendant who brought me two cards in less than five minutes. Great service that I was not expecting.

We walked through the Cromwell and loved it. What a great job they have done here. Only walked through,but would spend quite a bit of time here on Friday night.

Walked through the Flamingo, which just always seems full of chaos for me. Just can't like that place, and I like pink!

On to Margaritaville Casino to toast a friend who lost his valiant battle with cancer just a week before we left. He was a ParrotHead. We will miss him. Cheers, Pete.

Got a little out of sync there, but after dinner, yes, after, we went on the High Roller. I am afraid of heights, even though I have jumped off The STRAT , and that was a blast! I like fast stuff,not slow. The HR, though, was great. You did not feel as you were moving, it was so slow, and the views were gorgeous!

Wound down with a little slot play at Aria with little return, and called it a night. Tomorrow, Paris, our home away from home.

Where are we? Day 4? Tuesday? We check in at Paris around 10:00 desparately hoping for a room this early. I could use some more sleep, and Trey was due at Rio at noon. I did NOT want him carrying around the rest of our bankroll, even though I know some of you carry WAY more than we had.

Ronisha, the sweet girl at the Diamond check-in was super nice. I told her that the view was the most important thing to me, with a high floor. She asked if we had been given a suite before, and I told her yes. She said she had a Calais on the 15th, that was ready now, or on the 30th, but would be ready later. We settled for the 15th.
It was great to be able to put the money in the safe and to rest a little more. Dang! Vegas wears me out!!!


Got to the suite, and though I love the decor of the red rooms, you just cannot beat the jacuzzi and TWO bathrooms in the Calais suite!! I keep wanting to pinch myself each time I walk into this suite. Just lovely. And though I could only see a part of the Fountains, it was still a beautiful view.

I enjoyed an Elton John concert in the background while I sat and looked at my favorite view in Vegas, although a little lower than perfect, still quite amazing.

Things get a little blurry from here, as I did not take many more notes. I know some of you are glad about that.

We gambled mostly at PHo for the next two days and my husband played in a tourney there most of the day one day. Dang, those things last forever. He also finished in the money there too, which is always good for the general mood, if you know what I mean.

I asked at PHo, and Paris for a mojito, and they did not serve them on the floor. Boo and Hiss. I went to Heart Bar in PHo, slid up to a VP machine and ordered one. The bartender asked me if I was going to play, and I said yes. She said mojitos were not comped. Hmmm. I had one...for $12, then ordered Blue Moons. I did like the dark, cozy atmosphere, but was surprised mojitos were not comped. More boos and hisses.

So, lots of gambling Wednesday and Thursday, mostly using up my daily bankroll, but having it last quite awhile. My husband played slots on my card, also, and I made Diamond either Wednesday or Thursday night. I had started the trip with about 9,000 tier credits. After that, all slots and VP were on his card, and he found out he made Diamond after we got home.

I had quite the run on a five line, mult-denom machine at the Cromwell on Friday night after the Ron White show at the Mirage. He was hilarious, as usual. Some old stuff, some new. The guy beside us walked out halfway through. I never understand that. He said he had seen Ron about 15 years ago. I think he has always been offensive, for those who are going to be offended, and it surprises me that people don't know what kind of act they pay for.

As for the Cromwell, they did serve mojitos, in love glasses by the way, and their service was fantastic. Their water is Fiji, for those who care, and when I would not order a mojito, they would always leave a water. Great service there. I wish I could remember the name of the machine there, and may be able to find a picture. It is near their car entrance, closest entrance to Bally's. I put a $20 in there, and several hours later, took out over $1000. Was up to $1600 at one point. Back and forth from .25 to .50 to $1.00. Thanks, Cromwell!

Before the Ron White show on Friday, we went to BLT. I was very curious about this, as I had really enjoyed the old Bally's Steakhouse and all those gorgeous photos. The new place is very modern, but I lovelovelove it. The service was amazing. We were seated in a booth near the bar, which, at first, I thought might be too busy a spot. As it turned out, I loved watching that talented bartender and the care he took with his drinks. I would have liked to try one of everything he made.

I did have a mojito, then a watermelon/basil concoction, which was out of this world. Should have looked at the drink menu before I ordered, but the mojito was great as well.

After we ordered, they brought us a selection of apps for "special guests"!! Who knew? My favorite was a little jar of liver pate, which I thought I hated. I could have licked that little jar clean, and they did offer to bring more, but I wanted to save my appetite. There was also some yummy charcuterie?sp?

I got the filet with bearnaise sauce...yummoooo!!! My husband got the bone-in ribeye. We shared creamed spinach. No way we could have dessert, didn't even finish half our meals, but they brought out a little mini-dessert anyway. The service there was incredible. Attentive without being overbearing. I will be back...hopefully no later than December.

We left on Saturday, around 1:00 but did a little dollar to five dollar slotting in the Paris high limit room. Not a whole lot of winnings, but quite a few tier credits. We had put aside a certain amount to do this with, as we usually play .25 to $1.00 slots, but wanted to give it a try.

I somehow left out a trip to Tender, via myVegas $75 off $150. It was fine, but I don't think I would go back. We have enjoyed it more there, just having drinks and apps in the front bar area. Most of the apps we had there before were not on the dinner menu. I had scallops, which were very good, and my husband's steak, bone-in ribeye was great. It was HUGE and he almost made himself ill trying to finish it.

So, not saying it was bad, by any means. However,with all the choices, I don't think we will go back. Not much else at Luxor for me.

Well, our time in Paradise had to come to an end, and I really tried to talk my husband into an extra day this time. If only we had flown SW.

Sadly, we left the trip with a bad taste when we went to check out. My husband had visited with our host on Friday before dinner,and asked her to review our bill. At checkout, nothing had been done, no RC's taken,nothing, so we knew she had not done anything with it. We did speak to the host on duty and they took off all charges, including a wonderful 80 minute massage with Ovid( OMG, if you love a good massage,see this man at Paris spa!)

We were quite disappointed with her, as we were booked on the freeplay offer, which was not showing at check-in, but was added when we pointed that out. Our host seems to be such a sweet lady, and I don't know if it is age catching up with her, or she is too overwhelmed. Not sure what we are going to do about this, and really don't want to get her in trouble. We don't ask for more than we think we have played for, but this lack of service all together is quite frustrating.

Hate to end on a bad note, because this trip was fantastic!! Seven nights and I seriously was not ready to go home.It did not hurt that I had a winning night on Friday!

For those of you who stuck it out, thanks for reading. I always love the TR's on here, and always learn something from them and live vicariously through them. Hope you enjoyed mine!

Good luck to everyone! Til next time!


Ooops! Left out one important thing! Koi "nightclub"!! Do not go there. We were with our friends, and "lured" by the promise of an "open bar" for $20 admission. My friend, whose name will not be mentioned, because sometimes even she cannot remember it, wanted to go, so she and I did. Well, the "open bar" was super limited with very low end liquors and no specialty drinks, including mojitos. I did tip the poor bartender well, so my drinks were pretty strong, but the place was just SAD. Horrible atmosphere. terrible DJ...or maybe that's just not my kind of music. Very blah, dull looking place. Worst part....our shoes actually STUCK to the floor, to the point that my friend's shoe actually came apart when she lifted her foot.

I LOVE Koi for the sushi, but a " club"? I don't think so. Just wanted to send out a warning.

Another edit: Not sure how I left this out, but got to fulfill an awesome thing on my bucket list this trip...we bought a Godard!! Woohoo!! Waiting on it to be shipped. It's called " Party Like A Rock Star" and fits both of us well, since we love rock and roll and live concerts. I had actually gone into the Miracle Mile store by myself and Keoni Alferez walked me through the store and we had a great conversation about the art. I really didn't think we would buy a piece this time, but he took up a lot of time with me and put the one I liked under the light to show it off to its best. For those of you that don't know, Godard is the artist who has the olives in a lot of his work. He is branching out, and now has pictures with wine and beer. He also has a line of Gin And Vodka. The bottles looked great. I would have bought those, but they sell them only at liquor stores. Gonna have to order me some of those. Love his stuff. Happy 24th Anniversary to us!

Also, we did go to Chayo at the Linq and had some really good lobster tacos and a watermelon drink from their specialty menu. Hopefully, I will figure out how to post pics soon.

 

Great report! Glad you had a good time!

 

Nice TR. I understand wanting to go back.

I had a similar experience as you did with everything going great on a Trip till check out. Made the TRIP home bad and left a bad taste in my mouth about my whole trip. Just takes one bad thing to make a great trip bad.

Will wait to read your next TR.

 

Nice detailed report...
But I gotta ask...you had a $20 up to $1600 and DIDNT cash out?!?
Hell, if I got a $20 up to $200, I'd cash that shit out! That's 10x profit!

 

Loved your TR, very enjoyable read. We tried Yardhouse back in May and also loved it. All the food was great and I liked the atmosphere.

 

Crazy? Right? But that machine just kept hitting and hitting! I was very proud of myself for not going under $100. That's why I like those multi-denoms. Started out at a quarter, then .50, then $1.00 back and forth.

Love reading your TR's also.

 

Didn't let it ruin my trip....way too much fun was had. Hate to get pissed off like that, though. BTW, I have posted a question about this to Hunter from PH to get his take on it. This is not the first time our host has "let things slip" lately.

 

Loved your TR. I enjoy a good mojito and have also been running into the issue you did with no longer being able to get them comped on the Casino floor. I had one comped at Cromwell in May when playing VP at the bar and one on the floor as well. Couldn't get one at the bar at Trop or Paris. One of the things Ienjoy about Cosmo, being able to get specialty drinks comped, though lemon drop martinis ate my favourite there.

Funny story about your friend being flustered into not remembering her name.

Sorry to hear about your host not coming through at check out; hopefully the issues were one time and not the start of a pattern.

 

Enjoyed the TR but missed meeting you two at the meet on Sunday.

 

Maybe HE was going for a tickle.

Nice report, enjoyed it!

 

how was the ron white show

 

Thanks for your TR. I enjoyed it very much.

Poor show with your host not doing what they implied. Not something that happens to me, I don't have a host.

I'm surprised that Mojitos aren't comped generally. I have never ordered one whilst gambling, but assumed they would be available if I wanted one.

 

great report, enjoyed it!

Good to hear Arias bellman gave you good service.

 

Nice comprehensive report! Glad you had a nice time.

I sadly chuckled a bit when I read that your United flight was delayed and that you had to fly on a "dark" plane with no entertainment. Such is the life now, unfortunately, for those of us who choose United.

 

Fun and detailed TR ... we are going to see Raiding the Rock Vault on our trip ... hubs like all types of rock music. Hope I don't see any jiggle balls LOL

 

So sorry I missed it! I never even got to Caesar's. I am so bad about that. Hopefully next time. Hope the meet was good. Have you done a TR? Looking forward to reading it.

 

Maybe so, RF!! I just couldn't stop laughing! Thanks for the comment, from the BEST TR author out there! I am humbled.

 

Ron White was hilarious as always. He had some new stuff, mainly about Vegas, which I was hoping for. We see him every time he comes around Houston, so I've heard a lot of his stuff, and it makes me laugh every time. I am very open to some raunchy comedy, and he has it. It just always surprises me when someone walks out. Didn't they KNOW about Ron?

 

Sadly not a choice with the free tickets, but for free tickets, I would fly dark every time!! I just had not heard of that. Luckily, on the way out, we had been separated, and when my husband asked at the desk, they put us together, AND on an exit row! Winner! On the way back, we were separated again, didn't notice because we were window one row ahead of each other. Thank God I had good seatmates, and was able to sleep most of the way back, due to not so much in Vegas. The poor girl on my aisle was 5'11" and must have been miserable.

Are all United flights dark?

 

Sadly, this is not the first time. I am curious to hear from Hunter, or anyone who might have had a similar experience, to see what they think.