1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Quick, rather dreary trip report (7/12-7/18): Nothing to see here.

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by JR Swift, Jul 18, 2015.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. JR Swift

    JR Swift VIP Whale

    Joined:
    May 15, 2004
    Messages:
    1,068
    Location:
    Lawrence, KS
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40

    My Trip Report

    Just got back from the "summer trip" to Vegas. Sadly, this trip was marred by a severe cold which left me rather limited for a couple of days. I'll skip the "blow by blow" chronology and just hit a few highlights as well as some new experiences and my thoughts on them.

    Stayed at the Hard Rock the first 4 nights as they were nice enough to comp them for me. Place is "under construction," largely eliminating access to the original casino floor. I was able to check in at the regular front desk last Sunday but access to that was gone the following morning. I don't know for how long but check in and out was moved to the Joint Box Office area. A bit confusing. I have never spent much time gambling in the original casino area so that didn't bother me much. Was supposed to have a Paradise Tower room but none were available when I arrived so I agreed to take what was, which was a pool view room in the Casino Tower. From the 6th floor, I had better than a "bird's eye view" of the mayhem of Rehab. Was something to see (from a distance) but I haven't had my full set of vaccinations so seemed pretty risky to get too close. Honestly, I wouldn't have felt comfortable in that human petri dish 25 years ago, let alone now.

    My normal favorite place to play and drink is the casino bar nearest the cafe in the newer part of the casino. Again, spent a fair amount of my time there over the first few days. Pretty decent drink service as long as you were playing VP at the Quarter level. Rest of the casino was (like most any other place) hit or miss. Didn't have particularly good luck but had a few small hits that made me feel OK about my losses. Ate a few meals at Lucky's. Food here is always pretty decent at a decent price. Service can be hit or miss.
    Grabbed coffee at Fuel which is fine for generic overpriced caffeine. Got a sub at Subway across the street one day and a slice of pizza at Joe's NY Pizza in the plaza near the CVS. Actually, thought it was quite good and would repeat.

    Spent Monday evening on the UNLV campus, catching a couple of NBA summer league games. It is "walkable" but, while it didn't feel dangerous, it isn't particularly pleasant either. Saw the Lakers/Knicks and Jazz/Timberwolves which meant seeing 3 of the top 4 picks in the draft. and 3 of my favorite teams as well. The Thomas & Mack was packed with Lakers fans for the first game but I'd guess no more than a couple of thousand by the end of the Jazz game around 10. All seating is GA and a ticket entitled you to go back and forth between games as there were also games at the Cox Pavillion. If you are a hard-core NBA fan, it is is a worthwhile experience getting to see some of the future stars but 75% of the players will be lucky to make a roster and you probably won't know their names. Honestly, the quality of the games ranges from "awful" to "OK" but, for $28, it's not bad. Would probably repeat.

    Spent time on the Strip both Monday and Tuesday, gambling here and there, being a tourist (had to hit the "fountain show") and trying out a couple of new eating places. Here's a tip: If you aren't driving yourself, just grab a cab. I walked it one day and, while it isn't bad, it kills 30 minutes and is a bit too hot in the summertime, even in the morning. The shuttle only runs once an hour from 10-5 and can only carry 20 people. I arrived 15 minutes early on a weekday and was lucky to get on. It also deposits you all the way up north at the Fashion Show Mall. Unless that's where you want to be, I wouldn't call it a great location. A cab back and forth will likely only run about $10 (with tip) each way. Just save yourself the time and the headache. Ate lunch at the Bobby Flay Burger Palace and liked it very much. It is next to Crystals and the Mandarin Oriental. I will go back. Had "deli food" at Cantor's at the Mirage the second day and, while the brisket was delicious, the price is a bit over the top for the quantity you get.

    I spent my gambling time just playing places I enjoyed which included the Cosmopolitan, Aria, Bellagio, Cromwell, Mirage and (surprisingly) the Linq. Have no idea what the rooms are like but the transformation of the "sh**hole" that used to be the IP is (I think) very impressive. Found it a fun and comfortable place to hang out for a bit.

    Wednesday and Thursday I was, as mentioned early, a bit "limited" and mostly hung around my hotel, which on Thursday became the SLS. Arrived pretty early after checking out of the Hard Rock but they were accommodating about getting me into my (comped) room so I was pleased with that. Was supposed to be in the World Tower but they put me in the Story Tower instead. Wow! Very unique room. Will try to remember to post up a picture at some point but modern, trendy and sexy are three words that come to mind. Another is "small" but I found it adequate for my needs. Even the hallways were, for lack of a better word, "cool." View of the Stratosphere and downtown from my room. Mirror on the ceiling which was mostly frightening for me but could be good fun for a young couple. Great TV and selection of channels which meant more than usual since I spent more time in the room resting, at least the first day.

    My "food find" for the entire trip is "800 Degree Pizza." Very reasonably priced Italian style pie that cooks in just a few minutes while you wait. I ate there 2 days in a row and loved it. Also had a burger at the cafe and, while it was OK, it was nothing special. Lots of diverse food and beverage options as well as shopping and nightlife if you are so inclined. Casino was never super busy but a lot of people coming in and out, either just checking out the place or there to eat or party. Having stayed at the Hard Rock, Palms and Cosmo, I will also say that the amount of "eye candy" was very impressive. Staff was also attractive, friendly and helpful. Drink service in the casino was somewhat hit or miss but not bad.

    And then there is the matter of "good luck" which (probably) won't transfer to you. Had several nice little hits at the SLS casino over the 2 days, including winning a $1K on a 50 cent Video Keno bet which was a nice way to finish up the trip. In addition, shortly after I arrived, they were giving away $100 in free "Code Play" several times an hour and I was a lucky winner on that. Plus ended up with a free t-shirt. So....I've got that going for me, which is nice. :)

    I did feel well enough on Friday to spend the better part of my day hanging out downtown. Gambled mostly at the Fremont and Golden Gate. Just an FYI: the new "long bar" at the Fremont is now open. I asked the bartender and I think he said it had just been since the previous week. "Cased" a few of the other casinos, thinking about spending a fair amount of time playing there for future room offers but neither the El Cortez, Four Queens or the D honestly seemed like places I would want to spend a lot of time so I skipped it. Guess, for now, I'll just live with the discounts I'm already getting.

    So that's it. Told you there wasn't that much to see, but did think maybe a few of my observations might be useful or help someone else going forward. After a long day, I think I am now about to call it a night.
     
  2. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2014
    Messages:
    14,642
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Thanks for writing an entertaining report. (Petri dish comment made me say "ew". LOL). Sorry you weren't feeling well for part of the time but it sounds like you otherwise had an enjoyable trip. Congrats on the video keno win.
     
  3. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2014
    Messages:
    5,302
    Location:
    South
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Thanks for sharing -- I'm hoping to pop into SLS next month.
     
  4. carolineno

    carolineno VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2013
    Messages:
    4,840
    Location:
    Boston
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    777
    Thanks for sharing, I like some realism with my reports. We're doing a day at the SLS so maybe I will be a lucky Code Play winner.

    And ditto on the petri dish observation - my girlfriend went to a Steve Aoki dayclub event at Wet Republic. When I asked her how it was she said the music was good but "do you know what the floor of a bar looks like at the end of a night? Butts, spilled drinks, trash, etc.? That's what was in the pool." :yuck:
     
    Ladies getaway, somewhere on the strip with a pool :)
  5. retro

    retro Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2013
    Messages:
    430
    Location:
    So Cal
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    101
    thanks for the report, hope you post some pics once you've recovered. I so wanted to see the summer league, but not in the cards this year. Went about 5 yrs ago, was a lot of fun. Considering where you normally play I can understand why DT didn't flip your skirt. Personally, I love DT for low rolling and ease of walking from casino to casino, especially in summer.
     
  6. sandybeachbar

    sandybeachbar Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2010
    Messages:
    328
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Liked reading your observations. Would love to see your SLS room pic.
     
  7. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    Messages:
    9,892
    Location:
    Northern Nevada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    248
    Anytime I can read something about the Hard Rock here on VMB is a good day for me. Thanks for takin' the time to share your trip with us JR... sorry the cold slowed you down a bit.
     
  8. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2008
    Messages:
    17,827
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    130
    Sorry to hear you were ill while in Vegas. Would love to see your SLS room photo. I hope to finally visit SLS in September.
     
  9. JR Swift

    JR Swift VIP Whale

    Joined:
    May 15, 2004
    Messages:
    1,068
    Location:
    Lawrence, KS
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Actually, I really enjoy Downtown. Usually spend at least a few days there. Tend to just wander around when I'm gambling and was kind of looking for a place I might enjoy just hanging out for a while and just wasn't feeling it that day. I just realized the only room visual I took was a short video. Is there a way to post that here? If not, I guess I can put it up on YouTube and copy the link.
     
  10. Film-Noir

    Film-Noir High-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2011
    Messages:
    893
    Location:
    Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    26
    Nice

    Thanks for the TR JR Swift

    Not feeling well is no fun, Esp. in L.V. When your ready to have fun,
    But it beats a day at work.

    you did quite well & made the best of it, as you have done,
    there are so many things to see & do & perfect timing for some NBA offseason Activities.

    + the 1K Keno hit is good stuff! :peace:
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.