1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Birthday Trip – 7/18 – 7/23 – Food, Drinks, Gambling, Cabana

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Catboiler, Jul 17, 2021.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Catboiler

    Catboiler Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    264
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24

    My Trip Report

    My first trip report! I’m so excited. Long time lurker, first time reporter. I’ve gotten more involved on this site in the past few months and I’ve found I really enjoy reading everyone’s trip reports. So I thought I’d give it a go this time around! I’ll do my best with it! Lots of photos, food reviews, and (hopefully) chip porn!


    My husband (Dan) and I fly out tomorrow morning. 6a departure, 6:45a arrival. Probably not the best idea but the next flight didn’t get us in until after 1p. And I really liked the idea of 6 extra hours in Las Vegas. So I’ll be severely sleep deprived, overly excited, and hopped up on caffeine and adrenaline. Day one in Las Vegas always goes one of two ways for us – we either crash before 9p and wake up at 5a PT because of the time change or go really hard and don’t go to bed until 4a PT. There’s no in-between. I have a feeling it will be an early night tomorrow.


    We have a much different type of trip planned this time around. For starters, we actually “planned”. Outside of a nice dinner occasionally, we usually do Vegas pretty spontaneously. I’ve made reservations for a lot of our meals, all new-to-us places. I don’t want to wind up in line for Margaritaville at midnight because we forgot to eat, I’m hangry, and everything else was too crowded or closed (based on a true story).


    When we arrive tomorrow, we’ll have a car waiting for us, trying Bell Limo. We usually use Presidential but it was impossible to get ahold of them this time. We’re staying at Paris, check out Friday. It’s one of my favorites. We plan on trying the $20 trick for the first time; hopefully diamond check-in is open. It’s my birthday on Tuesday, so I think those will help for a possible upgrade! Other reservations for the week – Overlook Grill for brunch Sunday, Best Friend Korean BBQ, Mon Ami Gabi for breakfast, Tides at Green Valley Ranch, STK Happy Hour, Joe’s at the Forum Shops, and my favorite, a Paris cabana on Tuesday (hopefully it’s not 110 degrees). I tried to get reservations for Delilah in mid-June. That was a joke; they’re booked through August!


    Other things we’d like to do but it depends on how gambling goes, the weather, etc – BINGO at GVR, The Neon Museum, get downtown and see Circa, venture north and see Resorts World, & poker for Dan.


    Things we always do – blackjack, craps, roulette, a few slots. I’d like to hit up some video poker this time. I’ve played but not a lot. Confession time – I’ve never won a handpay. Seriously. I’ve been gambling for 15 years. I used to play solely slots (until about 4 years ago). Still play slots occasionally. And I’ve never won a handpay. Hell, I’ve never even won over $400 on a single pull! So that’s my goal. I mean, that’s always my goal. But this time I’m really going to hope for it. Hopefully some good birthday trip juju helps me out.


    On a side note – I am a SEVERE over packer. And I’m okay with this. Need a Band-Aid and Neosporin? I got you. Gatorade cause you’re hung over? Have that too. Need a snack while you’re waiting for the drunk bro next to you to set his dice at craps and his ritual takes 5 minutes? Have a granola bar (also based on a true story). I bring snacks, my own coffee creamer, a sound machine for sleep, enough pairs of underwear to last me a month, Febreeze, and way too many purses (at least in my husband’s opinion). It’s a time-honored tradition when we check our luggage at the airport, the desk agent always says, “wow, that’s heavier than it looks!” Yes, yes it is. And I’m proud of it. I also have a spare duffle bag packed as well in case we shop and I need more space on the way home! My husband always makes fun of me for it. But the first time he needs something I packed that he considered “excessive”, I make him acknowledge the fact that it’s only here because I brought it.


    On this trip, we’re bringing a new hangover remedy called WaterBoy. I think I’m going to try it as a preventative and, if necessary, a remedy. It’s a new product; I got it through a presale. It has more electrolytes than others on the market, less sugar, fewer calories, more vitamins B-12 and C, and ginger extract. As we move closer to 40, the hangovers get worse and worse. And my husband and I (mostly me), tend to overdo it in Vegas. We used to use Hangover Heaven (the same company that does the to-your-door IVs) but after the FDA classified hangovers as an actual medical condition, they had to pull them. They’re working on rebranding them as “liver support pills”. LOL. Whatever. They’re not an instant cure but you’ll definitely feel better than you did without them. And as always, I’ll have my large tub of Gatorade powder!


    T-minus 10 hours until our flight. Going to down some Benadryl and attempt to force myself into sleep. See you all in the morning!
     
    Birthday Vegas
    • Like Like x 23
    • Love Love x 4
  2. Astribling

    Astribling Alice In Casinoland

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2017
    Messages:
    5,850
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    22
    Have a great trip and Happy Birthday!
    And you sound like me, packing-wise. I MUST take my coffee maker, snacks, first aid kit, etc. LOL
    Safe travels!
     
    • Love Love x 1
  3. Catboiler

    Catboiler Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    264
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Ugggghhh why did I book the 6am flight? Whyyyyyy? I have life long insomnia and I slept literally 0 last night. I finally got out of bed at 2:30a after just laying there since 8:30p. We usually get the airport 2ish hours early to eat, drink, & people watch. NOTHING is open right now. The local coffee place supposedly opens at 5:30, hopefully I can grab some coffee before we board…also at 5:30. Also, pleased to report my suitcase only weighed 32.5 pounds. Woo.

    If anyone ever flies through or out of IND, I highly recommend Harry & Izzy’s for food. It’s phenomenal. Especially the Izzy Plate and Elmo Cola. We really do have an awesome airport. Rated best in the nation by some important agency (for midsized airports). I love it. It also means I’m leaving Indiana. So double woo.

    Okay. Going to continue to loiter outside coffee which is conveniently located right next to my gate!
     
    Birthday Vegas
    • Like Like x 7
    • Love Love x 1
  4. Catboiler

    Catboiler Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    264
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Coffee! Yay! And chips. These things are fucking great.

    There’s a large pile of Trojans on a chair at our gate. Two little kinda old ladies took a picture. I can’t decide if they’re appalled or amused.

    boarding now. Next stop - McCarran!
     

    Attached Files:

    Birthday Vegas
    • Funny Funny x 7
    • Like Like x 5
    • Wow! Wow! x 1
  5. Johnye

    Johnye Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2019
    Messages:
    88
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    11
    I've got the first flight out tomorrow. Same principle, don't want to waste those additional hours in Vegas.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  6. BoVegas

    BoVegas Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2017
    Messages:
    267
    Location:
    Smithville, Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Thanks for your first TR, will be following. Relax & win.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Astribling

    Astribling Alice In Casinoland

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2017
    Messages:
    5,850
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    22
    I'm at IND as well! Hi neighbor! I fly Swa so I'm usually in the B gates. If I'm there early enough I'll have to venture over to Harry and Izzy's.
    Have a safe flight!
     
    • Wow! Wow! x 1
  8. Catboiler

    Catboiler Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    264
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Landed. Bell driver was fantastic. Used to live in Germany & my entire family is German, so we bonded. Handed our luggage off to the bell desk at Paris. Craps was crowded & they only had one real table open. But electronic craps wasn’t crowded. Blah. So we sat at blackjack for an hour before venturing down to Cosmo. Used some free play on Top Dollar for 20 minutes before coming up to Overlook Grill. They don’t currently have Veuve Clicquot in the bottomless mimosa deal. Very disappointed. Server said it’s a shortage issue, which I totally believe but still disappointed. Waiting for our food with a regular mimosa. I got orange, Dan got pineapple. The pineapple is actually better.
     

    Attached Files:

    Birthday Vegas
    • Like Like x 11
    • Love Love x 2
  9. aaronw915

    aaronw915 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    462
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    16
    I enjoy your handle. @Catboiler. I'm sure you're not boiling cats but it makes me ponder how you came up with it. hahaha
     
    • Funny Funny x 5
    • Agree Agree x 3
  10. Johnye

    Johnye Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2019
    Messages:
    88
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    11
    Given that they're in Indiana, my guess is 'Boiler' is a Purdue reference =]
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  11. pbmeow

    pbmeow Tourist

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2019
    Messages:
    93
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    Happy Birthday! Let us know how the $20 trick worked :wiggle:
     
    • Love Love x 1
  12. Catboiler

    Catboiler Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    264
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Yeeeeaaaaaah, didn’t really think the username through when I signed up. Definitely not a boiler of cats. But a Boilermaker :D
     
    Birthday Vegas
    • Funny Funny x 6
  13. UnicornTX

    UnicornTX High-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2003
    Messages:
    716
    Location:
    Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Happy Birthday! So sorry about the VC champagne. Hit a jackpot this afternoon! Good luck!
     
    • Love Love x 1
  14. Echo27

    Echo27 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2007
    Messages:
    1,242
    Location:
    North Bend, WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Excited to read the rest of your TR! Good luck!!!
     
    • Love Love x 1
  15. aaronw915

    aaronw915 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    462
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    16
    Hahaha I thought it might have had something to do with a Boilermaker. Good luck on your trip!
     
    • Like Like x 1
  16. Dragonfly

    Dragonfly Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2020
    Messages:
    347
    Location:
    Utah
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    77
    Great start....looking forward to more:D
     
  17. Necrochaos

    Necrochaos VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2020
    Messages:
    1,479
    Location:
    Michigan
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    3
    Following to read craps stories and to see what the minimums look like. Hope you get some hot shooters! (Or if you are a darkside guy COLD shooters!)
     
    • Like Like x 1
  18. Catboiler

    Catboiler Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    264
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Brunch was really good. Filling too. Mimosas were meh but it was only $25 and I had 4ish. I think it was sparkling wine, since the $40 upgraded ones were listed as Prosecco. Whatever, I enjoyed it. I had the summer gem salad with shrimp (summer fruit, edamame, pistachios, goat cheese fritters, and a vinaigrette) and Dan had eggs your way (3 eggs, sausage or bacon, potatoes, and a bread choice). My salad was delicious, out of everything, the goat cheese kinda didn’t fit, I’m glad I added the shrampies. Dan says his eggs were very good. I hate eggs.


    After we ate, we ventured over to Planet Hollywood. Table minimums were surprisingly high for a Sunday afternoon. Maybe they’re trying to capitalize on the people leaving? Squeeze one last dollar out of them? There was one $15 blackjack table and it was completely full. Everything else was $25+. One real craps table, $25, full. And the new electronic craps, $10, with one young guy who was completely enamored with it. I played it for a few minutes, didn’t like it. At all. Won $44 on a yo and left.


    So we then ventured back to Paris, same situation - still pretty crowded for a Sunday late morning. But it was noon-ish by this point, so it was super crowded with people with luggage. We continued on to Ballys. Again, one craps table, $25, crowded. One $15 blackjack, full. Everything else $25+. We decided to sit at my MIL’s favorite Top Dollar machines. I put in $40 and left with $190!


    Then walked over to Cromwell. The table area in the front (west side of the building) is curtained off and all the tables have been moved to the other side of the bar. Two $15 craps tables open, one completely dead and one had a pretty good crowd. I was doing really well and then lost it all very quickly. It sucked. Sat at blackjack for a few minutes with my husband. Couple $15 tables open. Did pretty poorly.


    Decided to lick our wounds and try to check in around 1:45 at Paris. Diamond check in was open, didn’t have to use a kiosk! Tried the $20 sandwich, mentioned it was my birthday Tuesday. We already had an end hall (corner) room booked but she was able to move us from the 11th floor to the 20th floor, and Strip side. It’s a pretty sweet view. Tried to give the $20 back and we told her to keep it. She was super nice. Bell desk was pretty busy, they said about 30 minutes to get our luggage delivered but it was closer to 15.


    Now, we’re unpacked, vegging for a few minutes and going to head back out soon. We have 6:30 reservations at Best Friend at ParkMGM. I love that casino and hotel. I know it’s not very popular with people on here (& kinda people in general) but I love the color scheme, the chill vibe, the dealers, the smokelessness. It’s where I first learned to play craps, though it was crapless. Fun story, I didn’t know there was a difference. So when I went to another casino, I couldn’t understand why 3 made me lose!


    We haven’t drank a whole lot outside of the mimosas. Had a couple drinks at a few tables but that’s it. I think we’re both just trying to catch up on hydration because it’s so freaking hot. A couple of the dealers were complaining about the humidity. LOL. Try midwestern summers, you can cut that humidity with a knife.


    I am ungodly tired but “WE’RE IN VEGAS WOOO” has kept me going. I am absolutely going to crash after dinner, especially if it’s as much food as I think it’ll be. Might stop by Juniper for a drink before hand. I love gin. Also, gotta visit the MLife desk, there’s something funky up with my card/account. I thought I got it fixed when we were here in March but it still won’t let me sign in online. We were going to double book because I had a nice offer from Park but it wouldn’t let me book online and I didn’t feel like calling.


    For now, changing my shoes cause they’re sweaty and gross and heading back out. Looks like rain soon too!
     
    Birthday Vegas
    • Like Like x 13
    • Love Love x 2
  19. Catboiler

    Catboiler Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    264
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Food at Overlook Grill, PH electronic craps, Top Dollar at Bally’s
     

    Attached Files:

    Birthday Vegas
    • Like Like x 7
    • Love Love x 2
  20. Catboiler

    Catboiler Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2017
    Messages:
    264
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    Room photos. 20th floor, strip facing corner. I think it’s call “end of hallway king room”. I really like the two sets of windows.
     

    Attached Files:

    Birthday Vegas
    • Like Like x 19
    • Love Love x 2
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.