The "new" California.... impressive!

Ha-ha, sorry I didn't mean to hurt the non-Hawaiian's feelings (lol).

As for the entry into the Cal's parking structure in January I had to pay to enter even though I stayed in the Cal's room and I told the parking lot attendant that I would be checking into the Cal's hotel but he still had to charge me $3 but he told me to take it to the cashier after I checked in and I would get reimbursed which I did in fact get reimbursed (I never thought about showing him my sapphire card). This time I just showed my sapphire card and the parking attendant didn't charge me the $3 to enter. When I checked in I obtained the yellow parking placard which then also allowed me free access into the parking structure every time I entered. So I'm guessing that a sapphire or emerald card gets free entry into the parking structure regardless of whether staying in a room at the Cal or not.

 

Thanks for the info, surf87.

 

I like dining at the counter at the market street café. reasonable prices, but boyds has really offended and insulted me.

 

well that is good to know, but given the new circumstances I probably wont maintain sapphire much longer.

 

The Aloha Coupon Book, as far as I understand it, is for the Hawaii people who fly the Vacation Hawaii charter flights (owned and operated by Boyd). But they must buy the COMPLETE package, which includes, besides the coupon book, rooms and transportation to and from the airport. It also includes baggage handling to the assigned rooms. The package prices vary, depending on the time of year. During the summer months the packages are the cheapest and then get substantially higher in the winter months and springtime. The coupon book is actually not free.

I use the Vacations Hawaii charter flights but I utilize the "casino air" option whereby if you already accrue free rooms and other comps you can just purchase the flight, which is a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the complete package. But those who use this option WILL NOT get the Aloha Coupon Book. Personally I don't think the Aloha Coupon Book is that great, because I don't like to be limited to the Boyd eateries when I dine. Plus the "free" meals are very limited and if you eat other dishes the coupon book only takes a percentage off the meal which is not much in my opinion.

It doesn't hurt to ask at checkout if you can have one of these coupon books. My brother-in-law flies on another airline and he asks for it and sometimes they give it to him and sometimes not, lol! I swear I've read on here that some other members not from Hawaii were given these books also.

I don't believe that the Boyd Properties Downtown only want Hawaiians playing and staying there. I think it was a genius idea that they found a niche market as far as the Hawaii players but there is no way that the Hawaii people alone can hold up the 3 Downtown Boyd properties. And if they (Boyd) are giving the non-Hawaii people the feeling that they are not wanted, then Boyd better get off their ass and rectify that asap.

 

Cal Club, not lanai.

 

Actually anyone can buy a package that provides the coupon book, just that you have to pay more for the package versus just paying for the room. Just ask the reservations person if you are interested in that package. Vacations Hawaii includes the coupon book with their charters as part of the "complete package". I have friends who like the coupon book option so even though they fly ala carte and not part of Vacations Hawaii (usually just use Hawaiian Air) they pay extra for that package (usually about $20 a day more). Me? I rather save my money (I usually skip lunch since I'm out) and since the Club Cal is no longer there I take my business elsewhere.

Yes, boyd was smart to offer the complete package to people flying from Hawaii. But the other reason is because there are a lot of senior citizens who go to vegas, these charters make it easy for them to travel. With the charter you drop off your bags at the airport and the charter will take care of it the rest of the way and back to Hawaii. Smart move. It's funny because at the airport and gate we usually see rows of seniors in wheel chairs and walking using the early boarding to get on the plane early.

Really? Ask for the book at checkout? I never thought of that but because I may stay longer (stay elsewhere) I would use the extra coupons. I would think they won't give it out because people would immediately use them to get the "snacks".

Yes, I know that it was called the Club Cal but when I mention it that way people think I am referring to the player's card booth and not the lanai restaurant so nowadays I just call it the lanai restaurant.

 

Anyone can purchase the Aloha meal coupon book from the front desk with your stay at $40 per day extra. I'm no longer a Hawaii resident and I have been living in Los Angeles since 2002. Numerous times since 2002 when I checked in at the Cal, I would inquire about purchasing the Aloha meal coupon book and every time they would quote me a $40 per day extra charge for the Aloha meal coupon book and every time I would decline because $40 extra per day is steep. I could do a lot better buying my meals on my own. Let's say breakfast is $8, lunch is $10, and dinner is $15, for a total of $33, I would save $7 off of the Aloha meal coupon book and I wouldn't be limited to Boyd's eateries only.

However with the Vacations Hawaii package deal of let's say $799 everything inclusive which includes roundtrip airfare, hotel stay for 5 nights, transfers to/from McCarran, and the 15 meals Aloha meal coupon book, then it is worth it to get the Aloha meal coupon book which comes with the package deal.

Or Emerald card holders and some high level Sapphires get (2) Aloha meal coupon books from their hosts with hotels stays (along with $100 free slot play, or $250 free slot play, or God knows some insanely amount of free slot play). These Emeralds and high level Sapphires includes non-Hawaii residents coming from places such as Minnesota, Florida, New Jersey, Canada, or any where else world wide. The hosts can and will hook them up with the Aloha meal coupon books for these high rollers.

 

Another way I obtained the Aloha meal coupon book was by taking Nisei Charters bus tours from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on their 2 night packages for $195 which includes roundtrip bus transportation for Tuesday thru Thursday travel, 2 nights at the Cal, and 6 meals Aloha meal coupon book. Nisei Charters also has another 2 night package for Friday thru Sunday for about $285.

You might recall seeing Nisei Charters buses parked between Stewart & Ogden on 1st Street picking up or dropping off passengers. Those buses originate in Los Angeles.

 

Asking at checkout for coupon book is a waste. It is good through last day and dates are punched in. It is good through how many days you stay. But same book with 4 full days of meals. We have stayed 6 and used it thru checkout day (7 days). New offer did not include meal book though but did increase FP from $75 to $225, however now it is the 2 month offer. Sapphire(middle at 125,000 points) and live in Florida.

 

But just think how much caramel popcorn, chips and cookies you can buy with an extra coupon book on your last day? har har, kidding.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the Cal parking structure. My friend gave me her extra sapphire (or was it emerald? I forget) card and I just flash it to get into the parking structure. hmmm, I better go looking for the card since I will be staying at the Cal in just about 1 month.


Hey, another question, what is an "acceptable" time that they will allow you to check into the Cal? 1:30 pm? I get into Vegas first thing in the morning (8 am) and want to run errands but I want to check in early so I can dump my suitcases and bags so it won't stay in the rental's trunk and overheat.

 

and don't forget those Kit Kat bars LOL

 

har har, actually my favorite is that caramel popcorn. I will pick up as much as I can if I have extra coupons. But when it was at the old lanai restaurant I also liked to pick up sushi, not sure if that is available anymore.

 

I have checked in at Cal as early as 8 am. Depends what day. Can always leave bags at bell desk til room ready

 

I found an old bus Hawaiian package deal flier where $80 p/p dbl occupancy included 2 nights, 6 meals, and roundtrip bus transportation from Los Angeles. Unfortunately this company went out of business.

I'm not sure Makikiboy what time the Cal allows early arrivals. Nor do I know if sushi is available to be redeemed for the Aloha meal coupons.

 

But you had to get to LA first?

 

I like that the "bus only" is $50, which means they value the 2 hotel nights (double occupancy) plus 6 meals as $30! ;-)

 

Okay, I stayed at the Cal from April 10 - 15 and I am not impressed at all with the changes. Without any big sporting events going on the sports bar was completely empty most of the time I was there. No real food in there anyway so you have to bring stuff in from the outside(?) if you have the muchies.

The Noodle house was closed most of the time and when it was open it wasn't very busy, even during their lunchtime. The Market St. Café did some renovations and made the counter area smaller so there sometimes was a waiting line just to sit at the counter. They got rid of the snaking line at the entrance so now the line goes out the door and sometimes all the way past the Redwood Grille (almost to the Noodle house) during the dinner hours. One other thing, because the Market St. Café is so busy they are no longer allowing any take out orders (although if you sit for a meal you can probably make another one a take out). I don't see that many people sitting at the Holo Holo bar.

Previously whenever I stayed at the MSS or the Cal I would always eat a few meals at the Club Cal lanai restaurant but with that gone I only ate (this past trip) at the Cal for breakfast or a late night snack. I liked the old lanai restaurant because I could eat there or take out a meal from 9 am to 10 or 11 pm but that is a thing of the past. Now I go elsewhere instead to eat.

They renovated the West tower rooms and you have to pay $12 more to stay in those rooms. I made my reservations many months ago before they raised the rates but I still wasn't able to get the west tower unless I paid the $12 a night more. Front desk girl wasn't very friendly and never cracked a smile or welcomed me to the hotel, I guess she was put there so people wouldn't grumble about the room charges.

While they made a lot of renovations I am not impressed with what they did, to me they made it worse and made the Cal a place that I won't eat or play as much.

Sorry, I am still mad that they got rid of that lanai restaurant. I liked to eat there or take out a meal and go up to my room to eat.


BTW, I was able to check in at 2 pm but I noticed after that the line started to get longer with people checking in. I also asked, the people taking the vacations Hawaii charter were able to get the west tower without paying more for it.

 

that sounds like the same front desk girl that checked me in. I believe her name was Miss Personality.