The Big Dowg
Newbie
I'm new to these boards and have greatly enjoyed and learned a lot from these reports,so I'm happy to make my little contribution to the cause.I'm going to try and catalogue it day by day.
Day 1 - Sunday
We flew Allegiant out of Bellingham,Washington.Since we live in Vancouver and our flight left at 9:00 AM,we decided to stay at the Hampton Inn in Bellingham on Saturday night and park the car there for the duration.It works out well,as they shuttle you to the airport and pick you up when you return.A very relaxing way to go.The flight was good and on time.Good deal,$400 return for the two of us,all in.
Went with the prepaid Showtime Shuttle through Allegiant.More on that later.Little Red,(my better half),and I got to Harrah's around 1:00 PM and checked in within a few minutes.We got a nice deal on the room a few months back online with Harrah's,$335 total for five nights.The room was adequate,good for the money.
We were hungry for lunch by then,so we tried Toby Keith's.Monster Club for me and a Cobb Salad for Little Red.Okay prices and good quality.Did some casino hopping up and down the Strip.Later we went for a late dinner and partying at MargaritaVille.We've always had a lot of fun there.A bunch of tequila and rum drinks and dancing finished us and it was back to the room.
Day Two - Monday
After breakfast at the Cafe in Harrah's,(okay,but overpriced),we split up for six or seven hours.Shopping at Forum Shops for Little Red and poker for me.I ended up at the Flamingo and played some 2-4.Very enjoyable,but too many suckouts from people who just will not fold.Dropped $40 in four hours.Aside from t-shirts,earrings and a purse,Little Red came home with no less than six bras from Victoria's Secret.I tell myself they're also for me.
Later,it was a quick bite at Kahunaville and a Mystere show at TI.It was Mystere's 7000th show and we both thought it was awesome.Went back to Harrah's and hung out in the piano bar.The dueling pianos was a lot of fun and it got pretty raunchy.On the down side,Little Red thought they might have made the all time worst margarita.So,it was back to the room and our own supply of tequila.
Day Three - Tuesday
After hitting Flavors Buffet to start the day,(okay),we decided to hit a couple of afternoon shows.First we went to Mac King with a coupon.For the money,it's a good show.I probably liked it a little more than Little Red.She thought it was just okay.After that,we drifted over to Bill's for Big Elvis.Him we were both impressed with.That man has an incredible voice and I can't believe the weight he's lost.A word though.If you plan to see him,get there real early if you want a seat.The place was just jam packed.
After a while,it was dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower.We got a window table with unbelievable Bellagio fountain show views.We had the set menu and really loved the meal.Great memories,albeit badly overpriced.After dinner,we headed back to the hotel through Carnival Court,but we had to pause on the way in.Little Red was looking really hot in her new little black dress and she decided to have her picture taken with two Chippendales at the door.The fun part was the raunchy poses they put her in.It was hilarious to watch Little Red's expression with her hand on one of their butts and one of them hoisting up her leg.Hilarious,as was the one with them behind her with her bent over and her finger in her mouth..The look on the face of our 25 year old son was priceless when he saw these pictures when we got home.
Day Four - Wednesday
This was our day to spend the whole day downtown.We took the Duece downtown,but the ride was soooo slowww due to construction delays funnelling traffic into one lane.I love the whole downtown vibe and how you get so much more bang for your buck.We moved around a lot.Breakfast at Golden Gate's Bay City Grill was reasonable and I loved the decor and atmosphere.Better conditions for the VP that both Little Red and I like.With the Golden Gate card,we later snagged two 99 cent shrimp cocktails and left stuffed.Only complaint is they kind of go wild with the cocktail sauce.We decided to catch"The Rat Pack is Back" at the Plaza.For those like us who are like us and love the Rat Pack,this is a great value for $35.We thought the Frank Sinatra was uncanny and there was a dynamite appearance by "Marilyn Monroe".We then walked over to Main Sreet Station for a meal at 777 Brew Pub.I loveeeee this place.It's fun and has so much character.Played lots of VP and finally caught a Deuce back and went to bed around 5:00 AM.We're now thinking we'll stay downtown next time.
Day Five - Thursday
Today we decided to check out some strip spots we missed earlier.Little Red really liked the new look Planet Hollywood and I had to agree the casino has great eye appeal.However,the new look at the Luxor just sucks big time.If I want to go to a place that looks like a mall,I can do that at home.I'd like to know who was the genius who thought this was a good idea.He/she needs a new job. Dinner was two really nice pasta dishes at Il Fornaio at New York New York,one of Little Red's strip favorites.After that we checked out the Comedy Stop at the Trop.Another great value at less than $40 for the two of us.Laughed our rear ends off.
Day Six - Friday
Couldn't get a late checkout,(boooooo!),so the morning was a rat race.Checked the bags and took a nice walk around Venetian and Palazzo.Palazzo is gorgeous,but the casino is just too quiet.After a little more VP at Harrah's,we caught our shuttle and had a good flight home.
A Few Random Thoughts
On the flight down,we spent $8 on a VIP type pass for Tickets2Nite.Seems like thet've been absorbed by Tix4Tonite and they won't honor these passes.The Allegiant flight attendants going home said they're starting to get a raft of these complaints,so if you fly Allegiant,don't get talked into buying these.
If we stay on the Strip again,I probably wouldn't use a shuttle to get to the hotel.Much too long a wait when we arrived.Would probably do it if we go downtown though.Probably more cost effective.
God,I love picking up booze going back into Canada at the Duty Free stores at the border.We Canadians are taxed to death on alcohol.The comparison to American prices is ridiculous.
Definitely looking at downtown next trip.A lot more bang for the buck.And now the saving begins for the next trip.
If you made it this far,thanks for bearing with the trip report rookie and thanks to all of you who have contributed your own.Can't wait for the next one.
Day 1 - Sunday
We flew Allegiant out of Bellingham,Washington.Since we live in Vancouver and our flight left at 9:00 AM,we decided to stay at the Hampton Inn in Bellingham on Saturday night and park the car there for the duration.It works out well,as they shuttle you to the airport and pick you up when you return.A very relaxing way to go.The flight was good and on time.Good deal,$400 return for the two of us,all in.
Went with the prepaid Showtime Shuttle through Allegiant.More on that later.Little Red,(my better half),and I got to Harrah's around 1:00 PM and checked in within a few minutes.We got a nice deal on the room a few months back online with Harrah's,$335 total for five nights.The room was adequate,good for the money.
We were hungry for lunch by then,so we tried Toby Keith's.Monster Club for me and a Cobb Salad for Little Red.Okay prices and good quality.Did some casino hopping up and down the Strip.Later we went for a late dinner and partying at MargaritaVille.We've always had a lot of fun there.A bunch of tequila and rum drinks and dancing finished us and it was back to the room.
Day Two - Monday
After breakfast at the Cafe in Harrah's,(okay,but overpriced),we split up for six or seven hours.Shopping at Forum Shops for Little Red and poker for me.I ended up at the Flamingo and played some 2-4.Very enjoyable,but too many suckouts from people who just will not fold.Dropped $40 in four hours.Aside from t-shirts,earrings and a purse,Little Red came home with no less than six bras from Victoria's Secret.I tell myself they're also for me.

Later,it was a quick bite at Kahunaville and a Mystere show at TI.It was Mystere's 7000th show and we both thought it was awesome.Went back to Harrah's and hung out in the piano bar.The dueling pianos was a lot of fun and it got pretty raunchy.On the down side,Little Red thought they might have made the all time worst margarita.So,it was back to the room and our own supply of tequila.
Day Three - Tuesday
After hitting Flavors Buffet to start the day,(okay),we decided to hit a couple of afternoon shows.First we went to Mac King with a coupon.For the money,it's a good show.I probably liked it a little more than Little Red.She thought it was just okay.After that,we drifted over to Bill's for Big Elvis.Him we were both impressed with.That man has an incredible voice and I can't believe the weight he's lost.A word though.If you plan to see him,get there real early if you want a seat.The place was just jam packed.
After a while,it was dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower.We got a window table with unbelievable Bellagio fountain show views.We had the set menu and really loved the meal.Great memories,albeit badly overpriced.After dinner,we headed back to the hotel through Carnival Court,but we had to pause on the way in.Little Red was looking really hot in her new little black dress and she decided to have her picture taken with two Chippendales at the door.The fun part was the raunchy poses they put her in.It was hilarious to watch Little Red's expression with her hand on one of their butts and one of them hoisting up her leg.Hilarious,as was the one with them behind her with her bent over and her finger in her mouth..The look on the face of our 25 year old son was priceless when he saw these pictures when we got home.
Day Four - Wednesday
This was our day to spend the whole day downtown.We took the Duece downtown,but the ride was soooo slowww due to construction delays funnelling traffic into one lane.I love the whole downtown vibe and how you get so much more bang for your buck.We moved around a lot.Breakfast at Golden Gate's Bay City Grill was reasonable and I loved the decor and atmosphere.Better conditions for the VP that both Little Red and I like.With the Golden Gate card,we later snagged two 99 cent shrimp cocktails and left stuffed.Only complaint is they kind of go wild with the cocktail sauce.We decided to catch"The Rat Pack is Back" at the Plaza.For those like us who are like us and love the Rat Pack,this is a great value for $35.We thought the Frank Sinatra was uncanny and there was a dynamite appearance by "Marilyn Monroe".We then walked over to Main Sreet Station for a meal at 777 Brew Pub.I loveeeee this place.It's fun and has so much character.Played lots of VP and finally caught a Deuce back and went to bed around 5:00 AM.We're now thinking we'll stay downtown next time.
Day Five - Thursday
Today we decided to check out some strip spots we missed earlier.Little Red really liked the new look Planet Hollywood and I had to agree the casino has great eye appeal.However,the new look at the Luxor just sucks big time.If I want to go to a place that looks like a mall,I can do that at home.I'd like to know who was the genius who thought this was a good idea.He/she needs a new job. Dinner was two really nice pasta dishes at Il Fornaio at New York New York,one of Little Red's strip favorites.After that we checked out the Comedy Stop at the Trop.Another great value at less than $40 for the two of us.Laughed our rear ends off.
Day Six - Friday
Couldn't get a late checkout,(boooooo!),so the morning was a rat race.Checked the bags and took a nice walk around Venetian and Palazzo.Palazzo is gorgeous,but the casino is just too quiet.After a little more VP at Harrah's,we caught our shuttle and had a good flight home.
A Few Random Thoughts
On the flight down,we spent $8 on a VIP type pass for Tickets2Nite.Seems like thet've been absorbed by Tix4Tonite and they won't honor these passes.The Allegiant flight attendants going home said they're starting to get a raft of these complaints,so if you fly Allegiant,don't get talked into buying these.
If we stay on the Strip again,I probably wouldn't use a shuttle to get to the hotel.Much too long a wait when we arrived.Would probably do it if we go downtown though.Probably more cost effective.
God,I love picking up booze going back into Canada at the Duty Free stores at the border.We Canadians are taxed to death on alcohol.The comparison to American prices is ridiculous.
Definitely looking at downtown next trip.A lot more bang for the buck.And now the saving begins for the next trip.
If you made it this far,thanks for bearing with the trip report rookie and thanks to all of you who have contributed your own.Can't wait for the next one.