Cheesecake solo trip

Day 1 and Day 2

This was a last minute idea to travel to Las Vegas alone. My wife could not go with me because she had to much to do with her work. But since I sold my company early this year, I was free to go and my new adventures in working land do not start until early next year.

I left Amsterdam 17 September with United for a 9 hour flight to Chicago. Had seats in the economy plus section and next to me I had a Grandma from Hell, who did not stopped talking the whole journey. Believe me that I am a talkative guy but hearing somebody talk for 9 hours about their lives and grandchildren did not appeal to me at all.

The flight was long and boring, but what else is new. After arriving in Chicago I had no time to waste and had to run through customs and go to the C terminal to catch my TED flight to Las Vegas.
This flight took little over 3 hours and was uneventful to say the least.

I finally saw the Casino`s and Hotels again from the plane, man did that feel good.
After picking up my luggage I left for the Alamo shuttle to the car rental facility where I picked up a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Because of the late decision to book this trip, I did not find any deals on the internet for Hotels. So I had called my casino host at the Silverton Hotel and they comped me my first three nights. The Second two nights I stayed at a Courtyard by Marriot at Green valley/Sunset which I used my marriot points for. And the last two nights where at the Orleans which were also comped.

Check in at the Silverton is a breeze, no people in front of me. The rooms at the Silverton are much nicer then people think. The Hotel is fully remodeled and the beds are perfect, they use the same beds as in the Bellagio .The bathroom as al the soaps and flowery stuff you can ask for. Nice size room and good size for the TV.I think it’s a bargain, the only thing is you are staying of strip, but with a rental car that should not be a problem.
After traveling for almost a day I was completely wrecked and needed something to eat and of to sleep, I ordered room service, a Burger with some fries and a few bottles of coke.
After this much needed food, I went to bed around 7.30 PM and slept until 3.30 AM, the 9 hour time differents does it again. So I just showered and went down to get the gambling going.
The first hour I did some slot play and lost quickly about two hundred dollar. Let’s try the Black Jack tables; here I was not successful either. I honestly can say that I lost again two hundred dollar in less then 10 minutes on a 10 dollar table.
Well lets not get depressed about this I have about 6 more days to make it a profit again. As it turned out, this was wishful thinking.

I went for breakfast first to the Sundance grill and had some early bird special. I did write al the expenses I made to the room so they could comp me al later.
After breakfast I went back to the slots with a nice cup of coffee and just played some 5 cent video slot, and then I do win, I cashed out about USD 100,00 ahead.

After the coffee , I picked up another large coffee and went down to the pool area and just sat down to catch some early morning ray`s. Man did that feel good, over here in the Netherlands the weather is at this time a year pretty bad already, so 75 degrees in the morning feels like midsummer to me.

It was time for my workout, after the remodeling at the Silverton they have now a little work out slash fitness area, nothing fancy but it will do.
I spend around 1 and half hour, and went up to my room to relax a bit and take a shower again.

Early afternoon I went to the Wall-Mart to buy water/Gatorade/coke for the room and some cookies and stuff. I also saw some cheap short and shirts which I can use at home for working out. I bought about 2 pieces of each. And I bought something to read.
After this I went for a drive, I did the strip and boulder highway and went back to the Hotel.

The new Wynn hotel looks pretty amazing. Last December and now , just wow.
Also the expansion of the Forum shops is going fast. New tower at Ceasars. New tower at Bellagio. Mandalay Bay and the Venetian already have a new tower. The Orleans almost finished the new tower.
Business is going great in Las Vegas. People enough on the strip, it took me almost one hour to drive it.
I was back at around 5.00 PM. Did some gambling again, nothing gained.
Took a bite to eat at the Sundance grill again. Went up to the room and did not come down again. I was suffering from a bad case of jet lag and did wake up the next morning at 5.00 AM.

Day 3

Being alone in Las Vegas is totally new for me. In al my previous travel I was always there with the wife. I like to talk and share my experiences from the previous days , and being alone makes it a bit more uneventful. Today I start the day a little bit later at 5.00AM. I watch some TV and go down around 6.00AM.
I start the day of with a coffee and Danish.
Just sit down behind some 1 cent game and do have a little luck here, I cash out after 1 hour USD 50,00 up. People talk about this 1 cent games like its nothing but when you play 20 lines at 20 cents a line its still USD 4,00 per push.
I was lucky enough the few times I hit max. Bet the machine gave a few symbols on line. At around 8.00AM I went for a real breakfast again in the Sundance grill, but this time I bought a newspaper first. Sitting alone at breakfast is not that great, so I had some reading company.
Later in the morning I did make my daily work-out and took a shower afterwards.
This afternoon I went to the Luxor , I did some shopping and looking at the new Mandalay Place shopping area. Man if you ever feel the need to get your chin shaven so smooth as a balloon, there is this place they do a shaving job, its amazing.

After al my visits in Vegas I never went to the IMAX cinema at the Luxor so I took a show called The Haunted Mansion.
I was impressed with this 3D spectacle. Its really real, almost so real that some people were almost throwing up.

I did visit the King TUT museum which was so lame and well let’s hold it on that…

I did not get any cheesecake until now on this trip, and as some of you know I love the stuff. Its nothing over here in the Netherlands, compared to what you have in the USA.
So I drove down to Denny’s and bought a cheesecake. It lasted for two days and did not satisfy my need.

I came back around 6.00PM and felt great at last, no Jet Lag what so ever. So I just sat down at the bar and played some DDBP. It went up and down. I played almost until 1.00AM with the same USD 50,00.And had a great time drinking Strawberry Margaritas with some family from New York. Father/Mother and their daughter and son in Law. Man was this mother drunk, and I mean really drunk. We had a blast at the bar, I must say that the barkeeper was also really good, this guy could tell story’s.


DAY 4

I have no idea how late I was in bed, but I know what the wake up call was. I heard some noise and my watch said it was already 9.00 AM. It sounded like a women who was in some life threatening situation. I just had to get my act together for a few moments (I do not drink often and when I do it tends to be to much).Al this screaming and yelling, I looked down the hall, and three doors down the hall, there was a huge fight between some couple (husband/wife??), I don’t know, but what I know is that she hit him harder then he could hit her.
This guy went back in the room with the door open and she stayed yelling in the hallway, it seemed he worked for some demolition company at least it sounded like that. I went back in my room and called to the Front Desk, but they had send someone up already.

No work out today, I am not in the mood for it. Besides I have to check out today.
I pack my stuff together and go downstairs, to first put my luggage in the car. Then go to Bonnie the Casino Host and get the comp thing done.
I also get some extra comps for dinner and breakfast if I wanted to come back later in the week.
Check out and take a breakfast with newspaper in the Sundance grill.

At about 12.00 AM I drive over to the Courtyard by Marriot at Sunset and Green Valley.
I get a room on the third floor and its actually pretty good. Lots of room and it looks clean and not so worn out.

After I get settled in, I went downstairs to get a complementary coffee, as I walk back, just pushing the button of the elevator, the extra door before the elevator swings back and clack the door closes, also the door behind me, clack, and closes, WTF.
I am standing there in darkness, doors closed. Seems there is a power failure. The door into the hallway could be opened manual again, so I walked up to the check in desk.
BTW, I was amazed by the number of Emergency lights not working. The company I sold earlier this year was a production and development company for emergency light, so I tend to look for such things.
Well I enjoyed my coffee outside in front of the Hotel together with several other guests, waiting for the power to come back. After about 15 min. the power came back.
I went up again, changed into some shorts and spend the rest of the afternoon by the pool.

At about 5.00PM I went up and showered and changed for the evening.
I went over to the Venetian and did my gambling there, mainly VP and some slots. Then drove over to the Silverton again to use my diner comp.
After dinner I tried a hundred in the Megabucks slots. And I managed to get a hand pay of 970 dollar.
The number of people coming over during the musical entertainment this machine gives when you win a 900 dollar price is amazing.
Well this brings me back a little, I had lost in the Silverton the last few days more then 1000 dollar so this put me less in the red.
The hand pay was accompanied by three casino employers. Well what do they expect, that I tip them all. No way.
After this nice win I got overconfident and tried my luck at DDBP max. bet dollar machine. Well I lost 200 back pretty quick. That was good because it straightened me out again.
I arrived back at the Courtyard at about 12.00 AM.
And fell sound asleep.

DAY 5

Woke up at around 8.00 AM, went for a swim, because the work out room was from the sixties, at least the equipment they had. So I swim for an hour super short laps, but I am the only one in the pool the whole time.

I go up shower and take my complimentary breakfast which came with the free nights coupon I had.
Pretty good for a continental breakfast, so actually had some hot items.

Today I am going to walk the strip. Starting from the MGM go al the way to the Stratosphere and back to Mandalay Bay, then Tropicana and back to the MGM.

I start at 11.00 AM at the MGM, walk through it see no Lions and walk right through the place and go to the strip.
Start walking; the part next to the M&M thing is really old, lots of timeshare people and porn handlers.
Then next stop Aladdin, played a bit here, nothing gained.
Next stop for a drink at the Carnival Court at Harrah’s. Next stop the Venetian.
After this I walked to the other side and went to the food court in the fashion show mal. And took a seat with a drink just watched the construction workers at Wynn for a while. At this point it was already 2.00PM , so I decided not to venture al the way down to the Stratosphere. I walked back visiting the Mirage and the Bellagio.
Then went inside the Boardwalk, and played Black Jack for an hour or so. The table was hot, I turned 100 into 250 in no time, after the dealer changed the table went ice cold. I lost quickly until I had left my hundred and I colored up took my money and run from this place.

I also did some slot play at NYNY and went to the MGM.
Its now 6.00 PM, so I need to eat something. I take the car and go to the Gold Coast for the Buffet. Its one of my favorites. Its not to busy and cheap.

After diner I drive back to the Courtyard. I take a coffee and sit down in front of the Hotel, its nice and quiet here, we sit around with about 5 people and talk. Before we know it an hour has past. I go up and take a shower then watch a movie, called Dodge bal , pretty good.

Day 6

Today I go to the Orleans. For my last two days.
I take the comp. breakfast buffet again and check out around 10.00 AM .I arrive at about 10.30AM at the Orleans. They could check me in with no problem. So at 10.45AM I was already in my room with my luggage also delivered. Quick switch….

The whole day I gambled and did not win a thing.

At around 6 o clock I went for a workout in their spa and fitness. After exercising for 1,5 hour I used their hot tub and steam room for an additional hour, I showered and went back up my room to mentally recover from my loses this day, and believe if I say loses. I was almost USD 500,00 over my budget and had to go to the ATM for some additional funds.
What the heck I did it anyway. Had diner in the courtyard café.

Went gambling a little more and could limit loses to about USD 200, 00 that night.


Day 7.

Last day in town, man time flies when you’re having fun. On the other hand I also am glad I am, going home, if you are alone you tend to gamble a lot more and if you lose like I did its no fun at all.

I started the day of with a swim, and went for lunch at 11.00 to the Rio.
Well I had not been to there buffet in many years, and they now have these computers to go in.
Its no wonder these lines are like 1000 feet deep, before you go in. Most people have really no idea what they are doing on these touch screens.
But anyhow, I did come in, and the buffet was superb. I actually had several kinds of cheesecake.

Went back to the Orleans for my last afternoon gambling. I played for a while on a game could millionaiser or something like that. I got a bonus with 15 free spins. In the bonus I got again three times 15 free spins. In total 60 free spins. Well I cashed out at 40000 points, which is 400 dollar.
I played I love Lucy for a while and again , I got lots of line wins no bonus, but cashed out 200 up.
This kept me going on the rest of the day, I played black Jack /VP/Slots you name it, I win something I lose something.
When I go up to my room at the end of the day, I take out al the Tickets, and I am up about 800 dollars. And had accumulated almost 15000 point on my card.
Took dinner at the buffet that evening.

Day 8

Checked out at 7.00 AM , brought the car back to ALAMO. And hopped on the shuttle back to the airport.

Checked in and well, back to Holland again.
Stop in Chicago was smooth and no problem. Had booked the Chicago – Amsterdam leg in Business class because it’s a night flight which takes almost 9 hours, with a body size like mine its no way to sleep.

Well I am glad that on our next trip in December my wife will be with me again, and we have also a nice extra trip planned early November to Orlando and Miami. So you people over there in the USA or not yet free from our presence.

 

Thanks for sharing your trip report!

 

Jan,
Sounds like you had a nice solo trip. I go alone most of the time myself and really enjoy it. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

JAN!!!

Great to see you back again!

Yeah, Denny's cheesecake is bad... Thanks for the info on the Silverton, i've always heard of people liking that place, but i've never been there.

Nice report, thanks!

 

vegas Jer, when you are overhere in Holland any USA cheesecake is OK.

Even the stuff from Denny`s.

But the piece I had at the Grand Lux was the best ever.

 

Jan, have you never heard of the Cheesecake Factory I won't ramble on about it just incase you have, but if not, you and your wife must go there in December. It's in Caesars at the very end of the shops by the big fish tank. The first time I went there I couldn't decide what to get, we had a fridge in our room so I got seven different kinds and ate them all over the next four days. They were sooooo good

You must be a fast walker to travel the distance you did on the strip. I've tried it before myself. I was successful the first time, but that was before I started gambling. All I wanted to do was see every casino. Of coarse that was many years ago before the mega resorts. My sister and I tried a different version a couple years ago. We decided that instead of gambling one day, we would save our money and walk from Harrahs to MGM and stop in every casino for a drink or two. By the time we got to MGM we were totally smashed. And it would have been cheaper to gamble

Sounds like it was a pretty good trip. Seven nights in Vegas is a long time, especially if you're alone. But then again, if I had to spend 12 or 13 hours to get there, I'd have to stay awhile too.

Glad you made it home safe and sound. Thanks for the report

 

Denny's has cheesecake??? I can only imagine.

 

AngyIL, I have been to Vegas 7 times now, and always put the Cheesecake factory on my todo list.
But this list seems to go overboard as soon as we land at Mccarran.
I think thats a problem where lots of people have to deal with.
But again, Gogurl, if you like me, have no place to buy cheesecake overhere, then the stuff from denny`s is not that bad.
I must say that the cheesecake I had at the Grand Lux was the best ever.

 

The same company owns the Cheesecake Factory and Grand Lux Cafe. I have no eaten the Grand Lux cheesecakes but imagine they're probably similar at both places.

 

Its the same. I LOVE Cheesecake myself, and after eating great stuff, Denny's just doesn't do. But Jan, I feel your pain...

This coming from a guy who ordered Jack in the Box cheesecake for years and years...

 

"I finally saw the Casino`s and Hotels again from the plane, man did that feel good."

I hear that. Excellent job posting what may be the first review of the Silverton. I have to say, though, the title of this report was very misleading.

 

Vegas Jer, I have to try the Jack in Box Cheesecake.I will come back to you about this.<LOL>

Sonya , they do not ship to Holland,I checked.

Hey doctor, that sure feels good.Seeing the casino`s again.I get that everytime,then the gamling jones kick in.

 

Don't put that too high on your priorities Jan...

 

Great trip J.O. Its nice to have enough time to see the sights and take it easy for a while. Good gambling rally on the last day. This report makes me hungry for a slice of cherry cheesecake.

 

Jan great report! Thanks for sharing and I'm ever so glad you got your cheesecake fix! I'm making it a personal mission now to find someone with great cheesecake who will ship to Holland!

 

I don't have any dry ice to ship a cheesecake to Holland but I can send you my recipes! My pumpkin cheesecake is a holiday tradition, much in demand

 

If you have any recipes please do.I will ask my wife if she can make it for me.
What ... I should sell them to the local bakkery shops, it would be hughe hit I guess.

 

sounds like you had a nice trip!

i wanted to stay at silverton for my next trip, but i had to give it up and now im saving it for some other future trip. every review ive read of it has been nice.

its such a shame you cant get good cheesecake in holland!

thanks for sharing your report!