Imperial Palace Aug. 27-29

Last time I went to Vegas was Summer 2003 with my best friend who doesn’t gamble and has food allergies. So why she chose to go to Vegas with me is a mystery. This time I went with my neighbor, Michelle (aka Mikky) who gambles less than I do, but at least does gamble, and has no problem eating dairy and whatnot. So we leave Austin on Southwest on Sat. morning 10:45 nonstop. Arrive, catch the Dollar shuttle, had reserved an intermediate, but when we got there they asked do we want to take the PT convertible Cruiser. Heck yeah!

Stopped to pick up a cooler, bottled water, and Djarum cigs (we had both smoked these in high school and looked forward to reliving good old days of getting a buzz before 1st class). Got some sustenance at the Fatburger, then checked into the IP. Liked the way the casino looked, room was marginally ok. Unpacked, went down to the bar, and played some video poker while getting our bearings. Got up $20, then lost it all back. Then we went to look around the Forum Shops at Caesar’s, asked a clerk at Victoria’s Secret about a certain something and she said “That’s in the Very Sexy Room†and proceeded to take me there. Somehow the way she said that just struck me as hilarious.

On the way back we stopped at Harrah’s and listened to some pretty good karaoke and played video poker (down $40), drinking chi-chis. By now I’m starving and don’t want to drink anymore until I get something to eat, so we go back to the hotel, order room service, take showers, eat, and get ready to go out. First stop is to see Mikey at Sunset Station. So we ask the valet at IP where SS is, and he looks at us like we’re crazy and says it’s a long way and are we sure we want to go. We ask how far, and he says about 20 minutes and I’m thinking I drive that far everyday to work so it’s no big deal. So we get directions and get there after only one wrong turn. Very impressed with the SS! The ceiling is very high and gorgeous and the whole place is much bigger than I thought is was going to be. Found Mikey at the BJ table, sat down and introduced ourselves. He didn’t believe I was Nikki (Nicole) and she was Mikky (Michelle), but I never say anything when people don’t believe that-it IS kinda corny. Sat down and bought in, drank Miller Light, Mikky sat to watch for a bit. I must say I enjoyed very much sitting at your table, Mikey! I know we weren’t the liveliest two people you’ve met, but your wit is fast and enjoyable.

Then we went to the Bellagio to catch the fountains and found out they stop at midnight, so we cruised the strip with the top down, got to the Stardust and went in to check it out. I played BJ for awhile and was up $225 at one point, then cashed out down $40. Mikky got mistaken for a hooker by multiple men, so needless to say she was ready to leave. She wasn’t dressed trashy, just sexy and sat at the bar with just a water. Oh-and she had on what could be thought of by some as hooker shoes. Went to bed at 4:30, woke up at 7:30.

Went to Denny’s for breakfast-just the thing when you’ve had too much to drink and 3 hours sleep. Got a second wind and went shopping at Venetian and Galleria mall. Went back to the IP, took a 1-2 hour nap, ordered room service, got ready to go out. First stop was the Bellagio, the Fontana bar-patio, to check out the fountains. Absolutely beautiful! And a great band playing inside the bar. Met a group of 4 guys from Chicago-older than us (in their 50s) and very nice. After a few drinks (chi-chis) and a shot (lemon drop), we went to TI to play slots. Said bye to the guys and left there about 3:00am down about $60. Dropped off the car at IP and walked to find low limit BJ tables. Didn’t see much we liked, so ended up back at the IP, which had more people in it at that hour than any other place. Sat at a $5 table, bought in for $100 or $200 (can’t remember), and a guy came up who had placed in the WSOP that day or day before yesterday. He’d had no sleep for a couple of days and kept asking us where we were from. Then a friend of his came and played –I thought he was funny but Mikky thought he was a little irritating. The dealers had to keep telling him to stop breaking the rules (pounding on the table, stacking chips high to low, sitting out the hand until the next shoe was dealt). I was drinking cape cods since we had gotten back to the IP and started not to care that I was drinking at breakfast time. On one hand I bet $100, then split, then doubled on one of the hands (I think-either that or split again-drinking was starting to get to me) and WON! Mikky left to sleep about 7:00am and I stayed at the table with what’s his name –can’t remember his name for the life of me. Finally got up from the table at 10am, up $400 or $500, depending on what I had put in to start. Asked for a late checkout (4pm), got a couple of hours sleep. Our flight was uneventful, just good to be home to sleep more! Ended about even for the whole trip, considering food bought, tips given, etc. (Even for the money I brought with me, not for also paying for the trip.) Was almost sick of the casino by the time we were walking out with our bags, but strangely enough, can’t wait to go back (!)

 

IP Room

Thanks for the review. Would you mind elaborating on the room (marginally ok)? We have reservations there and also the MGM (thanks to the promo code from this site). The room price is the same. We like to be mid-strip because we don't like walking as much as we did when we were younger. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Room Details

Well, the room had no safe; it was not one of the redecorated rooms; we had a view of the garage; didn't like the lock on the door-sometimes it would pop over to the unlocked position; shower drained slowly; no radio on the alarm clock; I'd say a pretty good deal for the money. The room service was great-we could split one sub sandwich/fries and be full.

 

great report! glad you had a good time--just noticing that we were there on the same weekend and were in the forum shops at the same time. I'm wondering if you saw the lady dressed like a walking flag? She was hilarious!

 

IP Room

LadyLovesLV--thank you so much for the info!