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My first trip report: Westin Casaurina

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by DC Wolf, Jan 10, 2005.

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  1. DC Wolf

    DC Wolf Tourist

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    My Trip Report

    Greetings! Seldom poster, first time trip reporter here. My wife and I just got back from CES. She had to go for her work and I tagged along.

    Many things are the same ol'-same 'ol that gets covered in many trip reports, so I really just have a random series of observations. ;)


    First off, CES is really too big now. Too many attendees, too many exhibitors, etc. If you tried to see it all, you'd be exhausted.

    The monorail worked really well and we used it extensively. It's really going to be useful for casino or club hopping.

    We stayed at the Westin Casaurina. (What was the Maxim.) I give the property itself high marks. As a rule, Westins usually rock with the heavenly bed and heavenly shower. It is also extremely convenient, since it's right across the street from the back door of Bally's -- a short walk to the monorail.

    Now here's the not so good part. Why in the world is the Westin trying to be like all of the mega-casino-resort properties? This place has an extremely modest gaming floor and all weekend more than half the tables were shut down. There's probably 6 BJ tables, a three card poker and one craps pit.

    The Westin also has a "show" called Forbidden Vegas. I put the word show in quotes because all the footage we saw of it on the hotel channel, the thing looked like a high school production. They even had to cancel the show Sunday night for lack of attendees.

    Why can't the Westin do what Westins usually do and just be a great hotel without the casino and show? They'd still make a lot of money.

    Let's see...what else....

    Though I complained about the pathetic attempt at a casino, I did use the opportunity to finally learn craps. There was no one at the pit, so I plopped down my friend Ben Franklin and said teach me. ;) Now I'm hooked! (And I only lost about $25 playing for half an hour. The dice got lukewarm. [​IMG]

    Dining was great. Friday night we went to Emeril's Delmonico. It was great as usual. Though I think I am finally "over" Delmonico. There's not a thing wrong with it, but going there for a few trips in a row, it has lost the oohh-aahh factor.

    Saturday brunch was the Paris Buffet. 'Nuff said. ;)

    Saturday night we went to Diego at MGM. I highly recommend this place. The chicken mole rocked! The Frida margarita with strawberry and pineapple infused tequila was particularly good.

    For some reason, though I've been to Las Vegas many times, and been in the MGM many times, this property kinda struck me this trip. It's nice without being too stuffy. I think I'd like to go back and stay there.

    Sunday we did the Margarita Brunch at Garduno's at The Palms. It was a little better than the Texas Station location I thought. The Palms is a nice property and I'd like to go back.

    One question though- I could've sworn I read that the Palms was a smoke free casino. Yet when I asked they looked at me like I was crazy. Is there such a place that is smoke free? Or am I just imagining having read this??

    Our last dinner on Sunday night was very spur of the moment. We had a ressie at Casa Di Amore but didn't want to go all the way over there. Upon turning right out of the Westin, Mrs. DC says- "How about that place - Battatsia's Hole in the Wall?" Sure enough, it's a hole in the wall, but we liked it. The menu is sort of prixe fixe. You get your soup or salad, the entree and capuccino along with unlimited house wine for one flat fee, depending upon the entree.

    We stayed until this (Monday the 10th) morning to avoid the hassle of everyone who left yesterday. (Was anyone in the mess at the airport last year?) I should get in a plug for Frontier Airlines. We flew them out of Washington National through Denver and absolutely loved it. Direct TV at the seats is a nice touch.

    There you have it, my first (but not last) trip report!
     
  2. Coaster Kikky

    Coaster Kikky Tourist

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    Thanks for taking the time to write it up DC!! I've had my eye on Westin for a little while now, and will probably stay there in the future, although like you I rather doubt I'll do a lot of gambling there. I want to go just for the heavenly beds and showers! And because I like the "look" of the place. It's as close as I've seen in Vegas to the Borgata in AC (there are many places I haven't yet made it to however).

    Sounds like you had a darn nice trip, and hope to hear from you more often!
     
  3. Beach Crazy

    Beach Crazy Hostess With the Mostess

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    DC, that was a great trip report. I've also looked into staying at the Westin. Wondered if the heavenly beds are really that heavenly? I agree that it's a good location. Nice to know the monorail is still working. [​IMG] Sounds like you hit a lot of good restaurants. So how much weight did you gain?? :eek:

    I can also tell you that the Palms is definetly not a smoke free casino. I've never really been to any that are.
     
  4. tahoeden

    tahoeden Tourist

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    The poker room is no smoking at the Palms,maybe that's what you read.
     
  5. cterral

    cterral Tourist

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    What is the link for that Westin? I'd love to check it out. Is it really out the back door of Bally's or is it out the back door like Hilton is out the back door of Riveria?
     
  6. Falcon_Rob

    Falcon_Rob Flying Winnebago

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    Thanks for the Trip Report DC! Glad you had a good time on what was basically a business trip (at least for your wife).

    Unless it has changed recently, the poker room at the Palms is one of the only rooms that ALLOWS smoking, so I doubt if it has ever advertised that its casino is non-smoking. That place seems to have a really good air system though as I've never been bothered by smoke there (except in the poker room).
     
  7. RossW

    RossW North of the 49th

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    Good read wolf.

    I have never stayed at the Westin, although I stayed at the site about 100 years ago when Maxims was still operating. I remember that Maxim's was dark and smoky; but when I was young, back in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Maxim’s always seemed to be good deal on a package sell-off from Toronto.
    I would imagine the place has been brightened up a lot since Westin took the reigns.
    I have read about the heavenly beds, a girl I work with in the travel agency I work in, has slept in them, she said they were awesome.

    Well Done

    RossW
     
  8. DC Wolf

    DC Wolf Tourist

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    Here's a link to the Westin:

    Westin Casuarina


    For those who asked, the heavenly bed is indeed heavenly. They have a whole heavenly line of products- robes, towels, etc. The shower has two heads and is "heavenly" too. Kudos to Westin for figuring out that the quality of that type of stuff is something to hang your hat on and market.

    Don't shed too many tears for Mrs. DC having to "work". The whole thing was basically a junket where she just had to glad-hand and wave the flag a little bit. ;)

    On a side note though, this trip proved once and for all that Las Vegas is just not Mrs. DC's town. :( I like to gamble/drink/party and she does not. Plus, she has a smoke allergy, which is why I asked about the smoke-free casino thing.
    But hey, differences are what make a marriage right? And she has already given me the green light to leave her at home and start planning my next trip with best friend. Fellas weekend in Vegas baby! [​IMG]

    Thanks for being so nice to this first time trip reporter. I look forward to posting more, I've been lurking for awhile. [​IMG]
     
  9. richardinbc

    richardinbc Low-Roller

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    cterral: The Westin is across Flamingo from Bally's. There is a pedesrian crossing that leads to the side (back) door. Could be closer from the Westin to monorail than from front of Bally's.
     
  10. Thekiller

    Thekiller Tourist

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    Good report DC,
    The hole in the wall place sounded interesting. What kind of entrees did they have there?

    I was wondering what kind of betting advice the pit crew gave you at the craps table.

    Thanks
     
  11. WolfpackRobNC

    WolfpackRobNC Medium-roller??

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    At Battatsia's (sp?) Hole in the Wall, there weren't a lot of entrees. Maybe 12-15. They had three or four price "tiers". Most pastas were around $18, chicken $23, veal $26- you get the idea. That may seem a tad pricey but keep in mind it comes with all you can drink house wine, which was not bad, not bad at all. Battatsia's is between Bourbon Street and Barbary Coast, right in back of Flamingo in that little shopping center.

    I would agree with richardinbc who said that from the Westin to the monorail could be closer than the front of Bally's. It's certainly not any farther. It's about a block to the stoplight at the back of Bally's and then you just go in the backdoor by the Sportsbook.

    Though I need to study craps a little more, I think I received pretty sound advice. They just had me stick to the odds bet trying to hit the point. They explained the other bets but left it up to me whether to place them. I tried a few specific numbers and the field bets, like anyone, I won a few, lost a few, but definitely received good advice from the dealers.
     
  12. kms9370

    kms9370 Low-Roller

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  13. edwood32

    edwood32 VIP Whale

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    speaking of those Hevanely Beds..do you know where I can get one? I slept in one at a hotel, and it was the BEST bed I have ever slept in..would anyone know the actual name of the bed (namebrand)? I dont want to but it through the Westin directly cause they want 2,000 for it!
     
  14. Gold Member

    Gold Member Tourist

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    Simmons makes the heavenly made, it's supposed to be customized for westin.

    I stayed there may '04 and give it 2 thumbs up.

    Oh and the heavenly bed is $1300 (king) without all the sheets and pillows.

    [ January 12, 2005, 12:08 AM: Message edited by: Gold Member ]
     
  15. KW2LAS

    KW2LAS Tourist

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    DC, sounds like a great trip. I have never stayed at the Westin in Vegas, but try to hit Westin's wherever else I go. The heavenly bed is the real deal, and their Starwood Preferred program is one of the better ones I have joined. Will definitely check out the Casaurina sometime. My buddy stayed there last summer, and had great things to say about the room, but didn't care much for the casino or pool. He did end up having a very nice run at the craps table there, which may have changed his opinion.

    Stayed at MGM last time I was there, and also loved Diego. My best dining experience last trip. Also agree on the MGM thing. It is just such a nice property with so many on-site dining options, etc. It just tends to be a little expensive comparatively.

    Thanks for your report.
     
  16. gotavegasjones

    gotavegasjones VIP Whale

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    nice report - thanks for posting

    later, GVJ
     
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