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Wagyu, Drunken Gambling, and The Hooker that could kick my ass

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by gmoney590, Jul 5, 2009.

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  1. gmoney590

    gmoney590 VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    Wagyu, Drunken Gambling, and The Hooker that could kick my ass

    JUNE 14 - 20


    The trip to Vegas was uneventful and for the first time in 4 trips we left Seattle on time and arrived in Vegas a few minutes early. We checked into the MGM at the airport and that took all of five minutes. Just how I like it; no muss, no fuss, and fast. We were met at baggage by our limo driver Virgil. Our luggage came quickly and once Virgil had gathered the bags he asked us if there was any where we wanted to go. One of the things we’ve always wanted to do was go to the Las Vegas sign and have our picture taken. When we got to the sign there were a few people ahead of us getting pictures. Virgil told us that it’s really nice to get the picture at night with the strip lit up behind you. He gave us his card and said just call him between 7 and 9 and he would bring us back out and take our picture and wouldn’t charge us. That sounded like a good idea at the time but drunken gambling took over and we never did call him.

    Hotels

    MGM

    The first three days we stayed in a Marquee Suite. The Suite is at the end of the very long hall way; after the first day I started calling this trek “the drunken walk of shame†because of my gambling losses. The suite was great. It had a panoramic view of everything east of the strip. This suite had two bedrooms with one facing Hooters, Tropicana. You could also see Luxor and MB. The other bedroom had a view of not much. The staff was very friendly and polite from the time we checked in to the time we checked out.

    Harrah’s

    The last three days we stayed at Harrah’s. Like some on this board when we checked Harrah’s web site we saw that they had comped us a Deluxe Executive Suite so we booked it. Like the rest of you we found out there had been a glitch in the system and chances were slim that we would get this type of room. We took our chances and decided to check in at 9am to see if we could get the suite. No luck for us. We were told about the glitch in the system and were given a minisuite but it wasn’t ready yet. It wasn’t ready until almost 5pm that evening. That wouldn’t have been a problem if they had told us that at check in instead of telling us to come back every two hours. The room itself was fine. It was clean and a little larger than their regular rooms. It just had a strange shape to it and you had a very small window; but, it was the first room you came to when you got of the elevator and it was close to the ice machine.

    The staff for the most part was friendly and helpful; however, I did find it interesting that when we arrived and got our luggage out of the taxi the bell hop just watched us and when I took our luggage over to her she asked if we were staying at Harrah’s. “Uh, no, my wife and I and our luggage would just like to take a look at the place. Thank you for asking though.†When we checked out they bought the luggage out of the holding area but I had to drag it to the limo. No tip for you.



    Gambling

    I usually play a lot of VP JOB but this trip my wife and I decided that we’d gamble together and that meant slots. I did play a little VP in the mornings but I might as well have just given my money to the nearest cocktail waitress at least by doing that I would have gotten a thank you. We played penny games for the most part; my wife gets spooked playing dollar slots even though on the penny machines she’s usually playing a dollar or more a spin.

    What I found out by playing slots with my wife is that it’s a lot of fun; you don’t have to think; and you can get pretty drunk. The only games we seemed to win any money on at the MGM was eBay and a Deal or No Deal by Ka theater. We would put 20 into the Deal or No Deal game and cash out between 120 -160. We played this game once a night and we’d walk away winners(on that game anyway). The other games we played pretty much took our money but for the most part we got plenty of play for our money.

    We went over to the Tropicana and within 15 minutes we dropped 100.00. We did get a drink but we were out of there pretty fast.

    We gambled at NYNY and played a Alfred Hitchcock slot and a couple of other slots. We didn’t win but once again we did play for a while on 60.00.

    We went to the Monte Carlo. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been there. This used to be our home base but Harrah’s sucked us away with free rooms. We really liked Monte Carlo when it had the brew pub and there wasn’t that monstrosity attached to the front called Diablo’s. It still holds a soft spot in my heart. The casino isn’t so big that you can get lost in it and you don’t have the low ceilings like some of the older casinos so you don’t feel claustrophobic,

    Planet Ho I love the design of this casino. However, getting a cocktail waitress while playing slots here is like getting rain in the Sahara. It happens but it’s very rare; and, if you miss it it will be along time before you see it again. We did have some luck gambling at the Ho so all wasn’t lost.

    Bills we won the first night we went in and we left winners; however, we went back and gave them their money back plus some of our own.

    Harrah’s We played Star Trek each day we were there. We won most of the time we played plus we got plenty of play for our money. Thursday night we sat down and put 20 in and played for over 2 and a half hours. We played some egg slot game and after putting 20 in we walked away up 60. We played some sort of egg slot game and kept hitting the bonus egg game. We put in 10 and walked away up 70.

    Mirage. We like the Mirage and it just may become our home base during our summer stays. The slots however, this time didn’t like us. Maybe they were getting back at us for not staying there.

    Wynn; I truly like the Wynn and although the machines weren’t so giving we did play the Clint Eastwood slot and the Reel fish game.

    Paris. Their games are old and it just seems like it should be a retirement village. We really loved this place three years ago but the only game they seem to have added is the Star Trek game. We did take them for 80. We put twenty in a Star Trek game and got the bonus on the second spin and then cashed out and left.

    Bally’s. We like Bally’s . The last night we were in Vegas we went to Bally’s and took them for just over 400. We put twenty in a Star Trek game and cashed out with a 180 profit. Then we put forty in a Mega millions slot and guess what. No, we didn’t hit for 11 million but we did cash out up 300. Thank you Bally’s we’ll being seeing you in December so we can give it back to you.

    Food

    Craftsteak. We had decided before we left for Vegas that we would eat here. I had the Wagyu Japanese 6oz fillet. My wife had the lobster and we shared sides of asparagus and fingerling potatoes. The steak was medium rare and was tender but not mushy and had a sweetness to it. It was the best steak I’ve ever had . I gave my wife a taste and she said that if we eat here again she wants one of these steaks. The steak was pricey at $180 but I’ve always wanted to try it and I’m glad I did, My wife’s lobster was served in a small pot. The lobster was perfectly cooked. It was in a butter and white wine reduction with thyme laid on top. My wife said it was the best lobster she’s had except for the thyme. I had a glass of wine and my wife had a chocolate martini; neither of us had to desert. The bill with tip was 451.00.

    Palm: We had the businessman’s lunch special. We both had the filet medallions my was prepared how they would normally serve it in a red wine reduction with mushrooms. My wife had the medallions without the reduction or mushrooms. They came with a side of home made potato chips and onion strings. I had the key lime pie for desert. Very nice and at 22.95 per person still the best deal for a quality meal on the strip. Total for the two of us plus tip was 60.

    Ellis Island: We’ve been wanting to eat here for the past three years but for one reason or another we never quite made it. We had decided that we wanted BBQ so we took a taxi from the Paris to Ellis Island. My wife’s knee was bothering her so walking wasn’t an option. We signed up for their players card and walked over to the BBQ place. The waiter told us if we wanted to eat inside it would be at least an hour wait; but, we could eat outside and there was no waiting since tables were available. We chose to eat outside. We each had the combo platter. A half rack of ribs and half a chicken. You also got a side of coleslaw and ranch house beans, two mini corn of the cobs and a slice of Texas Toast. I had one of their beers and my wife had the root beer. The ribs and chicken were great. The sides were okay; but, then I didn’t go there for the sides I went there for the BBQ. Service here was pretty much no existent, They ask you what you want and then 10 to 15 minutes later bring it to you then you don’t see them again until you tackle them for the bill. Total price was 20 with tip. We’ll eat here again as the food was really good and the price was right.

    Maggiano’s. This is another place we’ve wanted to eat at but never seemed to make it. We decided that we’d have lunch there since my wife had to do some shopping at the BE boutique. We arrived just a little after 11am so seating wasn’t a problem. We did notice that as it got closer to noon it was filling up. We ordered the crab and asparagus bruschetta as an appetizer man was that good. It was lump crab baked with asiago cheese and I think parmesan cheese with finely diced asparagus sprinkled on the top. I could have eaten this all day. We then ordered salads. I had just a green salad and my wife had a Caesar salad. I ordered the Veal and Mushroom Ravioli al Forno. This too was delicious. My wife had an ice tea and I had a glass of wine with tip the bill came to 60. We sat inside with a view of Wynn and Encore and they had Frank Sinatra playing in the background. It really helped set the mood. We will be back.

    Margaritaville. This is our last day stop for food and drink. We like this place because it’s laid back, the drinks are good and the food is decent. We started off with the crab, shrimp, and mushroom dip. It was good but not as good as what we had at Maggiano’s. My wife had the peel and eat shrimp and I had the Cuban sandwich. It was okay but I think I’ll stick to the Nachos. We each had several drinks so we were feeling no pain when we left for the airport. Total with tip 90.

    Room Service: We did room service twice each at MGM and Harrah’s. At both places we ordered a burger and sandwich one evening and breakfast one morning. The MGM would tell us the food would be ready in 45 minutes and it would take 55 minutes to an hour. No problem since we weren’t going anywhere until we had eaten. The opposite was true of Harrah’s. They would say the food will be ready in 30 minutes and in twenty minutes the food would arrive. I think this is one of the things we miss when we get back home.

    Fast food. MickyD’s and BK. Great drunk or morning after food. It does what it’s intended to do; soak up the alcohol and let you continue with your day, evening, or morning.

    Transportation

    We booked Presidential Limo’s web special for airport pickup and drop off. We have never had a problem with them and found their drivers to be helpful and courteous. Cost 108 with tips 178.

    Taxis. We took a taxi from MGM to Harrah’s. No muss no fuss and he gave us a little history on Vegas. Trip fare 8.10 with tip 15.

    We took a taxi from Paris to Ellis Island and the driver told us about all the specials and to sign up for their players card so you could receive more of a discount. We asked him about getting a taxi back from Ellis Island and he said just go to the players club and tell them and they’d call for one. Fare was 7.30 with tip 15.

    We took a cab from Ellis Island to Harrah’s. We went to the players club desk and asked them to call a taxi. They did and told us to wait outside for it. We had just gotten outside when the taxi pulled up. Total time from the call to the taxi arriving 3 minutes. Fare from Ellis Island to Harrah’s 7.80 with tip 15.

    Tipping

    I tended to over tip this trip. Instead of a dollar a drink it was usually 2 or more. We tipped maid service and turn down service at MGM and maid service at Harrah’s. My thoughts on tipping is that if the service is good or excellent they deserve it; and with the economy the way it is they can definitely use it.

    We were getting ready to leave our suite at the MGM when the lady came to do the turn down service. When she was getting ready to leave I tipped her. She was surprised and said thank you and then asked if I liked chocolate. Of course I do, She went to her cart and pulled out several hand full of chocolates and placed them on the bar, Every night I had piles of chocolates waiting for me in the evening.

    When we were at the Wynn a cocktail waitress came over and took our order; three minutes later another girl came over and took our order. My wife explained that we had given our order to some one else. I took a bottle of water from this waitress and tipped her 2. Our drinks arrived a couple of minutes later and before I could tip her she left. I saw her and the other cocktail waitress that I had gotten the water from standing together about the 30 feet from where my wife was playing slots so I thought I would walk over and tip the waitress. When I got there and went to give her the tip she said that the other waitress had given her the tip. So, I gave the other waitress the money. She looked at me and said that it wasn’t necessary. I looked at her and said that it was necessary since the distance you walk is the same to get a bottle of water as it is to get an alcoholic beverage and their both similar in weight. Our motto is if we can afford to gamble we can afford to tip for drink service irregardless of what type of drink it is.


    Scary Hooker Encounter:

    It happened as I was leaving Harrah’s about 6:45am. I was exiting into the Carnival Court when this woman? Was walking toward me. She/He was about 6’5†and 250-260 and could easily drop kick my ass into the lobby of Encore. She said “Hey, where you going?†I pointed toward the strip and said that way. She said “Why you heading that way? Why are you walking away from me? Don’t you want to come with me? Don’t you want to party?†Um, no and please don’t hurt me. I’m usually with my wife so I don’t get accosted by the ladies of the evening ; of course, this wasn‘t the evening and I‘m not even sure that she was a she.


    Final Thoughts

    Gambling wise this was probably our best trip ever. My wife came home minus 250 dollars but she spent 200 in Sephora and BE. I was down 2200 but finished down a little over 600. My big losses were on VP which I played in the mornings and one seriously drunken night at the MGM where I shocked my wife by putting 100s into a slot she was playing and saying lets play it out.

    The MGM seemed pretty busy at night but real quiet until early afternoon. Harrah’s was busy the whole time we were there. Most places seemed pretty empty during the day but picked up somewhat at night.

    It seemed everyone was running some kind of food special. Buffet deals were abundant and even Joel Robuchon was doing a special where you could order one appetizer, one main course and one desert for 39 and it would be served within 15 minutes; but, the offer was only good until 6:45pm daily.

    We had a great time. We gambled as much as we wanted. Ate where ever and what ever we wanted. We relaxed more this trip than we have in the past and totally enjoyed our stay.
    We met some really nice people playing slots and had a lot of fun with them.

    Here's some pics of the room and the views we had.
     
  2. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Excellent trip report......your he/she hooker encounter must have been a little frightening:eek: Did you get any pictures of the room you ended up with at Harrahs. I have the Deluxe Executive Suite booked and am curious to see what I may be downgraded to.......I just may change my mind yet about staying there...I like a little pool time and Harrahs pretty much sux; I only booked there to take advantage of the Deluxe Executive Suite. I'm a little ticked that Harrahs isn't always honouring the reservation....their glitch, their problem.

    Your suite at MGM looks very nice!
     
  3. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

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    GREAT report. Really enjoyed it . I am 99.999999999% sure I could never eat a meal at a restaurant that totaled $450 for two people, LOL. I'm just to midwest or too cheap for that! But it sounds totally delicious.
     
    Easter again..:
  4. ez369

    ez369 High-Roller

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    sweet review, thanks for the pics... and kudos for not only tipping appropriately, but going the extra mile and tipping very generiously!
     
  5. gmoney590

    gmoney590 VIP Whale

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    Breanna, sorry no pics of the room. My wife really wasn't impressed with it and would have preferred to have kept our comped room at Paris.

    Jgates, I'm usually cheap too; but, three years ago we decided to splurge and eat at one high end restaurant during our summer stay. We just check the menus so we don't get price shock when we get there and look at the menu.

    ez, when we tip a person we know that money is going to help them out with the way the economy is right now. When we gamble that money goes to the Corporation and doesn't necessarily stay in the community and help others.
     
  6. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Thanks gmoney; I think I may cancel my Harrahs room and move to Venetian.:eek:
     
  7. teambeam

    teambeam Tourist

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    I agrre with u about Harrah's...when I was there early June, it was the only place that seemed busy all day. The rest picked up at night.
     
  8. efue

    efue Tourist

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    you got me jonesing for LV now :peace:
     
  9. DBear

    DBear VIP Bear

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    Nice TR! Good to know the waitresses are honest with each other with tips.
     
  10. Danamrak

    Danamrak Low-Roller

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    Must be a midwest thing as I'm sure I could never appreciate a meal that costs that much.

    Nice report love all the details.
     
  11. garrman

    garrman Low-Roller

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    Great Trip Report!

    Sounds like you had a great time! I tend to tip large too for good.

    We have had some great Vegas stories and tips from some of the cabbies and I always enjoy it.

    garrman
     
  12. VegasDiva

    VegasDiva VIP Whale

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    Fantastic Trip Report!

    glad you and your wife each had a grand time
    :beer:
     
  13. Busysdizzy

    Busysdizzy Newbie

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    Thanks for posting pictures. Planning first trip, seeing the pics helps to get an idea of what real peoploe see not just photographers.
     
  14. peanutmnm

    peanutmnm Scotchy

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    Sweet read as usual!
     
  15. Bralo20

    Bralo20 Low-Roller

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    Nice report! Loved reading it.
     
  16. IllMarty

    IllMarty Orangutan

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    Great TR. Nice pictures. A few of us from the board have Marquee Suites booked for September. Can't wait now!

    Craftsteak is a dining experience :thumbsup:...and I too am from the Midwest.

    Marty
     
  17. gmoney590

    gmoney590 VIP Whale

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    Marty,

    Aside from the long walk to get to the suite; it was pretty nice. The bedrooms are the same size. One bathroom has the old bathtub shower combo with a stand alone shower; and, the other has the jetted tub and stand alone shower.
     
  18. cruiser

    cruiser High-Roller

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    Nice Trip Report! I enjoyed reading it.

    Regards,
    Cruiser
     
  19. ghetto71

    ghetto71 Tourist

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    Nice TR!:peace:
     
  20. gotavegasjones

    gotavegasjones VIP Whale

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    Thanks for posting.

    later, GVJ
     
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