The Macker Version of Deck the Halls with Hookers and Blow

The players involved were myself, Gaggles (G), BeeeJay(BJ), JNCVH (J), Ty (T), and my buddy S. The trip dates were Dec. 17-20 for myself. I'm not going to write a full trip report as I have in the past, but rather a small summary diving up certain aspects of my trip. If you'd like to see pics please check out BeeeJay's live trip https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60467 and you can also check out my twitter that I updated during the trip http://twitter.com/vegasmacker

Flights
I was originally supposed to fly out of Kalispell, MT on Allegiant, but Expedia had a deal where if you booked a flight and hotel from any Canadian airport to Las Vegas, then you would receive $300 off the total. I quickly went online and found a flight on WestJet out of Calgary, AB and a Capri room at IP for $514, after discount I paid a total of $214. I had purchased insurance on my Allegiant flight so I received a credit for the full amount, which in my degenerate mind is like having a free flight to Vegas waiting in the wings even if I have paid for it. My flight left at 7AM out of Calgary, which meant leaving my house at 3:30. I parked my car at Park2Go which is awesome because you get 20% off for booking online and it's valet service. I literally take my car to the gate, they scanned the code I had downloaded onto my Blackberry, I grabbed my luggage, got my ticket, and hopped on the shuttle. Flight left Calgary on time and I had a layover in Vancouver on the way there. I was through US Customs in Vancouver fast and my flight left with a small delay. Luggage did take a while to go out.

I again flew WestJet on the way home this time direct at 9PM on the 20th. The good thing about WestJest is they fly out of the B gates rather than the run down Terminal 2. I had checked in at a kiosk in the casinos, this was a first but paid off because I scored an exit row, window seat and the ended up with the whole row to myself. Security at all the airports was a breeze and so was Canada Customs in Calgary. Both cab drivers took the shortest route possible and got a nice tip because of it.

Hotel
As mentioned above, I did have a Capri room at IP booked through Expedia, but I never did check into it. I had booked a comped Go Luxury with View room at Flamingo for the 17-21, which allowed me to keep my room during the day for my 9PM flight. At check in, I told the clerk I had $50 for her if she had a complimentary upgrade to a nice suite for me. She asked if i was serious? I said I was indeed and she started making phone calls and asking manager. About 5 minutes later she returned and said she had no luck I still received a Go Room on the 22nd floor with a great view, which can been seen here: [YOUTUBE]Ya5mkE6rRJM[/YOUTUBE]

Gambling
I played some craps at Flamingo and Ballys, both with minimal losses. Played lots of VP at Ballys, Cosmopolitan, Golden Gate, and Bellagio. I did OK the first night and I am apparently a gold member at Golden Gate. I was actually approached by a host at GG, which was a first, but it was probably because of the guys I was playing with, mind you it is the GG lol. I did most of the damage to my bankroll at Bellagio chasing at $1's and not hitting a thing. I did hit 4 aces with the kicker at Cosmo for $500 but proceeded to give it back over the next 7 hours. Played mostly at Cosmo on the last day, but did fit in some short sessions at Ballys, Harrahs and Casino Royale. It just seemed like a constant drain and it's been a long time since I've had a trip where that has happened, so I guess it was due.

Food
Looking back I guess this was the trip of buffets. The first night we ate at Dupars in the Golden Gate. I had the tri-tip, G had the small prime rib (which was not small), and T had the meatloaf. Everyone agreed that they had great meals. We finished it off with some raspberry pie and it all tasted even better considering it was comped. J ate a sandwich at the bar and S at like 5 shrimp cocktails.

We ate twice at the Cosmo buffet and it is quite aways off the casino floor. This in my opinion now takes the title for best buffet is Vegas. They serve everything up in individual portions, which I think is great. By doing this they are able to keep items much fresher. This will definitely be an every trip spot from now on.

I also tried the Paris Buffet by myself on the last night. The line was gigantic and I would never wait in it, so good thing I have a platinum card. I paid with points and was seated immediately. I have never had this buffet for supper, only breakfast and that was a couple years ago. I went in there with minimal expectations and was still disappointed. The selection seemed very limited, many items were in need of refill every time I went up, and it took forever to get drink refills. The only good thing was the crepe I had for dessert. I put down a dollar when I ordered and the cook really loaded me up. I had one with bananas and nutella mmmmmmmm.....that's all I can say.

I also checked out the new food court at Flamingo. Just a quick heads up, they do not allow room charges or total rewards points in the food court. I did have a combo plate from Pan Asian Express, which was typical Asian fast food and I had chili cheese fries from Johnny Rockets which hit the spot when I was drunk lol.

Spa
I hit two spas this trip. The first was Qua Spa at Caesars, which is normally $45 to enter, but G has a diamond card, so he got both of us in for $20 each. I really love this spa, especially the pools. We watched the first half of the Steelers/Jets game in the in pools, then hit the steam room at half time, then watched the second half in the tea lounge, enjoying the complimentary juices. It was a great way to spend a few hours and was a great stress relief after the heavy losses the day before.

I also hit the Flamingo spa on my last day there by myself in the morning. J had given me a free pass to the spa, so I put it to good use. I had a nice steam and hit the hot tub for a couple hours. It was a nice enjoyable way to spend the morning.

Shopping
on the last day I hopped in a cab to the fashion show mall and grabbed a couple Christmas presents, then walked over TI, took the tram to Mirage and walked over to the forum shops. Grabbed a present from the Nike store, then hit up H&M for a present and something for myself. I also stopped at the Bellagio shop in the airport for a shirt for my Dad.

Highlights
-Cosmopolitan is awesome and I hope to get some decent room offers
-Cosmo buffet is a must try
-exit row seats on the plane
-The Golden Gate was a blast as usual
-Service at Sullys Bar as usual
-Qua Spa may have to be done every trip
-Great group of guys to hit up Vegas with

 

Great Report Macker

Nice video of the room , too

I'm heading to Vegas in about 3 weeks and definately will be checking out Cosmo and City Centre (it wasn't open yet , last time I was in Vegas )

I like flying WJ to Vegas , nice flights , comfy seats ..love the TV's in the seats ahead . love the direct flights
Couldn't get one this time, we are flying Air Canada and landing in Terminal 2 , I haven't done that for a few years but thats ok ...as long as i'm in Vegas... I don't care how I get there!

 

Nice report i too Love to Gamble (Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods here in CT) but with 4 kids i need to be smart in your report you say GG is a Blast would you reccomend staying there? Hows the pool?

 

Nice report Mack. 122 days left until we go back....

 

nice job filling in the blanks big fella. you are sneaky bastard slipping in that Paris buffet! I keep meaning to hit that one.

 

you aren't missing much! Although I wouldn't mind hitting it up for breakfast again one day, but it would only happen if we pulled an all nighter because you know we wouldn't be up in time for breakfast

 

Can you use a bigger font next time?

 

I've never stayed downtown to be honest, but always go there once a trip. Golden Gate has become our spot to go while downtown, so much so that the bartenders all know us by name. They don't have a pool, but you could always walk to the Golden Nugget which has one of the best pools in town. I found a video of the room, they are all renovated, but they are a little small. I did think the view was cool though.

[YOUTUBE]4XWYDme4dow[/YOUTUBE]

 

Have fun at work, while I watch the hockey game:Þ

 

Like i'm not leaving early......

 

Hmm this isn't good news for our downtown eating plans

http://tastinglasvegas.com/2011/01/03/monday-mise-en-place-fireflys-downtown-location-temporarily-closes-as-plaza-gets-a-facelift/

 

Thanks Macker - enjoyed it.

That room number must have ended with like 024, 026 or 028. View is very similar to my last few.

I actually enjoyed the Paris buffet for supper last time but stuck with Prime Rib, Mac & Cheese with some funky cheeses & creme' brulee. What more do you need from life?

And yes, read that firefly was temporarily closing. I had planned on sneaking down in March but not having a rental I am not going to fight to get to the other locations. I'll have to wait.

Very disappointed that the food court doesn't offer room charging or comp. Wonder if the TR desk can give you a comp for it? It's odd how it varies. Sbarro at Ballys won't - Earl of Sandwich at PH will. No consistency. Wonder if it's the franchise licensing or what?

 

I know a couple of the poker room supervisors at Ballys and they have in the past given me a comp to Sbarro, but that was a couple years ago.

 

Outstanding report, glad you got a chance to hit the spas, Qua can definitely change your perspective of a Vegas trip though, as you start looking for ways for fitting it into the schedule, then you start adding on more days, and it's a never ending cycle

Hope one of our trips line up this year. Did you come to a decision on the March trip?

 

March is a long shot, but May 5-8 is booked already. So far we have Alexanbo, myself and JNCVH, not to mention it's the same weekend VegasBJ was asking you about. Stupid job, don't you hate how it gets in the way of your Vegas trips lol

 

How very true, even worse that the only reason I can't go then is a co-worker's wedding.

 

Fun read. Nice job. I also like the Qua spa..especially for a hangover. It really does help.