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Birthday trip a huge success

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by vanassa1, May 9, 2006.

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  1. vanassa1

    vanassa1 Tourist

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    My Trip Report

    As I stated in an earlier thread, we took my daughter and her friend to Vegas for her 21st birthday. My boyfriend and I had been there a few times before but it was the girls first time. It was wonderful to experience Vegas through their eyes. Everything was bright and shiny and new to them.

    We flew in Thursday night and had a limo waiting at the airport. Huge surprise to the girls, who were thrilled to be whisked away in a silver stretch with champagne and roses. We stayed at the Tropicana because of the price. First time staying there. We had 2 rooms reserved. We got there about 7p.m. and the rooms were kind of picked over. We had booked the garden rooms and upon arrival were upgraded to the Island Tower because the rooms we wanted weren't available on the same floor in the Garden Rooms. We got Smoking (requested non-smoking) and said we would try it. Not to smoky, but had a faint stale aroma. Had trouble with our neighbors and the shower, so we called the manager. He moved us to jacuzzi suites in Paradise towers (never once had to flash a $20). The rooms were very nice and all the staff very personable. The pools are also nice. They have an adults only pool (18 and older) that the girls really liked. It was quiet and allowed them to sleep it off in the sunshine. After we checked into the hotel we jumped back into the Limo and took the girls down the strip so they could see the fountain show at the Bellagio, the Volcano at the Mirage, the pirate show at TI and then on a moonlit gondola ride at the Venetian.

    Friday was dedicated to my daughter's tattoo. We went to Hart & Harrington in the Palms. We got there about 11:30 (they open at 11:00) and found a huge line in the hallway. We were about 50th in line but it went fairly quick. Once the people got inside and heard the cost they kept walking. We waited about 45 minutes in line. When we got inside we talked to the ladies at the front desk and showed them her drawing. They gave her a price of $400-$600. This tattoo is about 5" x 5", not a body mural. Her grandmother was paying and price was no object so they had her sign some paperwork and told her to come back in about 2 hours. We went and played some roulette (not real profitable and kind of boring) and came back when we were told to. It took about 2 hours to do the tattoo. She said it was the most pain she has ever experienced, but she is thrilled with her tattoo. The final price was $580. The rest of Friday afternoon was spent downtown playing craps at Binions and eating deep fried twinkies and deep fried oreos at Mermaids. Try the margaritas at Mermaids if you are there. The price isn't bad and they are VERY generous with the hooch. They give you a refill card which discounts the price when you go back for more. We took the girls to a Japanese steakhouse called Hamada in the Flamingo for dinner. We chose this one because I got a $25 dining certificate at Restaurant.com. We ordered the combo for 2. It had scallops, shrimp, lobster, and fillet mignon. It also came with soup, salad, vegetables and fried rice. There was lots of food for $80. The food and entertainment were very good and we had no trouble using the certificate. Went to the comedy club at Harrah's after dinner and laughed our asses off.

    Saturday we went to breakfast at the buffet in the Tropicana. It was pretty good. They had fresh waffles and the fruit was very tasty. We spent most of the day playing at the Tropicana. Let It Ride, Pai Gow and Roulette were pretty profitable. I ended the day about $1500 ahead. I was a little concerned about the table limits before we left because of the threads I had read on T2V about high minimums. We found that most of the table games had $5 tables all weekend long. They have an area in front of the promotions center where you give them $20 and they give you $50 worth of spins on their special slots. You can win money or prizes. My boyfriend won $500 and I won a hooded sweatshirt. Everyone who plays gets a prize. My boyfriend and I met a couple of guys from California at the tables and ended up going to dinner with them at Emeril's in the MGM. Great food and service. They had food comps for MGM and picked up the tab. The guys took an instant liking to my girls and the 4 of them went clubbing the rest of the night. They ended up going to Studio 54, Rain, and Pure. They had a riot. The guys knew people in all the clubs so they just walked past the lines and into the V.I.P rooms. It was very impressive to the girls because we are from a very small town in Michigan and they have never been in anything close to that at home. We went down to the street party for Cinco de Mayo next to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville and listened to the bands and drank Corona's. Lots of fun.

    Sunday we went to champagne brunch at Le Village Buffet in Paris. One of the chefs graduated from high school with my daughter and invited us to dine on him. What a quaint place. The food was great and we had lots of mimosas. We went back to the Tropicana to change and go for a walk. They have a free spin to win in front of the hotel so we tried it. We won 2 free tickets to Dirk Arthurs magic show. We went to the 2:00 show and it was fun. Not a large budget show by any means, but very entertaining. AND FREE... We were flying out on the red eye Sunday night so we spent the rest of the day walking up and down the strip and in and out of casinos. We had about a 20 minute wait to board the plane when we got to the airport so my boyfriend went to play slots. He came back about 10 minutes later with money in hand. He dropped a $20 into a $ machine and hit for $300 after 3 pulls. The flight home was uneventful, thank GOD and we are home suffering from a most successful vacation. Thanks to everyone for all your info on T2V. We were better prepared because of your insight. We did lots and wanted to do so much more. Since it was their first time we spent more time sightseeing and less time at the shows. Maybe the next trip we will do what we missed. The girls are already planning that trip.
     
  2. vegasdrea

    vegasdrea Buckle Bunny

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    glad to hear the you all had a great time. Glad your daughter had a fabulous 21st birthday! I'm sure she's hooked on Vegas now! Thanks for sharing.

    ~Andrea
     
  3. DNA

    DNA Low-Roller

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    Nice trip report. Glad to hear that everyone enjoyed it. We plan on doing the same for our son when he turns 21. Less than 4 years to go.

    Darin
     
  4. Dean Martin

    Dean Martin VIP Whale

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    Great TR! :) We're taking our daughter and her friend next year for her 21st.... she's a pool hound and I'm sure they'll still be clubbing while we're snoozing....lol
     
  5. evesixer

    evesixer Guest

    Sounds like it went really well. I also went out for my 21st with my Mom and best friend, and we had a blast. Yes, I am hooked. My husband, however is still irritated that we spent so much money out there on our honeymoon. Oh, well. Vegas rules! (Now I just have to con him in to another trip out there...)
     
  6. Beach Crazy

    Beach Crazy Hostess With the Mostess

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    Vanassa, now that was a great trip report! Your meals, your gambling, your room...sounds to me like you couldn't lose. I'm curious to see the tattoo. My hubby got a very simple tattoo at Hart & Harrington and it was over $200. :blink: Sounds like the birthday girl had a very memorable 21st and so did mom. :)
     
  7. SH0CK

    SH0CK Stylin' and Profilin' Quasi Tech Admin

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    Great trip report!

    Nothin like coming home after a great trip with greater stories!
     
  8. dung bug

    dung bug Low-Roller

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    Thanks for sharing....:)
     
  9. vanassa1

    vanassa1 Tourist

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    The tatoo is a cross with angel wings. Around the cross is Deuteronomy 1:10. Then inside the wings are her fathers and grandfathers initials. No color, just some shading on the cross and wings. In any other tattoo parlor it would probably cost you about $175-$200. They are grossly overpriced. Thats the price you pay for fame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  10. gotavegasjones

    gotavegasjones VIP Whale

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    Vanessa - very nice Trip Report. What a great b-day treat for a 21st. Our son is 21 next November. I am planing a trip between Christmas and New Year's as his 21st b-day gift. Glad y'all had such a fun trip.

    later, GVJ
     
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