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Notorious -- TheBucket LV 4/28-5/2 Pre-TR

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by thebucket, Feb 2, 2015.

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  1. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    I'm hoping the Riv doesn't close until mid June or beyond, so I can stay 1 or 2 more nights. Stayed at The Stardust within a week of closure, and the Sahara when it was on casino death watch. Wish I would have stayed at other classic Vegas casinos (The Dunes, original Aladdin, Sands, and one of my favorite places to play, The Desert Inn), but stayed on comps at The Riv or Harrah's (based on local play). Sometimes comps are worth what you pay for them, sometimes they cost a lot more than what you get.

    Anyway, hope you score the top penthouse and are "The King of The Riviera"!
     
  2. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Yep, you're quite right about the Sam's Town buffet being the place of our last meeting, quite a nice time it was. Hopefully our paths will cross again some time.

    Interesting that you refer to it as an Oasis... I've felt that way a number of times. Most recently walking from Encore to my Circus Circus room rather late at night, carrying way too much cash for that to be a good idea. There really wasn't any cause for concern, but I did walk in the front doors of Circus Circus, take a deep breath, and smile, feeling oddly safe and secure once I was past the doors. It was a feeling they made-good-on, as I took down a dollar progressive royal at the West Bar where I stopped to have a drink before going up to my casino tower room.

    I sure do hope that area doesn't get cleared out... Sure, there are some new properties coming online in the next few years, but it would be a shame to lose all that history. I'll have to make the most of it on this next trip. Oddly enough I've never been to the Peppermill - I'll have to make that a must-do this time around.
     
  3. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    As do I, or at least a stay there before things come, quite literally, tumbling down. I wish I had been around LV to enjoy the Sands and Desert Inn, but alas I came along too late for that. I did, however, get to pay the Sahara a farewell visit (though not so dramatic as this one since it did sort-of come back...).

    I'm now pondering the best way to try and weasel my way into a top room there. Also, their website mentions that the 'Penthouse Suites' are located atop the Monte Carlo and Monaco towers. While such a room is quite tempting, I'm tempted to confine my quest to the best possible room (which is quite possibly the Bridal Suite I stayed in once before) in the Mediterranean North tower, the only part of the complex which actually dates all the way back to 1956. From my observations last time I stayed there, I think that the one I had was one of only two rooms in that tower which featured a roof-level balcony, both overlooking the never-used pool on the roof of the casino itself (gotta love that thing). I assume that the other room is a mirror image of the one I stayed in, but if anyone knows this to be true or not (or knows of the existence of other large/upscale rooms in the original building), that information would be awesome to have. I sooo wish I had access to LV before my upcoming trip, as I'd make a point of haunting the Riv and chatting with staff members. Oh, well, I'll have to do it quickly on arrival I suppose.

    Any thoughts, anyone? Go for the biggest, baddest room possible? Or contain the cost (and increase the likelihood of success) a bit and limit myself to the original building?

    Dang, I just keep getting more excited about this trip by the day. Hopefully I don't blow a fuse before the day comes. :)
     
  4. Rumdranker

    Rumdranker Grateful Lurker

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    My suggestion is that you do some digging and find the right person or people to email. Let them know something of your knowledge of the history of the Riviera, and then request the room that you want, that way you can know beforehand what you have.
     
  5. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    For anyone who is interested in the physical details of the Riv and the ensuing plans, here's a 2003 floor-plan that provides a reasonably clear picture of the layout today:

    http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/nevada/las-vegas/property-maps/riviera-map.jpg

    Here it is, from the air in 1955 (showing the original structures only, of course):
    http://digital.library.unlv.edu/objects/sky/290

    A night-time air view, 1955:
    http://vintagelasvegas.tumblr.com/image/106354724914

    Again from the air, circa 1975:
    http://gaming.unlv.edu/Xanadu/riviera.jpg

    Hey... One of the photo credits I came across mentioned that it appeared in Life Magazine in 1955, photographed by one Loomis Dean. Time to see if I can lay my hands on a copy of that magazine. Woohoo! Here we go, folks, it's another obsessive Bucket-quest to learn, then experience, everything there is to know about and do within a resort. Riviera, here I come!

    Edit to add: Looks like I'm after the June 20, 1955 issue of Life.
     
  6. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    This makes good sense. The 'Penthouse Suites' page on their website mentions that they are not available online, and are to be requested via an e-mail to the GM. I'll give that a shot and see what comes of it. :)

    Edited to add: Looks like the person of interest is Rob Kunkle.

    Even though the website says to e-mail him (supposedly him...) about the suites... I'm thinking that might not give the proper impression. There is enough time to initiate a dialogue with a postal letter, and I'm quite tempted to produce it using a typewriter rather than a laser printer. Such a retro-form of communication might attract attention, particularly if he's a history buff at any level, and set my query far apart from the usual "Yo, how much for a suite" e-mail messages that he or his staff surely get from time-to-time. Perhaps dating the letter 1955, crossing it out by hand and writing in 2015... If I do it, I'll scan the letter and post it here, just for the heck of it.

    I know, I know... I'm a weirdo. But it's FUN!
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2015
  7. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    I have just confirmed the desirability of a suite in Med. North at the Riv with my travel companion, who will come prepared for primitive camping, and therefore fully prepared for any condition the room/services/etc might be in once we reach our goal. For anyone not familiar with my trip reports, I take an 'Indiana Jones' approach to hotel stays (enjoying anything from amazing palaces to rather frightening circumstances (we're talking Binion's original building in its final days of service)). And what the Riv will be able to deliver... Is a big question mark. Therefore, we'll come prepared for the worst, and enjoy anything and everything above that.

    I've also put out a few 'feelers', as I need to source a mechanical typewriter in the next few days. Hopefully one of my friends either has or can lay hands on one (might well need a new ribbon, I can deal with that as long as the action is workable). There is a modern electric at my office for filling out forms and such, but it's output is far too printer-ish for my taste. I want the variation of letter-strike that a mechanical typewriter with an ink-bearing ribbon will render. I haven't used one of those since middle school... And I'll probably cheat and draft the letter electronically before committing it to the final page.
     
  8. KyleB

    KyleB Low-Roller

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    I can't wait for this report! As soon as I started reading I hoped you were planning on staying at the Riv one last time, the plans on scoring one of their better suites is even better.

    There doesn't seem to be a room matching your description on YouTube or in the online images, but I'm sure with a typewritten letter, you'll be able to locate it with ease.

    Did you ever make it out to the rooftop pool deck?

    Glad to see you are back, I'll have to go back and read your older ones again to get ready for this one.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2015
  9. zignerlv

    zignerlv VIP Whale

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    Bucket, I was just reading an older trip report of yours, posted before I started really reading here. I noticed that your picture blog from those trip reports is gone. I wanted to see your old pics, especially the Riviera ones. I used to stay there in there some years ago, and I am familiar with the failed roof pool there (I even visited it about a year ago), etc, and wanted to see your suite in the old tower. Is there any other place you have those old pictures up for viewing?

    Since you are an old time Riviera person, I have a tidbit that my contact there told me that may or may not be true. If you remember, there was a rectangular bar, towards the back, where the main showroom is. I was told that it had to be removed for health reasons, because the bar was built on wood? that was not approved to support a bar and the wetness under it, or something along those lines. So, they had to remove the bar, about 5 or so years ago.
     
  10. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    We came, We saw, We kicked it's ass!

    I certainly hope so, my only fear is that the letter may not be met with the level of enthusiasm and interest that I hope it will (I imagine management will have a lot on their plates... Or perhaps they'll be winding down and have the time to respond. Time will tell...

    I'll let Bill Murray answer that one for you better than I can:
    [YOUTUBE]lZVPCtmkDSY[/YOUTUBE]

    I think my favorite of the old ones may be 'Hardly Working'. Maybe 'Beautiful, Dirty, Rich'... I'd love to know your opinion as to the best if you're going to peruse them anyhow. :)
     
  11. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Oh, drat. I'll see if I can find the originals, post them somewhere, and link to them here. Thanks for the heads up!

    How very interesting. I hadn't heard of this, but will inquire about it while I'm there (and thank you, as I'm actively collecting every last tiny scrap of data, rumor, history, and trivial fact about the Riv that I possibly can pre-trip).
     
  12. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    bucket...hi...quick question - as you seem to be a "Riv Old-Timer", do you remember the blackjack dealer , 'Mitch', from the 80s & early 90s?

    He was a mid-to-late 40ish black guy who dealt lightning-fast two deck blackjack, and had the dryest, most unsympathetic demeanor anytime you were getting your ass kicked.

    The one (gambling) thing I'll regret regarding the Riv is that I'll never have the chance to 'slaughter' Mitch, ie - payback!
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  13. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I haven't had the 'pleasure' of being dealt to by Mitch. Too bad you never got the chance to slaughter his game - the lightening fast pace can cut both ways. :)
     
  14. karens625

    karens625 Low-Roller

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    Received my package yesterday. Never seen a silver strike before. May have to check out the machines when I am in town. Kind of cool. Thanks for having that give away.
     
  15. KyleB

    KyleB Low-Roller

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    Just finished the hardly working TR, which was excellent. I think the TRs where you went on a mission to find the war room and to stay in the older rooms at the IP and Curcus Curcus are still my favorite. Cant wait for your newest installment.

    Here's a question for you, do you know exactly what part of The STRAT the old Vegas World building was turned into? I have read that part of that building still exists, but I never went to Vegas World so I'm not sure what part that was.
     
  16. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    From what I understand (semi-recent news, combined with my semi-recent experience), one can expect to find Silver-Strike dispensing slot machines at Planet Hollywood, Sam's Town, Four Queens, and Palms. In any of these places, just ask a slot attendant where to find said machine, drop a $20 in (I have seldom (but a few times) failed to acquire a strike with an initial investment of $20), and hope for the best.
     
  17. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    If my understanding is correct, the 'C Bar' sits right within the old VW area. It will be close to the strip, now somewhat seamlessly integrated with newer construction. Look for the lower ceiling area. :)
     
  18. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    It's Official

    Well, word came out that the Riv's sale to the LVCVA is official. And it is to be demolished. This is it... The moment at which my next trip is to be devoted to the experience, whatever that may be, of being a guest of the Riv in its final days. The top suite in the original tower is now a goal similar to the War Room, and the experience the casino, the services, the staff, the restaurants, anything and everything the Riv has to offer is on the table.

    Does anyone have insight as to what may happen to final-days Club Riviera data? We may hit that fairly hard. It would be interesting to know where our action might come onto the radar-of. Surely the LVCVA has no use for it... And surely it is an asset of value. I'd be curious to know where it lands (even if said knowledge comes from an out of the blue offer from somewhere).

    Checks Play!

    :beer:
     
  19. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    If you can't find a typewriter then go with a handwritten note! That would be pretty cool too, especially if you get a response via regular mail rather than email!
     
  20. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

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    If my handwriting were up to the task, I'd definitely go for this. Unfortunately, though readable, I don't think that a handwritten note from me would convey the feeling of class and attention to detail/quality that I hope to impart. If worst comes to worst, I'll just type it on an electric typewriter, but am still hoping for the manual model. :)

    And indeed, it would be extra-cool to get a letter back via postal mail (this happened once before when I sent a formal letter to the GM of the Gold Coast in praise of the performance of one of their casino managers. Away the letter went, and a while later a (really surprisingly ornate) letterhead envelope showed up in my mailbox from the GM herself thanking me for the input).
     
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