Birthday trip to Luxor/Mandalay Bay (1/17-19)

Leaving Phoenix early (8 am) probably wasn't the best idea. However, to take advantage of the best Southwest fairs from PHX to LAS, that's what I had to do. It didn't start off too great since my partner could not find his wallet. Thankfully, we found it and were still able to get to Phoenix Sky Harbor in time to make the very early flight to Las Vegas.

Since we were there early, we decided to take advantage of Luxor's all day buffet. That won't be happening again. The breakfast buffet was fine, as it is hard to mess up breakfast food. The buffet does not serve alcohol until noon.

This was Martin Luther King day, so there were plenty of daytime sporting events. I had several bets planned so had to hit the sports book early. The person working seemed to have no idea that they took bets on hockey.

The table games were dead so I stuck to slots and did quite well. I'm sure Monday isn't a very desirable shift for the cocktail waitresses, but the ones that worked in my area got tipped $5.00 per beer, and they hurried back. One of them even dropped off a few extra drinks.

I got sick of the buffet after lunch and we wandered over to the Excalibur. I found a packed $5.00 craps table. Excellent cocktail service. The dealers were friendly and the pit boss left the table alone as we were all having fun.

4:00 Pacific time came and I decided to go back to Luxor to watch some sports. At least sitting in the sports book doesn't cost me anything. I came out ahead by a couple hundred and then reluctantly went back to dinner at the Luxor buffet.

The food at the Luxor buffet was ok, but the grease and butter factor was just too much for me.

The next day, woke up early and decided to do some wandering. First stop was NYNY. I really like this casino. The table games were dead, so I decided on some video poker. That was a good idea, as I did quite well. It was early and I could not find a cocktail waitress so I wandered into the gift shop to buy a beer. I went outside to take a few pics of NYNY. One of those beautiful Las Vegas days with cloudless skies.

Then came the great debate. I wanted to go to MGM, but my better half decided we would go to Mandalay. So, we took the tram to Mandalay.

I loved, loved, loved Mandalay from the second we set foot inside. I'd only been here to see the Lion King and didn't really see much else besides the sports book on that trip.

I enjoyed the vibe of the casino there. Younger crowd, and lots of space in the casino. The only drawback was $20 minimums around noon on a Tuesday. I found their large American Idol slot machine and quickly turned a $100 into $800 within an hour. The cocktail service was excellent. I like a late lunch so we went to the aquarium for an hour. I think the exhibit was well worth the discounted admission from a coupon. The hour away from the Vegas excitement was needed.

Back to Luxor for lunch. We went to Tacos and Tequilla. Outstanding cheese enchiladas.

After that, time for a nap!

Went back over to Mandalay as family flew in that day. Spent most of the night at the sports book and then back over to the American Idol slots. Mandalay must have like the coin I was playing as they've sent me a comp offer for 2 days in a suite which I'll be using in May. I like almost everything about Mandalay except for their high table game limits.

 

Nice report, enjoyed the reading

 

Congrats on the American Idol win.......I haven't played that machine; is it a penny slot?

 

I played it back in January @ the MGM It was a penny slot but had 4 screens like wolf run or SATC I only played one, because you could end up playing 8 bucks a spin with all 4 screens at max bet!!
I didn't do as well!


Great report Dale I've stayed at the Mbay 3 times, including once in a suite I , too love the hotel altho I never did get to it in January , only got as far south as NYNY, Trop and MGM
Didn't even make it into Excalibur, Luxor or Mbay

 

Nice win on the slot. We stayed at Mandalay Bay last year and the rooms were great!

 

Trip Report

Great Report. Got to play the American Idol game..

 

Nice TR...I like to read TR's from hotels I haven't stayed at.

 

I enjoyed your TR. I also really like Mandalay Bay I just tried the American Idol slots there last week - unfortunately I did not do as well on them as you did.