Anyone done Laughlin lately??

CET opened up their purse, and sent me free airfare and room nights for me and a guest at Harrahs Laughlin in August for 4 nights.
Its over a weekend, and was thinking of taking them up on the offer. Anyone stay their lately, have opinons? Is the gaming any worse than Vegas.

With airfare on Frontier so cheap out of Cincy (under $200 RT), trying to decide if its worth the bother.

 

Spent three nights at Harrahs two weeks ago. Loved it. The walk by the river is wonderful but very hot. Lots of ducks and fish to see. Harrahs cafe is good and if you get a room with a river view it's well worth it. More older people than youngsters but fairly quiet and more sedate and relaxing than Vegas. Harrahs pool doesn't have much shade but the beach has quite a lot of umbrellas and wasn't too busy when we were there. Gambling is similar to Vegas, didn't notice any difference in limits or payouts.

Drove to The Avi, 20 minutes, nice place and cheap.

If you like nightlife then maybe Laughin is not as good as Vegas but great for a few days. There is an outlet mall there too and most casinos have shows in the evening if you check it out before you go. Visitlaughlin.com should have most ideas on it.

I very much doubt you will regret it if you go. A perfect few days away.

 

I went for three nights in April on the same deal. I could have booked a flight to vegas for $120 round trip. I had the same decision to make. I like exploring new places so I decided why not just go once to check it out. The days of the trip also aligned so I wouldn't have to take any time off from work. The rooms are the worst of any CET property I have stayed at. Maybe I just got a bad room? I don't know. Room was on par with the old rooms at the Imperial Palace. You can get rooms there for around $20 during the week. That has to tell you something. Dealers were friendly and the casino wasn't bad. Definitely not vegas though. Think downtown Vegas without all the entertainment and excitement. It's a pretty boring place to be honest.

Free drinks and wifi on the plane. Walked right off the plane and on to the shuttle to Harrahs. You get off the bus and they are waiting outside with envelopes containing your room keys and itinerary for the return trip.

I visited a bunch of the casinos and took the water taxi. Enjoyed playing 3 card poker at the pioneer (supposedly the best pair plus bonus bet payouts in the country). Got some free gear at the colorado belle just for signing up for a players card.

I rented a car for a day and drove to Lake Havasu and Oatman, AZ (old mining town where burros roam the streets, worth a visit IMHO).

I wouldn't waste a vegas bankroll on Laughlin. I don't see myself ever going back. Who knows, you might enjoy it though. If I only went to Vegas once or twice a year I definitely wouldn't replace one of those trips with one to Laughlin.

 

I dId it yesterday. What a sad place. Harrahs is away from the other casinos. Although prices are cheaper than LV, the atmosphere is "old". Average age apared to be 60-65+. That might appeal to some, and even though my buddy and me are old, it's not like we want to hang around with old people. I know that is a very "ageist" statement to make. Sorry in advance.

 

I/we started going to Laughlin in the early 90s and have probably had 20 visits, but nothing in five years, I'd guess, maybe six. Family was the big reason as the parents like/liked it there and we both had oldsters living in AZ. If there is a touristy thing to do in the area, we've done it. No thanks. I mean, "you gotta see for yourself" is an important travel mantra, if only to prove whether what others told you did or did not pan out with your sensibilities and likes. The hotels are basic, the food is average or as-to-be-expected, the outlet center is depressing, the demographic is aged/river rat and there is a walkway that connects most but not all of the casinos, as well as river taxis. But we're not talking the San Antonio Riverwalk here, or Tom McCall Waterfront Park in PDX.

If low prices and gambling are all a person needs, then Laughlin tags both those bases. Beyond that, there is little there there. (The mountains are pretty.)

 

Though at almost 54, it's nice to be the youngest person around, nothing else about the place appeals to me. I went to a concert in Laughlin in Oct 14 but stayed in Vegas and took a limo there and back rather than waste a day there. I will say the cops are extremely personable, when our very confused limo driver stopped and asked a cop for directions to the concert venue and was met by the limo driver's blank stare and my "help us please" glance, he hopped in the limo and directed us there and his partner followed in the cruiser to pick him up.

 

I'm curious-does the Laughlin airport have slots like LV and Reno?

 

The airport is in AZ, so, no.

 

Have to agree with everything said so far. My wife is younger than I am and our first trip was really strange for her. She thought it was a retirement casino. Our second trip was over a weekend which was much better as there were a lot of families. Last couple trips we rented a car and spent one night in Vegas. On the way back last time we stopped at Riverside and hit a progressive royal so that is high on my list. The rental car company will pick you up and drop you back off.

Even though all said is true, I would go back as we had the best time with the dealers at Harrahs and Riverside. Seems like the people working there are quite friendly.

 

Some friends of mine did that trip a few weeks ago. They like Laughlin because its VERY low key. They also don't go to Vegas anymore. Its a good deal out of Columbus due to high airfare to Vegas.

I am going to Vegas in 2 1/2 weeks and am flying out of Cincinnati because it was only $176 round trip

 

Wifey and I are talking about this. I was thinking it might not be a bad trip due to the proximity of Grand Canyon National Park. We could burn a day going up there.
I also imagine we would do a day trip to Vegas. The hotel looks kinda shabby. Sounds like its one of those, see it, do it, and forget it kinda place.

 

Avi is the only casino in (the) Laughlin (area) where I've ever done well. My first trip there I thought it was very smokey but I won so I didn't care. Next trip it wasn't so bad and I won again! It's kinda like the Sams Town of Laughlin, way out in the middle of nowhere. (Anyone else find the "secret" bridge to the Arizona side right on the Avi property?)

I really don't care for Laughlin but I admit when I'm there I feel like a kid again! I never seem to win in any of the main Laughlin casinos. I think I liked the Riverside ("Vintage Old Laughlin", yeah, right) the best.

The thing I remember most about Laughlin, however, is the colony of feral cats that hangs out (used to hang out) by the river walk and sneaking food out of the buffet for them. Are they still there?

 

Truthfully, the room we had a Harrahs Laughlin was nice...although it was a Top-Floor Suite (Diamond card has it's perks when ASKING for an upgrade). For us, we're used to Reno (a lot of old people) so Laughlin was no big shock to us...we actually had a really nice meal at the Steakhouse there. (At Harrahs) and spent the next day walking up the riverwalk (drove up to Golden Nugget).

 

My wife and I went to laughlin in december to check it out once. It's really quiet and easy-going there. We loved the river walk and the water taxi by night was pretty cool.
The casinos were a bit old, but they did have the newer slots. We were happy to have seen it once, but I don't think we will return any time soon.

 

Very interesting reading.

I used to go to Laughlin often, but I agree that the changes over the years have not made it worth missing time in Vegas.
That being said, I'm going in November for 3 nights because it just fit in my budget and plans.
What drove the decision was MyVegas. I got two free nights, so I figured I needed a car to spend the daytime hours hiking at Red Rock Canyon.
A car for three nights is most of the expense of a car for a week.
So I filled in three more nights for $86 total at the Pioneer.

I'll be curious to see how the 2-6 spread limit live poker games are going and if there are any tourists playing them or just the same old fellows. I like the promotions around these games, especially Cracked Aces.

I'm going to stay at the Pioneer, although I expect it is pretty shabby like most of the places. I always wanted to stay there. Once the Pioneer had the best Sunday buffet

The gambling too has gone downhill. There is less and less full pay VP. I had a host at the Colorado Belle and could pay for a room and food just by playing full pay 10/7 DB. That host is long gone.

I'll certainly go to the Watchman's Store
http://www.thewatchman.com/

I'd like to drive up and see Avi.

Since I have the car I want to wander up into Oatman again, feed some wild burrows, and see where Carol Lombard stayed after she was married.
I'd like a hamburger along route 66 at Mr. D's.
http://www.mrdzrt66diner.com/
I want to walk around Chloride again, but I can't recommend it.
http://www.chlorideaz.com/
I just know it will be fine for me.
I want to see the old jailhouse, that little room and the strange yard art.
I might like seeking out the Roy Purcell murals.

I'll also bring along my desert flower identification book, Just off Route 66 I found many interesting cactus and plants on one of my trips.

I want to visit the new renovations at the Hoover Dam.

I want to walk along the river at night. Or perhaps the Pioneer will give me a room looking out at the river.

But I go on these Vegas trips for 20 plus days, so my agenda is very different from the average tourist, especially this year when I really want to gamble less and look around more.
.

 

I first discovered Laughlin while watching the ' Ladies Of Professional Wrestling ' program that was held at Don Laughlins resort in the 80's.
One visit returning to Vegas from Hoover Dam, there's a sign pointing to Laughlin. It was only a 90 mile drive so we took it. That was when the back road was a two laner. We entered at the end where Laughlins Hotel is and were surprised of seeing hundreds of motorcycle riders. We thought we had entered gang territory. LOL! But it was a Harley get together.

The town was rather plain and hot. At the time I liked the Golden Nugget. But we've been back a few times over the years. Definitely not Las Vegas but a good spot to spend the day. The Edgewater Hotel was remodeled and is now the Aquarius.
Go at least once.

 

Aquarius is the former Flamingo.

 

I live in Laughlin, well actually in Arizona, there is a lot to do if you're an outdoor person. Ask questions and I will try to answer

 

I'm a sort of outdoor person. Not in the best of shape, but I hike some parts of Red Rock.
I'll have a car and be in Laughlin for 3 days in November. I plan a trip to Oatman for a part of one day, and plan to come back to vegas after I check our on my last day via Chloride and then the Hoover Dam.
Can you suggest some hikes near Laughlin or really suggest what to see around there that is free/cheap.
I've ridden the river in paddle boat replica. I don't much like powered boats or jet skiis.
However, I'd be interested in parks or desert areas that you might recommend.
I don't golf.

 

Been to laughlin twice this year and really like it.

A bit of hostory. When i go to vegas i stay downtown and do stuff on the cheap. i dont eat at fancy restaurants. I like to just walk around, drink beer and relax. i dont gamble alot either. I do some slots on the cheap too and feel if I get a free beer then i am happy.

I might see a show once in a while as a treat. i will go to the strip but never stay there, its just to see the sights.

So laughlin to me is very similar to downtown. Older places, less fancy shopping and restaurants and shows. If you need entertainment piped in 24/7 then you most likely wont have much fun there.

For me, I love it. Another thing they have in laughlin is lounge acts early in the day and every day. Love that and they are usually hard to find in vegas. Always people having fun and dancing and the like.

You will see a bit older crowd in laughlin. i am 53 and pretty much everyone else is right around that age or older.

All in all, i might switch to laughlin all the time.

Last trip was a month ago and stayed at the tropicana express. rooms were $27 per night avg and that included a saturday night, no resort fee. Harrahs has a resort fee but its the only one.