B-b-b-back from Bally's, Baaaby!

We spent three days in June at Bally’s Las Vegas. We checked in on Sunday, around nine in the morning, and left the bags with the bell captain. We decided to head down to the Peppermill for a leisurely breakfast and then head back to the Venetian for kick-off-of-vacation Bellini. Now here’s my question…it’s nine in the morning on the strip. Deserted. Yet, two cars manage to impact. No traffic…no inclement weather…but we still can’t navigate straight roads without attempting to breed our automobiles. How do you do that?

So, we get back to Bally’s and head up to the room. Having never stayed at Bally’s (the Indigo Tower), we did not really give the rooms much thought. The room is big…considerably larger than other rooms we have had on the strip, exception being the suite at Palazzo. Now, being honest, there is some wear and tear on the carpet and wallpaper. The bathroom is standard combo shower/tub and …haven’t seen this before … shower curtain! I s ‘pose I’ve gotten used to the glass walled shower – x – tub separation. The floor and countertops were granite, so that was nice. Being brutally honest, I would say that this was on par with one of the better Best Western rooms I have had. I cannot – in good conscience – use the term “resort caliber” to describe the room.

We spend the rest of the day lounging by the pool. Now the pool…that is great. It’s sufficiently large enough for people to spread out and not feel like they’re piled on top of one another. I think the demographic for those at Bally’s are probably in the range of being maybe mid-thirties to mid-sixties, so there’s no ‘pool party’ atmosphere. It was so relaxing to just sit there sipping cocktails…baking in the sun.

The first night there we dined at Tequila Taqueria. Now that’s some tasty cuisine. I had the Carne Asada platter and Cindy had the Green Enchiladas. Gotta be honest, these are some of the best we have had. The second night we opted for BLT Steakhouse. Again, truly great cuisine. The wait staff was attentive without being helicopters, the food was wonderful, and the atmosphere relaxed and reserved – a welcome break from the regular Vegas overkill.

As far as highlights go, we ambled down to watch the Riviera implosion at two in the morning. Lots of tailgating waiting for the show, and we were entertained by the local folk (just leave it there). As for gaming, we went out with $4.4K, came back with $4.3K, so I think that’s pretty dang successful.

BOTTOM LINE: OK, the room was comp’d and I had sufficient points to cover all of our meals. Gaming was fun and we only lost $100 over the course of three days. It was a great low-budget vacation. I think Bally’s is strategically located on the strip and depending on what you want to spend your money on, it is a good economy-minded solution for a Vegas vacay. That being said, if I were springing for the room, I’d probably stay in some place with more of a ‘resort’ vibe or upgraded room. I’d still be doing my gaming at Bally’s, being partial to their tables.

 

Ballys is my LV home casino. Since you got the room comp and enough points for food, I would try the $20 upgrade trick or just ask. The Jubilee rooms at Ballys are some of the newest upgrade rooms. Very nice. I love the calmness of the Bally pool. I also like the idea of getting to Paris without going outside in the heat.
Glad you enjoyed your trip.

 

Nice write up. Glad you enjoyed your trip!

 

Thanks for posting! Bally's has been our "home" since they opened the Jubilee rooms/suites. LOVE them. Glad to hear the Mexican place is worth a try too. We also love the pool at Bally's because there is not a party atmosphere....easy to get a lounger & the drinks are tasty.

 

Nice write-up! I wholeheartedly agree with every word you wrote. Well, I never ate at Ballys, but in terms of the rooms and vibe, I agree. Personally, I'd never stay there again. I stayed at both rooms: Jubilee and Indigo. The Jubilee room was everything I wanted and more but damn, I went to V/P twice and felt so much better in terms of the overall experience and that matters. And, people may argue that you're never in the room in Vegas. True! But you end up betting the most at the casino you stay at and well, Bally's isn't a place I'd want to stay at.

Whereas, with V/P, I could stay at those casinos every time. I'm going to try pH since I had a great experience in the casino but I'll tell you, there's something about having a 720sq ft suite. And, if you're not getting comp'd, V/P is a superior value

 

We love staying at Bally's also. The last couple of trips we've been able to get a Jubilee room comped for Sun-Fri, so not a bad deal at all. Love the location, and I really like the quiet of the pool. My husband doesn't like going to the pool,and at Bally's I don't mind going alone. Glad you enjoyed it

 

sounds like a fun trip.
what did you play?
if you had enough comp points to cover all the food you must have playe quite a bit. (However, Ballys Indigo weekdays is a pretty easy comp to get)

 

Haha - strip breeders!

That's an out right win - nice going.

Enjoyed your TR - glad y'all had a good time.

 

Thanks mucho, boys and girls.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I had to get up, head over to Paris, and pick up the morning croissants, rolls and coffee for breakfast in the room. That little connecting hallway is pretty convenient in the waking hours. It's also nice when we were gaming in Paris and wanted to head back to Bally's. You just can't beat indoor walkways and air conditioning in Vegas in June.

 

I love the indoor walkway - I use it all the time (often stay at Ballys Jubilee or Paris). I've actually become rather content in my Bally's Jubilee room also. I was going to switch back to Paris last trip or maybe Flamingo Go again, but I've just become way too content lol.

Another decent place to grab a morning snack is at Nosh - the small deli is at the base of the Jubilee tower. Sometime lines can be long (as with any venue).

 

Sounds like you came home a winner to me! Did you get any photos of the Riv implosion?

 

You can't compare Bally's and V/P. The V/P is by far the better hotel any way you look at it. That being said, the prices for rooms are much more expensive at V/P, as they should be, since all of the rooms are suites. But if you are a Total Rewards member, and getting your rooms comped, Bally's Jubilee rooms are great. And the location can't be beat. Obviously, if V/P would comp rooms, I'm sure most people would stay there. That's a no brainer in my book. But if I have to pay big money versus a comp, I am taking the comp!!

 

Haha, yea, I realize my post felt like a comparison. Oooops

 

Might have to check out the Tequila Taqueria!

 

And one thing I may have neglected to mention. There seems to be a chemically induced disconnect between my brain and my mouth as far as editing goes when I'm enjoying my Knob Creek. So, we're there, having a good time, playing blackjack and the time comes to change the table denomination from ten to fifteen. Didn't really think about it at that the time, but said, in my best Private Cowboy impersonation: "Fiteen dollah, too boo-coup. Ten dollah!"...and given the dealers ethnicity, I sincerely did not mean to offend. The two guys sitting to my left thought it very funny...the Mrs. on the other hand did the laser-eye thingy.

 

I like sitting at the BLT bar for happy hour, but never ate. What did you and Cindy have? I'm returning in August and purchased the Travelzoo special: http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Las-Vegas/Restaurant/221127/Ballys-Las-Vegas

 

Love my Bally's rooms, and I prefer Indigo over Jubilee as they seem quieter to me (and I do like to relax in my room early morning and late evenings). The extra space gives hubby and me a little room to spread out. I just hate not getting comped resort fees, and they can add up over a stay.
Congrats on what sounds like a winning trip to me!

 

I opted for the 16oz. NY Strip, medium, and Cindy had the 10oz filet mignon. Every way once in a while you get a steak that seems to just melt in your mouth. Well, that's what these were. Next time, I'm having the Wagyu ribeye...just to compare.

 

Sounds like a great trip. I plan on giving BLT a try on our next trip.

Mark

 

Nice TR. We gamble a lot at Bally's and like their tables too. BLT is amazing. Really good drinks there too.