Molested by a Pirate, Hypnotized, and Walk of Shame, a TR

So, the DH and I were in Vegas June 13 -19. Six nights at Paris, double-booked for three at Aria, to check them out a little more, and on an offer we could not refuse.




Flew out on Wednesday afternoon after working a half day. Last day of the school year for me. We usually fly out early in the morning, so this was a tough one! Left work around 11, head to airport around 3 for a 5:30 flight.




Had not been able to get assigned seats, so had to check in at the desk, at United. Could've paid $69 for a seat, but after an almost $400 flight, just couldn't do it. As luck would have it, we got in the exit row, but with a seat in between us. After we were seated, the lady at the desk came over to us and had changed to put our seats together. I thought that was really nice of her to do that! Win #1! As a matter of fact, I thought people were friendlier in general on this trip.




BTW, the other lady in our row did mention that she had paid $69 extra for her seat. Dang airlines will get you any way they can. Boo hiss.




Anyway, flight was smooth.




We used EZ rental, and got an upgrade to a Chrysler 300 for around $30 for the week. Win #3. The car rode very smoothly and had lots of room. DH did not like the push button start or the gear shift, but got used to it. He mostly used it to go from Paris to Rio. Maybe after this trip I can convince him to use taxis and shuttles. More on that later.




We were the first in line at EZ, and there was no line for the rental car shuttle, so we got to Paris pretty quickly. Unfortunately, the Diamond check-in was closed, but only one other couple in front of us to check in. When I asked if we had our P room with a nice view, the desk clerk asked if the Calais Suite would be okay? Calais suite? Sweet? I had oftend wondered what was behind those double doors. Now we would find out! Win #4. I am using them all up before we start gambling.




The suite was nice. Big foyer, with a round dining table for four,lovely chandelier, and a wet bar to the right. Large living area with couch, two chairs, big coffee table, tv, old kind, in an armoire. We were only on the 9th floor, so did not get a good view of the Fountains, but my Eiffel Tower and pool were delicious to look at.




The bedroom was separated by blackout curtains which came in very handy. The best part was that there were two totally separate bathrooms. One with a large shower, one with a deep jetted tub. I enjoyed the tub very much, as I am a tub girl, and the ones in the other rooms are tiny. I enjoyed the privacy of the two bathrooms.BTW, the jets were so loud in the tub that I did not use them. I mean, REALLY loud!




The suite was really nice, and I do not mean to sound ungrateful at all, but I think I really like the modern P rooms better, and I do like a higher view so I can see all of the Fountains from my window.




So, after a quick unpacking, we head to Burger Brasserie, as we are starved. Their burgers are always amazing. I had le Paris, which is brie cheese and carmelized onion, and added avacado. DH had the bleu burger.We shared sweet and waffle fries. We devoured the burgers but there were way too many fries. We also had one of their drink specials, a strawberry mojito which was major yummo!! We ended back there later in the week for late night burgers and more mojitos. Crazy good drink.




We don't usually plan more than one or two meals while in Vegas, just eat whenever we can pull ourselves away from tables or machines, but the BB is just so convenient and good.




BTW, the gambling was not so great that night. We were both down several hundred. Boo hiss.




We ended the night around midnight, 2:00 our time. We must be getting old.




Thursday morning, we headed to Rio, as DH needed to register for the three day senior WSOP event.Played a little there, and I had a lovely screen of flopped Aces on a 5 liner. Beautiful. I think the pay was around $300. That was my biggest win of the week, unfortunatelly.




After Rio, off to Aria to check-in and get our Viva Elvis tickets and free play loaded. All of this went very smoothly. DH went through the free play pretty quickly on those " pharoah" type machines near the players card desk. They have been pretty friendly to him and were again later in the trip, just not at this time. I played some spin poker there and my money lasted awhile but no wins to take away in the end. I do love their machines, comfy chairs,and they make a mean pear martini. Yum.




After a little play, we headed back to Paris to get ready for Viva Elvis. Don't know why we didn't pack a bag for Aria, we just didn't. This will come back and bite me in the morning.




Looking all spiffy, if I do say so myself, we went to see Elvis. BTW, they do have a bar outside the theatre, but will allow drinks from the casino, you just have to put it in a plastic cut that they have at the door. So, in I went with my pear martini and DH's too.




We loved the show! I am a huge Elvis fan, so I was open and ready to love it, but DH really liked it too. I loved the videos and the different versions of some of his songs. The acrobatics were awesome, esp. the part with the trampolines. My favorite was of the couple tangling themselves in the "ribbon". I thought it was simply beautiful and amazing. I can't believe this show has not been popular. If you get a chance to see it before it closes in August, I would definitely recommend it.




After the show, we went to American Fish, as I had done some research and their lounge menu looked really interesting. The restaurant is really pretty, with a "mirrored forest" behind the bar. Hard to describe, but worth stopping by to look at it. Beautiful.




There were only a few tables occupied when we got there, as it was about 10:00 and the service, at first was great. However, after that, our waiter seemed to be trying to make friends at the bar and seemed to forget about us. The food was good, but I really expect better service, especially when the place was nearly empty.




I'll have to check my notes for what all we had, but I know the shrimp and grits was to die for. We also got foie gras, which the DH loves, and it had a completely different presentation.Sort of a mousse, but denser. I still didn't like it. Presentation was really nice, as they served four small plates on one large plate and everything was meticulous. I also had a very good traditional mojito there, but service was so bad, I did not get another one.




I won't say I wouldn't go back, but probably not, just because of the service.Too many choices in Vegas for that.




After AF, we went back down to the casino to make some more donations. I was really tired, but didn't want to walk back to Paris by myself, so decided to spend the night at Aria although we were not prepared.




Man, do I love those rooms. The floor to ceiling windows make for a wonderful view. We were facing Cosmo and PH. I went to sleep on that amazing bed on those cloud-soft wonderful pillows and did not even hear DH come in. Ah...falling asleep to that view was awesome.




Unfortunately, the next morning, I had to do the "walk of shame" winding our way through the thankfully empty Crystals and up and over the skywalk down to Paris. No makeup, morning hair, any my most "hoochymama" dress that I had worn the night before. I know people thought DH had picked me up the night before, but was at least nice enough to walk me back to my room. Embarrassing! but funny.




So, if you are still with me, it is now Friday morning. DH left to go to Rio for his poker tourny and I headed to the FlamingO for a slot tourny. Got $100 free play at the CET property of choice after signing in. Did okay first round, better second round, and was in for at least a little money but had the wrong time in my head and completely missed my third round!Doh!! Wasn't even hung over, and had looked at my slip a dozen times, even set the wrong time in my cell phone so I wouldn't miss it. Dang! I know I would have hit a royal with that free play! Lesson learned.




Unfortunately, DH had no luck in the tourny and was already out and came to cheer me on in my slot tourny. That was sweet, but he was very disappointed to be out so early after making the money last year.




After we left the FlamingO, we saw the Johhny Depp Pirate outside between there and Bill's. I had seen pics of him from downtown, but not in person. I must say, he looks pretty darned good, up close. I mean very close. As we walked by him, DH says, "Don't you want to take your picture with him?" I said, No, then, okay, why not, so we turned around....why not?




When I walked up to him, I had a beer in one had and a purse in the other. He told my DH to hold both. Then he gave me his sword, put my arms around his neck, then said. " Lift your leg." I said, What?? He then took my leg and wrapped it around his upper thighs!! I was shocked, but laughing the whole time! We took a few pics with his sword and gun so I have proof that I was molested by a Pirate!!! Only in Vegas!! Too funny!!Good thing DH has a good sense of humor!




I must say, that did put me in a pretty good mood for the rest of the day.




DH went off somewhere to catch another poker tourny and I spent a few sweltering hours by the lovely Paris pool. Had a delicious steak wrap for lunch and two for one light pink lemonades. Yum. They seemed to be running the two for one specials quite often. I only had the two,since I'd already had a few beers and did not want to pass out and get fried at the pool.




The days run together, but I had a wonderful massage somewhere in here. I always try to make an appointment with Ovid who is wonderful. He is at Mandara Spa in Paris. Ask for him by name. I had a flyer in the room for $200 worth of spa services for $99 so I also got a pedicure. Oh, wouldn't it be nice to be pampered like that once a week! I love the spa at Paris, so quiet and comfortable. I also meant to go over to Qua one day to just enjoy the snow room and whirlpools,but did not make it. Should have pulled myself away from those stingy video poker machines.




BTW I think the spa special lasts all summer, so if you are there and do not see a flyer in your room, ask housekeeping for one. They will give you one to use.




As the days run together, I think this was the night we had drunken chicken and egg salad sandwiches from the little store by the elevators.We seem to do this at least once per trip. Gourmet dining!




Saturday night we tried to get into Gordon Ramsey's new place, but it was booked til Monday, so we went to Julian Serrano's and boy am I glad we did. This was by far, the best meal of the trip. I wish I could go back there tonight! I was a little leery, as the restaurant is very bright and seemed noisy, and I like my fine dining dark and quiet. So glad we stayed, though.




Their specialty is tapas, and we had quite a few. We had the tuna and raspberry skewers. There is a big picture of this dish outside on the building and I had wanted to have it every time I passed it. Glad I did! So yummy! We also had mussels, tuna cones, salmon "ravioli" where the "pasta" was actually very thin sliced avacado! We had a few other dishes too. Everything was just so FRESH tasting. I also had their white sangri and DH had an Effen cherry vodka cocktail that was delicious. Their cocktail menu looked really good. For dessert, we had donut holes with a butterschotch sauce. I know this sounds a little boring, but let me assure you it was not! The donuts were fresh from the fryer and the sauce was so good, we literally dipped our fingers in the bowl to get every drop. Man, we should have gone back there just to have those again!




Also, since this was our last night booked at Aria, we took a bag with us so we could change in the morning and not have to do the "walk of shame" again. Ah that bed!! Oh that view!! I think Aria could steal us from Paris, esp. after I tell you about our checkout dilemma!




On Sunday, DH went to play in another tourny and I got together with a friend whose DH was also in the WSOP senior tourny. We had lunch at MAG, at a great patio table. Never disappoints. Love that place.




After that we casino hopped and I made donations at the FlamingO and Harrahs. Did have a good time laughing with the dealer and pit boss at Harrahs. Both had lived close to us in Texas for a few years. Lost there, but at least got a few drinks and laughs.




After that, we spent a couple of hours in the pool just chatting away. It's funny. We live in the same town, but only get together in Vegas. Weird. Gotta fix that. It was a fun, relaxing afternoon.




Friday night, we decided to use our two free diamond tickets to see Anthony Cools. I had been hypnotized at a comedy show many years ago, and was curious about his show. As it turns out, I got on stage at his show too, and went under again. DH bought the dvd, but we haven't looked at it yet. His show is quite risque, but from what I remember, I wasn't TOO bad, and it it Vegas,after all. The part I love about being hypnotizedis how relaxed you are afterward.




He told us that we would be able to stay out and party all night, sleep really good and wake up refreshed, with no hangover. It was true!! We had gone to bed around midnight every other night, but did not go up to the room until around 3:00, slept like a rock and woke up feeling refreshed and ready to go. I am really thinking about trying hypnotism for some stress issues. Since I know I can go under pretty easily, I think it might work for me? Anyone out there tried it? I'd be curious to hear.




Okay,for those of you still with me, it is now Monday, our last full day, sadly. I am NEVER ready to leave Vegas! That night, we had reservations at GR's new place in Pars. When we got there, we were told it would be about a 20 minute wait. This is 9:00. When we checked back, there were still six ahead of us. We walked in to go to the bar, and that's when I decided we needed to try somewhere else for dinner. Wow!! I can only describe it as chaos! It was so loud! Thumping club music and people yelling over each other to talk.




It seemed more like a nightclub than a restaurant to me, and that was not what I was looking for. Maybe some of the chaos was because it's so new, but I needed to relax, not be all hyped up. I will maybe try again for lunch.




So, we tried the Eiffel Tower restaurant and were able to get right in, but not a window seat. Disappointing, but understandable. They said the tables were for people who had reservations. Understandable.




Still, it is a beautiful restaurant and the service is impeccable.I had a crayfish bisque that was very good, but not quite as good as the lobster bisque at Tops of the World. I also had filet mignon and we shared creamed spinach and their always awesome creme brulee.




The ET never disappoints. Service and atmosphere can't be beat. I was surprised at the casual dress of many of the diners, I'm talking shorts and t-shirts. I just don't get it. I like to get dressed up for a place like that. Oh well. Just me I guess.




Off to bed again around midnight, as the gambling was just not going to be friendly to us on this trip.




Wrapping up, I do want to mention, although it's a bummer, that we had problems checking out...again. For whatever reason, we were booked for two separate reservations. We explained at the desk, and to our host that we did not want our credit card billed and would check with her the night before to see if we would have some room charges cleared.




We did speak to our host on the last night of our first reservation, and she said all was cleared, except for tips, and told us that amount. We then went by to speak wth her on the last night of our second reservation, and although we had made plans to see her after dinner, she had gone home early. We talked to the other host there, who said she could do nothing further than taking our RC's for part of the charges. Our host usually takes a little more than that.




The next morning, when we checked at Diamond check out, we were told that nothing had been taken from our bill, for either reservation. I was livid. This had happened last time too. All of our RC's had been removed, and nothing taken off the bill!! For both reservations. I am going to email my host to see if the RC's can at least be added back on. We had around $600 on there, and they took them all without applying them to our bill. Grrrr.




Don't get me wrong, I don't expect to be given the moon, but I have been a very loyal customer to Paris, and do expect to not be done this way!! This is the second time we have had similar problems at check out.It really puts a bitter taste in my mouth, at the end of a great trip. I am thinking that I am seriously going to give Aria a closer look.




Hopefully, we will at least get the RC's added back on.I need to email my host today. I wanted to wait til I cooled down a little, and things have been busy here.




I will say, though, that it was another wonderful trip, except for the debacle at the end.




Hope I didn't lose all of you. Hope all of you have the best of luck and some wonderful Vegas trips this year!

 

Enjoyed reading - the title got me going. A bit of molestation always adds value to the trip, I'm sure. I now plan on looking for that pirate on my next visit! Thanks for posting.

 

enjoyed greatly.I'm going to have to try out Ariea's soft beds and those donut holes.

 

The ET never disappoints. Service and atmosphere can't be beat. I was surprised at the casual dress of many of the diners, I'm talking shorts and t-shirts. I just don't get it. I like to get dressed up for a place like that. Oh well. Just me I guess.



I hear you on this one. I like to get a little dressier than usual in Vegas and when I see people like this, especially at a nice restaurant, all I am thinking is "Would it have killed you to not wear sneakers or a shirt with a frikkin collar?"
It's even worse when you see guys dressed like this and their girls dressed up. Low rent gentlemen. Low rent. C.H.U.D.S is what we call em. Named after the campy 80's movie.

 

Thanks for the fun report. It's great you get to do a walk of shame when you really don't have anything to be ashamed about...

 

Enjoyed your report...thanks for posting! Thanks also for the info on the special on the Spa. Definately want to take advantage of that next month...daughter & I had the Fire & Ice Pedi in April and it was heavenly....may just do a massage too.

 

Great trip report. We are thinking of seeing Viva Elvis in Aug when we go...

 

Great report, queentata.

I was wondering, in Viva Elvis, does the girl in the fringed-dress still dance to Bossa Nova Baby?
She looked like she was having a lot of fun shimmying around in that outfit and holding onto her drink for dear life!
(We saw the show in previews and back then, it had waaay too much Colonel Parker narration for my liking.)
I did enjoy a lot of the music and thought the live band was excellent.

I agree with you about having too many good dining choices in Las Vegas
to tolerate bad service. It can really put a damper on your experience,
even when the food is exceptional.

Thanks for sharing your pictures too. The one of you and the cracked me up. :evillaugh

 

Molested by a pirate and a Walk of Shame all in one trip - WOW!

Thanks for posting your entertaining trip report

 

great review i loved all the detail.

the aria beds ARE amazing, i was tempted to even buy their pillows and pillow tops because out of all the resorts, the aria has beent he most comfortable. (not sure if that's the bed though or the views)

Sorry you didn't have a good time at the GR Steak, i found it really good when i went this last trip but will agree that it felt less like a classy restaurant and more of a club feel with the noise

 

I decided to be hypnotized when I was pregnant with my first child to ensure a "painfree" delivery, as advertised. It seemed to work (at the time) and I had many followup sessions. At hour 8 of my labor, I was begging my husband to find the damned &^%$#$ hypnotyst and bring him to me RIGHT NOW. Didn't work worth a damn. I'm sure it would be better for stress issues, sure can't be worse!!

Sounds like you had a fantastic trip, thanks for including us! That mess at checkout would really piss me off too, and leave a sour taste at a minimum. I've had RC's applied to the bill before without issue, sounds like you got a bum wrap. Keep on them!

diane

 

You mean when you see them through the window on your way to use your Casino Royale comps at Outback? Cause that is the fanciest restaurant I have ever even HEARD of you eating at! poke::evillaugh

 

Great report. Let us know how the RC's turn out. Be firm! We ARE the customers!! Good luck.

 

Forgive my ignorance. When you say "DH" do you mean Divorced Husband? LOL

 

He was quite handsome, I must say, and funny!! Put a smile on my face for the rest of the day, and later, too. Gotta love Vegas.

 

Gaggles, I am glad to see your comment about dress in Vegas. That is one of the things I love about it and make me wistful for days when everybody dressed to the nines. The only down side to that is the heavy suitcases. Gotta invest in one of those handheld things that weigh suitcases.

 

Ardee, there is no Col. Parker narration now. I can't stand him. Cant remember if the girl sand BosaNova, but I don't think so. For anyone who hasn't seen it, or maybe saw it early, i'd say go, or go again, before it goes away.

 

Gguerra,we do not speak of the divorced husband. )don't know why everybody uses the abbreviations. The dh is Trey, and he is pretty awesome. He is the one who got me to go back to the pirate!! Too funny.

Thanks for the replies. Btw, I finally did hear from my host. There's some stuff about that in the comps section. After a round or two, we did get everything but tips taken off the bill.

Gonna stay at Aria for at least three nights next time, gambling there the whole time. I think We will have to pay casino rate, as the host we spoke with said we didn't have enough play to comp it. Our fault, as we only played there a few hours the two nights we stayed over. H'mopefully we will get them comped at the end or at least have enough express comps. Feels weird to pay for a room, but I know I really do that many times over.

Gotta decide, in the next few days if it's gonna be thanksgiving or new years. Decisions,decisions.

 

Great TR! I LOLed more than once.

I don't blame you for being upset about the check-out deal; I would be, too. I hate being given lip service for nothing.

I love Aria even though I'm a CET person. I stayed there last summer with a friend, and I loved the bed so much that I ordered the closest thing to it! It's close but not quite the same (probably because of the bedding).

Yes, let us know how it turns out with your host.