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Vegas and around!

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by gbell, Jun 2, 2008.

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  1. gbell

    gbell Tourist

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
    Messages:
    13
    Location:
    Merseyside, UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0

    My Trip Report

    Hi

    this was my first trip to Vegas, for our Silver wedding anniversary!

    I had booked a Limo with BellTrans as a suprise for my husband, we got through immigration so quick we were 40 minutes early and had to hang about, then when it came to the time for pickup, no Limo, another party from the UK had also booked Belltrans and theirs hadnt arrived either, took a call and an argument with the supervisor to get 2 limos to come 20 minutes late!

    took a nice tour of the strip and to our 1st hotel which was the Gold Coast, a friend from Uk had recommended it and at $52 a night, was fine by us!. In general we liked the Gold Coast, the breakfast buffet at $5.95 was fantastic and great service, the slots were cheaper, the drinks were cheaper and the Bowling at 5am when we had jet lag was fab at $1 a game! The transfer bus was great too, stopped outside Bills every 20 mins.

    We went to the tix booth at the fashion show mall and managed to bag 2 Tom Jones tickets for that night for $50 each - really enjoyed the show. Had dinner at the Rainforest cafe, which was good. Explored some casinos, they are just huge!!! trying to find your way out was a trial, but i guess they want to keep you in there! Enjoyed the shops at Caesars, got some Jimmy Choo shoes for my Anniversary! Next day went back to the tix booth and got 2 tickets for Penn and Teller, really enjoyed that, also liked the Rio! Had lunch at the Straosphere, was slightly dissapointed by really poor service and not very exciting food, but the views were great.

    We found getting around quite hard going especially as the temps were over 100! Everything looks nearer than it is!!

    The next day picked up a Harley Rental bike and went off touring, Fantastic, what a relief to get out of town and breathe some fresh air! We went to Kingman, route 66, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Zion National Park, Lake mead and Back to Vegas in 5 days! Was slightly tricky getting hotels as it was Memorial day weekend, which we didnt know about, but we found that ringing on the day got us cancellations due to the bad weather......hmm the bad weather!!!! how on earth can it snow in arizona in May???

    so our last day of the road trip was lake Mead, we kept going and going and then over a hill and ta da we were back in Vegas a day before we were supposed to be! I rang the Bellagio on spec as we were booked in for the next day at $199, and they gave us a rate of $159!! so off we went pretty begraggled and booked in, tried the $20 dollar trick which got us a nice room with a view of the fountains and a promise of something nice for our anniversary, the something nice never arrived! But the room was amazing. We had booked Le Cirque for our anniversary dinner, husband was worried as he didnt have a jacket, we neednt have worried as there were men in Jeans there, all the women had made an effort though. We had the 3 course dinner at $105 each, plus cocktails and wine, a pretty expensive evening!! The food was fine, nothing earth shattering, the service was great though.

    My favourite meal of the holiday was a JBs dinner, mushroom double swiss burger!! at $28 for 2 of us!

    finally plucked up courage to bet on the tables, and i had a $20 bill that id kept the last few years - it was a birthday present from my Uncle that lived in Seattle, unfortunately he passed away before it reached me so i had kept it. So Uncle Toms $20 turned into $70 at Blackjack but i bailed when the table got really busy with people and i couldnt concentrate!!

    then flight home, 10 hours! Vegas is completely mad, we had a good time but not sure id go back, but the road trip was amazing, what a beautiful country you have!

    5am Jet lag sunrise

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

    Zion

    [​IMG]

    Hackberry general store, route 66

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Leeza14

    Leeza14 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2007
    Messages:
    1,242
    Location:
    Iowa
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    54
    Great TR -- and pics!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I'd love to do that road trip sometime.
     
  3. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2004
    Messages:
    2,224
    Location:
    Mass
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    16
    I really enjoyed your trip report. Great pics!! Yes, it's a long flight...but come back again. It sounds like you had a great time.
     
  4. gmoney590

    gmoney590 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2006
    Messages:
    1,757
    Location:
    Tacoma, WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    Sorry to hear about your problems with the limo service. We've used Presidential and never had a problem with them. The one time we used another service we were very disappointed. Vegas can be overwhelming and with temperatures reaching 100 it can get to you. I hope you give Vegas another chance but with a 10 hour flight I can understand why you might not want to. Touring the Southwest on a Harley is the only way to do it IMHO. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It is beautiful country.
     
  5. gotavegasjones

    gotavegasjones VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2004
    Messages:
    3,104
    Location:
    South Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    31
    Thanks for the TR. Nice pictures. Glad you enjoyed the ride through the desert. It is beautiful.

    later, GVJ
     
  6. Souette

    Souette Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2006
    Messages:
    580
    Location:
    Rural Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    What a celebration!

    Congratulations on your Silver!!
    Vegas AND a Harley road trip down Route #66....doesn't get much sweeter than that!!
    What a beautiful sunrise photo. The sight of Vegas from the air always makes my heart skip a beat.
    And of course, a stay at the Bellagio is always a plus in my book.
    Thanks for sharing your story and the photos!
     
  7. shitzumama

    shitzumama Tourist

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2008
    Messages:
    488
    Location:
    Albuquerque, NM
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    WOW! What a great trip report. Great pics also. Sounds like the motorcycle trip was worth the 10 hour flight. Try Vegas next time in the spring. You'd be surprised at what a difference 70 degress weather makes to your perception of Vegas.
     
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