First TR - 6 nights at Palazzo

Trip Report:
This is a little old, however I have been reading such awesome TR’s lately that I figured I would include my trips. I apologize for spelling/grammar errors. The trip included myself, my gf and her friend. Was supposed to be more people however a bunch ended up backing out. This trip was back in August. 24-30th.

Friday:
We drove down to Minot, ND from Canada and flew using Allegiant. Overall for the price we paid, can’t really complain. The flight left at 9:50 pm and arrived in Las Vegas around 10:45 pm. It was nice not having to go through customs. We got our luggage and headed to the shuttle to the rental car. Holy man was it hot, while we were waiting for the shuttle I think I had beads of sweat coming down my forehead. We got to the rental center and headed over the Hertz. I used priceline and got $9/day standard car. Of course, every other company there is absolutely no line, however at Hertz it is around 15 people deep. I waited in line and they had people handing out waters to everyone. After waiting for 45 min I finally got to someone. They said I could get a Chrysler 200 or a chevy cruise. I asked if there was any other options and the lady said I could get a ford mustang at the same price if I wanted. Sold. Headed to the car took some beautiful pics of the strip from the rental center. You could see the whole strip laid out from there. The strip was very busy tonight, as we were heading down to the strip to the Venetian there was a black Escalade stopped in the middle of the strip, all doors were open and no one inside. Seemed like someone just bolted from their vehicle. Got to the Venetian it is about 1am at this point. Parked in the self park and left the luggage in the car since we didn’t want to haul it through the casino. So I booked this hotel room through hotwire for 89/night for 6 nights. It was for 3 people, however hotwire gave me a standard king room in the Venetian. I got the counter and got a younger gentleman and did the 20 sandwich and asked if there was a bella view suite available in the palazzo. He checked and said there wasn’t anything with a view but could give a high floor in the palazzo with a bella suite. I thought this was pretty good so I took it. Got up to the room and seemed quite nice, however there was some things wrong with the room once I checked it out thoroughly. For example there was drink stains on the walls, food beside the beds, lamps not working, tv in the bathroom not working, and just overall it seemed really runned down. We headed out to explore a bit and headed to wallgreens for some supplies for the trip. Returned and thought we should get some extra towels. 2 hours later didn’t receive anything so I called to ask again, front desk told me they would be right up in less than 5 min. I watched tv for about 15 min and nothing, so decided I would lay down and ended up passing out. I assume these towels never arrived.

Saturday:

We got up and got ready around 9ish and got in the car and drove to IHOP by the south outlets. We don’t have one where we are from and love this place. After breakie headed to NYNY and valeted. We walked across to Luxor and went to bodies and the titanic exhibit. They had a combined deal, something like 35/40 for the two so we got those. Both were pretty good and interesting. After the exhibits we walked to MB and went to the Shark Reef. I thought this place was a lot better then I thought it was going to be. Wow, this is a pretty educational Vegas trip here. We went to Border Grill for supper as I had a Restaurant.com coupon. Thought the meal was excellent and would highly recommend. After supper we headed over the MGM and saw KA. Now this show was alright, not your normal cirque. They have speakers built into the seats. The stage and special effects were pretty awesome, however I’m not sure if I was just tired or what but I had issues keeping my eyes open. So as we walked out of Ka and were in the MGM casino I kinda glanced behind me and thought I saw someone I knew. He looked me right in the eyes probably thinking who is this weirdo. I couldn’t quite put my finger on who it was but he really looked familiar. After I walk for a bit perplexed I yell out, it was Chum-lee from pawn stars. He had some hot little number by his side and was in a suit. The show must be treating him well. We then went to the coke store, checked stuff out, then walked over to Bellagio and watched the fountains, then cut through Bellagio and made our way back to the car. Went through Aria and played a few hands of BJ, then to Monte Carlo and some BJ. We we walked through MC there was karaoke playing and the guy singing was incredibly off key singing some hootie and the blowfish. Got the car at NYNY and headed back to Palazzo.

Sunday:

We got up kinda late and since it was Sunday I thought I would go to the lobby at tell them about the issues we had, so they would move me to a higher floor and strip view. Sure why not. We are now on the 45th floor, however this room didn’t really seem that much better but oh well. Picked up some breakfast burritos at a coffee shop in palazzo. We went down and sat by the pool for a few hours. I quite enjoyed the facilities here. After we got changed and showered up we headed downtown. We went to the Mob Museum at around 3 pm. Now this is a pretty awesome museum and I would recommend it to anyone with any sort of interest in criminology. We walked back to freemont. This was my first time on freemont and I honestly did not enjoy myself. To each their own. We went back to GN and grabbed our car and headed back to Palazzo. I had a coupon for First food. We had supper and drinks there and thought the food was awesome. After supper went to wallgreens and got some beverages. I got a 12 pack of Heineken light. So we are walking down the strip drinking. Me with 1 open drink and carrying a 12 pack. As we are walking through the walkway of construction in front the the quad someone yells at me and says yeah awesome Heineken, high five. Puts his hand in the air, and I think to myself, how am I supposed to high five this guy with a drink in my hand and carrying a case of beer? So I just decided to leave him hanging and say sorry bro. We went into the quad, its always been entertaining here. I played some BJ and got some comped drinks. I ended up doing decent and won a few bucks. The ladies didn’t do so well. We walked over to flamingo and they decided they wanted some drinks from fat Tuesdays. I decided I would play some video BJ. I sat down and some lady came up and started talking to me about my case of beer. Asked if I wanted to have a good time tonight. Me being oblivious to what was going on and in my drunken stuper said I’m having a good time already thanks. I didn’t even turn to look at her at all and I think she walked away. After I think about it she was probably a working gal. The girls come back and I’m up a bit over $100. So I’m pretty happy. This is my first time ever gambling in Vegas. We walked across over to Caesars and stopped at Serendipity. I used some TR reward credits from social rewards for a chili cheese dog and a frozen hot chocolate. The hot dog was one of the best things ive ever eaten. Lol probably because of the booze. The hot chocolate I was not a fan of, even though ive heard everyone rave about it. Sat here and watched the world go by while I was drinking my Heineken. Tried cutting through Caesars to go to the mirage and make our way back, however I didn’t realize after 11 they close down the forum shops. So we had to walk all the way back through caesars and head back out. By the now the gf is getting grumpy and tired. We walk back to the hotel and the gf crashes. Her friend and I head back out to the mirage and I play some BJ there while she watched and drank and watched the world go by. Stay there for a few hours and head back to the palazzo and crash.

Monday:

Woke up kinda late again and went to grand lux in the palazzo. Now I found the food here very good and a very reasonable price. Would definitely be back. We went to the north outlets today and did some shopping. We all got a few things and headed back to palazzo. Dropped stuff off and headed to the mirage for Love. We truly enjoyed this show. We gambled for a bit on slots at the mirage and wanted something to eat. We were not to sure what to have. Our last time we were in vegas we ate at BLT burger and enjoyed ourselves. So we ate here. The food was ok, nothing fabulous, however the service was brutal and our waiter was really rude. We played a bit more in the mirage and headed back as we have a early morning coming up.

Tuesday:

We booked a grand canyon south rim tour through GC Tours. We were picked up at TI so we picked up some starbucks for the road. We were picked up at 6:45 am. The bus trip was pretty uneventful, stopped at hoover dam and our driver was very entertaining. After every sentence he would always say “Sweet, Thank you, thank you very much, Rock & Roll” Not always in that order. We got to the grand canyon and it was pretty awesome. It was about 1:15 pm or so and we walked along the rim getting different views and snapping lots of pics. We left a little after 4pm and we headed back to vegas. We told the driver we wanted to get off at PH so we can stop by the coke store. Went in there and grabbed a few things then walked back to the hotel. We stopped off at PH and ate at PF Changs. Never ate here before and really enjoyed the meal. Used some TR credits on this as well. Walked back through Paris/Bally’s then to Harrahs. I let the girls head back to the room since they were tired and I went over the harahs and played BJ. Did ok so I went over to the quad since I did good there before. However I went to the table and lost 7 hands in a row and decided I better just go to bed.

Wednesday:

We were going to the south outlets today. We made a stop at wicked spoon at cosmo for breakfast. I really enjoyed the food here. Especially the ice cream. Got some stuff at the outlets and headed back to the hotel. I liked the north outlets quite a bit more. We then walked over the fashion show mall. Did some shopping there and ate at stripburger. Now this place I felt was a lot better than BLT burger. Everyone was happy with their selections. We walked along the strip cutting through TI/Mirage and going through Caesars. Went to Bellagio and watched the fountains. Got some drinks and just walked along the strip and people watched. Got back to the hotel and checked in for our flights the next day. Our printer in our room wouldn’t work so I emailed the bording passes to myself and went to the front desk a palazzo. They were having issues and a manager came out. I was chit chatting them and asked if I could get a hot dog around here anywhere. They couldn’t think of anywhere. So after some more talking the manager says to me. Do you know fresh prince of bel air? OF course I do I said. So he says if you do the Carlton dance right here in the lobby he will comp be $50 to any restaurant in V/P to grab some food tonight/tomorrow. So since I had some liquid courage in me of course I accepted and there is me in the lobby of palazzo doing the carlton dance. They all laughed, he put the credit on my file and got my bording passes. I got some food down at grand lux to go and brought it up to the room. Played a little BJ while I was waiting and came out a few bucks ahead.

Thursday:

We fly out today but had a few hours to do some running around. Ate breakfast at grand lux and checked out. Drove over to mirage as the ladies wanted to get some stuff at the love store. I played BJ and came out ahead about $100. Drove over to MB and went through the shops there, then to kill some time we sat in MB casino and played some slots. I won $30 or something so not bad. Fueled up the rental and we were back to the airport and headed home.

Final thoughts:
- This was my second trip and I was not very impressed by the Palazzo at all. I found the property to not really be cared for that much. I mean to the public areas were very nice, but the rooms, etc didn’t seem to have that much care for. I stayed at Vdara last trip and loved that property.
- I thought Love was a great upbeat show, while Ka left me a little disappointed.
- The south outlets seemed like an old rundown mall.

 

It would be so sweet if you could break up those walls of text a little.

I want to read but my old eyes cant keep up.

 

Thanks for posting Jepockn. Sounds like you had a great time and you won on your first gamble in Vegas. Now you'll be hooked for life!

 

I read every word! Good TR

 

Thanks

Thanks for taking time to post your trip report. I like the way you took advantage of coupons and deals. How far was the initial drive from Canada to the US?

After the second date are you still in love with Vegas?

 

I am sad to hear Palazzo is becoming run down.
Thanks for the report!

 

6 nights is a long Vegas trip! Great TR, I liked it. That's a really good price you scored on the room even with the problems. The visual of the guy left hanging with his high five cracked me up.

 

We also drive down to minot and fly out through allegiant. Far cheaper then westjet or air canada. Sounds like you had a decent trip. Anytime in vegas still heaven for me. We were there in first part of September so I can relate to that heat. Sounds like I need to hit the north outlet when we go in april. Was told by a friend that the south one was better but I have my doubts now I keep hearing from everyone that the north is the one to go too.

We have a comped Mirage suite in April with $200 credit and $250 free play. Not sure how we are going to spend all the credit. We tend to gravitate towards buffets and I have some myvegas coupons as well. It will be fun trying.

Enjoyed your trip report keep them coming.