Not MMV trip report. Long and sometimes boring

I was really bummed when I found out we were leaving just as the MMV festivities were beginning. With money being tight, we had to plan our trip around long holiday weekends, free rooms and cheap airfare. That put us in Vegas on March 22nd and leaving March 27th.

SATURDAY the 22nd:
Mike (boyfriend) and I had an uneventful non-stop flight from Flint, MI to Las Vegas on Air Tran. I used our extra airline points to get a business class upgrade. Boyfriend needs extra leg room. Taxi line was long but moved very quickly. Arrived at Paris and waited in a mile long line at check-in. I sure do miss the airport check-in for the Harrah’s properties. We were being compted for the 5 nights and getting a free portable DVD player but I still asked for an upgrade (no $20 offered). Ramon typed diligently but said that there were no suites available. He did offer me a P room though. I accepted and proceeded to room 2673P. We were unaware that this was the “3 Bears Suite”, because as we entered the room we found Goldilocks sitting on our couch watching our T.V. I’m not sure who looked more shocked. We called down and spoke to a manager and chose to get moved to a room of our own (the three-some intrigued Mike). After a lot of exasperated sighs on his end, we wound up in room 3072. This one we had to ourselves. Being a corner room it is a little bigger and it was renovated. Nice large flat screen, 2 windows and a separate shower/tub. We had a decent view with some of the fountain. I have had the fountain view before and didn’t request it this time. We headed out to find something to eat and play for a while. We ended up grabbing a burger at Le Burger Brasserie located in the walkway between Paris and Ballys. We have eaten there before and enjoy the food. We each had the Le Paris burger and a tower of onion rings while watching the game on the big screen over the bar. Great food and service as usual. We then went back to Paris and played some Blackjack and Roulette. Up and down for about 3 hours and then the time difference began to take over. We ended up calling it a night about 10:00 and headed off to bed. I love the beds at Paris.

SUNDAY the 23rd:
Easter Sunday we woke up early, before the sun!!! Took a long bath and then a shower and headed out to get some breakfast. We waited about 10 minutes for La Creperie to open and grabbed a couple crepes and some cappuccino to hold us over until brunch. Afterwards we went out to walk the strip. It was a beautiful morning and the sidewalks were practically empty. We walked down to MGM, took the crosswalk over to Excalibur and them back down to Bellagio. The construction at City Center is absolutely massive. We also stopped and checked out Planet Hollywood for a little bit since it was the first time seeing the outside since its completion. We went into Bellagio so I could check out the conservatory. It is incredible as usual. It smelled so fresh and spring-like. They also have 2 greenhouses filled with butterflies. We have been in a deep freeze for about 2 years (or so it seems) so it was very nice. We went back to the room and changed and then headed to Ballys steakhouse for their Sterling Brunch. The food was even better than I remembered and the service was great. I could spend my entire time at the dessert section. After a couple dozen mimosas we headed for the casino. We sat down at a Let It Ride table and met Irving, our dealer. He was about 75 years old and incapable of dealing and talking at the same time. At one point he tried to pay the lady next to me with my chips. It was too much for me to keep track of so I left Mike behind and headed for the Roulette table. The table was fun and the ball was falling right. I hit 6 numbers in a row. At one point a guy at the table wanted to know my system and I told him it was too complicated to explain and to just play what I play. I was too embarrassed to tell him that it was birthdays and anniversaries. I was up about $1500 when the ball got cold so I left to find Mike. He had moved onto blackjack and was holding his own. We went to the café for fruit platter and then decided to call it a night.

MONDAY the 24th:
Monday we slept in a little later and ordered room service for breakfast. We had corned beef hash, eggs and toast. After a shower we headed out for our morning walk. We went the opposite way this time going down to Palazzo. What a beautiful hotel. I really liked all the tile work. Wandered through the shops and then back toward the Paris. I decided to fry out by the pool for a little while. Once again, I cannot express to you in words how fantastic the weather was. Sunny, low 80’s. I was in heaven. After a couple hours in the sun and a couple margarita’s I was feeling no pain. My lobster skin color said otherwise. I went in to take a shower and a nap and then went to Rio to check out R.U.B. Mike and I are both bbq lovers. We go to smoker competitions in the summer and have attended Memphis in May. After all that I read, this place was a real let down. We got there about 7p.m. and there was no wait. The place was almost empty. Mike had the burnt ends and the st. louis ribs with beans and corn bread. I ordered the chicken and the baby back ribs with the fries and the corn bread. Both types of ribs and the chicken were EXTREMELY DRY!!!!!!!!!!! The burnt ends had good flavor but were very fatty. The burnt ends I’ve had in the past had the fat burnt like bacon. The beans didn’t have very good flavor and the fries had a salty/sweet taste. Their sauces have a strong vinegar taste which I don’t care for. The corn bread was the only edible part of the menu. We can now say we’ve tried it. After dinner we played video poker at the bar outside the seafood buffet. Once again up and down. I miss the show in the sky. Rio just isn’t as festive without it. Caught the shuttle back to Paris and then called it a night. The shuttle is still running. It is on the ½ hour but no longer goes to Ballys. Only Paris, Harrahs and Caesars.

TUESDAY the 25th:
Tuesday morning we finally got into the time change and slept in. We were supposed to drive to Colton, California today to buy a toy hauler but the dealer called us last week and informed us he had sold the trailer. I opted to go to the pool and baked some more. Can’t get enough sun. Took a shower and headed downtown for a look around. We went into Binions to check out the poker room and then grabbed a sandwich at the deli there. The Reuben was so big that we split one. Headed to Golden Nugget and looked at the pool. The tank in the middle is really cool. I wouldn’t mind staying there once. We played some blackjack and roulette loosing money at both. We had wanted to eat at Bellagio’s buffet for dinner so we caught the bus back to Bellagios. Got there about 5p.m and the line was fairly short. I think we waited about 10 minutes. They had just finished changing over to dinner and a lot of the name plates weren’t right yet. Management was having a fit (in front of the customers…very unprofessional) because they hadn’t been changed. The food was great as usual. I love the fresh spring rolls and the lamb chops. They are my favorite. I also had some rock shrimp and pesto pizza. Very yummy. A few platters of fruit later we waddled out of the restaurant to gawk in the poker room. Didn’t recognize anyone but it was packed. Walked back across to Ballys and played roulette so I could win some money to loose at the card tables. I met a very nice couple at the Three Card Poker table who were from Portland, Oregon. She was a nurse recruiter working a table at the Mirage. We had a very enjoyable time talking with them. After a few hours of up and down we called it a night.

WEDNESDAY the 26th:
Wednesday, our last day, came too quickly. We got up early and went down to the buffet at Paris. The line was short and we were seated quickly. The food was as good as usual. I have read a lot of complaints about the buffet lately but I didn’t notice a difference. Then again we only go for breakfast. After breakfast I went to the pool again to soak up my last few rays of sunshine. After a while Mike joined me for a couple drinks and then we went to take a shower. After cleaning up we went shopping at Planet Hollywood to buy my daughter a birthday present. We found her a great pair of Fossil sunglasses and a Juicy couture bag. I dropped the bags off in our room and then we caught the shuttle over to Rio. We had tickets for Penn & Teller and wanted to try out the Seafood Buffet since it reopened. We arrived at the Buffet about 5p.m. and there was no line. I REPEAT, “NO LINE.” The restaurant looks good updated with light colored wood, brushed chrome and lots of sweeping curves. I like the new plates and bowls and the food line changed a little. There is a coupon in the hotel rooms for a free lobster but you must have the coupon to receive this. It has been about 6 months since we had been there, but the food seemed very familiar. The sushi station is new and nice but I was disappointed that the food hadn’t been updated as well. This price with tax was just over $80 so it looks like the prices haven’t changed. After dinner we hit the casino until the show started. I played some roulette and blackjack and Mike got into a Let It Ride table. I was up and down as usual but Mike was doing really well. He was a little upset when I told him we had to leave for the show (this was a show HE wanted to go to). We were seated in the center section about 3 rows back from the stage. Unfortunately the good seats did nothing for the show. It was a big letdown. Teller did a couple of cool things but most of it, to me, was extremely boring. I guess I had it built up in my mind to be something other than what it was. After the show I had wanted to hook-up with some of the MMVers that had arrived early. Angy (Beach Crazy) was going to call with their itinerary. Unfortunately Mike was not done with the Let It Ride table yet. It had been bugging him all through the show. I agreed to stay so we headed back to the casino. The seat he had been occupying earlier was available so he grabbed it. He said that was a good omen. After about a dozen hands he was dealt a 5,6,7 of diamonds. Since he plays all the sucker bets, he hit the 3 card hand at 40to1 right off the bat. He tucked his cards and decided to see one. The dealer turned up a 9 of diamonds and so he “LET IT RIDE”. He said, “I can’t watch”, and closed his eyes. When the dealer turned up the 8 of diamonds I started squealing. He had hit a straight flush. With $10 per spot at 200to1 it paid out $6000, a $2500 bonus for the $1 bet and $5 at 40to1 for the 3 card hand was another $200 for a grand total of $8700. Now this may not sound like much to most of you high rollers, but it was a nice payout to us for 1 hand of cards. The entire table and pit was crazy. We had to be careful with our hands and the cards so they didn’t call a miss deal. He tipped the dealer, Ray, $500 (was that enough Mikey?) and played for about an hour more. Not getting anything but a pair or two he decided we should head back to the hotel to pack for an early flight.

THURSDAY the 27th:
The flight back home was uneventful and we arrived in Michigan to snow and 29 degrees. That sucked!!!!!!!!!!!!

To summarize this extremely long and sometimes boring report we had a great time as usual.

Flights totaled $208 for both of us.
Hotel was very nice and cost me nothing plus a free personal DVD player.
Weather was spectacular. Sunny 80’s during the day and 60 at night.
Food and drink this trip was so-so. The Sterling Brunch was definitely the highlight. Rewards points paid for everything we ate at Harrah’s properties so we spent about $85.
Gambling for me was a roller coaster ride. I ended the trip in the hole $370. Mike ended the trip up $9400 thanks to that sweet hand at the Let It Ride table.
My only disappointment was not meeting the T2V group. After reading all your reports and watching the videos I am more determined than ever to make it next year.

Again, I want to apologize to Beach Crazy and Sin, who left a message on my voice mail. You gals are so sweet for thinking of me. I will catch up with you eventually. Until then I will continue to meet you here. Thanks for reading.

 

Nice stuff – and a great hit on Let it ride.

I saw those sandwiches at Binions deli but didn’t try them as they looked way over the top… probably a good idea to split…

 

Great TR vanassa1, really enjoyed it. If your hubby was up $9700 (congrats) you guys should have just stayed a couple of extra days and joined the MMV crew for some of the festivities. Glad you had a good trip and maybe we will see you at MMVI.

 

Good TR. Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Congrats to Mike on the hit on Let It Ride.

David

 

The thought of staying a couple extra days crossed our minds. We just had a new house built and we have a daughter in college so the money was truely needed.

 

Nice score on Let it Ride. The good thing about going to Vegas in March is the weather; the bad thing is going back home to your weather.