Tried Spirit for first time and it is carbon copy of Frontier. Cheap prices ($96 RT) and uncomfortable seats. Flew out of O'Hare and flts left on time and arrived early. Would use them again. Comp stay (one bed room) at Golden Gate. Was able to score inside room instead of room facing outside. With all the FSE and street noise, that is a huge plus. Since plane was early and I even caught WAX bus as it was leaving, room wasn't ready. To kill some time, decided to try Happy Feet at El Cortez. For $48, opted for the foot, body and head massage. This is not traditional spa in the sense that rooms are separated by curtains instead of walls. The reservation/front desk situation is also a bit loose. Don't get me wrong, it's a secure operation, but not as professional as you may be accustomed to. I loved it. The (oriental) staff was friendly, the masseuse really went at it and the bed was comfortable enough. For $48 (1 hr), this is a great Vegas bargain. Be sure to leave a nice tip, though. Happened upon an article in that day's LVRJ about seedy motels east of downtown on Fremont Street. At one time, all were pleasant stops for the motoring public. While vacationing, instead of visiting the tourist traps, like the Strip for the umpteenth time, I sometimes seek out sordid spots. Thus, I strolled over in that direction and did a walking tour of a part of Vegas that has changed from good to bad. Interesting. I did not eat any food on Sunday, as I prepped for a much anticipated trip to the Bachannal Buffet the next morning. I already posted that report on the T2V Food Forum. I guess my expectations were too high. Price was right, though - $19 using LVA $10 off during early bird (pre 10:30 am) pricing. If I had to do it again, I would spend an extra $10 and wait until later in the day, just prior to brunch-dinner switchover. I trust that dinner choices would far surpass what brunch (7:30 am - 3:00pm) offers. Tuesday meal consisted of using up my GG $15 food comp up at American Coney Island. First time at Coney Island and see no reason to return. Dry gyro, so-so coney dogs. Okay fries. Earlier that day, one of the locals turned me on to a trail called the Arroyo Flamingo Wash. It starts around Maryland and Twain and heads east for several miles, passing over busy roads and follows the aptly named Flamingo Wash. As a runner, it saved me much wasted time at stoplights and it had a few trailheads that offered water fountains. I ran all the way to where there was no longer any civilization and also no water. The nearest landmark was Sam Boyd Stadium, a couple miles due west of me. Time to turn back and eventually made my way back to Golden Gate for a 25-mile loop. Nive way to spend a few hours. Afterwards, hit up the luxurious cement pond at the D and struck up conversation with a couple guys from Minnesota while in the hot tub. From my experience, pools are the best place in Vegas to meet and converse with total strangers. Ended up giving several of my LVA coupons to them that I couldn't use as solo traveler. Final day was uneventful, other than walking to the airport after over-eating at the Mirage buffet. Walking to McCarran from mid-strip is no big deal for me, but I will never attempt it again after doing a buffet. With a bloated stomach and near 90-degree temps, it was misery the entire way. On my two 2017 trips, my gambling strategy has been to maximize MP and slot coupons, along with the few chips GG provides. I've been extremely lucky so far and have made enough to finance travel expenses for both trips.
Props to you for being able to walk that far after a buffet, even if in pain! Not sure if I would try to walk from Mirage to McCarran.... crazy, I'd get too distracted by heat or casinos!
Thanks for the report! As I get older I tend to find that bigger meals tend to "hurt" more and more. A good walk helps me recover after gorging. I think my days of "all you can stand" buffets are numbered!
Andy, we were there from 4/24 to 4/28. First 2 nights at The Fremont. 25 mile loop only takes you a few hours. Fantastic. $48 for a one hour foot, body, and head massage sounds like a great deal. Glad to hear you have been extremely lucky.
back in March, I walked several blocks east on Fremont, around 6 pm on a Saturday. kind if interesting and sad as well. I took several photos. Peter Pan motel, gotta love that one.
