01/30/05 - 02/03/05

Air & Hotel - We used MLT Worry Free Vacations package deal this time. They use a charter company named Champion Air. We have used them several times in the past and have been pretty happy overall. If we have good offers from hotels, we will take just the air. This time we took the air and hotel for $350.00 (tax included for two people / not per person) because it was so inexpensive. We stayed at the 4 Queens and were there for four nights. We really wanted to stay downtown this time. We stayed in the South tower on the 3rd floor in room 330 (I never remember room numbers when I get back, but I did this time for some reason). We did not think they had room safes, but luckily I read the board right before we left. Someone said the rooms from the 4th floor down have safes. When we checked in we asked the clerk and she said she did not know. She looked and they did. The room also had an ironing board, iron and hair dryer. I did not remember having those last time we stayed. The room was a nice size. The bathroom was very, very small. The water pressure in the tub was great. The water in the sink faucet would hardly come out. It was hard to brush your teeth. They did not have any non smoking rooms when we checked in. We have learned this doesn't really matter downtown anyway because all the rooms smell like smoke. Even in the Nugget. The only complaint I have about the 4 Queens is the maid service. They did not clean our room the first day. I had to call for towels and TP.

Food - We tried to eat in new spots this time. Here is where we went:

Freemont Buffet - This buffet was pretty good. We were starving though .

Magnolia's Cafe in the 4 Queens - This month was hubby's b-day month and they gave him a free breakfast, lunch or dinner. We had breakfast while looking over the casino. It was a good standard breakfast.

Cheesecake Factory - We always have to stop in here and have a meal and cheesecake. BEWARE - If you have never eaten at the Cheesecake Factory (we don't have them here), the food portions are huge. We knew this going in so we weren't shocked, but the poor older lady next to us was about to die when she saw her pot pie come out. I have NEVER seen a pot pie that big. She asked us if we wanted to share .

Panda Express - Fast food chinese on the Strip next to Harrah's. Just something to eat.

In and Out Burger - The debate is over for me. I am now an In and Out Burger fan!!!!!!! Those burgers are far better than Fatburger. I am just sad that I live in Oklahoma and have to go to Vegas for either of them. For those Fatburger fans out there, you still have a loyal fan in my husband. He thought the In and Out Burger was good, but sides with my parents on Fatburger. I think they are all nuts !

California Hotel and Casino - I do not know what the name of the place is, but it is a small little place in the walkway from the California to Main Street Station. They serve soups and rice bowls. It was pretty inexpensive and good.

Golden Gate - Hot dog. Yuck.

Aladdin Buffet - We have heard so many times this is a good buffet. I never really wanted to try it because I did not know if my husband would like it. It was pretty good. I would not put it at the best, but we enjoyed it. I will say that Mexican food on a buffet is usually not very good, but it was good on this buffet. I should have passed on everything else and eaten at the dessert station . There were too many to choose from!

Pasta Pirate - We were hungry the last night and did not know where to go. I had wanted to try this a year or so ago and forgot about it. My husband made a comment about the name when we were walking through the California on the way to Main Street the day before and it reminded me I wanted to try it. It was a good meal and was not very expensive. The meal comes with a house wine, soup or salad and bread.

Gambling - The last few times we have been to Vegas I have not done very well. My husband usually breaks even. I was determined I was not going to gamble very much and just relax and take my time. We did this and had a very good time doing it. I cannot place money in a regular reel slot machine and win money any more. My luck used to be better or they have become much tighter. I only played nickel and penny slots and did not make the high bets. I did not win a lot, but I kept winning $50 or $75 to keep me going. We found that $.01 and $.02 Phone Tag, $.01 I Dream of Jeannie (new ones) and $.05 Texas Tea were good for us. My husband hates slots, but for some reason sat down on a $.01 Phone Tag in the Flamingo. He put in $10 and played for 3 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had just lost $30 in the Monte Carlo reel games there and decided to sit with him to watch him play. He was hitting bonus after bonus. It was a lot of fun!

I played a lot more video poker this time and loved it! I also played blackjack with my husband and had a good time. Every time I sat down to play blackjack with my husband on our last trip, I would just lose it all within a few hands. This time was different. I decided to have an open mind and really let him teach me how to play. I actually walked away with more money on two sessions and only lost $40 on one.

Overall we had a great time. Looking back, I am very shocked we did not go into more casinos on the strip. We arrived Sunday evening and stayed downtown. Monday we got up, ate breakfast at the hotel cafe and decided to find Green Valley Ranch. It is very nice. I would like to stay there sometime. Tuesday we spent on the Strip. We parked at the Flamingo and walked in and spent 3 hours playing Phone Tag. We decided to go see the new addition to Caesars and eat at the Cheesecake Factory. We were stuck in there for a bit because they make it hard to get out! We then spent another 2 hours playing Phone Tag at Barbary Coast. I think the only other Strip casinos we went into that day were Imperial Palace and Harrah's. Wednesday it was back to the Strip to eat at Aladdin. We went back to the car and headed up to Westward Ho and Slots of Fun. After we won there, we went to Stardust to catch a bit of the OU/Texas A&M game. It was about 6:00 when we were going to head back to the middle of the Strip and decided we would rather just go back downtown to gamble. The Strip was getting ready for their Superbowl weekend when we left. This was kind of neat because the very first time we went to Vegas was the weekend before Superbowl. It was a little dead there this week though. Glad to be home so we can sleep in our own bed. I know I will start wanting to back in a few months.

Viva Las Vegas Baby.

 

Good Report! Thanks for the share.

I can vouch for the crummy hotdogs at the Golden Gate. They used to grill them and they were pretty good, but now they are steamed and just look disgusting. I mean, it's a hotdog fer cryin' out loud, not a bucket of clams...

Mikey

 

where in Oklahoma do you live if you dont mind me asking ? I live in Oklahoma also .. and we use worry free everytime it was under 400$ this time for the trip. I love a bargin on airfare and hotel . We have never stayed downtown so I hope we enjoy it ...
Paula

 

Paulalovesvegas - we live right outside OKC. I know a lot of people have problems with taking charter flights because of the flexibility, but we use MLT almost every time we have gone (so many times I couldn't give you a count). We have only had trouble one time years ago. We took off about three hours late. Since that time, they have improved a lot. Lately, we have taken off on time. We were only about an hour off leaving this last time. I wasn't that upset because it allowed for us to arrive in Vegas just after the sun set and we were able to see all of the lights.

We have grown to love downtown. Now that we have been so many times, we find downtown a better bargain. I just wish it weren't so smoky (or that I didn't have allergy problems ). We do have our trips when we want to stay on the Strip though. It is usually in the summer when we want a pool.

Sounds like you are going soon by your last comment. Hope you have fun!

 

we leave out of OKc and have taken wfv about 5 times now cant beat the price .. yes we are going to leave the 28th I just cant wait last year I had the flu when we were in Vegas .. it was crappy ..

hubby has the flu right now and I have been avoinding him ..LOL hopefully the shot will take care of me ....

We always want to try downtown so since this trip might be the last for a while dh works for the FAA and in Oct they will privitize his job and boy we will have to watch money then .. so we are really going to enjoy ourselves this time , and who knows downtown might be out new place to stay ???

We like Imperial Palace because of its location and the rooms are great for us , so I cant wait to see if I enjoy downtown just as much ...

 

Nice TR. Thanks for sharing. I too love DT.
Marty

 

Paula - I hope you guys have a lot of fun. We have stayed at IP several times as well. When we stay on the strip, we like to stay in that central location (Flamingo, IP, Bally's). Downtown is nice because you can walk to many different casinos in a short amount of time. I hope your hubby feels better. There is nothing like getting sick right before you leave, so do stay away from him .

Mikey - you are right about the dogs. That is what is wrong with them. I should have stayed with the shrimp cocktail or tried something else. I even put kraut on my dog and ended up just eating the kraut and the bun.

 

Great report ilovevegasbaby,

Lots of good food info. I'll have to put In and Out Burger on my list. I think we go by one on the way to the Orleans.

We have done the MLT deal out of OKC before. Everyone has the same thing on their mind. GET THIS PLANE TO VEGAS, NOW!

 

Killer - That is the truth! What is so funny is this trip everyone was so quiet! The crew was trying to pep everyone up. We were shocked. Usually it is non stop talking and laughter.

Do try the In & Out Burger. The one you are talking about is the one where we ate the other day. It is sooooooooooo good. I wish we had one here. It is probably good that we don't.

 

Nice report!

We were there January 28 to February 2 at the 4 Queens. Chances are we ran into each other and never knew it.

I never ate a hot dog at the Golden Gate, but the Bay City Diner is a great little place to eat. I think we ate lunch there once, and breakfast twice.

My friend and I had adjoining rooms on the 19th floor south tower. Great view... How was your view on the 4th floor? I didn't have a safe in my room, and that would be nice.

The water pressure sucked in my room big-time. As with you... it was hard to brush teeth. Or... the water was so dang piping hot you couldn't touch it. It doesn't have to boil 4 Queens!

All in all, a nice place. Glad to hear you had a good time too.

 

We had the same view we had last year (which was on a much higher floor). We looked out at the Fitzgerald's parking garage. My only disapointment was the window in the room this time did not open. It would have been nice because it would get pretty warm in there when you were trying to get ready in the morning. Our window opened last year about 5 inches. It was great.

I still don't understand the water pressure in the sink. The pressure in the shower was great. You are right about the water! It does get very hot!

[ February 09, 2005, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: ilovevegasbaby ]

 

Great report...Sounds like you had a lot of fun.