1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Aria Jan 2014 Trip Report

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by eksantirik, Jan 21, 2014.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. eksantirik

    eksantirik High-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2011
    Messages:
    843
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    19

    My Trip Report

    This was a recent three night trip to Vegas, staying first time at Aria. I was a bit prejudiced against Aria (that it's looking like a business plaza and all), but I wanted to give it a shot with the attractive rates I got through Mlife.

    Arrived early evening, wednesday, huge check-in line. Took about 35-40 mins to go through the line. A lot of counters were closed, very frustrating. They keep blaming the lines on being a huge property, but you got to know how to manage peak times if you are claiming to be a five star resort hotel. During check out there was a long line as well. This was my 8th trip, and I stayed at various hotels, Aria's was the longest check in, check out experience I had.

    I had booked a king room, more than a month ago. The lady at the registration says she doesn't have a king room available, and all she can give me is a 4th floor room with two queen beds. She claims hotel is booked 98%! I say I certainly do not want a 4th floor room, and that I booked a king room and please do give me a king room. If you're out of rooms, you do not downgrade rooms but you can only offer the same or better room. She acts like she's typing something on the computer, and after a minute of silence, turns to me and says, oh a king room on 18th floor just showed up. Worst acting ever. It was very unprofessional, annoying and again not acceptable at a five star resort hotel. Anyways, I got what I wanted so at least for the duration of my vacation, I didn't let this bad experience ruin it for me.

    I got inside the room, pretty cool. It is a very nice looking room with floor to ceiling windows. Just like everyone else, I found the electronic controls to be very user unfriendly. But, it didn't affect my experience that much. The shower/tub combo is a little bit awkward, I prefer them to be side by side rather than one in front of the other. Also, the shower pressure was very weak, especially for a hotel that is built only 4 years ago. I think the Octavius Tower room at Caesar's was way more luxurious than this one, however, I found the Aria room to be warmer (maybe that's the warmth of wooden trims in the corridor and color selection).

    Last night, I couldn't sleep, because my next room neighbors were playing club music loud, and yelling all the time. There was about 8-10 people in that room! Since it was a room with a connecting door, it was like trying to sleep inside a club! It was around 2:30 am, and I complained twice to the front desk, it got resolved within an hour, but I lost about 1-2 hours of sleep. Front desk's attitude was not nice, nothing like something you'll get at Four Seasons, Ritz, or Mandarin. These resorts claim to be five star but they have a lot of room for improvement. Your neighbors can be assholes, but for creating this experience for you, the hotel can at least act as if they're sorry and maybe even take off some resort fee charge etc. But didn't say sorry once. All noted down when picking my next Vegas hotel.

    Foodwise, I tried the lunch buffet, Javier's, Lemongrass and Aria Cafe. Lunch buffet was clean and food was fresh, but selection was poor. Also, the crab legs didn't taste good. There was no line at all. Javier's was awesome, definitely recommend this place. The atmosphere is very lively and the food is tasty. Lemongrass, bland atmosphere but great tasting food, reasonable prices for Aria. Aria Cafe, depressing atmosphere, so so food, probably won't go again.

    Casino is very nice, clean, well-ventilated, and easy to navigate. I did most of my play here. Though, as expected, VP paytables suck. You don't get full pay JOB until $5. Slot selection was pretty good. BJ limits were $15, at the lowest, so I didn't play BJ here. Next door Monte Carlo had $5 H17 game with surrender and 3:2 BJ most of the time, so I did most of my blakcjack play there. By the way, at some point I sat down at a $10 BJ table at Mirage, which used to be a 3:2 game. I played at that exact table for many times in the past. When a player got a blackjack, I learned the bad news, they converted it to a 6:5 table. I immediately colored up and left saying I won't play at a 6:5 table. Never returned to Mirage, which I stayed at twice and which used to be a casino taking up half of my play. By the way, I liked the blackjack machine at Venetian ($5 H17 4-deck with surrender). Finally, played some craps at Harrah's, I always seem to win there. It was a very lively table, right next to the bar, just steps from Carnival Court. There was fresh air coming from outside, a packed-cheering table and I doubled my buy-in, a very nice experience overall. Total result = down $200, oh well, played a variety of games, even Let it Ride and not so bad for a three full day of fun.

    Positives:
    - Weather was great for january, I even got inside the pool at Aria and didn't get cold a bit
    - Food in general, tried new restaurants, also Kobe Burger at Venetian Grand Luxe cafe is unbelievable!
    - Aria's casino environment and experience
    - Kudos to Monte Carlo for still offering $5 blackjack with good rules
    - Internet connection at Aria was pretty good and covered room and the whole resort
    - Free wifi at Venetian casino, gotta love these guys

    Negatives:
    - Mlife resorts slowly following suite with CET on 6:5 blackjack crap
    - The cabbies charging $3 extra, if you pay by credit card
    - Aria employees' attitude and long lines
    - Resort fee crap
    - Porn slappers invading all of Strip, they used to be only between MGM and PH, now they're everywhere!
     
  2. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I agree about Javiers. Ate there for the first time this past weekend and it was really good!
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  3. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2013
    Messages:
    2,384
    Location:
    Halifax, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25

    My friend, Porn slappers have been ALL over the East side of the strip since early 90's...
     
  4. mansam

    mansam Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    186
    Location:
    Hilton Head Island, SC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I too agree about Javier's. Going to Wynn for Super Bowl but plan on stopping by there to use some EC dollars. Really Nice Bar/Restaurant. I did stay at Aria for the 1st time (Comp'd 2 nights) back in July & the beds were the BEST but missed the atmosphere of Wynn. I'm really sick of these useless resort fees ~ just stop it & charge higher for the rooms.

    One thing about Aria is the views aren't that great from standard rooms (haven't stayed i corner or other upgrade room there).
     
    Back to Wynn to Win!
  5. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I loved the food there, but I was a little disappointed in the drinks. My sisters and I stopped by the bar one afternoon for margaritas and I thought they were average at best. I have actually had a better one at Diablos next door. But that said, the food was outstanding and the décor was very cool. Will definitely go back
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  6. nameBRAND

    nameBRAND Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    78
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    4
    I was just about to ask about the drinks. A worker last time I went to the Aria kept talking about how awesome the drinks were. :(
     
  7. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Could have just been the one I got. It wasn't bad. It was just average. I was expecting more based on how good the food was
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  8. MidnightBJ

    MidnightBJ Low-Roller

    Joined:
    May 29, 2013
    Messages:
    165
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    It is a standard stop on my first night in Vegas now. I really like eating at the bar and getting the "house" margarita. Staff is really solid and that drink knocks me on my ass. I don't drink often, so I really feel the effects.
     
  9. Buckeye Bob

    Buckeye Bob Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2002
    Messages:
    466
    Location:
    Chicago
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    27
    Interesting that was your experience at Aria. I have stayed there three times now and every time, I have been very impressed by their service and the friendliness of the staff there. I love staying there and feel very comfortable.
     
  10. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2010
    Messages:
    9,409
    Location:
    Florida
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    32
    Can't let those silly hotel issue mess up a trip to Vegas. Plenty of other options on the strip. Many hotels seem to forget that.
     
  11. VDMTom

    VDMTom Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2013
    Messages:
    189
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    Yep, I feel the same with you Bob.

    Sorry your experience wasn't up to your standards.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.