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Grumpy Old People do 9 Nights in Vegas, 3 hotels....longgg....3/31-4/9

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Tammy58, Apr 14, 2015.

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  1. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Mass
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    16

    My Trip Report

    16th trip for me, 14th for the DH. Spent the night at Homewood Suites at BDL since we had an early flight. Up at 4:30 at the airport at 5:30 am. Non stop full SW flight BDL to LAS...left on time at 7:45. 5 hours and 20 minutes later we are on the ground at LAS. Paid for 3 seats for the 2 of us...we were roomy and comfy and it works for us. Still cheaper than taking another carrier nonstop around here and paying for bigger seats, bags, more expensive parking at the other airports. At quarter past 10 on a Tues morning LAS was very relaxing. Bags eventually came off, Mike waited for them while I stepped outside for a smoke. Long trip for a nicotine addict. Hadn't had one since I dropped off the bags 7 hours earlier. Off to the rental shuttle, straight to Dollar car area and our car is waiting. This is noteworthy because the last 2 trips it said “see attendant” and there was a line outside waiting for their car. Those were both Sundays so I am assuming they just have times when they can't keep up with the demand. I checked daily for months and best rate I managed to get was midsize Toyota Corolla 9 nights $240 including taxes and fees. We were okay with that. Off to the corner mini mart ( LVB south and Warm Springs) for soda, water, snacks. Up the strip to Bally's parking garage.

    *** Link for pictures*** https://www.facebook.com/tammy.wilsongreene/media_set?set=a.959299377427564.1073741837.100000425316731&type=3

    Since there are 3 hotels I am breaking this into 3 parts.

    Part 1

    Bally's 3 nights comped, chose Indigo Tower because we wanted a quiet room. We have given CET barely any play the past 3 years and we needed something cheap for the first few nights...so might as well take advantage of their comped rooms before they stop offering them to me. I have the CC so lucky to still have Platinum status. Noontime at the Plat line dealing with April. VERY nice lady, I was looking to upgrade to a Smoking, high floor, Indigo, Suite ( email a week ago offered one to me for $65 night upcharge but I would rather deal with them in person ) 1 available but not ready yet. She blocked it out for me $50 night upcharge. We didn't get into the room until 4. They use to call them Grand Suites, then Junior Suites now Indigo Tower suite...you know what I am talking about. Large room with upholstered chair, love seat, big ass bathroom with sunken tub. Room 2561 last room at the end of the hall facing Bellagio Fountains. Great View, see pics. Door with bidet was locked. Super quiet, clean as a room that old could be. Sure there is tons of wear but as long as cleaned well as can be we are okay with old furniture. Hell we are old too. Had enough pts on the CC to take care of resort fees, they comped off the 7.99 “faster” internet fee...RANT...why have resort fees including internet if they are going to offer you faster internet for a price and free internet is the speed of dial up? Ok rant over. Nice view, nice employees, great location....their slots hated me.

    Weds West Rim Skywalk with Grand – Adventures. Yes, that company is all they are cracked up to be! Picked us up at 6 am along with a couple from Columbia and a family of 4 from Minnesota. Stopped at the Vegas sign 6:30 am, Mickey Ds breakfast in Boulder at 7:15 then off to the west rim. Yes, we are fully aware that the South is nicer than the West. We are not good travelers so it was the West Rim or NO Rim. Guide was very knowledgeable and very pleasant and friendly. Mike the dh refuses to EVER take a guided tour...he is a do it yourselfer... and even he was glad we did it this way. Did the Skywalk first, our picnic lunch provided by the company...then a few hours of hiking around. On the way back we stopped at Hoover Dam for an hour or so and took a quick peek down at the marina at Lake Mead. Back at our hotel at 6 pm. Long enough for us. The reason our trip was so long was to allow time for this day and a recovery day if needed the next day.

    Thursday – Jeff Dunham at PH. Show good, seating awful. We have watched Jeff on tv for years and were looking forward to this since we enjoy his humor. The intro taped thing was a little long, the little Jeff part was boring. The worst part was the seats. We were in the middle front but in the back half...seats are hard plastic with cup-holders built in. If you are over 200 pounds you will be VERY uncomfortable. The seats in the front half of the front looked different. Go for those. Hard to enjoy a show when you are being strangled by your seat and cupholder. From the moment we sat we couldn't wait for the show to be over...due to the strangulation.

    Gaming....Bally's Paris and PH....I found 1 decent penny machine at Paris on Thursday night...great lounge band playing and machine hitting. 1 penny machine at Bally's I managed to hit $89 on... Other than that every machine I walked up to said thank you very much and gave me NOTHING. Mike played some slots and VP...he found no good paytables on the VP. Old Reel slots ( the kind we like ) were horrendous as in ...give them $20 they “might” give you back 1 cherry for 4 coins if you were lucky. I had to resort to pennies and VP most of the trip.

    Food- We are NOT foodies... as you will soon find out.

    PH buffet lunch with LVA 2/1 total with tax $23+ food okay, warm not hot...but for the price would go again. Mike always likes this one but I could care less about it.

    Nathans split 1 dog/ff/soda always good

    Johnny Rockets yuck won't go back.

    Planet Dailies- chick parm for Mike, burger fries for me Good $50 plus tip

    We only had these 3 days due to wanting to do the Grand Canyon when we booked. Tried to keep these 3 extra days cheap, less bankroll, quick eats. Breakfast was provided by the tour on Weds, Thurs was splitting a muffin from the coffee place.

    Part II

    Checked out of Bally's around 10:30 and headed south. Stopped at the Outlet Mall to kill time on our way to our home away from home South Point. Wanted some breakfast and found some at the food court at a Cheesesteak place. Hit up a few stores and bought myself some headphones at the Bose outlet. Mike had recently broke down and invested in a pair...so being the jealous type I stopped in and bought myself a pair too.

    Got to South Point about noon. Our suite wasn't ready until 1. Checked the luggage and hit the slots. South Point is like home to us, we stay for a few nights every trip. Same as every trip, 1 bedroom suite which we love...next to last room in that hallway. $75 free play, $50 resort credit plus dinner for 2 at Primarily Prime Rib.

    Primarily Prime Rib Fri night great as always, Saturday and Sunday was split a muffin for breakfast from the Deli...they are huge, you really can split one! For less than $4!. Saturday, Steak n Shake for lunch burger for me and salad w/shake for Mike, and Big Sur Oyster Bar for dinner. We split the fish sliders and each had a cup of NE clam chowdah for dinner. Only one type of chowdah for us and it isn't red. Bankroll as usual lasted much better at South Point but not quite as good as usual. Had some $200 hits and cashed some lesser tickets. Our $600 day bankroll ( total for the 2 of us ) managed to run through a little over $10K in the 48 hours we were there. We have done better in previous trips but compared to the strip it is great for us. Other than our gambling we spent cash on the 2 muffins, rest was comped up front so no complaints here. As long as they give it to us we will keep coming back.

    Part III

    Easter Sunday left South Point around noon headed up Dean Martin to Silverton. Mike wanted to look at clothes at Bass Pro Shop, he didn't find anything he wanted but we did catch the mermaid in the tank. Off to Mirage. Lobby full of people but only 1 person waiting at the mlife quickie checkin. Thanks to Gold status we get to use that line. We booked a Tower Suite on the mlife site...little discount but other than that it was on our dime. We had one 2 years ago and Mike hasn't shut up about wanting to stay there again. Room wasn't ready but they gave us keys and told us they would text us when it was ready. Checked the bags and off for lunch at BLT burger. Food was great as always, couldn't charge it to my room since I didn't have a room number yet. After we were done we played a slot or two and got the text. Off to C-20 ….guess what, yup LAST room at the end of the hall. I wanted to cry but I know how hard it is to get a smoking suite so I just shut up and kept walking lol.

    Gambling- slots at Mirage gave us more play than Bally's...Mike complained about the VP tables...SP has some very good VP so anything on the strip would now be lower tables. Played at Casino Royale, we can't help it...we like little dives. By now my back and legs were screaming everyday so we didn't venture any further than these 2 casinos and Palazzo. Walkways going into Venetian were not working...hint hint...walk down the sidewalk further and walk in the front door...those walkways not moving were a killer. Palazzo slots gave us a little fun for our money. I took a profit out the 2 times I played there. Best hit of the trip for me was $350 at Mirage on our last night. Penny quick hit Las Vegas machine. Spent our bankroll but being slot players we are use to that. I had some 4 of a kinds during the week, Mike did too.... always on JOB or Bonus Poker never when they would have paid more on Double double Bonus.

    Tuesday 4/7 went to the Neon Museum. Glad we called the day before for ressies it was sold out for the whole day. Fun informative hour out in the sun seeing all the signs. Guide was very good and knew her facts. We were surprised about the heavy security there but I suppose they don't want some idiot walking away with a 50 year old lightbulb as a souvenier.

    Tuesday 4/7 Frank the Man at Palazzo – show was very good, seats were roomy and comfortable NOT like PH. Crowd was older and the theater was not sold out. Too bad since I would like to see this show do well. We would return.

    Dining – BLT burger...great as always. If you are normal serving size people do NOT order 2 fries or rings with your burger....we could have easily have shared one instead of both having one with our burger.

    Mickey Ds breakfast....long line down the escalator. I'd say 30 mins from getting in line to sitting down with food. Lines at Mirage were much longer and worse for breakfast. Sometimes you just want a little bite not a big meal.

    Mirage Dinner buffet, thanks MyVegas...free is free and with free beer and wine to boot. Food was much hotter than PH Buffet. Older woman slipped in front of the asian station and laid there for quite a while waiting for the emts with the gurney.

    Breakfast Mirage buffet- thanks MyVegas okay, breakfast buffets aren't my thing but eggs were warm and free is free.

    Casino Royale food court- yup you read that right...we wanted something small. Went back later that night after the show for a snack. Pizza, subway and hotdogs were eaten at different times of the day.

    Split a yogurt parfait and danish from the coffee place for breakfast from Roasted Bean not bad and the parfait is too much for 1 person.

    California Pizza Kitchen – Split a chopped italian salad and thin crust meat lovers pizza. Very good and plenty of food for 2 people.

    Mirage dinner buffet again...thanks myVegas....my favorite part – Chocolate croissant bread pudding with chocolate sauce....yum.

    Thursday it was checkout at 6 am....we had hit the mlife desk the night before and managed to get the 4 nights of resort fees plus tax and $60 in food off our bill. We didn't feel like we put through a lot of $$$ this stay so we were fine with that. We had MyVegas for 2 dinner buffets for 2...breakfast buffet for 2, and both of us had $50 free play. I had the free Secret Garden but I've been before and my body didn't want to do any more walking so I blew it off and got reimbursed for it when I got home.

    I am too damn old to walk the strip...my back was screaming everyday. I can see a scooter in my future. Stroller city, not so much the school age kids but foreigners with babies everywhere. Mike says no changing hotels 3 times ever again lol. We enjoyed the West Rim and both agree we couldn't stand the ride and walking with the South Rim...so we are glad we did it. 2 shows, 2 side trips broke up the 9 nights pretty well. Yeah, I know this is boring for some of you....but we did it our way. Thanks to anyone who made it to the end of this. Our first trip was back in 1995 so this trip makes 20 years of going to Las Vegas. We will be back but now both of us have to get exercising so we aren't so uncomfortable next trip.:eek:
     
  2. jpw711

    jpw711 Is that your cat?

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    Nice report!

    I'm curious, how does buying three seats on SW work? I assume you take the Aisle, Mike takes the Window and leave the middle seat open. What do you tell people when they want it?
     
    No reason to go home yet.
  3. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    Great report and thank you for sharing the photos. I thought about a West Rim trip but decided I will just return to Valley of Fire this trip.
     
  4. VegasDave

    VegasDave Addicted

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    Awesome report, thanks for sharing. Havent been to south point but always hear how good they are to customers.
     
  5. mardaho

    mardaho Low-Roller

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    Great Report. DH and I are also not foodies and split a lot of meals in Vegas and hit a few food courts
    better things to do in Vegas for us I guess LOL
     
  6. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    Joe, I call SW and buy the extra seat over the phone...using their customer of size program. When I get to the gate they give me a preboard pass and a ticket to put on the seat saying "seat reserved" I have only had to tell people a few times...sorry this seat is reserved. If they look at me funny I just tell them, we paid for it. If there is an empty seat on the plane when they take off you get reimbursed for the empty seat. Both of our legs were sold out so we don't get refunded for the seat. No problem, we buy it knowing that...we are just willing to pay to have plenty of room.
     
  7. Porkchop

    Porkchop Low-Roller

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    Awesome pics from the Neon Museum on your FB. It looks great! I'm adding that to my list of things to do. :)
     
  8. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Nice report!
    Ironic you buy a 3rd seat considering your board name.:evillaugh
     
  9. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    Yup Joe, Frugal doesn't always mean cheap...It just means not spending a lot on things that don't matter to us ;) Comfort matters, hence the suites and extra seat. We do however scour the net and pay the least we can for what we want. :thumbsup: LVA coupons, MyVegas, upgrade at checkin, food courts. Both show tix were bought on travelzoo or with the happybday discount. The extra seat was the only seat we "paid" for....sw credit and points paid for our other 2 seats. Frugal like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm Scots Irish it's in my blood :)
     
  10. M_ILIS

    M_ILIS VIP Whale

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    Great report! Looks like we were at the Mirage at the same time (me M-Th last week). I, too, chose to play at Casino Royale. I was a little bummed we didn't make it to Primarily Prime Rib this trip but I made a rib roast for Easter the night before our trip, so it didn't make sense to have it again.
     
  11. TheCooler

    TheCooler Professional Gambler and the Best Football Handica

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    Tammy, you might want to look into this. According to Southwest's site, "Even if the flight experiences an oversale (having more confirmed Customers waiting to board than seats on the aircraft) we will refund the cost of the extra seat(s)."

    https://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/extra_seat_policy_faq.html
     
  12. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Uh oh Tammy....if you get the scooter on your next trip, we'll have to start calling you and Mike the elderlies lol. All the strip walking catches up to us. I used to walk the strip in heels, no more. I still wear the heels when I'm in the casino but bring a bigger purse so I can carry walking shoes if I'm walking and not cabbing.

    Your suite at Mirage looks very nice; I have never stayed in one of them (actually it's a long time since I've stayed at Mirage) but I just made note to look into one for next trip after May trip.

    I enjoyed your report and photos.
     
  13. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I enjoyed your trip report. I too am getting grumpy and old. But we all do, one day......:beer:
     
  14. FL Mary

    FL Mary Low-Roller

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    I enjoyed your report. I too am getting too old for all the walking. I have found that the older I get, the more cabs I take. Thanks for sharing your trip!
     
  15. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    TheCooler...yes it says that on their website...however when you talk to them on the phone they say the opposite. I know this going in. Got a call last night, they reimbursed me for the seat. I've used this on our last 2 trips and both times I did get the ticket price refunded. I just go into it thinking I will pay and if they refund great, if they don't I just pay is all. To be truthful we would rather pay for the 3 seats than be crammed in like sardines. If they want to refund me great.

    Thanks all for the replies.
     
  16. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    I'm going to mention this to my husband..I bet he'd like to do this the next time we fly SW.
     
  17. Jade88

    Jade88 High-Roller

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    Great report. I still want to get out of town sometime and see something other than the strip and downtown.
     
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