First trip-Frist Report 3/6 - 3/10 Westward Ho

This was our (my husband and mine) first time to Vegas as adults and we had a great/wonderful time. Having to do this report quickly at work so I apologize for the spelling and grammar ahead of time. We did gamble but not much any one place, just long enough to watch people, look at the casino and get a drink (or 2,3,4) and move on.

We arrived in Vegas around 6PM on Sat. and left around 6:30AM on Wed. Our flights from and to Charleston, SC were uneventful. We stayed at the Westward Ho and enjoyed it. We knew we weren’t going to get many foos foos but then again we didn’t pay for them. Sat night our room was $79, Sun was $59 and $39/night both Monday and Tuesday. We were there during the NASCAR week so this was very reasonable compared to most other places. As I mentioned in an earlier post we were just hoping to have semi-clean sheets and luckily we got completely clean sheets . The room was pretty basic, but clean and quiet. Surprisingly quiet since were right outside the casino’s back door. Guess it was good to have all those old people around since they didn’t make much noise.

Sunday we went to the race and had a great time. Knew going in we were not going to be able to take in coolers but still disappointing to know if we had gone to a race in SC or NC we could. Irritates the @#$% out of me to see them selling $4 bottles of water after they only allow you to bring in one bottle. Plus if you are going to require people to buy beer. Soda, water and food there you should at least have the vendors set up correctly. Had to wait 30+ minutes to get a sandwich. But we had a great time none the less. The CAT wasn’t bad, especially since we left as soon as the checkered flag flew. If we had waited and watched the burnouts and such, our wait for the bus would have been much longer. I understand it took some people 3 hours for a bus. Luckily we were on one of the first to leave since we volunteered to stand on the ride back.

Monday we walked the strip. That is one long walk. We enjoyed seeing all the different casinos. Would have to say Caesar’s had the strongest drinks we experienced. Had fun playing video poker at Harras as well.

Tuesday we walked the northern part of the strip. We had a great time at the Sahara’s. Had a cool dealer that was willing to talk and help with strategy. Should have left when he did b/c his replacement was as cold as ice. The only noise he made was while he was shrugging his shoulders as her raked the table’s money. I know it isn’t rational but during our entire stay in Vegas the table’s luck would change as a New Dealer came on. One negative thing at Sahara’s; while playing a $2 hand of BJ, the dealer went over 21 so the whole table won. The dealer got sidetracked while paying out the table and didn’t pay me. I think she thought the casino would go broke on the $2 owed me. Luckily the pit boss said to pay me off. I was to the point I wanted him to look at the tape b/c I knew I was due my huge bet of $2 but the dealer was looking at me like I was lying. Hey I got my money at least. I guess they get a lot of people trying to scam, but come on $2?

Went back down the other end of the strip Tuesday night and ate at the Bellagio’s buffet. We both enjoyed it. We are used to warm seafood and not chilled but I am not complaining b/c I didn’t have to peel or crack the shrimp and crabs. Now able to say I have tried Buffalo. The desserts there were excellent. Came out and enjoyed the fountains and the lights on the South end of the Strip.

Left out Wednesday morning and didn’t have any problems with security. Saw on the news Monday morning that they had 1.5 – 2.0 waits to clear security at the airport b/c of the race fans leaving.

Highlights:
The Peppermill was great! Huge portions for reasonable prices. Yum yum.
Slots of Fun have some 6/5 blackjack tables. Didn’t realize that at first. But they do.
Slots of Fun doesn’t allow cigars or clove cigarettes. Didn’t realize this until we walked through carrying lit Cigars. Oh well they need to make the sign larger if they expect me to see it!
Speaking of Cigars, luckily we took ours with us, b/c we priced them on the strip and they were on average 2Xs what we paid for in SC.
Speaking of cigars, if you smoke cigarettes how can you complain of cigar smoke? Just curious, really!
Circus Circus wasn’t bad, especially since I hit 4 deuces while playing max credits. However there were a lot of kids around. Slower people and those with kids should stay to the right and let the fast traffic pass on the left.
The strip is a long walk.
Funny how people won’t pay for sunscreen and then get laughed at for having a red raccoonish looking face. It’s fading now.
The Sahara had the best dealers from my experience on the Strip.
Still want to see downtown and experience it.
Would like to go back and experience the Superbowl or March Madness next time.
We came back with less money than we started with, but we spent just enough to cover what we would have paid for our drinks. So in my mind we broke even. Plus had a wonderful time.

 

Glad you had a good time! I gotta agree with you on the dealer changing a table "vibe". I realize that the cards are in the order they are in, and nothing changes except one card gets burned, but still and all I have seen more times than I can count how a table went from hot to cold (or thankfully vice versa) when the dealer changes.

And LOL on the raccoon faced sunburn. Been there done that!

Kitty

 

Nice report. I know exactly what you mean about cigars, nothing clears out a bunch of cigarette smokers like a good cigar. Sure I'm stinkin' up the joint, what do you think you're doing?

The Sahara is pretty neat, I wouldn't mind staying there sometime. And the Peppermill is a perk for folks that stay North Strip - did you go in the cocktail lounge?

 

Hey Tiger--

Thanks for the great report! Tried to walk the whole town on the first visit, did ya? Man, I did that once, now the farthest I walk in that town in from the craps table to the cabstand...

I'm glad you enjoyed it. We cigar smokers gotta stick together!

Mikey

 

cutiger - glad you had a good trip. Thanks for the Trip Report. I try to do a long journey on foot once each trip. Amazing stuff to see and won't see from a car or bus. Very important to wear good worn-in shoes. Anymore to say about the Peppermill? My wife and I want to eat and drink there next trip. What did you have? What do recommend, etc...

 

cutiger

Glad you had a good time. I thought the race on Sunday (heck actually both days) was a little on the boring side. The 17 car just dominated.

The bus ride to and from made it easy to get to the track - we also had to stand up on the way back from the track.

Hopefully the Las Vegas race will be on your list of races to go to.

 

Glad to hear a bit about the Ho! Have never stayed there or heard too much about it.

Jimbo