Extra Cautious at Aria & Cosmo - 9/9 to 9/14

Gambling
Even though it was another losing trip this was by far the most success we’ve ever had at Cosmo as far as coin-in/loss. Actual loss was a little worse than they’ve got because of a stretch on Moolah without the card being read, but still under $2000.


This is more coin-in than I did on 3 trips
last year, and we lost $8K total over those. It was a little disappointing that we didn’t come home winners even with more $500+ wins than I could keep track of and $1510 in free play, but we went out there wanting to play and we certainly did. We didn’t play any tables on this trip as it did not seem like it would be very enjoyable or comfortable given the precautions.

Cosmo did not turn off any machines except for ones where chairs were attached. I like the fact that I knew I could get on any machine I wanted as long as I waited out other players. I did not like that we had to fend for ourselves if playing a machine and someone wanted to pull a chair up right next to us. I guess the pros outweighed the cons though as I would’ve been disappointed if I machine I wanted to play was off.

As for comps, I requested that they apply my identity points to my room at checkout. They weren’t able to do it while I was there as no one from Identity was working yet, so they were going to call to handle it once open and send me the folio via email later. Everything was good on the folio when I checked my email once home, but it appears they actually comped most of it rather than use my identity points. I’ve given the website a few days to update since I know it can be touchy and it’s still showing just a handful of applied transactions. It looks to have been about $500-600 in back end comps, which was a very pleasant surprise. I also received a new room offer today and it’s 4 anytime nights (fountain view Studio/1 Bdrm) and $25 Free Play. Given the jump, I assume they’ve already taken this trip into account.

 

That may be true. I think Cosmo plugs you into an offer level quickly right after a trip.

If this was your only Cosmo stay this year, you averaged at least $8,600 coin-in per night. That's pretty healthy and it's reflected in the back-end it looks like you got.

Do your offers actually specify a room type? I think on inexpensive nights, you should be able to slide into a Terrace Suite.

The freeplay amount seems really low for that amount of play. I would have expected a couple hundred each in freeplay and dining credit at a minimum. If the offer has a short expiration, maybe the following one will be better.

 

I guess it would’ve been weird to get a call or email about back end given that the end result of not paying anything was the same, but it seems weird that they wouldn’t want to point out the value they gave me. Plus I missed having some smoke blown up my ass and feeling like a big shot by being told my play was worth it.

It didn’t specify a room type, but I selected an array of dates and it was consistently at that level. There might be a magic stretch of weekdays where I could sneak into something better, or something worse over a stretch like NYE, but it would be an outlier.

The FP seemed weird to me too, but I’ve always thought those small FP amounts are silly on the few occasions I’ve been offered them. The offer is good 9/22/20-1/6/21 with no blackouts. I’ve got a pretty long history of being a $3-4K per day player, so they might want to see me repeat this feat before getting too generous.

 

Overall my wife and I, assuming we stay healthy, are glad we went on this trip. It was definitely different than usual and we couldn’t do all the things we regularly enjoy, but it was still nice to get out of the house and see some of our favorite familiar faces at Cosmo. We missed the shows, bartops, and conversations with our favorite employees but we still had good food, good drinks, some pool time, and plenty of gambling. Wearing the masks was a non-issue for us, the only difficulty being communication with employees when it was crowded and music was blasting. I’d strongly suggest they consider turning the music down on Level 2 as it’s really tough to communicate up there. Employees were doing their best to provide the amazing service we always get at Cosmo, and we did our best to throw enough money around in grats to help them in getting back on their feet.

If gambling had not gone well it could have been a very ugly trip, as there was not much else to do given the closures. It was too hot for any activities in the afternoon, so casino or room was pretty much the only choice for us by noon. Also difficult to plan on outdoor dining when it’s over 100 at night.

Would I recommend others from the board visit? Yes, but only if you know the current environment will fit what you like about Vegas. I was able to trust my mask and completely forget about Covid for a bit while hitting big wins on the floor, which was the first I was able to push COVID out of my head since March. While we like doing shows and restaurant hopping, one trip without those things wasn’t the end of the world. If I was used to playing nothing but bartops, drinking like a fish, and making all sorts of new friends then I assume I would’ve been miserable on the trip. If I was a first time visitor or this is supposed to be a special, once in a lifetime trip, then I’d definitely call it off.

If I lived in quick driving distance, I’d probably be out there for a long weekend again within a few weeks. Since I have to fly across country and take significant time off, I don’t know that we’ll be back until things are closer to normal and more safe. My wife would book another trip for tomorrow if she could, but she’s much busier with work, very rarely gets out since she works long hours at home, and less is anxious about COVID than I am. If everything is still exactly as it is now by next Spring/Summer, I’d probably be ready for another COVID trip, take whatever precautions were necessary, and enjoy what was available. Hopefully the country is in a better place and we can safely enjoy a more “normal” trip by then.

 

Nice report.

 

Thanks for writing a trip report. Loved all the pics and great score on the free play spin. That pic of Planet Hollywood walled off is wild.

Mark

 

Thank you for sharing. My daughter and I are headed out mid October. Your report helps us know what to expect.

 

Thank you for all of the information and beautiful evening pictures from the balcony @HHFan. It was all informative. I do have a general question - since i'll be solo, do you think i'll need reservations at food establishments? I just dont know. Seems that @Flowers has made a ton so it made me think if i need to also. I have a few places im thinking of eating at already but just thought i could walk in into whatever else i decide on. Any suggestions on that aspect would be appreciated. tx

P.S. i started reading your tr when it was going but then finished the last bit tonight.

 

I really liked your TR and all the photos. Thanks!

 

And I'm glad you did, too!
Great report and pics, @HHFan!
Thank you!

RICHARD

 

If you’re willing to eat at off hours, you should be able to find something that will work. I’m pretty sure we could’ve walked into any restaurant at Cosmo at some point every evening. Safety was the bigger stopping point for me. No reason not to make reservations for the spots you know you want to eat at though.

Lago, we made our reservation same day and showed up 20 minutes prior to opening to ensure we got a patio table. We got the 2nd to last table out there and not sure if everyone else had reservations as well or if some were walk ins. I wandered off before my wife checked us in.

Momofuku, we made a reservation for an opening seating a week in advance. I believe if you had walked up there at the same time as us you would’ve been seated without issue as there was tons of space.

Blue Ribbon Grill, we walked in with no reservation around 6pm on Friday. She asked if we had a reservation, but when she saw my concern she quickly said they had plenty of space. As she brought us to the table she said Friday was usually their slowest night and she didn’t understand why. Dining room was still close to empty when we left so hard to believe they would’ve been turning anyone away.

Milos, made a reservation for opening lunch seating a week in advance. There were several parties waiting for the restaurant to open with us, and they were doing brisk business. I heard a server tell another table they were just beating the rush as they were fully booked after 1pm.

 

Thanks so much for the info. Im a gym rat and eat somewhat decent....i know, you might be asking why am i going to LV. but i've been able to find good options while still managing to keep it clean. I also dont eat red meat so only chicken and fish. Im thinking im going to try salt & ivy at aria, a new chicken place in the grand bazaar area, happy hour at Mercatto Pescheria in the Venetian area and possibly Bardot Brasserie for their welcome back special. And El Segundo maybe at the Fashion Show Mall as i try and do their happy hour each trip too. Thats all i have so far. Not sure i'll be making a trip to Whole Foods as i usually do on my reg trips for whatever i can pick up. i'll have to see how i feel once i arrive. Food choices are all a guestimate right now.

 

Lemongrass at aria and true food kitchen at Ceasars is also on the list. Have had lemongrass before but if i arrive late night, that will be my food option.

 

We usually are there in the summer. In previous years every casino we went to was a freezer.