Confessions from a Day Time Gambler -TR for 10/6-8

Here’s my TR for our whirl-wind trip October 6th-9th. A little background first –although we used to go to Vegas 2-3x per year, my husband and I hadn’t been for 2 years because of the pregnancy and birth of our beautiful 14 month old daughter. We finally felt comfortable leaving her behind for a little R&R adult vacation. To be honest, we probably wouldn’t have even come back this soon but we found out we were pregnant with baby #2 but miscarried in early August at 10 weeks. It was time for us to take a step back and regroup as a couple.
We stayed at the Monte Carlo which is where we ALWAYS stay with the exception of only one time. I have always defended the MC on message boards –but those days may be over . . . .
SAT, Oct 6th –our non-stop flight out of Louisville was running an hour late and I was so disappointed because that just meant our vacation was going to be shorter! We made it there with no issues though –our bags were literally coming around the carousel as we were making our way down the escalator (SCORE!) and there was no taxi line either! Our taxi driver did long haul us which made for a $25 ride and I was mad but didn’t make a big deal of it because we were ready for our vacation!
I had emailed guest relations at the Monte Carlo prior to our trip and told them we were excited about our visit and to my excitement they upgraded us from a regular, basic room to a Monaco Suite! My husband and I were still really disappointed in the rate we were paying -over $450 for three nights . . . what happened to the free and really cheap rooms we used to get several years ago? We think City Center has allowed the MC to take advantage of their prime location and jack up their rates.
As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we ate at Diablo’s and split chicken nachos, calamari and each had a margarita. It was delicious but even with the B1G1 free drinks the meal was over $60. Nothing says “Welcome to Vegas” like that!
I was absolutely exhausted from our trip out –oh and I had a stomach virus the day and night before we left –so I was definitely dragging our first evening. My husband’s high school friend that lives in Vegas met us later that evening at The Pub in the MC for some beers and wings. We had a nice visit although the dueling piano players/singers were AWFUL! And I mean AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL! Free show –yes, but we left because they were so hard to listen to. Several years ago we were able to watch “Purple Reign” for free in this same location –“Purple Reign” is now a pay-to-see group with a true fan base so we were hoping to see an up-and-coming group such as that, NOT! After drinks at the The Pub we walked over to the Bellagio and did a little touring –my husband’s friend used to work there and knew a few inside secrets he wanted to show us.
Our first night I was in bed by 9pm. Isn’t that hilarious? My husband did go downstairs and play some slots but didn’t win anything as far as I remember.
SUN, Oct 7th – We had an 11am reservations for the famous Sterling Brunch at Bally’s. We left MC at 10am so we could take our time walking over. I played a little roulette at Bally’s –bought in with $40 and it was a $5 minimum. Bet $5 split on the 0/00 each hand and finally hit it on the last hand! Tipped the dealer $5 and ended up winning $45 plus my buy-in back.
The brunch is FABULOUS! I had been reading lots about it online. It took some arm twisting to convince my husband to do it because he’s a cheapo and $85 pp ain’t cheap. But its still cheaper than most of the bigger shows on the strip and we could have stayed as long as we liked. The authentic French champagne is glorious! The fresh squeezed oj was refreshing. The water poured from glass bottles was even amazing. We started with plates of cold seafood –shrimp, crab slaws, oyster, sushi and cavar! I had read others say the sushi wasn’t good –and maybe being from Kentucky I don’t really know good sushi –but we both thought it was excellent. After a repeat plate of cold seafood, some cheese and some lobster bisque, I headed over the hot buffet and got some lobster tail, mashed potatoes, haricot vert and lamb. The lobster was ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE but neither of us cared because everything else was so good, including the service! Our champagne glasses were NEVER empty and our plates were cleared quickly. Unfortunately about halfway through my stomach virus (or whatever it was) returned and I ended up spending about an hour and half in the bathroom. Trust me –it wasn’t that anything wasn’t prepared well at the brunch. My husband did not get sick and kept eating/drinking the whole time I was away. It was just an unfortunate circumstance and unfortunate timing for me. I was able to take a few bites of dessert and they both trumped any dessert I’d ever had. I also had a delicious latte from the kitchen –quite possibly the best one I ever had as well. My only regret is that I couldn’t eat and drink more! On the way out, the maitre d’ gave the women leaving a rose. It was a lovely experience.
We gambled our way back to the MC via the Bellagio, Aria and we tried the Cosmopolitan. I signed up for the player’s card at the Cosmo and took advantage of the $100 free play if you lose $100. Between Monopoly and Wheel of Fortune, it took over 2 hours for me to lose my $100 AND I had two martinis and a glass of wine and my husband had a couple of Fat Tires –NICE! Once I redeemed my $100 in free play, I headed over to the video roulette and won $80 back. That means we spent 2 ½ hours at the Cosmo, had 5 drinks between us and only lost $20. AWESOME!
That evening we decided to head back to the Cosmo and get a player’s card in my husband’s name. We played $20 on the monopoly game and it wasn’t nearly as fun as the day before. We then headed to the $1 Wheel of Fortune and won $500! No need to claim their $100 in free play, we were stopping there. We were so excited! I did order the most discusting apple martini there . . . it was the color of apple juice and tasted like straight vodka, yuck! But that's my only complaint . . .
I was in bed before 10pm that night too –would you believe I’m only 29 years old? Getting up at 5am every day during the week and chasing after a toddler can really wear you down I suppose.
MON, Oct 8th –Nothing too notable on this day. We decided to make our way to the Margaritaville Casino and then walk back to our hotel –making lots of stops along the way –from the “other” side of the road. Margaritaville was just ok, the dealers actually kinda heckle you to come play their games which felt so odd. We played some slots and each had a frozen margarita but didn’t win anything. Bought in with $40 on roulette but didn’t hit anything there either. Stopped in the Flamingo, Paris, Bally’s again and Planet Hollywood –did hit another $100 spin on $1 Wheel of Fortune at Planet Hollywood. Shopped the mall for a bit at PH then headed down to the ABC Store and M&M for some souvenirs. After a quick food court lunch we tried our luck at NYNY and then some more at MC but didn’t hit anything remarkable. For dinner, my husband’s friend picked us up and took us a little north of the strip to a place called the Yard House. It was amazing! Tons of draft beer on tap and delicious appetizers –and it was Happy Hour when we went so we got a great deal! He ordered an appetizer called “Hawaiin Poke Stack” and I’m pretty sure it was the best thing I’ve ever tasted! I’m still salivating over it. Our last evening was spent hitting up Aria, Bellagio, Ceasar’s and Cosmo again –fun but no big wins. I did stay up until 11pm this night, WOW! LOL!
TUES, Oct 9th –Our friend volunteered to take us to the airport so we didn’t have to pay a cab again. We got ready, checked out of the hotel and gambled quickly until he arrived. We realized my husband had $60 in free play on his card so we used that on a $1 Tabasco machine and won $90 I think.
Here’s why I think I’m done with the MC: the whole time we were there we had tons of moths in our room. They were everywhere! I’m not talking a couple –at least 10 were in there at any given time and my husband kept killing them too. We would find them in our bed, bath tub, carpet . . . one made it home in our suitcase. YUCK! We called and complained twice and the best they could do was $50 off the total bill. DISSAPOINTING! They said it was a Vegas wide issue and that they get in through the window and doors. My husband asked if they were catching a ride on the elevator to the 19th floor and they told us the windows opened in our room. We had no clue? But sure enough they did. But after talking to several people whom had been to Vegas recently AND our friend –no one else has ever heard of this “vegas wide issue.” We have always liked the MC for the location and food court. But I’m thinking next time we might enjoy Aria or even the Cosmo. For what we ended up paying, we should have had something much nicer.
My husband and I are “low rollers” and considering our early night, day time gamblers as well. Our total trip gambling-only BR was between $900 and $1000 and we brought home $580. That’s a win in my book!
I could go on and on and on about lots of other things but I’m sure your eyes are already crossed!

 

Glad you got out and about, its tough w kids, but you have to do it!!

I am usually not bothered by little inconveniences in hotel rooms, however that moth issue would have driven me nuts!!!

Sounds like someone left a window open all night w a light on and the hotel didnt care enough to fix the problem before renting the room again.

 

Thanks for your report

 

I hear ya. This year room rates have increased over a few years ago. The one I notice the most is MGM Grand, I know they renovated but prices there are double what they were. Same with Bellagio, the slowest week of the year (mid December) is still $149 plus resort fee/tax. Too much IMO for a standard room. You were also staying on a holiday weekend.

We have been to Vegas when there were moth issues (spring). Paris had signs on their windows to not open them due to the moth problem. That same year there were many complaints about moths at Ballys. All it takes is one or two idiots to leave their windows open for the day and it turns into a big problem for everyone. Sorry you didn't have a better time. I am looking forward to MC in 2 months...the past 3 years have been Harrahs, Flamingo, MGM and South Point. We are ready for a change.

 

The moths usually are a problem in the spring months in Vegas, to have them in your room in October shows an infestation at MC that has lingered for many months.

 

Enjoyed your TR.
There are a lot of moths in vegas but to have many in your is very disappointing.
50 off your total bill? what a joke!

care to share some of the Bellagio secrets?

 

Thanks for the report!

I went and stayed at Paris in august and they had a note by the window stating it was moth season and not to open the windows as well, so it must be a Vegas-wide problem.

 

I realize I sound very negative in my TR and I didn't mean to! We did have a really nice time.

I should have elaborated more on how awesome the Cosmopolitan was! WOW! Lots of people walking through, huge chandeliers, fast drink service . . . it really does seem to be "the place to be" now and that is exactly how is was described to us before we went.

I also failed to mention the decadent chocolate croissant and latte I had from Jean Phillipe at Aria our second morning. OMG! Amazing!

Regarding the secrets at the Bellagio . . . . nothing major. (I think) he said the chocolate fountain there goes 28 feet beneath the floor? Also, the glass art in the ceiling in the lobby cost about $4 million but is worth $10 million now? Finally (the most interesting, lol!) is that the prostitutes hang out by that piano bar nearest to the check-in lobby and he used to have to kick them out all the time. That is apparently where they try and pick up their guys -or they will observe men and follow them to a machine and then proposition them. Once he told us that I kept trying to decipher who was what the rest of the trip =0

 

I remember when Bellagio opened and readling that the chandelier in the lobby was reported to cost $10 million. Or maybe that was it's 'worth'. Not sure what the difference would be at that time though.

Anyway, thanks for the report. My wife and I like MC as well. Too bad about the moths. So are you saying you booked a regular room just emailed Guest Services before your trip to tell them how excited you were and they upgraded you to a suite at no additional charge??

 

Yes! I emailed guest services/relations . . . . nothing to do with the MLIFE card or casino host, and the upgrade was free!

The amenities in the Monaco Suite were really nice. We enjoyed the couch, jacuzzi tub and fridge! We would get food in the food court and then bring it upstairs to our room and eat it (that is a little harder in just a regular room). There's two toilet rooms and that was cool. The bedding is nicer than a regular room as well.

 

That's fantastic. I'll have to try that from now on just to see what happens. Thanks for the tip!

 

You had a stomach viris

and the next day youre eating nachos and calimari? You must have a strong stomach.

 

I know, right? WTH was I thinking?

 

I'm glad you had an enjoyable and well deserved trip. I'm a country girl and that moth thing would have driven me nuts!

My condolences on the miscarriage. I had one myself at 12 weeks and we were devastated. That was 20 years ago and I had my 19 year old son right after the miscarriage. While it was painful at the time, I look at my son and know I wouldn't trade him for any other. It doesn't make it any easier, but sometimes things to happen for a reason.

Ironically, I had my 2 daughters shortly afterward, accidentally. LOL. So watch out, things tend to happen in 3's!
diane

 

Thanks for the trip report! So sorry about your miscarriage, you and your husband needed a break and hope you were able to enjoy some of it.
I fly typically out of Louisville too, and always on the direct flight. Last year, that same flight was four hours delayed, wonder how much of the time it is?

 

Enjoyed your report. Sorry about the moth problem. I was at the Monte Carlo at the same time(Oct 3-8). Our group had 5 rooms on the 4th floor and luckily had no moths. Do you have an mlife card? I've been receiving a lot of free room offers from them.

 

So they upgraded you for free to a suite, and you're complaining about the price you paid? Seems to me like you got a pretty good deal for that kind of room.

 

Ewww! I would be afraid of falling asleep & waking up with Silence of the Lambs...moths in my mouth. Yuck! Glad you had a nice time.

 

I guess I'm complaining because that was the most we've paid for a room at the Monte Carlo by far! We used to get at least a couple of nights free. My husband has had an MGM player's card for years but I'm guessing when they switched over to MLIFE he got dropped off a couple of lists because it had been quite a while since we had received any offers to the Monte Carlo.