GREGRIO...March 2-6/RIO

What was a normal, well set up in advance type trip, turned into some last minute
'roll with the punches', lucky breaks, type of trip.

Getting from here to there went slick.
SOUTHWEST pilots were sober, flight attendants and passengers were fun.
I'd called ahead a couple days prior to leaving and talked to my reservation buddy
and when I got there at 9am, she'd blocked out my room, kicked out the guests and
fired up House Keeping to have it ready by 10am. For this, she gets fourty bucks. If
she's only been able to block it and the guests ignore the threats from SECURITY...I get
it around 3pm and she only gets half, lol.
Luckily there was no bloodshed and I was up right on time along with a four nights supply
of Carrot Cake.

I unpacked my cloths, set up the Mr.Coffee maker I bring, along with three 5 Liter bottles
of water, cup and coffee...pulled back the curtains on the two walls of floor to ceiling windows
and took notice of any changes in my view.
City Center is growing so fast... What was a steel skeleton in December, is now a solid wall
of silver/blue glass.
Out the other window view (and not as impressive) were Wynn's ENCORE and The PALAZZO.
Cool...everything SOS up here, I went to the casino.

Things are pretty much the same at RIO. The new McFADDEN'S IRISH PUB is now open, serving
a new ?improved? menu of bar food and drinks. I tried their version of SHEPARDS PIE which, next
to their FISH 'N CHIPS, was claimed to be their biggest seller. (Hmmmm, i wonder why...)
They use ground beef instead of lamb...theres a little corn, a few peas and they melt some cheese
over the top...THATS IT. Its like eating Sloppy Joe out of a bowl and it's fifteen bucks!
I asked for some bread to go with it...(they gave me that for free) 2 slices of white.

RUB BBQ is also open. I tried it for lunch. Its NEW and they're still fishin' for the right time and day
to set they lunch hours...right now its noon but I bet they don't stay open too many days for lunch.
Theres lots to choose from on the menu. I chose to build my own combo of chicken, brisket, and
baby back ribs along with a side of greens and beans...you 'sauce' your own at the table.
...it was OK, nothin' wrong with it. BBQ (like pizza)...IS PERSONAL! I like my Oakland Callyfornia joint better.

DAMN!...the RIO's SEAFOOD BUFFET still wasn't open yet. It's been closed since November and will
stay that way til Spring...whenever that is (April/May/?)
It's new look is light wood, lots of polished brushed steel and glass. There appears to be a
Platinum/Diamond area but still retains a full, open feel...not closed in like at the World Buffet.
Bet the new price will be at least fourty bucks too...

I can't remember the last time I ate in an Indian restaurant so I have nothing to compare it too,
but I can remember how many times I've passed by GAYLORDS without stopping in and it
must be hundreds. They're trying a 'lunch' at 11am for under $15.00...I went in, I LIKED IT!
Again, I chose a combination. Chicken & veggies sizzling on a metal plate, rice, a spinach dish
with chunks of Indian cheese baked in, and lamb curry...VERY, VERY, GOOD.

I planned to hook up with a friend from several of the message boards I surf.
'sonntex' 'delo'...(she goes by many names) was on a solo Caesars slot tourney and we'd planned
some Shows, dinner, etc. WELL!, Rich Little canceled at the Golden Nugget with a medical excuse.
It certainly was a more graceful exit as apposed to just canceling his contract due to poor ticket sales.
Del and I went downtown any way, stopping by the Palazzo (yawn) on the way...
I haven't been downtown in years and now I don't have to go back for a bunch more years!, lol.
We DID have a good time, saw a couple Canopy Shows, shared a deep fried Twinkie (burp...) and
checked out the new home of the RAT PACK at the PLAZA. I'll see that on a quick trip for
CHER's May 6th opening night.

I was really looking forward to seeing TOXIC AUDIO's Show in The VTheatre. (They're a great 5 piece
acapella group)
To use a familiar currant event phrase...SHAME ON YOU VTheatre!
Our 9:00 show time was changed to 6pm. two weeks earlier and they NEVER CALLED ME!
They had my two phone numbers and my location at the RIO. Once in a while, GUANO HAPPENS with
these Shows and when they don't call you (as they're suppose to...) it makes the situation all the
more frustrating. I talked to the Sales department at VTheatre's corporate office but only got apologies.
I'll try it again in June.
We licked our wounds around the corner at STEVE WYRICK'S 'REAL MAGIC' Show.

Tuesday night was 'deloressonntexdelo's award buffet at Caesars and I got to be her escort.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE! She missed placing by 15 points and the $40k Grand Prize Winner was a 'no show'.
We were going to Red Rock Casino after the festivities but got lazy.
Del had noticed there was a good line up on the bill at LEGENDS IN CONCERT at the I.P.
Barry White, Dolly, The Temptations (some of their best...) and all hosted by Jay Leno.
Bob Cohen is a host there. I've never met him but he has quite a reputation for providing good
room rates to the members of www.everythinglv.com/forums/
We met that night, had a great little visit then thanked Bob and said good night.
He said..."hold on a minute" He then surprised us with tickets to the Show in a great center booth!
(this was turning out to be not such a goofy trip after all...)

Talking with Bob about Harrah's and their future plans, his gut feeling was that BILL'S is going away,
he's confident the I.P. has around 4 more years, and watch for the sale of the RIO in aprox. 6 months.
...know who the strongest rumored buyer(s) is(are)? TONY MARNELL and GEORGE MALOOF.
George was over checkin' out the property a short while ago my RIO friends told me.
I'VE GOT MY FINGERS CROSSED...

My last day/night was Wednesday and I was going to BETTE's Show that night.
I played the day away in Masquerade Village, earning my 1000 Tier Points for that trip.
Earning 1000 points each trip is usually pretty easy and with 4 trips a year, keeping my Platinum level
is a snap.
Registration printed my SOUTHWEST boarding pass for the next day, and I went up to change for the Show.

For some reason, the excitement of a Colosseum Show seems greater than some of the others.
You dress up a bit more, the 'buzz' of the crowd is more electric, and the Theatre is such a joy.
My seat was in 1STMEZ5...great view and sound.

A billboard, a donkey, and a tornado open the Show. Bette makes her appearance with a good opening
number along with occasional outbursts of SHIT! and Fbombs...all accepted by the audience in great fun.
The Divine Ms.M's mouth is in great form, lol.
The Show is entertaining and I had a good time, but was disappointed with it.
(I have more thoughts in Shows and Entertainment)

Fewer Shows this trip, but made up for it with things I haven't done in a long while or never at all.
I took a $3k bankroll and brought $2,900. back home...(it was a 'MY TURN' trip)

*NOTE:
Its been going on now for over a year and I don't see it changing.
If you prefer rooms in Ipanima Tower at the far end of the hallways like I do...furthest from the elevators,
you just DO NOT have hot water after 11:00pm or before 7:00am...its lukewarm at best.
Facilities were called every day...NOTHING. Front desk was notified...a little off the bill, thats it.
(bet Marnell and Maloof wouldn't put up with that)
NEXT TRIP May 5-7 for CHER.

 

Greg, I've been waiting all week for your report....time is ticking away here and I have already started my "prepacking".

No potatoes in the shepards pie?
Bette is not there when we are so will miss her.
Will remember the "away from elevator water problem".
Maybe we will go with the fish and chips if no potato in the pie.
Glad we are at the Rio this trip...we always wanted to stay there, and if they get sold..I won't get comped rooms.

Since you printed at registration, I'm guessing there is no business center to print them at. I know there is one at Gold Coast, don't remember if I can get in that one without a room key or not though.

I wondered if you have ever found the same coincidence in that neck of the woods that we have? If we go over to Palms around 11:30 at night, place is DEAD...everyone out clubbing I guess...we find the machines just ready to dump their contents. Midnight at the Palms more than once has been a "big win" time for us.

Hubby HATES downtown so no FAB FOUR for us. Booked Roseanne at the Sahara instead. Personally I love her humor....maybe due to the poor upbringing we both have had, the man bashing and the anti bush humor.
My question for you is ....Is the box office open in the morning at the Sahara to pick up your tickets early? We always go to the Hilton at 10 AM to pick up Barry, would like to pick up my Sahara tix at the same time, few days early.

Also is Sao Paulo the Rios coffee shop?

Trying to get all my comments in at once so I can leave you alone (with all my questions)

I would call a $100 loss an excellent vacation. Have fun when you go back in May.

 

Highly informative Tr as always Greg, and a great read.
I've been thinking about trying one of the "legends" type shows for a while, kinda leaning towards the rat pack one (its at the greek isles?). Unfortunately it looks like I won't make it across the pond until October . However, we should be travelling with at 1 vegas newbie, and since it'll be our only Vegas trip this year, i'm kinda leaning toward booking Signature for our stay, maybe see you in October

 

Greg, have been looking forward to your TR; very entertaining and informative, as usual. We will give RUB a try next month; hubby is the BBQ expert. Do you know if the lack of hot water late at night and early morning is only a problem in the rooms at the end of the hallways or throughout the entire Ipanima Tower?

 

Great report as usual Greg...thanks. I have to go check why you were dissapointed a bit with Bette.

 

'Tammy59'...yeah, NO POTATOE, and YES, RIO has a business center but my registration
prints my boarding pass for free. I've found late night/early morning gaming at the PALMS
much better too! FAB FOUR ARE NOT DOWNTOWN...they're at the Sahara and VERY,VERY GOOD!
Sao Paulo IS RIO's coffee shop.

'shobi'...RAT PACK left the Greek Isle, its coming down. Their new home will be downtown at the PLAZA.

'timmysmom'...My hot water problems have only been on the 10th, 13th, 15th floors...end of the hallway
rooms, Ipanima Tower. My registration friend said she hasn't heard of any problems from other room locations.

 

Sounds like a jam-packed, but relaxing time. And anytime I get back on the plane with 97% of my bankroll intact, it's a success.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks gregrio...I posted a little too early in the morning today...I know it was the Rat Pack that moved, that's the one I will miss. Hubby wasn't jumping up and down about the Fab Four thats why we went with Roseanne instead.

Can I pick up tix at 10 am at the Sahara?

I always love your posts ...we seem to have many likes in common, so I find your trip reports helpful to me.

Have you ever gone to the Maple Tree diner? It's less than 3 miles from the Rio and menu looks good and inexpensive...going to drag hubby over there for breakfast. Rated best breakfast in Vegas for 2007, locals joint.

 

Greg - there's a 13th floor at the Rio?

 

Glad you had a good trip, nice TR. Congrats on the winning adventure, any time you have fun in Vegas and only come home light $100 tha t is a big win in my book. Hope we do near as well next month. Have you ever eatenat Tommy Bahama's?

 

We are such pests, LOL.

In your sojourn to RUB, can you tell me what the prices were like? I couldn't find an online menu. I posted same question in Restaurant thread.

I have yet to choose RIO as a home hotel, although I play there every trip. I suppose I should prior to them selling the place so I can stay for free.......

 

Most Box Offices open at 10am. You can call 'em and confirm: 1.888.696.2121
Sorry, don't know Maple Tree.
The RIO's 13th floor is always by first choice!
I've never tried Tommy Bahama's...sorry.

 

Wow, I haven't ever met a Sheperds Pie fan in years. I used to love the way they served it up in New England at the diners in Massachusetts. Thanks for the report!

 

When you say you dress up a little more for the shows at Caesars- does that mean you wear your good red sneakers?!

Thanks for the great trip report

 

Nice Gregrio,We wanted to see Bette this next trip but of course shes not there,settling for Spamalot again. Nice report

 

Great trip report...thanks! Too bad you were disappointed with Bette but I think coming home with $2900 in your pocket definitely makes up for it...good job GREGRIO!!
Can't wait for your May report!

 

As always a great and informative TR.

 

Enjoyed it as always, Greg.

 

Always learn something reading your TR's, Greg - thanks!

Interesting little nugget about Rio potentially being sold.

 

I don't remember the exact price RUB charged me...twenty bucksish I would imagine.
And yes Gary, I do dress up a bit from time to time...gotta wash the Oakland 'As' jursey some time ya know...
I ware the same RED CONVERSE...but w/ socks when I want to be a bit more formal.
Hey Doc...'IF' Marnell and Maloof get it, it should go back to a stand alone cool property again!