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Our first visit to Lake Tahoe..a request for Harrah's Info

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by RebelDiceMan, Apr 18, 2019.

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  1. RebelDiceMan

    RebelDiceMan VIP Whale

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    I was fortunate enough to qualify for the CET Millionaire Maker slot tournament that will be played April 22-24 in Lake Tahoe. I have been checking out the Harrah's Lake Tahoe and Harvey's website to try and get a feel for their restaurants, nightlife, and similar activities. I was hoping that some our veteran Lake Tahoe people might be able to share some personal preferences and experiences.

    If you have any input regarding these two casinos and the Lake Tahoe area in general, my wife and I will will certainly appreciate your guidance and advice. In fact, we will also be appreciative of just general info (such as other nearby casinos or attractions (bars, restaurants, etc) nearby and your opinions about them.

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. NandJfrmNJ

    NandJfrmNJ VIP Whale

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    First of all, you will love Tahoe. We prefer Harrah's over Harvey's for both the hotel and gaming since Harvey's always seems dead. There is a tunnel connecting the two hotels. There are a few other casinos nearby- Hard Rock, Montbleu and the Lakeside on the south shore and a few on the north shore.

    Be sure to ask for a high floor, lake view. The rooms at Harrah's are lovely with two bathrooms-his and hers.
    Not much nightlife in Tahoe and few shows except for the comedy club at Harvey's. They do have a summer concert series.
    IMHO the restaurant choices are limited unless you're there on a weekend (some of the restaurants are closed during the week). The buffet is average but has a killer view of the lake and the steakhouse is good. There are a few restaurants at Harvey's that are good but we don't usually partake of high end dining. There are plenty or restaurants and shopping a short stroll away and you might like to take a ride on the gondola to the top of Heavenly ski area (if it's open when you're there)

    To enjoy all that Tahoe has to offer, you really need to rent a car and, at the very least, drive around the lake and stop at some of the viewpoints like Emerald bay, Sand harbor, Tahoe City, Richardson's. If you like to hike as we do, Tahoe has some of the best hiking trails anywhere. You can swim if you can tolerate the water's freezing temps, horseback ride, take a side trip to Virginia City or Truckee. So much outdoor stuff to do...
     
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  3. rgrif57

    rgrif57 VIP Whale

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    We love Tahoe and will be doing our 7* retreat there again for the third year. We make sure our last night we go to Friday’s Station on the top floor of Harrah’s for a great meal. My wife likes the Beef Wellington at Sage and the atmosphere is great the only problem is it is on the ground floor in the casino at Harvey’s though it is a entity of its own. 19 Kitchen at Harvey’s is nice also.

    For breakfast our choice is American River Cafe at Harrah’s. Going into California there is a nice Pub/Restaurant across from Harvey’s and down the road from that is a really nice BBQ restaurant. Lots of good places but it’s not Vegas.

    Walk down to the Lake and remember you are about a mile up so it is pretty chilly, and Heavenly Valley Ski area is still open so be prepared for the weather. As stated above do rent a car and go sightseeing. Have fun and good luck.
     
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  4. Cashman

    Cashman Low-Roller

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    I am 7 Stars and only play at Harrah's/Harveys Lake Tahoe for the CET properties. The best fine dining restaurant in Lake Tahoe for me is Ciera: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ciera-steak-chophouse-lake-tahoe

    The Montbleu is not a place I recommend staying or playing at (the employees tell me El Dorado is looking to sell it eventually), but Ciera is worth the walk across the street. Same staff for years. Request a booth. Friday Station and Sage Room are good. Same with Straw Hat at Harveys for casual dining. I would avoid TACO and 19 Kitchen at Harveys.

    I also enjoy Jimmy's down the street from the CET properties for lunch: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jimmys-south-lake-tahoe

    If you want to get off the properties here are some places that will give you a great non-casino experience. Cafe Fiore - reservations recommended (only a few tables in the restaurant).

    Base Camp Pizza: https://www.yelp.com/biz/base-camp-pizza-south-lake-tahoe?osq=pizza
    Cafe Fiore: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-fiore-south-lake-tahoe
     
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  5. RebelDiceMan

    RebelDiceMan VIP Whale

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    Thank Y'all for your words of wisdom. I feel much better prepared for our first visit to Lake Tahoe. We are grateful for your advice. Hopefully I can put together a TR from this trip when I finally get home May 11.. BTW- after I play in the Millionaire Maker tournament, we are driving to California and staying a total on nine days there before flying to Las Vegas for six days at Paris. With your help, I feel that we will start things off by having a great time in Lake Tahoe.
    Thanks again.
     
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  6. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    If you rent a car and are out and about at dinner time, a great BBQ place is the Fox and Hound, which is up a mountain a bit east of the lake.

    upload_2019-4-20_23-25-0.png
     
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  7. Cashman

    Cashman Low-Roller

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    You're welcome RebelDiceMan. I was going to be in that Million Maker tournament as well, but I had to be responsible and drop out after a huge Tahoe loss in March. I will be back in May. I assume that you are at least Diamond at CET. One of the best experiences you can have is going to the Diamond (Laurel) Lounge at Harveys on the 19th floor. You wait by an elevator and make a phone call to the lounge. The attendant comes down and gets you. The Harveys lounge is only open Friday-Sunday (I think?). The Harrah's lounge is in High Limit and open 7 days a week. But make sure you start lining up for the elevator at Harveys at 3:50pm so you can get a table overlooking the mountains. The locals who grind away to get 25,000 TC in 6 months usually sit at the bar, but try to get a table. You will not regret it.
     
  8. RebelDiceMan

    RebelDiceMan VIP Whale

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    Cashman, I am indeed a Diamond status player in the CET universe. I hope that the Harvey's DL has expanded to all week service. The three days that we will be there for the Millionaire Maker Tournament are Mon-Wed but that Harvey's DL sounds great. I hope we can experience it. BTW- getting up at 3:45 AM for a casino trip (as we will do in less than 8 hours) reminds me of some of our college football trips when we leave about 4 AM to get there in time to set up our tailgate in The Grove. Thanks for the tip about the DL.
     
  9. Cashman

    Cashman Low-Roller

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    I know what you mean. I graduated from the University of Florida. At least we have the SEC in common--Old Miss delivered some tough losses when I was there 2008-2012! I don't think Harvey's DL will be open, but here are two options: outside of the Harrah's Forest Buffet on the 19th floor is a bar called the Highlander. The VP pay table are awful (FP if you want to play $25/hand) but it has a great view and friendly bartenders. Friday Station used to have a section for happy hour, but I can't remember if they converted it to regular seating. At least check out one of them at sunset. You will be enjoying a drink and saying "thank you Cashman for the recommendation!" Paul at the Heavenly Bar at Harrah's, Frank/Shane at the California Bar at Harveys, and Bill/Lars at the Player's Bar at Harveys are some of the best in the business if you enjoy bartop VP.
     
  10. Hogman

    Hogman VIP Whale

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    Good luck in the tournament I was in one in Vegas a few years back. We went to Reno once and you had to pay upfront when you bought the 4/10 at the craps table hopefully it’s not the same in Tahoe.
     
  11. RebelDiceMan

    RebelDiceMan VIP Whale

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    Thanks again everyone. I went down to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi this afternoon to play in a 50K slot tournament but didn't do so hot. I finished 6th in my round (of 24 players) with 112 K as a score. Before hand, I told another contestant that I would probably stick around until the winners were announced if I topped 125 K and would definitely stay if I hit 130 K but I knew 112 K would not make the money. (they paid the top 200) At least I got my button slapping hand warmed up for the big one later this week. Also, I had a free entry so it was a free roll all the way.
     
  12. rgrif57

    rgrif57 VIP Whale

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    Have fun and good luck. Hope the weather is nice so you can enjoy walking around and enjoy the scenery.
     
  13. Burnsie

    Burnsie VP Low-Roller

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    You'll love it! I'll just add this:

    If you rent a car, do your driving tour of the lake clockwise (it makes it easy for all the right-hand turnoffs into the scenic view parking areas and exits back onto the road).
     
  14. FABismonte

    FABismonte Tell my wife I am "about even."

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    Harrah's Lake Tahoe Laurel Lounge can be entered 24/7 as long as you have a card you can get from the nearby High Limit Slot clerk. Here are typical hours and food in the photo below. On outside hours you can always get coffee/hot chocolate from the machine, access to the semi-private bathroom as well as a place to recharge just off the floor.
    Laurel Lounge Tahoe.jpg Tahoe Service Hours.jpg
     
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  15. Cashman

    Cashman Low-Roller

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    For those who are interested in getting into the Harveys Laurel Lounge and do not have 25,000 points...the elevator attendant just asks to see your Diamond card. He has never swiped it in the maybe 15-20 times I have been there over the past few years. Harrah's Laurel Lounge has an attendant who does swipe cards at the entrance.

    I just looked up the hours at Harveys. Sorry RebelDiceMan, but it appears to only be open Friday/Saturday.

    The Harvey's Lake View Lounge hours of operation are as follows:
    • Friday/Saturday: 4pm- 9pm
    Harrah's Lounge hours are:
    • Monday - Thursday: 4pm - 9pm
      Friday: 4pm - 10pm
      Saturday: 2pm - 10pm
      Sunday: 2pm - 9pm
     
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  16. Vegasgirl7

    Vegasgirl7 Newbie

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    How are the slots at Harrah? Was wondering if they have many penny machines and if you see many jackpots. Planning a trip in the summer and was just curious!
     
  17. FABismonte

    FABismonte Tell my wife I am "about even."

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    There are a bunch of slot machines, including penny machines at both Harrahs and Harvey's Lake Tahoe casinos. The two are owned by the same company so you can walk to and play at either. They are even connected by a tunnel should you want to stay indoors. But I do not see a lot of hand pays and since Tahoe is a resort destination, I would not expect the slot machines to have the loose payouts of downtown Vegas or the Boulder Highway.
     
  18. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Regarding "the "tightness" of Harrahs Lake Tahoe slots, over the last 5 years, Harrahs Reno and Harrahs Lake Tahoe have provided the highest number of hand pays for me (9 and 7, respectively), including an almost $17,000 hit on Buffalo Grand and $10,000 on Wonder 4 Tower in Lake Tahoe, and $10,000 on Azure Dragon in Reno, all penny machines.

    I have spent far more time in Las Vegas, but my production in Reno/Tahoe has been better.

    In 2018, I only had 4 hand pays, and three of them were in Reno/Tahoe.

    Luck can happen anywhere and anytime.
     
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