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Downtown Trip Report 5/12-15 at the Plaza

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by 007DAWG, May 21, 2012.

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  1. 007DAWG

    007DAWG Tourist

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    My Trip Report

    This is our annual trip with Mom to Vegas, my brother and I (mid 40’s) take her every year. As usual we had a blast. Last year we stayed at Bill’s, it was good, but just too much walking for mom down on the strip. Besides the walking, we found ourselves missing downtown, we just like the gambling down there better, but in May, there has to be a pool in play. I like the Golden Nugget, but there is something about paying for a deck chair, or fighting for a decent spot at the pool that bugs me. So, all things considered, we decided to go with the recently remodeled Plaza.

    5/12 (Saturday)
    Flight down on Alaska Air, no problems; pick up a mid-size car from Alamo ($50 for 3 days, crazy good deal, always keep checking your rates!) and head for the Albertsons out on Eastern for supplies. Decide we need a late lunch/early dinner and it just so happens that a place I have always wanted to try, Capricotti’s Sandwich Shop is right there. My mom and I really liked it, but my brother was not as impressed, as he doesn’t like having the cole slaw on the sandwich. Get our supplies, and it is off to the Plaza.

    Here is my Plaza review:
    The Plaza with its remodel has become one of the best places to stay in Downtown Las Vegas. Check in (and check out) was easy, our room was clean and comfortable, and every step of the way the staff was friendly and helpful. The bathrooms are still small, and the pool deck area (which has a ton of potential as it overlooks downtown and is huge) is a bit run down. A decent gym, a fun casino, and a Hash House a Go Go. If you are looking for an inexpensive room in the heart of the downtown action, the Plaza is an outstanding option. I will be back.

    I forgot to mention in the review that on the positive side, they have a free safe in the room, but an odd negative, the soap they give you is the size of a large button, it’s tiny! Not a big deal, just strange.

    Check in was no problem, however one of our 2 rooms was not clean upon arrival, so it took about an hour to get that sorted out. We were in the south tower, very quiet save the occasional train. Finally around 8p, we are off to gamble, spend the evening at the Golden Gate playing craps and blackjack (mom on the slots), and some at the Plaza, but to us, there isn’t a better place to gamble than the Gate.

    5/13 (Sunday)
    Mom is off to play the slots, so my brother and I head to the pool. Again, the pool area is not fancy, but there is a great view of downtown from there, the water in the pool is wet, and the sun is plentiful (if you are a shade lover, bring your own, there is none). I like it, it works for us. We have late breakfast/lunch at Du Pars on a food comp, great pancakes, good service. Do some afternoon gambling and then back to the room for a break before an evening out.

    We are trying to figure out what to do for Mother’s Day dinner, last year we went to the Pasta Pirate, which is awesome, but we wanted to do something different. Mom says she would like to go to the Buffet at the Main Street Station, which is always a decent call, but we get over there and the line is super long. How about the 777? Yeah, not exactly the perfect call for a mother’s day, but better than waiting almost an hour for a buffet. As usual, the 777 does not disappoint, everybody loves what they got (Chicken Strips, Ribs and Fish & Chips I think), and I have never had a bad meal there. Then, like a broken record, we are back out to the Plaza and the Golden Gate having a great time gambling the night away.

    5/14 (Monday)
    More pool time (oh yeah, beware the astroturf on the deck at the Plaza pool, it will attempt to give your feet 3rd degree burns if you let it!) and some lunch form the just opened Pop Up Pizza. Decent pie, nothing amazing, but a good quick slice it that’s what you are looking for. We poke around downtown a bit more and debate a show. Carrot Top (always great), Penn & Teller? A production show? Mom gets to make the call, and since we are all doing well on the gambling front, she doesn’t want to spend most of the last evening on the trip in a showroom, so we settle on the 4pm Pet Comedy Magic somethingrather show in the Miracle Mile V theater at Planet Hollywood. It’s a bit over an hour, and it has its fun moments. I wouldn’t do it again, unless I had my kids with me, but I didn’t think it was a waste of time, just a cute little show.

    So now, dinner, we decide to go somewhere that I should have been to already, but amazingly enough, even with 30 visits to Vegas, never had been. The Peppermill! And I know it’s going to be blasphemous for this forum, but we weren’t overly impressed. The food was decent, but kind of pricy for what you get IMHO. I did peek in to the lounge, it is pretty cool in there, and I am glad I finally made it into the place, but not the great experience I expected. Perhaps a product of expectations? Anyway, head back downtown, and yup, you guessed it, back to the tables at the Golden Gate.

    5/15 (Tuesday)
    Our flight isn’t until 4p, so one more quick run to the pool, and mom hits the slots one last time and hits a $300 jackpot playing quarters! For us low rollers this is huge! Check out of the Plaza (no line, no problems, they even knocked some $ off my mom’s room for her play, she played at the Plaza much more than my brother and I), and then a late breakfast/early lunch at Du Par’s (on another food comp). I really want to try something different, but darn it, I never eat pancakes, and these are the best I have ever had, so I have to get them again (with a side of bacon). Back to the airport, fly back home, no problems.

    Another great trip. If you have any further questions, feel free to fire away.
     
  2. techie223

    techie223 High-Roller

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    Thanks for the trip report. It's really nice that you and your brother take your mother to Vegas every year :thumbsup:

    We've been staying downtown a few days every trip, and love table games at the GG. I still like the glitz of the Strip, but it's nice to be able to easily walk between casinos. I agree with you about DuPars pancakes. I'm addicted :licklips:

    Haven't stayed at the Plaza or gambled much either. May have to give it a try.
     
  3. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Thank you for the report!

    To me pancakes are pancakes, hard to screw up, but my wife is a pancake fanatic, so I guess the next trip we'll give Dupars a try, even if I have to pay for w/o a comp.
     
  4. 007DAWG

    007DAWG Tourist

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    Yup Joe, Pancakes are hard to screw up, but hard to make great as well. These are great, trust me!
     
  5. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

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    Don't all pancakes taste like butter & syrup?
     
  6. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    To me they do!:thumbsup:
     
  7. KnowItAll

    KnowItAll VIP Whale

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    I miss the pancakes at the old Holiday Inn Boardwalk. They were like 20" in diameter
     
  8. 007DAWG

    007DAWG Tourist

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    The worst $2.99 buffet money could buy, and the "Unknown" Comic in the showroom. That place was a major league dive, I kinda liked it....
     
  9. gerry53

    gerry53 VIP Whale

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    I agree that pancakes taste like butter and syrup and du pars seem like they have half a pound of butter in them.
     
  10. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    I don't read a lot of trip reports but yours was not only concise but very positive, yet honest. I live in a town of 3,000 in NH so I really enjoy my big city experience in LV. I stayed downtown on my last 3 trips and it just seems like small town hospitality within a large city. You have all the shows and clubs a short ride away, and you can walk to a variety of restaurants or casinos or enjoy the downtown comradery just steps away.

    BTW, I agree with your impression of the Peppermill. Though it receives mostly positive feedback here, my opinion was exactly the same as yours.


    It's great that you enjoy time with your mom; the memories will last your lifetime. An employee where I taught (driver ed) when i first went into business, left his job nights at the YMCA to spend more time with his kids when they were young. I'll never forget what he said, "Kids are an investment of your time, and what you get out is directly related to what you put in." I guess your mom invested well! Thanks for a great trip report.

    Jimbo338
     
  11. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    How busy was the Plaza gamblingwise? has their business improved noticeably with the renovations.
     
  12. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    ~25 years ago I took my wife to the WI State Fair. We got there in the morning and I suggested we do the all you can pancake breakfast for about $4, IIRC.

    We did and she was so full, she didn't eat anything the rest of the day. Cheapest time ever at the fair.:wink2:

    To this day she'll bring that up and say I planned the whole thing. I didn't, but we still chuckle about it every time we walk by the pancake place during the fair.
     
  13. 007DAWG

    007DAWG Tourist

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    Thanks Jimbo, couldn't agree more.
     
  14. 007DAWG

    007DAWG Tourist

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    Yeah Merlin, I think the business has improved, but it still isn't what I would consider hopping. I think they are on the come, but it's still very much a work in progress.
     
  15. Gomar

    Gomar Low-Roller

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    "the water in the pool is wet"

    ok, cool, always a big plus for any pool. I sure wouldnt want to swim in a pool of dry water.
     
  16. GrtWitHntr

    GrtWitHntr Low-Roller

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    Yes, well that is unless you know the super secret recipe of Peanut Butter and Karo Syrup on pancakes.:thumbsup:
     
  17. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

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    Is there still a big difference between the north and south tower rooms after all the remodeling? Plus, are the mini suites scattered around the property or just in one tower? If you were staying in one, does anyone have a recommendation?
     
  18. acoluzzi

    acoluzzi Low-Roller

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    I was wondering about the suites as well. I've got a one bedroom booked coming up wondering which tower and which view to go for.
     
  19. squidward

    squidward Probationary Member

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    About a month ago I had a one bedroom suite in the South Tower on the 24th floor. There were a number of suites on this floor. I also found out accidentally (drunk) that there were a number of suites 25th floor too.

    I heard several complaints about the noise from the Fremont Street entertainment from people staying in the North Tower, if this is a consideration. I never made it to the North tower in my adventures so this was only hearsay.

    I was upgraded to the suite by tipping $20.00 at check-in. Pictures and Trip Report here if you have not seen them before.
     
  20. acoluzzi

    acoluzzi Low-Roller

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    Thank you! That was super informative. Great looking suite.
     
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