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maxev Live TR NYE Virgin in Vegas -- plus Venetian, Cosmo, Encore, Binion's 12/28-1/11 (now 2/11)

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by maxev, Dec 29, 2021.

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  1. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    Vegas, you say? Wasn't I just there for 15 days? Back again so soon... and for 14 more days?

    A few lightbulbs went out on the Strip, and I'm back to fund them. And maybe along the way, I can hit a few overdue royals and reclaim the money I left in the machines last time. (But actually, I'd settle for just breaking even.)

    I counted up the days I will have spent in Vegas this year and it's my highest ever at 224. So when you think about it, 14 of that is just 6.25%. Just a blink of an eye!

    Yep, back in Vegas and armed with freshly laundered clothes -- the same clothes I wore during my last trip, as I haven't returned to Chicago yet. Good thing I don't have plants or pets.

    My sister and cousin both got the Venetian NYE tourney + drawing offer and I can't have them win without me. So I got my host to book for me as well, and now we have three shots at taking this thing down.

    Also happy to continue avoiding Chicago winter and their first snowfall yesterday, which looks like will continue into the weekend. Thankful to not have to layer up for awhile.

    This TR will be chock-full of photos and royal + unicow near misses, and maybe one or two hits? Let's not be greedy here.

    The kicker is I'm already here and got my butt walloped last night, but I'll post some happier photos first.
     
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  2. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    My sister, cousin, and other friends arrive in Vegas in a couple hours, but last night, I arranged a puppy party as a surprise for my sister's birthday.

    A friend of hers took her to a nearby bar while the puppies were being set up along with other friends arriving.

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    What I hadn't counted on is that her house is outfitted with cameras, and whenever there's movement, she gets pinged, so at any moment she could not only see what was happening live, but she could rewind and possibly catch the puppies being unloaded.

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    Turning off the cameras would've been suspicious, so tried to creep along the camera blindspots.

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    Fortunately, drinking and chatting at the bar took her attention mostly away, but she did glance at her phone in time to see two of her friends in the house, so she suspected something was brewing.

    But she never suspected puppies!
     
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  3. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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  4. vegas superfan

    vegas superfan VIP Whale

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    How can I be your sister?
     
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  5. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Those are some VERY GOOD BOYS out there.

    Just be forewarned that while it won't be Chicago-cold, it's a high of 47 and rainy tomorrow, and NYE overnight low is 37. Lows are in the 20s and 30s for the next week or so.
     
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  6. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    After the puppy party, I headed straight to the airport and Vegas.

    Checked into Virgin. Had a Canyon Tower corner room and while being checked in, the front desk agent seemed to be taking a longer than usual time typing away.

    Did some small talk and asked what was special about the Ruby Tower, which warranted its own snazzy checkin area.

    “They’re all suites,” he said simply, then went back to typing.

    Last time I was here, I had Opal and was upgraded to a fantastic view of the pool, so I was feeling out a possible complimentary upgrade and thought this time a $20 sandwich might be in play. But he didn’t even offer an upgrade for a fee, nor did he say anything else for another full minute.

    Based on the hotel room photos, I was okay with the Canyon corner, but was wondering what was taking him so long.

    Then he said, “Would you like a complimentary upgrade to a Ruby suite?”

    I got him to repeat what he asked, just to be sure. Then said of course!

    We chatted a bit after that, then I anxiously headed to the snazzy Ruby Tower lobby checkin.

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  7. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    And the ultra comfortable room!

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    Highlighting the shampoo, since a friend said it was high quality.
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  8. JaDubya

    JaDubya High Roller? Nah...just a Roller

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    @maxev - can you give us some details on that bed? Looks like a pullout with an end chair supporting one of the corners of the bed.

    But you’re there so maybe it looks fancy in person. Sorry not trying to throw shade on your room, I’ve just never seen a bed quite like that.
     
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  9. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    It’s an odd bed for sure. The other two times I’ve been at Virgin had the same bed.

    I think it’s just a design thing without any real purpose other than perhaps acting as support for bedroom activities?

    Never thought about it possibly pulling out into a chair. Will check when I’m back in the room.
     
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  10. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    Some other detail things about the Virgin room.

    I like how bright everything is, not just from the windows but the lighting fixtures, which they had to spend extra to wire.

    Most casino hotels I’ve been to don’t bother to install ceiling lights.

    I also like the ceiling molding. They could’ve easily just had it flat — would’ve been easier when stringing out the lights.

    Not to mention the light itself, which recalls bubbles and clouds.

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    And the two rugs each have raised patterns, which feels good on tired feet.

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  11. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    I don’t usually care about views (unless Cosmo’s fountain view), as long as there’s a good amount of light coming in. That’s one fault of my favorite Cosmo — the rooms can be dark.

    This south Strip/airport view is new to me.
    729A9517-46B3-478F-9934-89956E020143.jpeg 8BC368E6-D531-4F8C-B6FD-63F16C25DC12.jpeg

    And here are some other pics of the Ruby Tower lounge/lobby. Anyone can just hang here with the free wifi, no one’s carding if you’re a Ruby guest.

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    I’m still taking pictures of Christmas trees where I can (carried over from my last TR), grasping onto the holiday as long as possible.
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  12. smerrian

    smerrian View from Bally's

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    I stayed in a similar room (same decor) at Virgin. I actually liked the room but I did not have a car and I felt like I was trapped. I believe there's a good Italian restaurant across the street.
     
  13. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    Breakfast at the Juice Bar (closes at noon) turned into gambling and then a late lunch at the Kitchen, where I currently am.

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    Miso salmon with shiitake mushrooms and undercooked rice. Need to eat less grains anyway. Server asked how I wanted the salmon and I always say the chef preferred way, which is usually medium rare. I got to be friends with the chef at my local steakhouse, and he mentioned how we can ask for specific cuts of the salmon. I’ve never done that outside of that casino. This one was cooked medium but I’d rather eat medium than a rare that gets me sick (happened one time and I was in the bathroom for two days).

    Beet salad with goat cheese is pretty good.

    Hope this is comped tomorrow!
     
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  14. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    Agreed, but considering I’ve been and will be on the Strip/downtown for the rest of the trip, it’s kind of nice to be holed up for a day and a half. Sort of also keeping solidarity with my Chicago peeps, who may eventually be stuck inside from the snow (bring it on!).
     
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  15. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the room photos! I personally don't dig the color scheme, but the overall design looks really nice. And as someone with a horrible, horrible tendency to walk into the corners of beds (I once legitimately fractured my leg), those corner pieces would be great!
     
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  16. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    I think The Kitchen used to be where Mr. Lucky’s was at Hard Rock. No comparable $7.77 gambler’s special sadly.

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  17. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    Ha, didn’t think of that but come to think of it, I still have a scar on my knee from running into a bed corner at Harrah’s AC last month.

    I always think I’ll end up dead in a hotel in the weirdest series of accidents.
     
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  18. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    Confirmed with the host that The Kitchen used to be Mr. Lucky’s.

    It’s nice that Virgin/Mohegan Sun brought back the majority of Hard Rock employees, but they also brought back many of the 10+ year old slots. They need to work on recapturing the Hard Rock vibe.

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  19. Christina6001

    Christina6001 VIP Whale

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    Welcome back! Can I come to the next puppy party?!?!

    yes, red flowers is a very good brand at many high end resorts and spas. I did not know Virgin carried that. Love the smell. Definitely take a bath using it:)

    gonna PM you to see if you’re free to hang!
     
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  20. maxev

    maxev VIP Whale

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    I suck at picking.
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    This Big Daddy fisherman has a belly button that should be censored.
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