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NFC is back! Chicago/Laughlin/Vegas. Jet-skis. UNLV Library. Pizza. Probably some gaming too.

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Trip Reports' started by notfromconcentrate, Aug 25, 2018.

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  1. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    I hear ya on the blinking light on the phone "thing"... I'm not smart enough to unplug it (I always think some switchboard can tell and they'll send someone up to check), I just throw a wash-cloth over it!

    I can only imagine the clientele at the Vegas Greyhound station???
     
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  2. NittyOne

    NittyOne VIP Whale

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    Glad you finally made it to Vegas. Cant imagine what the Vegas Greyhound Station is like, one of the reasons I had mentioned taking the shuttle if available.
     
  3. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    Chicago had it easy compared to Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin Tuesday night. 7 confirmed tornadoes and well over a foot of rain in some areas north of Milwaukee since Sunday.

    Luckily, it is 70F and gorgeous for my flight tonight! Maybe see you Sunday.
     
    USBC Nationals are back in Vegas
    • Wow! Wow! x 1
  4. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Considering he flew frontier, good thing he didn't get cancelled! Even for ORD, I don't think they do more than 1 n/s a day.
     
  5. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    Alright... I owe you guys an update now, don’t I? [emoji4]

    First day wasn’t so pleasant. Here’s why. Aside from my flight having been delayed for four hours, and me being grumpy from a combined lack of sleep and things not going to plan (I REALLY wanted that steak and eggs in bed at the Four Queens!), I came to discover something unique about Laughlin hotel rooms... they *generally* do not have safes in the rooms. I discovered this when I got set up in my central tower room. I couldn’t find a safe anywhere and I phone down and they said they don’t have safes in most of their rooms. My only options would be to leave my valuables in a safe deposit box at the front desk, or upgrade to a higher level of room which does have a safe.

    So I phoned around to all the other hotels. Colorado Belle, Riverside, Tropicana, Aquarius, the lot. None of them have safes! This is insanity!

    So, grumbling, I went to the front desk and told them I wanted to upgrade to whichever room has a safe. That’s an extra $45 per night. Whatever. I don’t have a choice. The worst part? It was in the north tower, which I’d already paid extra to avoid. So I moved my stuff, went up to the top floor, and have to say I was pretty dang impressed.

    I went from this...

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    To this...

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    And even bathrobes! This is pretty baller for an extra $45 per night, in what is basically a penthouse suite.

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    There was also a TV in the bathroom. Though it was juuuuuuust a little dated [emoji4]

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    I was SO ready to live life to the limit in this suite. I actually liked it better than my suite at Aria. There’s something about double doors to the bedroom that is super luxurious. There was also a pretty decent wet bar, forgot to take a picture of it.

    Now, here’s where the problems begin...

    This suite that I’ve now paid extra for which is supposed to have a jetted tub, doesn’t have a FUNCTIONING jetted tub.

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    A lightbulb was also out in the bathroom. Which made it really dark, since there are only two. This is an easy fix and an easy thing to miss though, so I don’t blame the hotel for this.

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    Now, what takes the cake? The safe... the whole reason I paid extra for this room DOESN’T FUCKING WORK! The bolt is locked on the outside and entering anything on the keypad generates an error code. Great.

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    I go downstairs, trying to keep my cool. The desk agent said she would get me another suite, and comp me the resort fees for my inconvenience. I said that wasn’t enough, considering I’m now moving to room number three. She couldn’t do anything more, but gave me the manager’s name and said she would leave my name and number for him to call me in the afternoon as he’s in meetings now.

    So they then moved me to the exact same suite layout on the next floor down. Which wasn’t exactly the same, it didn’t have the nook on the window (which I was looking forward to lounging in while reading a book). But it was okay.

    Until I found this laying out on the floor.

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    It was a housekeeping rag. With a whole bunch of unidentifiable grime... but if you look in the lower left, that’s BLOOD.

    So, if you thought that safe incident at Hooters had me mad, this had me LIVID. Three rooms, extra payment, having to move everything twice, can only comp the resort fee, and now this?

    I stormed over to the front desk and showed the rag to the agent who was familiar with my series of problems, and told her to take the manager out of his meeting, I don’t care how important it is. You should have seen the look on her face when she saw that rag.

    So the manager came out. He had just a few minutes ago learned about the problems I’d been having and was in total disbelief at how this many problems could have occurred. We chatted for about five minutes, and the end result was me getting put into a south tower room (all of them have safes) and him coming off the room rate for the first two nights (about 38 per night). Which, with the resort fees comped off, and the upgraded room, I thought was a more than fair settlement.

    And the hidden benefit? In a period of about three hours, I got to tour all three towers of this hotel, see multiple different room types, and see which one I like best. And I have to say, I quite like the south tower room. Very sleek, nicely designed, and lots of cool touches like a chaise lounge, a “glow” aura lighting around the bed frame, and mirrors with built-in lights. Ice bucket is leather, too! I’d gladly pay full price for this.

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    Has my coffee maker too!

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    This stack of key folders defines this whole ordeal in one picture. I feel like a parent of ten kids, having to manage multiple hotel rooms to hold everybody.

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    So now, for the actual trip itself [emoji4]

    Getting to Harrah’s from the Bullhead Greyhound stop (yes, it’s just a stop, not a station) was pretty easy. There was a free shuttle boat that goes from the Arizona side of the river to the Riverside resort. Then I took a water taxi down to Harrah’s.

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    Soon as I got in, I got my Platinum Total Rewards card, that I got with my Visa. They have a Platinum line at the buffet, I will definitely be taking advantage when I have breakfast there tomorrow!

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    So, once I finally got settled into my room, I went down and had a quick bite at Smashburger. That is one good burger! The name comes from how they “smash” a ball of fresh ground beef onto the grill on every burger they cook. Had an Oreo milkshake with it. This was also my first reward credit purchase, with all of these RCs I have now. I like it. Especially not having to pay tax [emoji4]

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    Now, I know I was done with work, right? You already see where this is going. Stupid formality stuff. So that had me tied up until just before 7:00. Took the water taxi up to Golden Nugget to play in their slot tournament. Didn’t even come close to getting on the board. Still great fun for $10 though.

    Then walked my way up the “strip”. A lot more spaced out than Vegas (or maybe it just seems that way because you spend so much time outside). Felt more like Atlantic City.

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    Checked out all of the casinos. I have to say, I really love the old-school, non-corporate feel of some of these places (the exception, of course, being Golden Nugget).

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    This “cards” design outside of Colorado Belle’s poker room stood out the most to me.

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    I also went into the Regency Casino. Which is very... small. Slots only. I found it interesting how they had wood floors, as well as pool tables right on the gaming floor, and even a specially designed section for Invaders of the Planet Moolah slot machines, complete with a wooden cow sculpture!

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    Consistent with my research, there was very little in the way of dining selection. I did want to try the Italian place at Tropicana, but it’s closed on Wednesdays. So I made my way all the way up to Riverside. Which I think is a really great place. Aside from the cool factor of being the “original” Laughlin resort (belonging to Don Laughlin himself), it has such a selection of restaurants and entertainment, and seems to be built like a real “resort”. Not like the places in Vegas, which pretty much feel like giant casino floors with little unimportant features like restaurants and showrooms that happen to be attached to them.

    I had a nice meal at Riverview, the restaurant on the northeast corner of the resort. It was dark out, but I’ll bet this has a really nice view of the river during the day.

    Started with mozzarella sticks, and had tortellini as my main course. Decent taste and food quality. But check out how much they give you! I could only handle about half of that.

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    Now onto the gaming. Lasted about 1.5 hours on single-deck $5 pitch blackjack with $100. I did vary my bets quite a bit, and it’s almost like my bigger bets attracted dealer 21s. One of my biggest bets had me dealt a 20, and the dealer doesn’t just pull a 21... she pulled a 7-7-7 21! That’s a kick in the balls.

    Then donked off $40 at Harrah’s on one of those 4D slot machines with rumbling chairs. Really cool experience. But I think I chose the wrong game. Very bonus-dependent, which makes the losing feel a lot more rapid. It was a game with “Sphinx” in the name, if that tells you anything.

    Spent two hours jet-skiing this afternoon, which was AMAZING. Almost as good as Sapphire’s pool club. Which I’ll be at in three days. Life is gooooood [emoji4] it’s even better because I’m going jet-skiing again tomorrow and bringing my phone with me this time, so I’ll have lots of pictures for you then. On the Arizona side of the river, there are lots of nice little mini beaches. I stopped over at one and experienced literally PURE silence. It was amazing. If I ever go here with someone, I’d love to jet-ski out to one of these and have a picnic. It’s perfect for that, especially this time of year.

    Not much else to report other than that. Just about to get showered and dressed, then up to Riverside to eat at the Prime Rib Room (tableside prime rib carving? Awwww yeah!), and then see the kick-off of the comedy festival at 8:00. Probably going to try to get my money back at that blackjack table after. Hopefully I’ll replicate what happened at the Plaza [emoji4]

    Stay tuned!
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
    • Like Like x 9
  6. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    Okay, another update real fast.

    Made my way up to Riverside. Was originally going to take a water taxi, but was tight on time to make my 7:00 reservation... so I opted to take a regular taxi instead. It would be about $10 or $12 compared to the $5 the water taxi costs, but I was on a firm timeline, so thought it was worth it.

    There was a taxi sitting out front at the valet at Harrah’s waiting for someone going inside to get change, but he wasn’t sure if they were coming back. Said I could just get in and he’ll call another. Then a guy comes up and asks if I’m going to Riverside. I said I was, and asked if he wanted to split the cab with me. He said yes. Then the couple who was getting change came out and asked why we’re getting in their taxi. We explained the situation. Turns out they’re ALSO going to Riverside! So all four of us piled into the taxi like a clown car, and rode up to Riverside for a net total of $3 each.

    Made it to the Prime Rib Room. And from end to end, all I have to say is... I have no idea what people don’t like about this place. It’s great. It’s unorthodox, but I don’t see how you could not like this. Basically here’s how it works...

    - You pay before you sit down, like a buffet
    - You get seated and offered drinks, like a buffet
    - You go up and get your own salad from the all-you-can-eat salad bar, like a buffet
    - You then get a new plate that you load up with sides (potatoes, carrots, creamed spinach, dinner rolls), like a buffet
    - You then sit down, and your server will come to you with your choice of prime rib, salmon, or chicken cordon bleu, out of a cart which has it made ready for you. Serves it to you with your sides. You enjoy.
    - Finally, you’ll be offered coffee or tea, and full access to the dessert section of the “buffet”

    Here are all the pictures...

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    You even get a choice of doneness for the prime rib!

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    I don’t care what anybody says, this is a KILLER value for $17.99. Awesome view of the river, too. Also, for $1 extra, I could have gotten a movie ticket to the on-site movie theatre, good for the next three days. I don’t have time this trip to do that, but I’d totally have taken it otherwise.

    One other thing I really liked is that they offered a choice of mild or hot horseradish for the prime rib. As someone who can’t handle too much spice, I thought that was really great of them to do.

    Now onto the comedy show. Decent lineup. A lot of people left because some of the humour got to be kind of abrasive and graphic. I’m into it, but I can see and respect why others might not be.

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    In gaming news... I hit a jackpot! Yes, seriously. I was down to my last $0.90 on a Timberwolf machine, and this came up...

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    Proceeded to donk that and about $40 more off trying out three-play $0.05 Super Times Pay Poker, and some Buffalo Grand. Those Aristocrat games are actually borderline fun to play. They don’t feel like a chore like I find other slot machines to be.

    So that’s it. Just dropped off my laundry for fluff and fold at the Harrah’s bell desk. They do full service for $4 per pound. Drop it off by 7:30, and they’ll have it back in your room around 2:00.

    Now just sitting down to map out today/tomorrow, do some emails, hit the breakfast buffet, and head north on the river to rent a jet ski from a place up over in Bullhead. Probably going to go for a 2.5 hour rental this time. Get excited for pictures... they’re going to be awesome :)
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
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  7. bshowell

    bshowell VIP Whale

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    Oh my goodness that room saga!
     
  8. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    This is stuff that ONLY happens to me :)
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
  9. luckylinda

    luckylinda High-Roller

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    The room you got last was recently remodeled.
    There is cut fresh fruit at the end of the buffet at Harrahs
    Have a great time on the river today
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Nice updates!

    Sounds like you should just bring your own travel safe with the luck you seem to have with them in hotels. Lol
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
  11. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    Believe it or not, I actually kind of do exactly that!

    I have one of these Pacsafe bags. It’s basically military grade nylon, with a “fence” wire inside so that you can’t cut through the bag. You then loop the cord around something immovable like a pole... and that’s it! I usually use this at pools. I could use it in the room, but the truth is, there usually aren’t things this can be attached to. And even if there are, it draws too much attention/suspicion.

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    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
    • Informative Informative x 1
  12. vegasnut

    vegasnut VIP Whale

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    Well NFC this is gonna be another EPIC Trip Report.....loving all those pictures and your stories..and if you get stick from someone just ignore it as you are keeping it real and i think (and hope) 99% of VMB loves that.......
    Its also a fun read though that you always get into those silly things.......
    so keep this TRS going and do it on your own time and convenience(life is all about priorities) but know that we all love seeing your TR s
    btw what about a 44 day TR? (you still have to beat me :thumbsup::woohoo: )
     
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  13. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    Just up in my room charging my phone after the buffet. It was decent for $13.99 (paid in RCs). Not a real “breakfast” buffet. Bit of a mishmash between pizza, Chinese, salad, pasta, pastries, tacos, and some breakfast stuff. I’d compare this to a cruise ship buffet, that everybody gets for free. Does the job, but nothing exceptional about it.

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    They were nice enough to seat me in the Seven Stars section. Must be the platinum card :) so I got exceptional service, and got to sit among some real high rollers.

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    See y’all down on the river!
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
    • Like Like x 1
  14. marcianofan

    marcianofan High-Roller

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    I had that problem with the safe once at a room at Palace Station, security came and it took tliterally 2 minutes for him to fix it and for me to confirm that it worked.
     
  15. luckylinda

    luckylinda High-Roller

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    That is also the diamond section with 7* mixed in. The servers are just nice, if you were a higher tier you would have had a card placed on your table.

    Wasn’t this called a brunch? That would explain the other type of food being served.
    The carved turkey and ham always good there.
    I mentioned the nice fruit since it is past the Chinese and pizza easy to miss
    There is ice cream that they scoop for you in the deserts section better than the soft serve machine
     
    • Like Like x 1
  16. VPDeuces

    VPDeuces Dishwasher safe

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    Sorry you had difficulties, but it was great to see all the rooms at Harrah’s Laughlin! I haven’t been there in many years. I had one of those suites once, complete with shag carpeting and enormous tube TVs in each room. Good to see they’ve been updated. Buffet looks exactly the same. Never spent much time at Riverside, but I’ve stayed at Tropicana Laughlin, Aquarius and its previous incarnation Flamingo, and the Pioneer (yeeha!).
     
  17. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    Okay, I’m afraid this report has to come to a screeching halt. I’ll keep it brief... I got hit by a boat while jet skiing, I have multiple broken ribs, and I’m now being transported up to Las Vegas (from the hospital in Fort Mohave. AZ) to be seen in another hospital for trauma care.

    I’m in stable condition. I’ll be okay. I’m just so immensely thankful that it wasn’t worse. Everybody at the hospital said they’ve seen everything from hands cut off by propellers, people in wheelchairs, and even death by either impact or drowning. And I have travel medical insurance with no limit, so I’m covered for everything. Counting every one of my lucky stars.

    Despite the amount of pain I’m in, and the fact that the more responsible part of me knows better, all I can think about is how I’m probably not going to be able to go to the Sapphire pool on Sunday. That’s more crushing to me than it should be. But I’m not even going to think about doing anything “normal” unless the doctor explicitly tells me it’s okay.

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    On a lighter note, got some great pictures of the Colorado river and the Avi resort’s beach. Though I’m afraid they’ll likely be the last of this TR. I’ll update this thread with how I’m doing once I get looked at in the Vegas hospital.

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    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
    • Wow! Wow! x 2
  18. GamblingGolfer

    GamblingGolfer VIP Whale

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    Good grief! That's too bad .... I hope you're really OK. Best wishes for everything to work out properly.

    GG
     
  19. luckylinda

    luckylinda High-Roller

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    That’s terrible news Sorry that happened to you
     
  20. Crambone

    Crambone Gnaeus Pompey Magnus

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    wow
    as a former jetskier Get Well
     
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