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Harrahs Joliet

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by jgates8, May 31, 2016.

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  1. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    I am not familiar with the property in Joliet. Can anyone give me any indication of the size of the property? I will be taking my mother and she uses a walker. In Vegas we obviously rent a scooter. I know in Council Bluffs she would have been no problem. However in Kansas City it would be a hike for her. In southern Indiana it would be impossible except they have a golf cart. Just trying to figure out what the layout is in Joliet. And any other thoughts you may have on the place.

    I am diamond so hoping that maybe evening snacks will be similar to Council Bluffs and allow for actually a decent meal, vs The chicken wings in Vegas LOL.
     
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  2. HighHopes777

    HighHopes777 Tourist

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    If you use valet, the casino is just an escalator or elevator ride up. There are wheel chairs by the entrance if you would need one. I have not been in the Diamond lounge so I can't help you there. Hope this helps!
     
  3. JJLV

    JJLV High-Roller

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    If you're staying in the hotel, I would say it is a bit of a haul from the rooms to the casino. From the room elevators through the small lobby to a hall then past hotel entrance, ballroom, restaurants, a bar another bit of a hall then you'll see casino but that is only exit. They make you go around through another hall and past buffet to front entrance to enter the1st time. Once in, you can get a stamp out and re-enter through the exit. The casino itself is rather small (IMO) with packed in machines and a low ceiling. I have been to many to compare :) Not Council Bluffs, southern IN or KC though to give you a real comparison. The diamond lounge was converted a few years ago to the area that housed the Mosaic restaurant so very nice size with plenty of seating and has views of the river. There is access to the river with a few tables out side. The food is okay. There is usually a salad and soup, a main entree dish and veggies or something. Also a dessert like apple cobbler or the like, pudding and an ice cream machine to make cones or dishes with toppings like jimmies and so on. All and all nothing to write home about, but is is okay and at least some real food not snacks. We use to go often as closet TR casino to keep points and activity alive between Vegas and other TR trips. To be honest, it's been probably a year since there so perhaps there have been changes.

    Recommend: We always have a car and take the 40 minute drive for a day trip to Horseshoe Hammond IN as it is a much nicer newer casino Vegas like in size and decor. Better and more machines with more room to get around, better bars, buffet and much better Diamond lounge with an area over looking lake Michigan with better food. If that property had a hotel we would stay often. We drive down to IL/IN from Wis.

    Joliet Casino is a smoke free being in IL. Horseshoe is all smoking with a NS section in Casino even has a smoking section in DL. Just so you know.

    Hope you have fun.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2016
  4. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    JJ covers it up mostly. The nicest thing about Joliet imo is its non smoking. Joliet has better VP paytables than Hammond. But half of Joliet's video slots are 2c+. Hammond has more pennies and more classic games.

    Hammond is definitely the nicer casino, but it is really big, so mom could have trouble getting around there. Hammond is at least double the size of Joliet, probably triple/quadruple. The only casino I've been to in the Midwest that might be bigger than Hammond is Hollywood Lawrenceburg.
     
  5. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    JJ is pretty much on it. I think size wise, Joliet would compare closest with Horseshoe Council Bluffs although the actual casino is closely packed. They don't have scooters but I think you can get a wheelchair to use.
     
  6. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    My instinct is that it might be easier for me to get the car & pick her up at hotel door & then drop her off at casino door lol. I asked my host (Vegas host) and he said oh it's a small property - no problem. Somehow I didn't think it might be as easy as he indicated.

    Maybe I can go to the casino & get a wheelchair & bring it back. She can just push the walker in front of her on the way to the casino.

    We will be driving from west central WI (about 5 hours), so the trip to Hammond might be a viable side trip on Sunday.

    Any other thoughts are appreciated. I actually logged back in & checked on changing to Council Bluffs (although it would be about 2.5 hrs longer each way). However, there is a youth baseball tourney at least one or two of the last weekends in June and I don't feel like paying $500 for 2 nights at a casino/hotel that is comped for me 98% of the year!
     
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  7. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    It might be a closer walk from the front door of the hotel to the front door of the casino, actually. Hollywood Joliet is not that far of a drive away, too. Again the casino is not that big and the slot mix is similar but just enough different. It looks like Penn is unifying the different versions of Marquee Rewards so there would be a Vegas benefit to visiting there.
     
  8. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    Ok - one other sideline question here. I was in a casino in Joliet twice (?) about 15 to 20 years ago. (Seems that long anyway). I don't think that was Harrahs at all as it was a boat, however the associated hotel was way across the parking lot - totally separate & opposite side. However at that point in time we had to pay an admission fee to get onto the boat (which I think went to State of Illinois?) - maybe $1.50 or $3?????

    Do they still charge a fee to enter? I don't remember having to pay one down by St Louis on the Illinois side, but may have just not even thought twice about it.

    We will be going in June so it won't be an issue if it is closer to go out front door of one to front door of the other - if that is closer. She smokes & will need to have a cigarette frequently - so she will need to go outside.
     
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  9. HighHopes777

    HighHopes777 Tourist

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    They do not charge a fee anymore at either Joliet casino. There are also smoking rooms in both casinos, no slots just a room she can duck into to have a cigarette.
     
  10. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    They cover the $3 admission fees now, and it's now on a one level barge. So feel free to leave and enter multiple times to stick it to them with the fees (same goes for any MO/IL/IN casino). ;) But for smoking, she doesn't need to leave the gaming area. There are outdoor areas on the gaming floor for smoking like HighHopes mentioned.
     
  11. JJLV

    JJLV High-Roller

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    Just sharing... The Casino you are thinking of with the crazy idea of a hotel way across the rather large parking lot to a river boat is Hollywood. Hollywood is about 15 minutes west from Harrah's if you venture. Personally, we always head east to Hammond. (LOVE the HORSESHOE!) Joliet has one designated smoking enclosed ventilated room with TVs, tables and chairs off one end of casino. (furthest from hotel end) I spend much time there when in Joliet :). Also so you know for her... that is why I go to the outside tables at the DL on the river. (After eating, it would be too far for her with walker. Also about 4 or 5 stairs down). The DL is of course smoke free. I am pretty sure it sounds like you are staying overnight at Harrah's since the drive from WI and mentioning prices at Council Bluffs. Sharing that the rooms are pretty decent at Joliet and last time there they did have some smoking rooms. Also they did some upgrading. We finally got one with a flat screen TV instead of a tube and new carpeting and some of the furniture lol. The rooms are nice size. Our king always has a couch and chair with ottoman. There is good sized bathroom with a nice sized soaking tub. Being your host booked you and you are diamond, there will be a robe and a couple of soft drinks and h20 in your room fridge (woo Hoo) haha. It's something I guess. The rooms are always something I like the most about Joliet.

    Look what I found ;) Maybe this will help...
    Copy paste.

    Harrah's Joliet - Wheelchair Rental

    Wheelchairs can be obtained at Valet and at the turnstiles. There is no charge for the wheelchairs and are on a first-come basis.


    Horseshoe Hammond - Wheelchair Rental

    Wheelchair and Scooter Rental is located at Marina and Valet.

    Wheelchair Rental - guests will need to fill out form, $20 deposit down, upon return you will receive deposit. There is a $300 charge for all wheelchairs not returned and will post to their credit card.

    Scooter Rental - 4 hours $20 charge; 6 hours $35 charge. No refunds

    Have fun!! GOOD LUCK!!! Side note, I bet Joliet doesn't rent Scooters as they would be too hard to maneuver around packed in Machines. j/k Well kind of joke. Probably due to size. Hammond, she might appreciate the wheel chair. It is pretty big. Better yet, rent a Scooter, there is room to get around on one in Hammond. My hubby sprained his ankle badly New Years Day in Vegas, we just got in NYE and had 5 more nights to go. We rented one and was great for him.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2016
  12. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    Awesome info. Thank you to ALL !
     
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  13. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    Ok - I scrounged up a couple more questions if anyone is still around -

    1. I read a trip review where it said the casino closed around 6 a.m.? Is that just for an hour or two? Or what time do they reopen?

    2. Likely looking at Sun/Mon night. Any idea what time the DL serves munchies in the evenings there on weeknights?

    3. I know no free drinks on casino floor. Is that the same in the DL also? (Not like I drink much-probably had one drink a day in Vegas).

    4. Recommendation for breakfast? Buffet ratings on TA are all over the place. Either 1 star or 5 star. But I did notice a couple comments about how expensive breakfast is. Just go off-site?
     
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  14. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    1. The gaming floor is closed 6a-8a every day. Illinois law doesn't allow casinos to be open more than 22 hours a day. I believe Indiana allows 24 hour gaming. Missouri law forces casinos to close a minimum one hour a week (even sillier).

    3. I doubt they are free in the DL. They aren't in Missouri. They may be be cheaper though; Harrah's STL used to sell beer in the DL for a buck instead of three. Alcohol may be served in the casino from 9:30a-4a in Illinois.
     
  15. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    Re: #3, if memory serves, Joliet stops serving at 2 or 3....at least they did several years ago when I used to go frequently.
     
  16. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Yeah, it's definitely possible they stop earlier. But they are legally allowed to go until 4 by the gaming commission apparently. All my overnight stays have been in Indiana instead (Blue Chip) and they are from 7a-3a on alcohol via state law, including Sundays unlike the damn stores. Lol

    I'm bad for needing to know these laws if I'm staying overnight. [emoji5] But speaking of such a stay, one may happen this weekend. [emoji6]
     
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  17. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    You do pay for drinks in the DL but they are cheaper than the casino floor. They are better made, too. I haven't been in the DL in a while but they used to serve hot food starting at lunchtime (11?) and keep food out til 9ish.

    I hate the current buffet. It's one of the reasons I stopped going there as much. Food is okay with more misses than should be allowed for the prices they charge. When I do stay in Joliet, I actually leave the property for breakfast, usually at Big Apple restaurant. I believe the DL actually opens at nine and they have continental breakfast fare. The steakhouse is solid at least as well as Ace's in the casino. I don't think Ace's really opens before lunch, though.

    Another thing: For drink service, you push a button on the keypad to page a server. When it's slow, they will come around and ask if you need service but when it's busy, you won't see a server unless you page one.
     
  18. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    Again - thank you all !
     
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  19. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    We had a nice trip - I really did enjoy myself. We actually ate at Ace's 3 times and one time at the Diamond Lounge (wish we had gone there Sun night when we arrived as we missed the pot roast!). Ace's was just fine all 3 stops & all of the servers were so friendly & really seemed happy (likely not, but they were all smiling & it was a pleasant experience each time!) Our room was on 8th floor close to elevator which worked well for mom. Within a few minutes of play a host(ess) stopped & greeted mom (playing on my card) and gave 'me' a $25 food voucher. We were planning on the buffet but weren't hungry enough to go there so we had steak sandwiches at Ace's for the one stop. I did notice in DL that the 7Star room appeared to be able to order off their own menu? I saw burgers, chicken wings, etc going in there. Our Monday night meal was rib tips, salads, a pasta salad, 2 types of soup, some awesome dinner rolls, 2 kinds of pudding & the ice cream.

    I don't smoke & it was so nice to have clear air to play in and not end up smelling when I went back to the room. Mom told me how nice the smoking room was so I went out & sat with her a while there. I was very impressed with the place (and it didn't even smell like smoke it was ventilated so well).

    With mom playing on my card too (she doesn't bet high), I was able to get over 500 on Sun night & 1000 on Monday so received the standard bonuses that went with. I did end up down $550 - but I did have some decent hits (80-145) that allowed me to keep going. I had expected a lot higher loss to get the points I wanted.

    The room was nice & beds comfortable. No complaints at all on the room. When you stepped off the elevators the carpet really could use replacing, but I was examining everything closely in case BFF & hubby decide to go there.

    There were a few VERY rude players (also some very friendly ones but of course the rude ones stand out lol).

    -One lady had an open machine to her left. I wanted to play that machine (Red Baron at .01) & it was open so I reached to pull the chair back & sit down (like you normally would). She turned and started yelling at me that she had her foot on the machine & was playing that machine. (No card in it, no credits on machine). I said that I would like to play it as there was no money in it & she was playing the other machine & I apologized for bumping her foot off (that I couldn't even see on the rung). She immediately grabbed money out of her purse & shoved it in the machine (but then wouldn't spin). Started yelling at me that I was rude and she was playing both machines and I was rude (repeated several times). I was more than a bit p.o.'d by that point. I pointed to the sign that said one machine per person (I think they were on nearly every machine) & she said she didn't care she was playing both. Her husband started swearing at me & I figured it was time to move on. Mom said I should have pushed the service button on the machine I wanted but I figured that might have resulted in violence on her part.

    -Another machine I went to play (Wicked Winnings II at .01) there was a lady actually playing THREE machines at one time. I asked if she was definitely playing all 3 & she said yes. I just gave up & walked away. I came back later and the left one was open so I did politely ask if she was done as a chit was hanging out of the machine. I handed it to her (8 cents) and she said no big deal on that one. I did a few hits & chatted a bit with her & then I had a couple of good hits ($70 on .50 bet) and she was rooting so hard for me to hit the 3rd row of witches (didn't happen). She ended up being a very nice gal - just annoying to start with lol.

    Just would be nice if their own personnel would enforce the one machine rule. But I suppose they don't want to piss off their locals. Our casino will back up their signs so you don't often find people hogging machines.

    The worst experience of the trip was the drive in. We went in on I88 (?) then were taking off down on 30. However evidently my cell GPS was alerted to an accident it it rerouted us due to traffic. Consequently we went thru stop & go lights, 40 mile per hour speed zones etc. It took us nearly 1.5 hrs longer than it should have. When it was time to leave we hit I80 west to I39.
     
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  20. JJLV

    JJLV High-Roller

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    I was away on my own little gaming trip to reply in due time but so glad to see you posted back how it all went. Glad it all worked out.

    I just hate those multiple machine players with no money in one but oh I am playing it. So silly. How rude. Especially at places with not a ton of machines to choose from like there.

    I am sure you would have added if you went to Horseshoe. Next time take the drive to there. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

    My second handpay ever was at Joliet. Helps me to go back to seek another there. lol Always play that machine (it was still there last time) No go YET. haha
     
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