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8 Day Trip Report - SLS, Hard Rock, Encore Sept 17-25

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Gerb, Sep 11, 2016.

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  1. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    My Trip Report

    Pre-Trip Thoughts

    I have enjoyed reading so many trip reports that I thought I would write for the first time about my trip. Maybe it is because I have not been to Las Vegas in the last two years, but my excitement for this trip is over the top. I mean, I love Vegas. I LOVE VEGAS. And I have had some memorable trips in the past - but my planning for this trip has reached new heights.

    It started with finally have my weekends lineup and having no other plans for the weekend of the IHeartRadio Music Festival that calls Vegas its home for the last 5 or so years. It has always been a bucket list item - perhaps because it is just another reason to plan a weekend in Vegas - but mostly because I love music and the lineups are fairly insane. My musical interests are eclectic, so this festival suits a person like me just fine. I bought tix to the festival during the mastercard pre-sale on the first day they became available - so I committed to the trip. Then I bought airline tix. Frontier. Pretty cheap from Colorado Springs. Then I told my wife. She likes Vegas, and I mentioned I LOVE VEGA - the sell is a little tougher for her just because she wants to visit other cities we have never been to.....but she relents....only because she has to. She knows I have not been in two years for Gods sake!

    I bought floor tix for both nights of the concert. Sat and Sunday. I actually bought 4 tick for each night in case I had friends that wanted to come. I paid $535 each for 8 tickets. Did I mention I was committed? We have had a couple of friends toy with coming out with us - but as of this writing - I still have 2 tickets to sell for each night. The events are sold out and are going for above list on StubHub - I am not worried. We are booked Thur-Sun and I need a hotel.

    I had plenty of offers to field months in advance. I have offers for rooms at the Palms, The Hard Rock, the Wynn/Encore, the Cosmo and the Palazzo/Venetian. Palazzo was offered at 3 nights so tried them first...lady said my offer could not be used that weekend - so I called the Encore and booked there. I have not played in two years - so I can tell my offers are slowing down - and my special invitations to events have slowed to a stop - so it is time to earn some attention I am guessing.

    As luck would have it, a conference I usually attend every year is in Vegas this year. I was going to skip it, but since it is the first part of the week, I decide to attend - and I change my flight. Flying out Sunday now for a whole 8 day stay....excited. The conference is at the Red Rock. Although I'd like to see the Red Rock, I do not plan on staying there. I called my host at the Hard Rock. He offers 4 nights at HR in All Suites Tower + $100 dining credit each night + $375 promotional chip each night. I decide to stay there. I really like the place - they are nice to me - I should play there this trip - so now I am covered. I have points for rental car (Hertz) - so I book that too. My conference won't even cost my company any money. Helps my department budget too.

    Last change - just a few days ago I decided I did not want to fly out during the Bronco game on Sunday. I am a big fan - so I change my flight to a day earlier. Flying on Sat...so now a 9 day trip. Thought I might be pushing my luck at the Hard Rock - and really wanting to try somewhere new, I used some Starwood Points and booked a room at SLS. I collect $1 chips, don't have one from here and I really want to try this place out anyway. I am platinum at SPG too - and I have free "suite night awards" to use. If they are available three days before I check in, I get one. So I requested an upgrade to a suite. We'll see.

    A few other to-do's I accomplished:

    • Applied and got an MLife Mastercard (MGM Properties). Free parking at MGM and I know I'll park for Music Festival. Plus automatic Pearl status. Will try and play at some of their casinos this trip.
    • Applied and got Total Rewards Visa (Caesars/Ballys/Harrah, etc) Free tickets on High Roller for getting card. Also upgraded status...free line passes, etc. Will try and use these too.
    • Made list of what casinos I need $1 chip from. I only have 33 chips in my Vegas collection. Lots to go
    • Made reservations at a few key places. Dinner details next...
    • Ordered wife new clothes and took her to Nordstroms to shop with a personal assistant. 4 new pairs of shoes, 2 new swimsuits, new dresses. ***NOTE - for guys who can afford, this is my playbook for Vegas. My wife always enjoys it more and is more likely to agree to a trip when I take the time to help her shop for it. I honestly think this is her favorite part. She doesn't like to gamble. But she does like to shop, eat in nice places and see some shows. She likes the pool and the spa. I make sure we make the rip about her too. I love GILT and Rue La La. Great prices. She is younger and hotter than me- so I make sure she knows she will look great.
    So to recap - I'll be there for 4 days before my wife arrives. I talked her into coming on Wednesday now, so we have another day together. And we have friends that she can overlap with if she comes a day earlier.

    I'll write reviews on all the places I eat, but here is where I know my mouth will be on some of the days...

    Saturday (SLS) - 800 degrees for Lunch. Bizarre Meat for Dinner.

    Sunday - Picasso for Dinner at Belaggio. With work friends. Then seeing "O" - never seen it yet

    Monday - Top of Eiffel Tower at Paris. With work friends.

    Tuesday - Joe's Seafood Prime Steak & Stone Crab at Forum Shops at Caesars. With work friends.

    Thursday - Lavo at Palazzo for dinner

    Saturday- D.O.C.G. at Cosmo for dinner.

    I have some blanks to fill in. I know we'll have dinner with friends on Wed night, just not sure where. We went to Sage at Aria and CUT at Palazzo with this group last time, so I know it will not be cheap.

    Lastly (for now) Here are the things I want to fit in for this trip and I'll review if I do:

    • A sports book for Sunday football action. Probably at Hard Rock
    • Visit Circus Circus and Stratospshere. I'll be close when I am at SLS. I need their $1 chips. I'll just hold my nose while I am there. I have become such a resort snob I know.
    • High Roller ride
    • Visit LINQ and Cromwell. Maybe Westin too. All close to HR.
    • Have drink at Chandelier bar at Cosmo. They got a makeover and my wife and I love it here.
    • Gamble. Of course. I have plenty of time before my wife even gets there. I'll bring $5k and hope not to blow through it.
    • Eat at Egg Slut at Cosmo for breakfast. Eat at Pink Taco and Culinary Drop-Out at Hard Rock.
    • At least 2 Pool Days. One at HR. One at Encore.
    • Not go Downtown...not this trip.
    • See fountain of course...stop in Belaggio. I have never seen Volcano go off either at Mirage. Weird.
    • Shop. My wife likes Cosmo, Crystals and Venetian/Palazzo. We'll hit all three I am sure.
    • Another show I have yet to see....maybe Penn & Teller at Rio
    • IHeart MusicFestival - U2, Brittany Spears, Pitbull, Drake, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Sia, Ariana Grande, Usher, Tears for Fears, Sting, Billy Idol, 21 Pilots, Zedd, One Republic - at TMobile Arena
    I love making new friends...so if anyone is around on these days....hit me up. I love to play craps, blackjack and slots every once in a while. Until then....I am counting down the days. 6 more days until I board that plane! More to come.
     
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  2. Big dan

    Big dan High-Roller

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    Sounds like an awesome time with good food fun and friends. One change I would make though would be to scratch docg off your list, I was not impressed
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    Great tip. That was a recent change. At first I booked Beaty & Essex at Cosmo but decided I wanted some lighter options. I will likely change at your suggestion. Appreciate any ideas for a light meal and drinks before we head to concert at TMobile area.
     
  4. zwb

    zwb Tourist

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    Looking forward to this report -- I'll be at the Wynn with the wife from Sep 17-19 for a quick getaway. Also going to a concert and looking for a good light meal beforehand. Doing SW the night before and plan on hitting 800 Degrees once as well. Love that place.
     
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  5. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    Have a great time! Here's to your glorious return to Vegas! :beer:
    That concert sounds fun. I've seen OneRepublic a few times opening for other bands...enjoyed them greatly...

    RICHARD
     
  6. bridude98

    bridude98 Tourist

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    Great idea!
     
  7. pleasemum

    pleasemum High-Roller

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    Will definitely be following this one - looking forward to the restaurant reviews and hopefully pics.
     
  8. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    This one should be good! I have a soft spot in my heart for the Hard Rock. Pink Taco and Culinary Dropout are both excellent! The french dip (prime rib dip?) sandwich at CD is fucking great. The sportsbook at HRH is nothing special. You should have a drink at the new Center Bar, though.

    I highly recommend the "Bar Car" on the High Roller. I rode it during the afternoon in June. It was awesome! There are good Groupons or Travelzoo coupons available.
     
  9. Drewm1972

    Drewm1972 VIP Whale

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    Woohoo!! Gerb, my wife and I plan to attend Saturday night I heart fastival perhaps we will run into you lol... I don't have floor tix ... I'm getting mine comped thru mirage (soooo happy) but can't wait to see it live!!! It will be awesome being part of the great event on the weekend!!!
     
  10. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    Nice tip Spicole. The bar car it is!
     
  11. Candydave

    Candydave mid-roller

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    Sounds like a good time. Luckily we both Love Vegas, so it isn't a problem talking either of us into going. Glad you were able to talk your wife into going. Hope you have a great trip!
     
  12. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    IMG_0002.JPG On time!
     
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  13. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    Boom. A little lubrication and then touchdown!
     

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  14. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    Nothing like lubin' up before getting down!
    Have a blast, Gerb!

    RICHARD
     
  15. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    IMG_0008.JPG IMG_0009.JPG
     
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  16. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    Checked into the SLS. I am platinum SPG so that earned me a suite I guess. Spacious and clean. A little waste of space if you ask me. Off to gamble.....
     
  17. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    IMG_0021.JPG Lunch at 800 degrees. Really, really good. One of the best pies I have had in awhile.

    9/10
     
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  18. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    Down a quick $500 at craps.

    Trip -500
     
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  19. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    IMG_0022.JPG Hit a nice slot win at SLS to put me back in business. $1 machine in high limit room. Hit a $700 pay. Then lost $300 at BJ.
     
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  20. Gerb

    Gerb Tourist

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    Lost another $100! At slots near center bar. Pretty cool ceiling screen here. Have a video but won't upload. Very cool 3D! you

    Trip. -200 or so.
     
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