Boring me again.........

As always, another boring trip report. I work hard, normally 7 days a week at two jobs, to pay for extras as well as fun vacations. DH also works two jobs and whatever overtime he is offered, but he has his own things he likes to spend his extras on. Regardless, this trip was more of a 'whim' as Bellagio had offered me 3 free nights, $75 in free play and 2 free buffets. I have never received anything less than approximately a $149 a night at Bellagio but this was a 'birthday' promo and I grabbed at the chance.

Unfortunately planning close to the date meant I couldn't use 25,000 FF miles for a free flight. If I wanted to use FF miles I would be forced to burn 50,000 miles. So I haunted Allegiant's website for a couple of weeks and booked $69 each way plus a $15 insurance fee for a total of about $186 with taxes. After a good weekend waitressing I booked it and paid off the charge on the credit card the next day. I then refused to look at their website after that as I did not want to see $29 fares, LOL. This trip would be the first with a carry-on only - which for me is amazing as I always overpack. And I even overpacked the carry on. This was a late Monday night to Friday noon trip and I had about 9 shirts, 2 shorts, 3 pants, 3 shoes, a dinner dress as well as 4 bras and about 7 pairs of underwear. Good grief......I think I used 3 pairs of undies as washing them in the dry air room had them dry by morning LOL. And I spent so much time inside the casinos that I didn't get hot & sweaty and have to change mid-day. I really need to pare it back a bit more next time so I have room for 'bring home' souveneirs next time. I could have easily washed shirts and had them dry within a day also.

Since I was on a Mon nite - Friday return I needed a 4th night. Harrah's offered me two options. The first was my birthday offer from Flamingo for $100 in food comps and the 2nd was a $75 travel cash offer. I chose the food comp offer, however, would probably change and do cash if I were to do it again. With only 1 person and also 2 free buffets at Bellagio, it was actually hard for me to use $100 in food at Flamingo properties and I missed eating at new places I would have like to have tried. However, it was nice to go home with only tips on my room bill, a 75% shirt at Flamingo gift shop ($21), $5 monorail ticket and $10 at Rochester airport. Everything else was food comped, gambled or tipped in cash. The room at Flamingo was booked for all 4 nights so I could spread out the food - as you had to charge it to your room. A request was entered when I booked it for a GO room, but of course a Deluxe was my only guaranty.

I worked until around 2 on Monday and then my mom picked me up to head for Rochester. Even driving slow & putzing around I was still at airport very early. I had not paid for a seat selection, but was able to get an aisle seat with an empty spot next to me (row of 3). Had a patty melt at the grill at the airport. Should have just gone somewhere close with my mom instead. She headed to Pannenkugen' downtown to eat. Flight actually left a couple of minutes early as everyone was on board & ready to go. And it's not exactly like you have to wait for multiple planes ahead of you at Rochester LOL. Arrived in Vegas about 20-30 min early. Even though I had eaten, I enjoyed a $5 snack box as I get terribly HUNGRY on an airplane lol.

In budget mode because this trip was unplanned I decided to brave a shuttle bus for the ride to Flamingo. Only about 10 minute wait to leave and 2nd stop - they dropped at Bellagio first. Diamond/Platinum (Platinum is in same VIP area at Flamingo) was closed for the evening so I checked in at the area marked 'VIP' at regular counter. Although at 10:30 the lines were short at regular check-in also. They had me in a GO room - 22046. They apologized for having only 2 beds available at that time. I really don't care. Room was on south wall near front of building (maybe 6 or so doors back?) and had a nice view of Bellagio fountains.



At check-in I asked (and should have known better LOL) about the $100 food credit. They were sure I could use it at all HET properties - I wanted to verify that later and I am glad I did. I did go down and play and turned my first $20 into about $180. I think I may have even had one or two drinks and finally unwound enough to go to bed. Now the ONLY problem with the room was that the clock was set to Central Time - I went over and over that stupid clock and could NOT figure out how to change it!!!! And I am not a stupid or technologically challenged person - I'm the 'go-to' person for a lot of questions, so I don't know what the problem with that stupid clock was. So I had to kind of ignore the clock and use my Q for watching the time.

First morning I just grabbed a Nutella crepe' and a latte at Pink Bean. I could easily survive on just 2 meals a day when it is so super hot out, but with the food credit I finally drug myself to the cafe at Harrah's and had their steak & shrimp early week special for a late afternoon lunch (nearly suppertime already at home). I had played so long and early in the day was quite far ahead, that I delayed going to Bellagio for check-in. Part of that entailed a long walk up to Walgreens to buy a phone charger. I was an idiot and didn't check the end on the one in the backpack - turns out I had left my moms spare one in there from our May trip. Needless to say by the time I checked in around 6, they had no fountain view rooms left that were not already pre-booked (and he did hunt because he knew he had found some earlier) but he booked me in 28th floor west wing overlooking the pool. I went up to room and it was very nice. I put the phone on charger and went down to have my $75 free play loaded and 2 buffets. I assumed that it would be one trip to buffet for two but she easily loaded 2 single buffets on my card. Thanks! I ran thru the free play in no time flat at Alfred Hitchcock. I did manage to put a few points on my card - I don't know what type of points it will take to get another offer from Bellagio but I doubt I did it. I managed about 1100 points at MGM on Wednesday and about 500 on Thurs at Bellagio (thanks to Video Roulette) but I can't see that being anything close to what I would need to bring in further offers. I did a late supper at the buffet - luckily they had given me a line pass - as it was a long wait otherwise. My buffets did have a comp drink with them, but I just stuck with coffee both times I went. I just didn't have room for another alcoholic beverage LOL!!!

I actually went back and slept at Flamingo Tuesday evening. I hate to say it but I am just a hardworking midwestern girl. I felt very out of place at Bellagio - even though it is a gorgeous place. I think it is partially from walking through the shop area with the stores I can't even afford to look in the window of, LOL. And I was treated very respectfully by everyone I dealt with at Bellagio also. So it's just my own mental image of myself and I am still mad at myself afterwards for not spending more time in the Bellagio room.

I will insert a short statement that I was treated very nicely by everyone at Flamingo, Harrahs, Ballys, MGM and Bellagio. Drink service was normally very frequent and prompt. One night I didn't really see anyone but in retrospect I think it was a shift change time. Once I caught one girls attention & gave her a $2 tip each time she always checked on me. And a couple of them again during the day gave you a bottle of water automatically with your drink to make sure you stayed hydrated in the extreme heat.

Are you still awake??????????????

I did notice on the TV at Flamingo that my food was not deducted at Harrah's. I figured that this promo was then definitely for Flamingo food outlets only & did confirm that later on with the VIP desk.

Wednesday consisted of more gambling and a consistent drain on the nice wins I had on Tuesday. Had breakfast at Tropical Breeze cafe. Food was fine - service was pleasant and quick and great for a normal breakfast. I went down strip via Monorail to play the Lions progressive at MGM. Played for over an hour I think on $100 but no jackpot. Then proceeded to lose a ton on Life of Luxury with only one bonus early on. Was fully intending to walk back to Flamingo in the heat, but decided to do the Deuce. Paid for a 24 hour pass so I could go to Fremont later, but never had the energy and should have bought a single ticket. Went to the Burger Joint at Flamingo for late lunch. For some reason service was slow for me (even though others were receiving food fast) and I really did not like my philly cheesestake. I admit - I must have misread it. It was listed under burgers so I assumed it was cheesesauce & grilled onions on a burger - but it was on sliced beef and just didn't hit the spot for me. Here is a pic of the menu - I would still think it was a burger even now!



However, the chocolate malt did LOL. I took my book and went out in a very slightly shaded spot at the GO pool to read for awhile. GO pool was quite full - $10 for males, free for the ladies. However, only one woman in the crowd was topless (and it wasn't me LOL). I read for as long as I could stand the heat and then headed back inside. I hate to say I never even made it back to Bellagio that night - stayed at Flamingo again. Had a great supper at Margaritaville with a $25 coupon in my players newsletter. They didn't apply towards the $100 offer, but did accept the coupon. Volcano nachos and a couple of rum drinks later I was too tired to wander further than Wizard of Oz and back to the room upstairs LOL. This is where I first started to relax with the desert breeze blowing across the patio and the music playing and the people laughing and chatting. Isn't that horrible? Two full days into vacation before I finally start to unwind from the 7 day a week mode.

Thursday I did the buffet at Flamingo. Had a very nice short chubby Mexican lady as a waitress who made sure I had everything I needed. All of a sudden she disappeared and was replaced by a tall cranky b**ch who was mad because she had so many tables to take care of. Well actually she didn't because she totally ignored my table and the one next to me. I hate to say it when I am a waitress on weekends, but I did NOT leave her a tip. When she came on she just started ragging into the little Mexican gal like it was her fault that she ended up taking her section. And I assume they pool the tips because the Mex lady just left and left the tables in care of the cranky gal. Breakfast food was fine - I didn't overdo it - but was eating WAY more than I would have been without the food comps on the room. Just too much rich stuff. Good variety at buffet but I missed eating breakfast at Paris. Headed over to Bellagio to try to rack up some points on my card via Video Roulette. But it became so boring LOL. So I quit after about 250 or 300 points during that session and went and played regular slots for awhile instead. Ate a nice lunch for my second free buffet and then slept in pillowtop heaven on the Bellagio bed for a nice nap. I want that bed for Christmas......

I was still stuffed from lunch, but I knew I needed to burn through about $45 more of food at Flamingo so decided to dress up and eat at Steakhouse 46. I checked at VIP as my breakfast had not disappeared off my bill - he had to do some work - they couldn't figure out why it wasn't working, but he took off the Harrah's lunch while he was at it since they misinformed me when I checked in. Once he did his magic, they told me I had about $28 or $38 left in food comps and I headed off to dress up and have a nice prime rib supper. I really like the Steakhouse 46 atmosphere. Quiet and dark. They sat me in a booth in the back of the bar area under a light so I could read my book and enjoy my meal. Again more heavy food and I was stuffed. I headed out for a drink and proceded to lose more........... I packed some clothes for morning and headed back to the dreamy Bellagio bed. That's a long trip in 3 inch heels LOL. But I felt a bit more like I belonged wandering in in an expensive Macy's dress LOL. We just won't tell them I only paid 1/3 of regular price on eBay for it!!!

Friday morning was depressing. I realized I really needed a full 5 days (arriving early on 1st day) to actually get enough relaxing time in. When it takes my body so long to unwind, by the time I do the vacation is nearly over.

Observations............

It was massively crowded in the evenings in the casinos, with the exception of Bellagio - however, I never think that place is crowded - probably just due to the overall size of it.

Food lines at Bellagio buffet & Paradise Garden Buffet (Flamingo) seemed long.

Check-in lines at Flamingo were 3 wrap-around rows deep. Bless that Diamond/Platinum check-in.

Drink service was great nearly everywhere. Kind of cruddy at Harrahs. At Flamingo there would be quiet times where a server was hard to find, but other times they came quicker than I would have been able to handle it. Bellagio seemed a bit dry on drink service when I actually did want it - other times they were wandering around asking you all the time.

Service varied. Great service at Bellagio buffet both times. Great service at Tropical Breeze Cafe, Steakhouse 46 and Harrah's Cafe'. However, Paradise Garden Buffet was both extremes as listed above and Burger Joint was cruddy service. Margaritaville I thought the waitress was cranky at first but she warmed up gradually and was actually smiling by the time I left and I left her a 5 spot so hopefully she was happy with that tip.

I had this written for quite awhile, however, didn't bother to get my pictures uploaded. Consequently the delay. The heat made it just a bit unappealing to heading to Fremont Street and the outlet mall. Just no energy for it. I have now run through working 23 days straight again and feel like I am seriously in need of a vacation. However, no Vegas in site. Trip to St. Louis & Memphis with DH in a month and prepaying for a winter's worth of fuel in Wisconsin are leaving my budget in a tight spot right now. I did receive an offer for Sept/Oct for 3 free nights at MGM so I must have played enough to keep on their offer list (about 1/2 the weekends blocked).

 

South & east of Rochester on one of the old roads - beautiful floral display.

 

Hey, nice trip report - thanks for putting so much effort into detailing stuff.

Reminds me a bit of the one solo trip I've taken. I could sort of relax in a different way - the pace was different.

I'd get up, do breakfast, then play some. Maybe a snack and two or three drinks and then I'd crash and have a nap and some pool time. Then get up again, maybe wander around and look for some of my artistic-type photos to take.

Then dinner and after, gambling and people watching.

However, I was booked in at the Westward Ho, so the pool wasn't quite as nice as the Flamingos!

 

Nice trip report. You relaxed and had fun too. Yes... the summer heat in Vegas can be draining. That's why I love April or November there. Thanks for posting.

 

Great pics too!

 

nice report

thanks for the PICS

 

Wonderful trip report. Thanks for sharing and posting the pics.

 

great write up - thanks for putting in the time.. well worth it for those of us who are currently denied access to vegas,,,

 

enjoyed your story. Thanks for posting!

 

The difference between a Flamingo deluxe room and a Go room is enormous! So good score there! I think I'd of been sleeping at the Bellagio on those mattresses (I wonder what brand they are? Might be worth buying if it's not astronomical). Thanks for the trip report! Glad you got some unwinding in.

 

great report!

 

I'm 99% sure the mattress is a Serta of all things I think. But I'll hunt around. I wrote it down somewhere. That bed shown in the Bellagio pics is by far one of the most comfy ones I have slept in. Probably only outranked by the beds at the Swan in Disneyworld. (Those are 'Heavenly Beds' brand).

 

I wonder if I can afford the Walmart version! Mine is a therapedic, haven't had it that long but I toss and turn like crazy so thinking maybe it's time. Thanks for the information!

 

Thank you for the insightful TR and for the great pics!!!

 

Fantabulous report , glad you had such a wonderful trip

Glad you got to experience the Bellagio!! hardworking Midwestern gal or not, everyone deserves luxury like that

 

Very nice TR. Thanks for posting.

later, GVJ

 

Great report and pics. Just changed my Nov comped Rio rooms to the Flamingo yesterday, my Mom and I enjoys our stays at the Flamingo. Of course it only a deluxe room, as long as it has been renovated we will be OK. Don't apologize for being a hard wroking midwestern gal, I am a hardworking prairie Canadian gal and maybe if more peeps were like us, the economy wouldn't be in the trouble it is now!
Thanks for taking the time to write the report!

 

NOT boring at all...actually reminds me of my kind of trips. I'm in Mass so I know what you mean about the trip being over by the time you are just settling in! I did a 3 nighter last Sept and never again...all my trips are now 5 or 6 nights. Great report I always enjoy your posts!