Full trip report 7-11thMarch Aladin

Firstly a big thanks to Sonya (and everyone else that helped) for this useful site that helped us make decisions with regards to my first visit to Vegas (wiv my mum, 4 nights).

DAY ONE

A nightmare journey from England that made us question only staying for 4 nights. 18 hours door to door indirect via LA with AA. No complaints about airline wld defo fly wiv them again but LA airport was a nightmare and when your missing out on a nights sleep and smellin like death, cues and hold ups is the last thing you need. I completely appreciate that security has to be tighter and am glad it is BUT does OTT mean anything to anyone? Nuff said.

The line for taxis outside vegas airport was amazing but didn't wait half as long as it looked like we were gonna. It was at this point that we were pleased we were not booked wiv a more popular hotel (ie luxor) as check in must have been a long and tedious!

On arrival to the Aladin hotel I was pleasantly suprised. After reading all the bad press we were alittle worried to say the least. But the hotel looked fab and completely exceeded our expectations on first impression. We checked in swiftly and asked for a room wiv a view and he was very obliging - I also asked if an upgrade was available but he said no. He talked us throug the prices and levels of upgrade but we decided to check the standard room first. ($50/nite upgrade to the resort room and $350/nite suite).

We had read reports of the Aladin room being cramped and the bathroom being large and of high standard. In my opinion our double twin room could not have been better. Spacious (and we are talking 2 women here)and of a high standard and a lovely view of the south end of strip. Infact the view blew me away and I let out a scream! This place is sureal!!!!

Ok, its now early evening vegas time but 4/5am for us and we are missing a nihgts sleep, but we decide to shower and go explore hotel and grab a drink. So up to the bar that overlooks the casino where the asian chappies sing (and good they are too!). We decide to retire when its about 7am UK time and pass out when our heads hit the pillow.

DAY TWO

Buffet not open week days so this was an instant dissapointment esp as we had heard how good it was. Ate in the Zanzibar and was very un-impressed prob the worst American breakfast either of us had eaten - but in fairness they were very busy and this was prob why.

Mission heads are on and we're off. Walked up the strip past the bellagio listening to James Bond theme tune on the loud speakers and onward taking in the sites. Our destination the Mirage to book tickets for Siefried and Roy (we had found out on arrival that O at the Bellagio was the show to see but they are booked up for 6 weeks!). Managed to get booked for S & R same night so we were happy.

Stayed in the Mirage for a while as we loved the place - bearing in mind the aladin was the only casino i had ever seen i suddenly realised how crap it was!. The Mirage was buzzin wiv atmos and very busy - could spen some serious time n money ere.

Off to see the Lions and Dolphins. not one for caged animals but the dolphins were fabulous spent lots of time here it was fab. And nice that they did not have planned shows n stuff jus a really chilled vibe with well kept dolphins. The tigers were nice to see but asleep. We were both upset by the elephant kept here. The poor bored and depressed soul, not good. What was this Elephant doing here? (see later in report ). After spending a few mins feeling desperalty sorry for the elephant we left. On to Treasure Island to see if we could book table at the Bucaneer Bay restaurant.

Another lively atmospheric casino but unable to book table for meal so we decided we would eat here in the eve b4 the S & R show @ 11pm and catch the Pirate show at the same time.

On to the Venetian and an enjoyable walk through the shopping mail and laff at the ppl on the gondala being sang to very loudly in view of all.

Day getting on and legs seriously tiring so a walk back to the Aladin to prepare for the eve.

Taxi to Treasure Island where we had dinner. Fabulous meal. Then outside to watch the pirate show. WOW! Fantastic - u yanks sure know how on put on a show.

On to Siefried and Roy @ the Mirage. We weren't sure what to expect and enjoyed very much. The illusions were fanatstic and at points mind blowing. This was all sadly ruined when the elephant arrived on stange near the end. Thats y the poor depressed thing was kept at the hotel wiv the lions! Being avid animal lovers we were greatly upset having already seen this depressed looking animal early that day. There really was no need for the it, the show was fabulous enuff. Mum was in tears and netier of us had it in us to even clap the show at the end. And what made it worse was how they root on all through the show about their love for animals and nature blah blah blah. I am convinced this is jus a smoke screen so u forget they are using what should be wild animals in the show. The tigers I can accept, they look happy, have company, they know nothing else and they are a soon to be extinct breed. I shall be writing to complain.

DAY THREE

What I had been looking forward to - the breakfast buffet! Had read good reports and was not dissapointed (just a shame only available at w/e's). $15 for champagne buffet and we pigged out. No complaints.

Walking this time other end of strip. First stop MGM stumbled across the lions which were entertaining. on to NY NY where I could not persuade Mum to do the Roller Coaster with me but we had a good exploration of the hotel and casino. A really fun looking place I will deffo be coming back to.

Onto the Luxor and yes this truly is an amazing looking building both inside and out. Rode all the IMAX rides which were halarious! Would love to stay here but it is defo too far outta it so would prob not.

Then the Mandalay Bay where we our worn out feet and legs had to carry us miles to see their acquarium. Nice but far to tired to appreciate it and defo not worth $15 each.

We made up for this on our walk out of the hotel tho as we noticed a crowd around one of the roulette tables and checked it out. Some guy was betting with $100 dollar chips and was literally covering the table wiv PILES of chips on each number in a very random fashion. so he was betting/loosing/winning tens of thousands of dollars each time. Not really much chance of winning due to the amount he was betting but made for EXCELLENT viewing. Rich bastard Regulars explained he was a bit of a show man (owns golf jet) and cleary was just having a bit of fun. Good timing tho. ty who ever u r! We were half expecting an Indecent Proposal situation and to be offered a play,a drink at least!! Clearly did not materialize.

Home time and a cab this time as we were once again SHATTERED. Drink at the bar then ready for the evening. No energy to go anywhere so we decided to eat at the the Italian restaurant in the Aladin.

Not dissapointed by the meal except they smothered our filet steak in a grim source which we didn't notice on the menu oh and they didn;t supply matches to pin open our tired eyelids. Overall a lovely meal and a scrummy glass of chiannti. (sorry but america lacks in good wine and the european stuff is far to expensive as imported). Down to the bar for a drink b4 collapsing in bed again.

Can't help but think the upstairs bar in the aladin should be sunken in below the casino or summat cause its far to outta it and lackin in atmos once again.

DAY FOUR

Found time to book a tour to the canynon this morn and persuaded mum to do the helicopter, YAY!

Sadly a cloudy day but stil fantastic to see the canynon and great to ride in a copter for the first time. Would love to explore further into the canyon next time and land in it.

Shoppin in Aladin after which was good but lacked atmos of the Venetian. IT seems the to me that the Aladin has nothing to draw ppl in hence the lack of trade and atmos. All the other hotels have a reason to visit them and are therefore very busy and exciting, the aladin isn;t but for this very reason its prob a good reason to stay there.

This eve I had pre-booked a meal at the Palm Restaurant in Ceasars shopping area. Had previously eaten at there rest in NY. Was not dissapointed this place is amazing. Service is the best i have received anywhere ever and the food is fab. toilet attendants offering anything u cld ever need in a toilet and an elvis one for the guys.

After meal taxi to freemount st to see the lights . This place is pretty amazing a loud, not what i had expected.

DAY FIVE

Last day here and flight early afternoon so checked out early ($22 dollars for a 2 min international call!!!!!! DO NOT MAKE THEM!) Then went up to the pool for some sun and a swim. The hottest day yet and could have spent the day here but no time left. the pool was not good atall no character what so ever. they could ahve made so much more of this!!! Esp after seeing the amazing pool at the mandalay.

This is where I found out about the lack of service reported at the Aladin. The signs and front desk had told me that the snack bar would be open here and it looked like it was - but no staff. And everyone we asked had no clue. Does it raelly take much to inform the staff wether or not a service is available? We packed up and had a burger in the shoppin mail instead.

After that on to the airort for journey home.

Conclusion:-

Love the place can't wait to go again. People soooo friendly, i love americans. Food FANTASITC, sights and tours amazing. Aladin nice and would stay again but lacking in entertainment and atmosphere. There is nothing what so ever to pull u in. And I defo preferred the darker cosier, busier casinos ie Mirage. Bit it is quieter and this makes it an easier place to stay and its position is the best.

SEE U SOON VEGAS THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE IT IN THE WORLD AND ITS SOOO DEPRESSING BEING BACK TO REALITY.

 

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Emma:
No energy to go anywhere so we decided to eat at the the Italian restaurant in the Aladin.

Not dissapointed by the meal except they smothered our filet steak in a grim source which we didn't notice on the menu oh and they didn;t supply matches to pin open our tired eyelids. Overall a lovely meal and a scrummy glass of chiannti. (sorry but america lacks in good wine and the european stuff is far to expensive as imported). <hr></blockquote>

First off, good trip report

Second,

[RANT] America does not lack in good wine. Why do they have California wine imported in France if our wine lacks? How about the fact that most French wineries use California grapes since their vineyards were wiped out by a vine rot? Maybe the waiter didn't recomend correctly. Or maybe you bought by the glass and so you had oxidized Mondavi crap.[/RANT]

Third, I'm glad you had a good time. I really like Tremezzos as well and was also disapointed by the Filet and the sauce which is really 40 yr old balsamic vinegar. I'm actually quite surprised because both times I went to Tremezzo's the waiters picked out our wines nicely. You are very right about Aladdin not having a good draw. I think they thought the Desert Passage was going to be their big deal, but it's really no deal, without even the draw of people watching or gaudiness.

The Luxor is my favorite casino, but I don't particularly like staying there because it gets too dry in that huge atrium they have. Next time you come I suggest Caesars or Bellagio for a unique Las Vegas experience.

 

Don't know how to do the quote thing (I'm an illiterate, in case you hadn't noticed) but had to lol at the "Indecent Proposal" reference. Glad you had a good time--great report!

 

Thanks for your comments coecat and I didn't explain myself very well about the American wines.

My point was that at home we drink mainly french wines but were unable to drink them in america cause of their price! Didn;t experiment enuff with the american wines to say they were not good so I apologise.

Infact we did drink the rose wine that began with a Z and were satisifed with that one just missed our sauvigion blancs

yup will try to stay in Caesars or Mirage next time i think. Bellagio may be too expensive?

xx

 

sorry comments re wine were for compulsive gambler - sorry :/

 

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Emma:

Infact we did drink the rose wine that began with a Z and were satisifed with that one just missed our sauvigion blancs

xx<hr></blockquote>


Friends don't let friends drink white zin....

 

Great report Emma, so glad you enjoyed your trip. I think though that 5 days is probably too short to even recover from all that jet lag.

 

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Emma:
My point was that at home we drink mainly french wines but were unable to drink them in america cause of their price! Didn;t experiment enuff with the american wines to say they were not good so I apologise.

Infact we did drink the rose wine that began with a Z and were satisifed with that one just missed our sauvigion blancs

yup will try to stay in Caesars or Mirage next time i think. Bellagio may be too expensive?

xx<hr></blockquote>

Sorry to rant at you. A white Zin is a regional favorite but I have heard called Kool Aide a few times. White Zin is actually made from Zinfandel juice minus the grape skins.

Bellagio has deals every once in a while bringing it down to as low as $99 a night. Make sure you check their website when planning.

 

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Compulsive Gambler:
[QB]

Sorry to rant at you. A white Zin is a regional favorite but I have heard called Kool Aide a few times. White Zin is actually made from Zinfandel juice minus the grape skins.
]<hr></blockquote>


A regional favorite where? In Las Vegas? In our house we call it koolaid
And my mother-in-law drinks it....despite all our teasing!

 

Excellent!!!

I feel on the floor laughing when you popped in the Indecent Proposal piece. Nice to hear that the 18 hour trip was worth it!!!

Shane

 

In regards to the elephant:

I spoke with someone there about Gildah. They said that she was kept alone b/c she does not get along with other elephants or animals...only people. And truthfully, she is safer there than Africa, where she'd probably been killed by poachers by now.

 

Emma:
I enjoyed your report very much! Brits have such a great sense of humor, and apparently it didn't miss you. I have only half the time in the air that you do and I go for 8 days (well, 8th day is on the plane flying east).
.
"Love the place can't wait to go again. People soooo friendly, i love americans. Food FANTASITC, sights and tours amazing." Well friendly people is a give and take proposition; If you are friendly you will find that in return, and certainly did!

"Then outside to watch the pirate show. WOW! Fantastic - u yanks sure know how on put on a show." " (sorry but america lacks in good wine..."

Emma, the pirates sank a British frigate and you enjoyed the show but didn't appreciate American wine........you had better watch out; you will be a woman without a country.....and none to go to either!!!!!lol

Jim

 

Fanx for comments on the elephant Lmadrid. I think she was from Thailand...

Glad u enjoyed my report Jimbo. Oh yeh - the pirates sunk the brit ship! Mum and I found it halarious (oops here I go again, sorry england!) the guy's brit accent was sooo funny.

And re. the Wines I think I need to be a bit more experimental next time and defo ask for advice/reccomendations.

 

Emma,

I can't believe that the buffet was not open on weekdays!! I've heard great things about it and was hoping to eat there. Our first day there is a Sunday so we'll drop by and see. By the way I loved your trip report!

 

are you referring to the buffet at the Aladdin? I just got back from there and it was opened during the week. there were lines up the escalators.

 

Your in luck Coral - its not open week days for breakfast, weekends only. But only for the slightly more expensive champagne buffet ($15 dollars instead of $11/12 I think). Oh and it opens for lunch from 11am all other times anyway so sorry if my report was misleading.

We were dissapointed too but if your there in the week and want a buffet breakie lots of ppl recommended the Paris to us which is only next door, we never made it tho.

 

Thanks for clarifying that Emma! There's so many places we want to try but may not have the time (staying 4 days). Your report was wonderful, sounds like you made good use of your time!

 

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by HoyaHeel:



A regional favorite where? In Las Vegas? In our house we call it koolaid
And my mother-in-law drinks it....despite all our teasing!<hr></blockquote>


Sorry, tranposing geography. In California it's a regional thing. I see so many Cali plates in Vegas I get confused.

 

my husband and i are taking a trip to vegas for our 10 year anniversity we will be staying a the
aladdin casino 05/23/02-05/27/02. Our experince so far has been a nightmare. when i first booked the room i was given a price of 758.00 for the resort vista room according to the hotel rep she was taking off 20.00 a night due to our 10 year anniversity we were excited. I decided to mail the payment in full which i was told this was fine as long as they received payment in 1 week.
I mailed the payment 2 day mail on the 3rd day i called to see if payment was received.i was told no and that the did not see a reservation for us
then i was told it had been canceled for non payment.i informed the rep that i was told i had a week and if she could check the mail room because i am sure it is there that god for receipt conformation . i took 1 week and a half for me to get everything fixed my payment had been there the whole time no one wanted to look for it i asked for a manager more than 10 times finally i did get to speak to the reservation manager he was not helpful at all he just took up for the reservations dept.I got tired of the whole thing the reservation manager told me everything is now fine . About a week later received a cell phone call from the reservation manager asking me where is the rest of my money they only received a deposit of 758.00 the total of the room was 1020.00 i did not know what to say. i had went over all of this when i was complaining i told him the rep gave me a discount because of my 10year anniversity i asked him to read the notes on file and he would understand he did that and said he was sorry i told him he should have done that before calling me i ask for the hotel manager again i was not given a name the phone was disconnected i called back did not give my name and asked for hotel manager spoke to her and was only given an upgraded to a strip suite and was assured once i get there i will have a good time ....Do i need to request a refund or is the strip suite upgrade worth staying for ....

depressed before i get
to the aladdin ...