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Solo in LV - Sept 15 -20

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by oghuman, Sep 30, 2010.

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  1. oghuman

    oghuman VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Location:
    NYC
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    My Trip Report

    Paris Sept 15 - 20

    Lead up to trip -
    After about 15 trips with others I decided on a solo trip. I got the LV itch since I gave up my job search and decided to retire after being laid off two years ago. I was here in Vegas in February with friends we used the Mariott Grand Chateau as our main base and had a 5 night comp room at Paris. This time I had a 5 night comp at Paris. I received a call from a HET LV host for the first time in June saying if I come to LV let him know and he’d take of me. I made my reservation online then emailed him to let him know I’m coming and asked him to get me tickets to a couple shows. I have a nice amount of TR award points, expect not to have very much out of pocket expenses.

    Flight - I took Jet Blue JFK to LV non-stop - I had FF (old trip points about to expire) I decided to splurge and treat myself to the extra room seats at $50 each way. That was great because I had really big guy in front of me who put his seat back that would have crush my knees. On the way home I had the whole row to myself. The flights were good a bit of the usual turbulence but nothing much. I see Jet Blue doesn’t have the sandwiches anymore. We made good time got here about 20 minutes early.
    I took a cab to Paris, cabbie asked if I wanted to take the streets or the highway. I said take Paradise and East Harmon. He said some people say take the highway. Yeah, I told him I’ve been here before.

    Check-in -
    Went to the Diamond Check-in room, the woman told me she had my confirmation for my show tickets were here and I that I was upgraded to a Le Mans Suite. We had the Premium Red Room last time we were here, that was a perfect view of the Bellagio fountains. I was with my buddies and they were impressed. We only used the room to freshen up and take a respite from the casino. I was hoping for the same view but really I don’t spend much time in my room looking out the window anyway. The room wasn’t ready - checked my bags - went for a bite - had some great crepes at Le Creperie. Then I went to Harrahs to check out tickets for Legends in Concert for tonight. I didn’t care for the line-up and decided to skip this one.
    I went back at 3PM my room was ready. My room was 2251P, I put the key in door it doesn’t work. I realize that I’m trying to get into room 2251 not 2251P. OK, I see that my room is next door. I insert key correct room Voila - open. Room is nice - King Bed - sofa, chair, coffee table, spa tub, separate shower, separate toilet with bidet, nice closet and extra desk. Three things I’m not crazy about - old TV in a cabinet - view of garages and side streets and no free wireless for my IPOD. Like I said before, I’m not going to spend much time here and I’m not paying out of pocket so works great for me.

    Gambling -
    I play mostly slots during the day and some table games at night. I usually play $1 or so reel type slots. Table games I play are three card poker, Let It Ride, and Texas Holdem Bonus. Bottom line, I lost. I had a few good runs on the slots, one hand pay for $1285 (I hate that just over the tax min for W2G). That didn’t help as I was already down more than that. At Texas Hold Em one night I had a few high pairs including Aces, Kings, Queens, and AK suited. Walked away up $800. Lousy at LIR, 3CP - dropped a bit there. Checked out Mississippi Stud but didn’t play. I don’t see that at Atlantic City. I want to understand it little better before I sit down at the table. I saw one guy dropping $1K every 5 hands or so, he was betting Black all the way. Looks like you can make nice money or lose quite a bit on a streak.

    Shows -
    Went to see Cheap Trick Sgt. Pepper - I loved this show - I had great seat 5th row center I could almost touch them. Back up singers and small orchestra in a balcony.
    They did the Sgt. Pepper tunes really well, then they did a number of their own stuff. The audience was really into it and they responded. Robin Zander did almost all the vocals, he was great. I bought the DVD, I didn’t like it. The DVD had none of the Cheap Trick music on it and the venue and audience just didn’t make it for me.
    Rita Rudner - had a meet and greet (hello and pictures) and sat in second row.
    Low key humor, she was good. I enjoyed it. Lots of Men vs Women stuff.
    Legends IN Concert - overall pretty good. Elton John - OK - his voice close.
    Donna Summer - good, Faith Hill -OK, Tim McGraw just OK - they also did duets, Tom Jones - good, Elvis - good not great.
    Nathan Burton - Magic - the tricks were pretty good, they also had another act don’t recall his name he was able to identify peoples zip codes to where the lived and remember all of them when he wound up. He also had talking dog. OK for what I paid $0.
    I didn’t pay for Legends or Nathan Burton. When I went to pick up my Rita Rudner tickets at the Harrahs box office, I bought tickets to Legends the next night. After I picked up the tickets I called my host and asked to meet him so I could thank him for getting my room upgrade at Paris and for arranging Cheap Trick and Rita Rudner tickets. I came down and talked a bit and I told him I bought some Legends tickets. He told me I didn’t need to do that I was entitled to some 241 tickets. I was alone so I never thought that I could still do that. So he walked me back to the Box Office on the third floor had them credit me for and then he got me vouchers to Legends and Nathan Burton. That was a nice touch.

    Food/Meals -
    Since I was using rewards points I only ate at Harrahs’ properties.
    Breakfast was the same place everyday at the Cafe at Paris. e standard diner kind of food, decent breakfast food - eggs benedict, eggs and corned beef hash, etc.
    Dinner First Night at Les Artistes Steakhouse at Paris - I had foie gras for an app, Wagyu steak for entree, steak frites were great - love that garlic flavor. Good meal. $115 before tip.
    It’s a beautiful restaurant with great displays of the impressionists works.
    Second Day -
    Lunch -
    Oyster Bar at Harrahs - I had Oysters Rockerfeller - OK - I’ve had better - and New England Clam Chowder and a couple beers - overall decent.
    Dinner -
    Early Dinner at Eiffel Tower Restaurant -
    I went early 6PM they gave me a nice table next to the window near the right corner, the Bellagio fountains went off at least 3 times while I was there. This would be very romantic dinner at 7:30PM.
    I ordered a glass of Merlot - not sure brand or origin but I liked it. Foie Gras appetizer again - I guess I like it - PETA folks please don’t comment on the poor bird - I didn‘t kill it - It was already there - I wouldn’t want the poor bird’s death to be for naught. The waiter asked if I’d like a glass of Sautern with the app - I guess to go with the fruit - didn’t ask how much - sweet but good. Beef Wellington with snap peas - and a potato side dish - I don’t particularly like this preparation of the Beef even though it looks great - completely encased in a crust like a pie - the beef was unevenly cooked parts were more well done than others - it wasn’t a hug piece of meat. Also had another glass of Merlot.
    I had a chocolate dessert I think it was 5 different small preps - great. I really love chocolate, if I were to choose I final meal this is the kind of dessert I want.
    Total bill was $205 with tip. Good thing I have points.
    Third Day -
    Lunch - really didn’t have lunch - I went to PHO to the Diamond Club for a snack and a cocktail - It’s pretty sad offering com pared to any of the Diamond Clubs in Atlantic City.
    Dinner - PHO - Koi - ordered a Mojito - I had Crispy Rice, Baked Crab Roll and Dragon Roll (different from anything I’ve had before - I liked alright but I like the avacado and salmon prep better. Overall, I liked it and I’d like to go back because it’s different and surprising.
    Fourth Day -
    Lunch - I started to go to Spago (no comps there but I love it) was going to have either smoked salmon with caviar pizza (I don’t think it’s on the menu but I read they still make it if you ask for it) or (laugh if you like) meatloaf (best meatloaf I ever had) I can’t help myself I must have had it 6 out of the 10 times I’ve been there. But .. as I was walk through the casino to get to Spago I saw Payard’s. I looked at the pastries and Spago lost a customer - I had this great chocolate dessert and cappacino. I didn’t even see the Payard restaurant next door. But I was good to go - mmm.
    Dinner at Harrahs KGB - I ordered a burger with gruyere cheese,mushrooms and onions on an onion bun plus onion rings. As soon as I started to pick the burger the bun fell apart so it was a knife and fork kind of meal. It was OK, but I don’t think I’ll be back.
    Considering you pay extra for a different bun it should hold up. Onion rings were nice and crispy.
    Fifth Day -
    Late breakfast no lunch.
    After Nathan Burton show went to Mon Ami Gabi - was able to get a table outside next to railing where the menu is located. Spoke to some of the people who were checking out the menu. I like this place - the prices are reasonable the the food is pretty good.
    I had a scallop appetizer, a halibut entree and a creme brule for dessert plus a couple glasses of decent wine for $83 with tip included. I think that was worth it.

    Overall except for my losses, I had a good time. I liked that I had no trouble getting good tables in the restaurants, I did try to go at less busy times. I probably would have gambled less if I had company but I’m single and gotten use to being on my own. Looks like I might be back in March with my friends that I came with this February - not sure if they’re bring wives yet or if my GF will be able to come. I’m from the same town as the Govenator in California - I’ll be back.
     
  2. Greensideup

    Greensideup Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Very nice report. Thanks!
    Great that you were able to use points for pretty much everything, and your Paris host apparently tried to take good care of you. I should be so lucky!
    MAG is one of my favorite eateries, especially for breakfast. Thanks for the write-up.
     
  3. tazdev75

    tazdev75 Tourist

    Joined:
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    pleasant prairie, Wisconsin
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    Great tyrip report!!!
     
  4. VegasDiva

    VegasDiva VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Calgary , Alberta , Canada
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    Great report

    Love MAG , also ......so peaceful on the patio, watching the fountains
    Glad you had a great host who helped map out your trip with the show tickets :)
     
  5. oghuman

    oghuman VIP Whale

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    Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Just as a btw, my Las Vegas host is at Harrahs.
     
  6. Jinx

    Jinx VIP Whale

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    nice report, sounds like you were able to fit a lot in.
     
  7. Rick1323

    Rick1323 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2009
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    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    Very nice TR! Next trip, try MAG for breakfast. About the same prices as the coffee shop with the bonus of the view.
     
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