Vegas in September

So....My TR's can jump around a bit but I'll try to segue from one topic to another a little better than I usually do

Weather in late Sept is gorgeous....it's my new favorite time to go. Plus, a lot of the kiddies are back in school

NS flights on SW from VA to LAS are perfect and combined w/ a RT on the Vegas end w/ Presidential Limo, cross country travel couldn't get much easier.

Stayed 6 nights (Sat-Fri) at Encore and had a wonderful time as usual. Steve (or "his people") IMO, have done a better job lately of managing the gambling and club crowd so both can have a good time and not feel like they're infringing on each others good time. As a middle aged Vegas junkie, the young crowd adds a good vibe to Las Vegas "if" they can have their fun and still respect others. My only complaint there is why is it that a few clubbies (that make the rest of that demographic look bad) that are still awake and drinking at 6-7AM feel like it's OK to yell F*CK and GD and every other swear word in their vocabulary just because they're in Las Vegas?

We're not big (as in 3 course) eaters so most of our dining consists of eating appetizers and having wine at the various restaurants. Our Wynncore favorites are Allegro (the old Stratta), LeCave, the Lobby Bar, Country Club Grill and Bottero. We had reservations at Lakeside this trip but got carried away gambling (go figure?) and ended up cancelling. We'll probably make it to that restaurant and SW someday but honestly the fancy dining thing is not a big draw for us. We're just as happy looking out on the casino and watching the action (and people) and enjoying some appetizers, maybe a Caesar salad and some Vino.

Pool weather was fantastic....about 90 each day and we felt like we about had the Encore Euro pool to ourselves on M-W...the first Sunday and the following Thursday things picked up substantially which was a nice change from the very quiet M-W.

Our host always picks up the room and I'll find out later this week via e-mail if she picks up any F&B since we hooked up to visit 2 days before we left. We usually don't get much picked up in the way of F&B but then I don't expect it...I think we're fairly comp'd w/ room only based on our play.

Speaking of "play"...gambling was good this trip. Mrs. Dino did a lot of up and down w/ no large wins or losses. We both had those days where the casino just kind of grinds away at you but I had some nice wins that put us taking home our gambling budget plus $2K so you can't complain about that....pretty much made the entire trip free My hits were $1K at ARIA, $3,300 at Bellagio and $1,600 and $1K at Wynncore.

We met some fun people chatting in bars and were supposed to meet up w/ The CARVE from the board here but between poor to non-exisitent Verizon service at the hotel and drinking and gambling, we never made it happen. Anybody esle have that (Verizon) problem at Wynn?

We went to see Terry Fator and although I thought the show was good, I think I'd have been a tad dissapointed if I'd have paid full price (thanks for that link Sonya!) Maybe puppets just aren't my thing? Actually, I think I'm not a big "show" person overall.

Which reminds me...while at the Mirage to see the show, I was amazed how much more the Mirage still continues to change....for the worse IMO. It seems even darker and less tropical in the casino than the last time we were in there and MGM has stuffed the place to the gills w/ machines to the point that it really doesn't even flow anymore like it used to. I used to think we might stay there again someday but it's clearly a good memory that is just going to stay that way and we'll just leave it at that. Such a shame compared to the beautiful property it once was.

Speaking of beautiful properites....we hadn't been to Bellagio for some time and we were both very surprised at how much we liked the casino. I'm thinking we will definitely stay there again in the near future (OK, Shifter....you were right). HYDE is a lounge before it becomes a club (3 nigths/week) and we found it a very cool spot for a drink and watching the fountains although the design has limited the view in comparison to how it used to be laid out. It probably didn't hurt that they played Viva Las Vegas by Elvis while I enjoyed one of their signature martini's right after winning $3,300...

Thanks for reading and I hope it was entertaining as well as informative. Dino

 

Great report! Congrats on your hits -- what were you playing? BTW, I totally agree with you about the Mirage. All the renovations have made it almost unrecognizable from the way it was years ago. Not my favorite anymore.

 

Dino, thanks for taking time to post - loved it. Your trip sounds exactly like how we do Vegas, except we're even less of a foodie couple. Thanks for the info on Hyde, we're staying a the Bellagio the second part of our upcoming trip, and I plan on trying it out thanks to this review.

 

Glad to here you had a good time and brought home some nice winnings. Anytime you bring home your gambling budget plus winnings is great.

 

WeluvVegas - I pretty much play DDB VP all of the time and that's what I hit on. Ali - you'll like HYDE if you're there the right time of evening and enjoy it for what the change is. We had a really cool cocktail waitress that made our drinks a lot of fun. She was a Med student and was a very sharp young lady.

 

Sounds like you had a good time - saw you mentioned you hit for $1K at Aria, but didn't mention much [anything?] else about it - since I seem to remember you asking about it pre-trip [that was you, right?] - just curious how much of it you checked out & what you thought if you did.

 

Jilly, we did have a great time. I know everybody does Vegas a little different and for us it's gambling, good (but light) food and wine and a little R&R out at the pool. We also played some PGP and Roulette for fun when we wanted the table atmposphere.

Regarding ARIA, I knew from the website that we'd like the rooms, restaurants and pool area so it was really a trip to explore the casino and see what the vibe was like there. I've really given some thought to what flips my switch as we are "searching" for some diversity and not staying at the same place every trip. Although nice in its own way, ARIA was little too open and dark and I guess a good word (for me) would be sterile. Maybe it was all the metal and glass used in their decor? I'm finding that I like a casino that has the feel of a lower ceiling and various canopies or drapes for a warmer and more enclosed feeling....which would explain why I like Encore, Wynn and Bellagio.

I think we are definitely going to go back to Bellagio. It's funny...could be a coincidence but we were there on Monday at the beginning of our trip and when I got home Saturday, there was an offer for rooms and free play. We don't really require a suite but I did notice on their website that they have Resort and Deluxe rooms....not sure what the difference is other than the photos show warmer earth tones in the Deluxe rooms and the new "blue" look in the Resort rooms. I definitley liked the Deluxe decor better and would probably get one of the Tower rooms w/ the larger bathroom.

 

Free trips? I'm in! Congrats on a successful Vegas Trip!!

 

Hey Dino,
Of course you like The Bellagio casino --
You won B-I-G there !!!!!:evillaugh
.
I liked The Bellagio pool set up, as well.
Even though it took a while to get a lounge
chair(s) ( on the weekend ).
.
Congrats on that $$$$.
.
I guess, Red Rock's out for awhile ?
And I loved the Tropical Theme at Mirage --
Now, it looks.......too similar..?... to other places.

 

Awesome. I need to try some DDB VP...I always say that and it never happens. I might take a whirl this trip.

 

Got to Vegas Sat. afternoon. Went to Tix4Tnite and got 1/2 price entree coupons (2) for Bally's Steakhouse. Went there for dinner and had a really good meal. Wife had a filet and I had the bone in ribeye along with sides and dessert and drinks. Excellent service in on of their nice booths. After the coupons, the check was 88.00. They discounted that w/ my TR Diamond card and I used RCs to pay for a great dinner. ash out of pocket was just the tip. Played slots at Ballys. Never have luck there. Took a cab to NYNY and we saw Zumanity. Even though I had researched reviews etc., the show was better than I expected. I don't think the people are plants that are pulled onstage. At least we weren't victims! Eye candy fo both of us. True there were some moments where it was not in my realm of sexual comfort. But, never done without taste and usually humor. Some of the scenes that reviews and clips discuss and show must change from time to time. I do recommend this with a significant other.

Sunday we went to the Jasmines Brunch at Bellagio. My second time there adn my wife's first. Wow! This is the gold standard for all Sunday Brunches. If you've never been, please put it on your bucket list. You'll thank me later! The dining room overlooks the fountains and there are no bad tables. Service is by the Asian staff that operates the restaurant at all other times as an upscale Asian restaurant. Menu looks great. 58.00 per person for the brunch and I used my MLife Pearl credits for the meal leaving tip as out of pocket cash only. Played at Bellagio after going through the Conservatory and gardens. It is so well done now for the Fall season. We're going back at night to see it lit up. On to Cosmo where we played and left no richer! The wife went to the room at Harrahs to rest. I went to Venetian and had some success on slots. We went to dinner at a Chinese pace in the hotel since we went a little too far at brunch. Very good apps and entrees. We probably only ate half, but it was great. Dinner was on the CET rc's. On to Mirage for the Beatles Love show. Our second time seeing this awesome production. Funny how you forget things. But the stage is so full of activity that you can't take it all in. Overload on the senses. Would gp back even more times in the future! Played at Mirage some found a WOF dollar machine that was my friend for a while.

Monay morning now. Will update this tmorrow.....

 

Tuesday evening now and we got back home a couple of hours ago.

Monday was the day for lunch at Carnegie Deli at Mirage. It's a pilgrimage for me. Good as always and the first time there wasn't a line to get in. Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Re-visited my friendly WOF machine that I spoke of earlier. Still had pretty good runs for a net of 300.00. On to Fremont Street, another pilgrimage. As compared to other visits here, not much happening of any financial gain. Went back to the strip and the wife had her afternoon nap that was well deserved. I, of course, took advantage and ventured over to Csino Royale and Venetian. I don't know how anybody truly enjoys CR. It is so depressing and unappealing in every way. Plus, I saw nobody winning on any machine and virturaly no excitement at the tables. On the other hand, the Venetian was quite busy for a Monday afternoon. I sensed winners fairly consistently all over the floor. Even some success for me on the slots. It's nice to go to a non-CET or MLife place where there are plenty of different machines and games.

Next, the heralded Bachannal Buffet for dinner.....

 

OK, my impressions fo the Bach. Buffet:
Beautifully done regarding the asthetics and functionality.
Diamond entrance was a godsend! Otherwise, I heard people cite 1 1/2 hr in line.
Asian/salad/cured meat and cheese stations were in a seperate room.
Dessert venue was well laid out and had creative, tasty choices.
Even though there were seperate stations and majority of prep at those stations. the flow was fairly seamless from one to the next, etc. Consequently, there was one long, long line that started at the Mexican station and did not end until the seafood venue a the other end of the line. Nobody was up for line-breakers and it took far too long to make it from one venue/station to the others. One didn't dare get out of line when advancing past a station that held no interst. Result was cold food that had been on your plate for up to 20 minutes while you inched along the line. Many, many delicious offerings along the way. But, this is a problem that has no solution based on the logistics of the stations. I'll get to more details on the food in another post. Wynn buffet, my previous favorite. still has this Bach. Buffet beat for the ease of selecting just what you want and going back to your table. For the average person, non-Diamond CET player, waiting in line 1 1/2 hours and standing in a 20 minute line only to end up with cold food will not advance the reputation of this buffet. I can't imagine this place on a weekend night!

 

You make me very happy that I am Diamond..because I hope to try this soon.
Thanks for the report.