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Cosmo 9/21-24 w Friends & Dad - long!

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by JB in MN, Oct 2, 2014.

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  1. JB in MN

    JB in MN Low-Roller

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    My Trip Report

    Am I the only one who finds trip reports hard to do? Seems like doing one live is hard because when you're there, there's too much going on to type it out; yet, when you get home there's the obligatory couple of recovery days, then normal life kicks in and there's no time to type it out. With that in mind I'll start the report and post it as I can and keep it going till I'm done!

    Background is that Dad asked me to plan a trip to Vegas - he's been ill for the last several years fighting cancer; this spring his chemo worked well enough that the tumors receded into a clean PET scan and him asking me to plan a trip. He loves Vegas and playing blackjack, and growing up Mom and he did CES every January for work and fit in a few more trips as they could. I guess I got that gene from him; I can tell that my trips over the last several years to Aria/Cosmo have him jonesin' for a trip. Last time he was in Vegas was 8-10 years ago and he stayed downtown, so Vegas has changed for him since then. Hasn't had a chemo since May and says he feels the best he has in three years - basically without saying it he said "let's have some fun and live life", or that's how I took it.

    I've touted the Cosmo to him and had a two night offer, so I upgraded it to a fountain view and booked that for the old man and got myself a casino rate room. I feel like two nights in Vegas is too short and three nights is too long. With that in mind, I booked three nights, planning on gambling, "Love", some nice meals, and whatever Dad wants to do.

    Early on I invited my friend M to join us, he's my longest-time friend, his grandma had a cabin next to the house I grew up in and I've known him since he was 4 and I was 5 - basically we grew up together, he's a great guy, and he was very close to my mom (Mom passed in 2001) and is the only person I know who can give my dad shit to his face. He's never been to Vegas, and I offered to front him for the trip; he does fine but he has some family vacation/obligations coming up, but I really wanted him to come and not worry about the cost. Regardless, he couldn't get work to schedule time off. Bummer.

    In his place was friend T - someone I've known since junior high. Close friend though we've had intermittent contact over the years ... he was very kind to me when Mon was ill and I will always remember that. I ran into him last spring in a coffee shop after my annual May trip to Vegas (no TR, sorry :eek:) and he mentioned if I ever do a guy trip to let him know. Well, I emailed him out of the blue, saying "Dad feels great and wants to do a Vegas trip. Want in?" not expecting a reply in the affirmative, to which he replied "I have some Delta vouchers to use, I'm in!" His business recently closed, he's struggling to find work/new career, I think the wife wanted him out of the house for a few days. Coincidentally I had a nice offer from Aria for an upgraded room + $150 resort credit so I booked him on that offer.

    Quick sidebar, I read posts about people booking friends/family on multiple offers for free/discounted rooms for multi-party trips and wonder "how do these guys do it?!" Yet here I am, being THAT GUY, without really trying. Weird how shit works out.

    Saturday night before the trip I hosted my dad and his wife with M and family for a pre-Vegas steak dinner - it was fun, I wanted M to spend some time with dad while he was feeling normal. M could tell that Dad and I were totally amped for the trip, and he was feeling really bad that he couldn't get the time off ... what can you do? He was floating the possibility, "so if I just show up in Vegas, you'll have a place for me to crash?" And I'm thinking, right, that'll never happen, so I say "OK, you text me when you're at the Cosmo Vesper Bar and I'll get it figured out." Dun-dun-DUNNNNNN!!!!

    Sunday AM - trip proper begins - early morning flight - Dad and I meet T at the airport gate. Dad and I talk Sam Grafstein (I had given him my copy to review), betting strategy on dice and cards, and review our BJ strat card. We use a slightly modified card that shows surrender and is a bit more ... cough, cough... conservative in general (this will come up later). Dad says, "what're the odds M's going to show up in Vegas?" To which I replied, that was all talk, that's how he is, he really wants to but it won't happen. Great view of the Pat Tillman bridge/Hoover Dam on the flight in.

    Upon arrival, I had booked a limo through the Cosmo. Driver texted me as we landed that he was at bag claim, all looking good, sure enough there he was at the bottom of the escalator. Not saying he wasn't a nice guy, but not the most personable guy either... just doing his job. I had visions of pics at the Vegas sign, etc but it just didn't happen - we drove to the sign but there was a line of 20-30 people lined up to pose for pics, and the mood just wasn't there to stand around etc. Not sure if it was the flight, the heat, the driver but the mojo wasn't working. We head to Cosmo, grabbed our bags and tip was included with the limo booking, so we headed straight to the counter.

    Very long line at check in, 11am, so straight to the Autograph Room where there were, oh, two people in line, nice. Both the rooms are in my name - Dad, I got this - but he needed to make sure all was well, so he's at the counter with me. Now, I love the guy ... I just don't know that I want a room next to him when I'm in Vegas. To the point that earlier I called two different times to confirm our rooms (him, west tower, fountain view; me, east tower, don't care about view). Yet here we are at check in and, two rooms, west tower, across the hall from each other. Dad's next to me so I can't spell it out, my insistent stares and not so subtle hints that I wanted an east tower room were completely ignored by the attendant and I could tell that $20 was going to do me no good. Alas, to our rooms we go, they were ready at that early hour, dad wanted to watch some football while T gets checked in at Aria.

    The rooms are nice, but again ... I don't necessarily want to be across from him. Not that I have any shenanigans planned (honest!), but just need some separation. We're checking out dad's room and realize the safe is locked. Plus he needs a fridge for medication. Quick call to the front desk, a fridge is on the way and security will come up to fix the safe...

    Meantime, I realize I left the garment bag that has my Vegas dinner jacket and nice dress shirts on the plane! Dad, you wait here while T and I get checked into Aria and figure out the lost bag ...

    Back to VIP check in - the regular line was even longer at this point - I was hoping to use VIP's computer/iPad or whatever to phone Delta and get the bag thing figured out. Line was long there, too, and I filed a lost bag claim on my phone while waiting. By the time I got to the front of the line, a request to change to the east tower was quickly accommodated by a different attendant - 59th floor. I ran my bags from west to east - the room was nice, but it was connected to the room (suite?) next door and had a different layout than the two other terrace studios I've stayed in previously. Nice, just different - really dark in the back, odd square tub, bed looked into the shower. Room was non-smoking but didn't smell that way ...

    T and I hoofed it to Aria via the backside of the C and the check in over there was even longer, both VIP and standard. In fact, they were bumping VIPs to an alternate check in next to Julain Serrano. We waited there about 20 minutes, no $20 trick as it felt like there was nothing more to be offered vs what was already booked. Ended up with a city view on 18, a very nice room.

    At this point we all settled in to our rooms for a bit, watched some football etc - met up at the Cosmo mid-afternoon. Strolled the casino, got T and Dad familiarized with the property, etc. I played some craps to middling effect, and we all headed over to Aria so they could check it out.

    I rolled some craps for a while, I knew Packer was around, I PMed him earlier and hadn't heard back but didn't see any doey-don'ts around the tables so could only hope he was cleaning up somewhere else. I didn't win, didn't lose, no biggie - some dudes rolled up next to me at one point (oh, the puns), they were German, didn't know what they were doing, I chatted with them for a while, nice guys, gave them Craps 101 - when they asked about the Come Bet I said, "that's Craps 301, we don't have time for that". If they didn't lose their buy-in it was about even...

    A while later, bought in at a CSM BJ table with Dad and T, up and down. Phone starts ringing/vibrating. Again. And again. A minute later I excuse myself from the table to get voicemail/text messages from M: "I'm here, as requested" and he has sent me his maps locator app thingy that shows him at Cosmo.... I text back, "NFW", and he replies with a selfie from Vesper lol... no f'in way! God, I love this guy. Sure as shit, he went to work, rearranged schedules with everyone, got the blessing from the wife, and bought a ridiculously expensive one-way ticket to Vegas to meet up with us. I'm experiencing equal parts disbelief and awe.

    It's around 6pm Vegas time, I'm a few drinks in and feeling fantastic - Dad and T are having fun, nobody has lost a significant amount of money (yet), M just rolled into town, unexpected. I told M to leave Vesper and head over to Aria ... met him with a stiff Ketel-tonic and hugs all around. I was hoping to meet up with Rocky Balboa and/or Packer, but suddenly this trip took an unexpected turn.

    First things first, where is M going to stay? Now, we're three single guys with three rooms and, again, there aren't any shenanigans planned (on my end, at least), but at this stage in my life, I don't need to share a room. I head to VIP at Aria and laid it out - my best friend unexpectedly made it into town, I know it's last minute but can you get me a room? Very nice gentleman phones milf (or whomever) and gets a city view room at $80/night plus resort fee. When I handed him my CC there was a $20 underneath and I asked if there was anything he could do about that resort fee; somehow, it went away...

    Long post, I know, guess that's how I roll ... next up when I get the chance, Scarpetta, Love, Christina, Bubble Craps, Jaleo,
     
  2. VegasChic-

    VegasChic- VIP Whale

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    Really enjoying the report, can't wait for the next installment!
     
  3. KyleB

    KyleB Low-Roller

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    This is shaping up to be awesome,cant wait to read the rest
     
  4. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

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    Loving your report! I think it is wonderful that your Dad is feeling better & you are spending time in LV together....memories to last a life time!! Looking forward to your next post!!!!
     
  5. Readingfanman

    Readingfanman Low-Roller

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    Sounds like a great first day in Vegas already. Cannot wait to read the rest.
     
  6. PayTriple

    PayTriple VIP Whale

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    Love the personal details and your reactions. Can't wait to read more!
    Thanks for sharing!
     
  7. hillwood24

    hillwood24 High-Roller

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    Great report so far! I love the long detailed reports.

    One of my favorite trips to LV was with my dad. Reading your report brings back all of those great memories.
     
  8. techie223

    techie223 High-Roller

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    Really enjoying your trip report. Very easy read and I love all of the details.

    What does Cosmo charge for a limo?
     
  9. BayouBengal

    BayouBengal VIP Whale

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    Do you mind saying what the casino rate for a room at the Cosmo runs? And it was terrace studio correct?
     
  10. Ade87

    Ade87 Low-Roller

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    Enjoying the report!

    From your description of the room, dark at the back with the square tub facing the shower room it looks like you are in a Terrace One Bedroom, an upgrade from the Terrace Studio. Personally I prefer the Terrace One Bed!
     
  11. Packer

    Packer VIP Whale

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    Great report so far. I know, we almost got together but you had to take care of stuff. That's cool. Totally understand. Hope all is good and see you there next time! Glad you spent time in Vegas with your Dad. That's wonderful.
     
  12. raraavis

    raraavis VIP Whale

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    love this TR so far...only a little jealous:thumbsup:. you navigate vegas much better than i do!
     
  13. abrolsma

    abrolsma Low-Roller

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    Great Trip Report - I'm heading out to Vegas this Thursday (Oct 9th) to celebrate my 5th year "cancer free". Tell your Dad congrats from another survivor. ;)
     
  14. simonay

    simonay Low-Roller

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    It does sound like a terrace one bedroom with the Japanese soaking tub... FWIW i was quoted a casino room rate of $275 (for a terrace one bed over a busy weekend)

    Thanks for the intro to the report, sounds good!
     
  15. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Really enjoying your TR; awesome your friend surprised you. What kind of room did your Dad have at Cosmo; I've only stayed in wrap-around suite and terrace studio and they have fridges.
     
  16. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Good start! And M purchased a one-way ticket? :eek:
     
  17. RM777

    RM777 Low-Roller

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    Looking forward to the rest!
     
  18. Superpocky

    Superpocky VIP Whale

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    Great TR! Looking forward to the rest of the story.
     
  19. pokerbucketlist

    pokerbucketlist Low-Roller

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    lets hear the next part of the report!
     
  20. JB in MN

    JB in MN Low-Roller

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    Wow, thanks to everyone for the interest in this report! I'll do my best to get the rest out there, the guilt of not doing so would kill me.

    I posted somewhere about this earlier - it cost a bit more than what Presidential runs, but I figured since the dollars would count on my Identity account and since the tip was included I was OK paying a minimal amount more. Having said that, the Pres drivers I've had in the past were much more personable.

    It was $125 for a studio terrace, no resort fee. Keep in mind this was Sun-Tues.

    Good to know, I think you're right. I liked the studio room better, to be honest. It was still a nice room, smell aside.

    Really wanted to meet up with you, sorry it didn't happen! Next time. Saw you had a nice baccarat run around the time I was looking for you; now that I know you play there too I really want to connect.

    Dad had a terrace studio. Both of our rooms had fridges but they were filled/mini bars. We called to ask to have the minibar emptied (they've done this for me in the past, no problem) and was told this is no longer the standard practice. If you want/need a fridge, they bring one up separate from the minibar. I did the same for my room, turns out I'm on the same 'medication' as my dad.

    I know, right?! Love the guy but he can be a dumbass at times lol...
     
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