Loved GVR, but felt very out of place...

And now the offers are rolling in, but we aren't sure we want to return.....

We went out to GVR for the first time in October, stayed two nights courtesy of myvegas. It was NFL Sunday and Monday.

We spent 12 hours straight on Sunday playing VP at the sportsbook bar. I play fast and my husband plays a little slower when games are on, so it's not like we are the hit-and-run type. We felt very out of place there. It was like we were doing them a favor by playing and drinking. The majority of other people were of course locals and the bartenders knew everyone's names. That wasn't unexpected, but it started to feel like we were viewed as taking up seats that locals could have (even though the majority of them weren't even playing the machines).

Monday, we played slots on the floor for the most part. Monday night, we played VP at the sportsbook bar again. Different bartenders, got the same out of place vibe.

Tuesday night, for about 4 hours before our redeye flight, we played VP at the wine bar place. Different bartenders, got the same out of place vibe.

We are now getting offers for 3 nights plus free play and I don't think we want to go back. We thought about trying Red Rock (if they'll match the offers), but figure it would just be the same there. Are we totally taking it wrong or has anyone else experienced this?

Edited to add: We tip $2 per drink, every drink.

 

You meant The Bartenders were doing YOU A FAVOR by serving you.
If I understood ?
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I used to stay at Red Rock + play the VP bartops --
Only stayed at GVR once or twice.
My wife + I liked Red Rock more.....so we stayed there much more.
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As far as "taking up The Locals space" at the VP bar ?
I could understand you might get that vibe - especially on a NFL Sunday.
But as you said, you guys were playing more VP > than them.
Ah, screw them !.......but you could feel a vibe - so that's unfortunate.
I hope "tipping" wasn't a factor ?.....tipping goes a long way w/ bartenders
and I've never had a problem with that except one jaggoff bartender at Bellagio.
I never went back to that bar at Bellagio --- my VP is loved elsewhere - that's where I'll go !
Maybe, that's what you do ?
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Bargain with Red Rock -- see if you can exchange comp's you earned at GVR ?
Good luck....you'll love Red Rock.
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Do you remember the payscales at the GVR VP bar ?

 

Haha, yes, that is what I meant... I just said it in a backwards sort of way.

We tip $2 per drink, sometimes a little more if we don't have any more dollars. (So like $5 for our 2 drinks). Every time they cleared the tip glasses (which were always overflowing), they were like "oh thank you so much, it is greatly appreciated". Then they'd go back to being the same way. There is absolutely no way there was anyone at the bar playing more than us or tipping more than us.

The VP tables were very good. 8/5 BP with royal progressive. I am not sure about other games because that is pretty much the only one we play.

I have noticed at most VP bars the bartenders are always a little standoff-ish until they see you plan to sit there for awhile and tip well. I understand why though when you see the amount of hit-and-run people they deal with regularly.

 

I like GVR for the feel of the place. I feel like I'm visiting the Bush ranch or some other obscenely wealthy western ranch lodge. Stations casinos have something very hard to find elsewhere...+100% vp games. I love these. I never play at the bar because I'm not a big drinker and slow waitress service doesn't bother me. If you don't have to play at the bars GVR is a great place and you don't have to deal with the vibes you were getting. Did I mention the +100% vp??
That being said, I like their sister property, Red Rock, better. In fact it is my favorite casino in Las Vegas and I am staying there in May. I feel like I'm visiting a truly upscale resort (like Cosmo, not quite Wynn) when I'm in Red Rock.

 

OK, enough of that. Lets get to the important stuff. How many drinks on the flight to Vegas? :evillaugh

 

I love GVR but I don't play machines so I can't speak to the "vibe" while playing them. We did spend time at the bar and found the bartenders to be great. $5 craps tables, great dealers. Great place IMHO.

 

I've never experienced this at GVR. Bartenders certainly know a good number of players but I'm having a hard time tracking you. You said that they were appreciative of the tips, and everyone knows that $5 for 2 drinks is well above the norm at any casino in Vegas. Wynn cocktail waitresses would love to average $2.50 per drink served.

This might be on you. Perhaps you felt strange because you were at a local heavy VP bar?

Nick

 

I experienced that sportsbook 2 years ago on an NFL Sunday.Opening Sunday also so it was super crowded.Wrote about my experience in a trip report about how I was stuck in the short seat machine while locals next to me refused to switch seats as they were not playing.But from my view from there it appeared other were playing..

Anyway I told the bartender about it the next day and he said I should have told him and that they used to have signs to put out stating the machines must be in use to sit at the bar,but new management policy removed them.

But I was treated ok there over a few days tipping a dollar a beer,and it was slow daytime play,kinda fun a few of us chatting about something that came up in the news that day on the TV..ahh yes about Venus or Serena losing in tennis to a skinny white girl..

But myself I'd go back..I've played at RR never stayed (would like to though),but never any hits there or more pleasant experiences at the VP bars..
I'm a low-roller and feel at home in the Gold Coast and Rio and out of my element in the Wynn,Palazzo FWIW.
Best Wishes on you upcoming trips!

 

During my brief visits to GVR, I've felt the bartenders went out of their way to make us feel welcome.

 

To be fair, this could also be a "people the bartenders know" thing, as opposed to a "locals" thing. I'm on a first name basis with like half the staff at Aria, and I'm positive I've gotten preferential treatment from them (bartenders finding or holding a seat for me, faster service, better cocktails, etc.), but I'm certainly not a local. Might just be a case of them knowing other people better. Which certainly isn't an excuse, but might be a more charitable explanation. Also, playing vs. not playing is a distinction that's rapidly diminishing in importance; the casino, and sometimes the bartenders at well, may very well be making more money from people sitting and buying drinks as compared to those playing.

 

Not GVR, but M, I got the same feeling during a two day stay. Sure they know the gang at the bar, and not that the BTs were rude, but at least pretend to be friendly. I felt like I was inconveniencing them when they were holding seats for their buddies.

 

Haha, only 2 I think! I made up for it when we arrived in Vegas though. :evillaugh

 

Thank you! Yes, that's what it felt like. I am not interested in chatting with the bartender all day, but after we've been sitting there in the same damn seats for 12 hours straight and tipping very well, wouldn't a normal person at least ask where we were from or if we were staying there and enjoying the hotel or who we were cheering for in the football games since there were 5 or 6 going on for NFL Sunday? Like something, anything.

 

Thanks for all the input, guys! I think we will give it another shot. I'll see if RR will match GVR's offer for either our July or October trip and see how we like out there. Both properties are beautiful and we did enjoy our stay at GVR. So many things on the same property that you hardly have to leave.

Thanks again!