Laughlin 2018 Late

It has taken me a while to compile this. Sorry it is so late. I had a good visit in spite of some limiting health issues.

The trip was mostly to Laughlin, but I stayed at the Four Queens when I first arrived, and again just before leaving, and I had a few nights at Skyline to make it easier to visit relatives. One nephew came from Cheektowaga (near Buffalo) and stayed with me there while we visited his sister and assorted neices and nephews.
My trips are usually long. I like to get the value from the airfare and go for longer stays rather than many short stays. Pretty much now I am down to just one trip a year.
This one was just after a long bout of illness that kept me fairly housebound, So, my pace was very slow as I was very out of shape.

https://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2019/02/laughlin-and-vegas-2018.html?fbclid=IwAR2hDkf2BAqA1T3gpO-5Ep6fF7KLiRiMUSBZgkKz-F--aoOdcYZ4S1t5daM

 

Looks a fantastic report, Dewey even though I just skimmed it for now as will read properly later on. Very well written once again and will enjoy it when have more time.

Really enjoyed our trip to Laughlin so nice to see a report from there.

Lovely photographs too and hope you are feeling better.

 

I kind of wanted to check out Laughin before, now I really do! Looks beautiful.

 

Great report, Dewey. And nice pics. We really like Laughlin, although haven't been able to get there for over a year now. We used to get real cheap charter flights and 3 or 4 night stays at Harrahs, but haven't been there enough to get the offers any more. Riverside still calls every month or so offering us (my wife and guest actually) a free flight and stay at Riverside. We find it real relaxing and convenient for short stays.

 

Dewey thanks so much for your write up about Laughlin. The wife and I have been going there since some time in the early 80's. I have a picture of the Colorado Belle under construction. Really considered buying a place there or in Lake Havasu (good for rental summer or winter) but in the end did not mainly because we live in Canada and no real direct access by air. We rarely fly but we did take the Aloha shuttle about ten years ago from Vegas to Laughlin.

We love the drive from BC though Snohomish pass to I 84 in Oregon and then US 93 south.

On the Aquarius I agree with you about not winning there. I like everything about the place except that I cannot seem to win there.

Waking from The Lodge to Harrah's go into the Lodges parking garage and take elevator to top floor walk across garage to road and there is access to sidewalk.
That saves from walking a lot of elevation.

Walking downhill into Harrah's walk into their parking garage and find elevator and take to bottom which also saves a lot of steps.

At one time the Gold River/River Palms have terrific buffet and wonderful staff. That all changed after some ownership changes and some Vegas types took over, laid off all the locals and brought their own staff. I just loved that casino, nice rooms, nice grounds and the open floor above bottom casino floor was great.

Thanks for the pictures.

.

 

Happy that you folks enjoyed the report.
Richard: Thanks especially for those directions from the Lodge to Harrah's. Very helpful.
I remember the River Palms. The poker room had great give-a-ways, even free nights. I miss it.
Jake: I envy you folks who get free flights, but I probably would not earn them anyway. Losing the nonstop to Vegas from Albany was a great obstacle in my travel. We don't have much of a chance from here.
gutshot: Laughlin is generally loved or hated by those who visit. I have always liked it. At my age of 72, and with all the Vegas changes, I find it a better choice than Vegas for my needs. But I like quiet and water. There are few shows there. Room prices are more reasonable than Vegas, about equal to the Four Queens. You do still have to watch for the resort fee. None so far at the Golden Nugget, but Aquarius fools me every time I do a booking.com search.
Kevin: Thanks for the well wishes. I'm still struggling. New issues seem to arise every month. I hate being old.

 

I am sorry to hear about your health issues Dewey and hope you are feeling better. Aging is not for the faint of heart
I enjoyed your report and photos. I like the little beach area in your photos.
Very nice of Jerry to offer you a ride

 

Damn, I was hoping the thread title was a misprint and you were going to spill the beans on where to get the best latte in Laughlin,

 

Wonderful report as always, Dewey.

We go to Laughlin at least 2-3 times a year. It's a more relaxing break from Vegas(which we also hit 2-3 times a year). We drive from the Phoenix area(about 3 hours each way).

We stopped to eat at Pints on the way out of town last month. My burger was huge and cooked perfectly. My gf had a Shrimp Po' Boy(a special)which was huge and yummy. You could probably get 2 meals out of that. Our young daughter had the Grilled Chees, also huge and good. We had a $40 food credit and ended up buying one of their beer glasses to use the entire $40. We were pleasantly surprised by the place.

Since you splurged on a meal at Saltgrass, you might want to consider The Range Steakhouse at Harrah's if you splurge again. They have some entrees in the $30-ish range. And their Chef's Special usually comes with potato and vegetable and a glass of wine for $50-$55. You'll definitely have lunch for the next day ordering this. And if you time your meal right, you can see the moon rise over the river.

And there's always The Prime Rib Room at Don Laughlin's Riverside. Monday-Thursday they offer Prime Rib carved from the roast tableside, potato, vegetable and a movie ticket to their movie theatres for $20.99.

It might be worth "seeding" the Edgewater/Colorado Belle. The first time I played in them was last year(a few hours one night of some penny slots and some nickel-dime-quarter vp)and I've been getting lots of comp'd room nights, free play, food credit and comp'd show tickets(shows at both their showroom and the Laughlin Events Center)ever since. Never used the rooms, so can't comment on them. And both properties are now owned by Golden Entertainment, who also own Aquarius. They'll all be part of the same players club later this year.

 

Nice report Dewey, hope you are on the road to better health. I recently found out (thanks to a member of the board) that Southwest ended direct flights from Philly to Las Vegas. Having an overnight layover in Denver and a quick visit with your family might be a good idea.

As for TCM, I use an iPad and downloaded the TCM app, I can stream movies and watch either the East coast or West coast feed. TCM also makes many movies available for streaming. This app is available for android tablets like Samsung and other brands. There are many tablets available in used condition.

I am also thinking of getting the Total Rewards VISA as Platinum status will let me park for free in Atlantic City.

 

Thanks, Hammie. It has been a while. Nice to hear from you.
Yes, the same thing happened to flights from Albany. And health wise I can't sit on a plane for as long as most of those flights. Even Denver is an issue. Last trip back we missed the connection. So, I'd have sat in the airport and gone somewhere else. I opted to book the next day out of Denver and see my son. However, SW did not opt to pay the hotel room for me to do that. I'm booked a bit for September, hoping I feel better, but I may also just go to Denver and up to Blackhawk.
Alen and Rossi: Great suggestions. I did not get offers from the Belle lately. I did play some video poker at Pints and lots of live poker. In prior years I did have three free nights. Great suggestions on food. Thanks
Sorry, Quebec. Only black coffee for me when I have it.

 

Get to feeling better Mr Dewey, great TR as always.

 

Thanks Octane and Sonya.

 

I think jerry enjoyed spending time with you. Very nice and you got to see some interesting sites

Thanks for the report I like Laughlin also. Wishing you improved health

 

I enjoyed your report, Big Guy. (Sorry. Couldn't resist. If our paths cross the drinks are on me.)
Be well.

 

luckylinda: Well, he sure was a very gracious fellow. I enjoyed him very much. He had decades old stories of Grapevine.
booker: Okay, you definitely lost a chance at being my waiter. But I always like a free drink.

 

Enjoyable read. I am booked for a little Laughlin getaway in April on a CET flight. I am looking forward to the nice slow vibe there. That is before I rent a car on the second day and go to Vegas for the middle two days of my four day stay..... Don't let those health problems grind you down!

 

Great report. Thanks for all of the information.