Pre-trip Report, Because I Just Can't Wait!

Since I never seem to get it together to post a report after my trips, I thought I'd do one beforehand.

Now that Southwest offers flights from Denver to LV for the low price of $138 r/t, we've really been having a hard time sticking with the two trips per year rule. The low airfare paired with free nights offers from MSS, Coast Casinos and the Evil Empire make it pretty flippin' hard to just say no. This trip will be our 3rd this year and we already have another in the works for early spring. We must be stopped!

Thurday, December 14th:
Depart Denver at 7:10 p.m. Thanks to Chef, we will be enjoying a couple of complimentary SWA cocktails whilst en route to the motherland. Arrive at 8:05 p.m. LV time, grab bags and head downtown by towncar or cab. Still undecided on that one so we'll wing it when we get there.
Arrive at Mainstreet Station. This will be homebase for our first night in town. We have played and eaten at MSS a handful of time but this will be our first stay. We received an offer for 3 free nights and $30 in food/booze so we decided why not use the offer for one night. Looking forward to the experience.
Grab a bite to eat and sample some frothy ales at the 777 Brewery. Do a circuit around downtown and catch a light show if it's convenient, then back to MSS for some hardcore pale ale consumption and VP action.

Friday, December 15th:
Breakfast somewhere, then to the downtown 1/2 price ticket outlet to see what's on clearance for the evening. We're contemplating going to Anthony Cools but we don't really want to commit ahead of time so anything's possible.
Check out of MSS, load up the cab and head over to the Rio. This will also be our first stay at the Rio. We received a 2 free nights offer and, again, thought we might as well give it a try. Now that Caesar's has changed all of it's $0.25 VP over, I have a feeling that this is one of the last offers we'll see from Harrah's. I'll certainly never touch those machines again anyway. I'm not much for the gaming at the Rio either but I figure we can always just pop over to the Palms or Gold Coast for decent VP. I just wish those places were as generous with the free nights offers.
Check in at the Rio. Still torn on what kind of room to request but I think that I am going to go with high floor, Impanema Tower with pool view based on the comments that I have read. I typically prefer a remodeled room so I figured that might be a safer route to go than the Masquerade Tower. We'll get what we get in the end and, as long as it's clean and quiet enough to snooze out, I'm all good.

The rest of the trip:
After we check into the Rio, we're pretty much wingin' it. I imagine we'll spend some time playing VP at the Palms, Gold Coast and Orleans. I'll also break down at least once or twice and hit the craps tables at the ever popular Casino Royale. What can I say, I like low minimums and good odds! As far as dining goes, we have several possibles on our list of restaurants to try to include Little Buddha, Ping Pang Pong, Cortez Room, and something at Caesar's (need to use $25 comp). We plan to see at least one show. We decided that this would not be a "cirque" trip so we're not booking anything ahead of time. If we can't get a show, it's not the end of the world but, we're planning to go to something at this point. The only other "planned" event that we have on this trip is a meet with some friends. All you need to know about that is that the consumption of multiple Irish Carbombs will be included in the festivities. Woohoo!

Sunday, December 17th:
Groggy and disheartened, we will depart Las Vegas at 1:20 p.m. The end.

Looking forward to the trip. I'm very excited about our stay at MSS. I really enjoy the service, the gaming and the atmosphere so I imagine that we will not be disappointed with our stay. We're pretty bummed about the Caesar's VP change but, I think that we've managed to find alternatives so, we'll survive. Any suggestions along the lines of food, gaming, or accommodations are welcome and appreciated. We can't wait!!!

 

Man, thats better than a lot of post trip reports!!!!


Nice effort!

 

I had a comp to use at Caesars this past weekend, at lunchtime. The only restaurants available at lunch were Cafe Lago (horrible experience there a few years ago, do not intend to return), Augustus Cafe (enjoy the food overall but it's wicked expensive), Hyakumi and Mesa Grill. Although Mesa Grill was having a brunch until 3pm Saturday, we found enough lunch-type items to get by, and really enjoyed it. Their margaritas are good, but very pricey (one pretty small one cost more than my sandwich) but I'd definitely eat there again!

 

I agree completely! It will be interesting to see how your post report differs from the pre report. Please let us know, and thanks!

 

I was tossing around Mesa Grill but haven't really found a whole lot of feedback on it so I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it. We might just have to give it a go.

 

This was my thinking as well - I would love to see a planned to vs did it results.

 

Nice trip report. I am sitting here reading it thinking, this lucky person is getting to leave in about 8 hours, yet i have to wait 23 more days. I am jealous.

 

That's ironic, because I'm checking into the MSS on Monday (the 18th), the day after you leave. Try to leave a few Royal Flushes (and microbrews) for me.:wink

We're checking into Bally's Saturday night for two nights before heading downtown. Best of both worlds in the greatest city in the world!