Trip Report 1/17 - 1/20pm

Ok, here is my promised trip report. While all of you were correct in advising me not to try posting while I was out there, all was for naught anyway, as our internet connectivity at the Bellagio was alleged. So anyway...

1/17
AirTran from Atlanta to Vegas - 9:45am, took off a tiny bit late, but landed on time. I was shocked at the size of McCarren - but they manage to move people through very nicely even in a small space (remember, I'm accustomed to the Atlanta airport). All was good, no searches, no lost baggage.
Taxi to Bellagio - $12, and the taxi driver was full of helpful info. Nice guy - despite the hygiene....we're on our way.

Check in was a breeze, and even though my husband attempted the $20 trick, the desk guy gave us the lakeview upgrade for no additional cost. Can't imagine why - the place was packed, due to the World of Concrete convention (more on that later).

The room was beautiful - masculine tones with soft touches that would please anyone. 18th floor, directly across from the Eiffel Tower, and perfectly overlooking the fountains...very clean, non-smoking room (damn that square husband of mine!). Plenty of storage space, and the luxurious bathroom was wonderful. I took a post-flight bath and almost fell asleep in the tub.

So - unpacked, and off to see the sites. Stopped in the casino (because of course you can't help it), immediately won $200 from a $20 slot machine run....woo hoo...onto the next. Spent a more hours walking around and getting accquainted with our environs...had a few Ketel Greyhounds that ended up being about $20 each once I lost all of my slot money at Blackjack...

Dressed for lunch (I must have changed clothes 4 times a day - wanted the full Vegas dress code gamut), and headed over to the Aladdin. Spent a few moments wandering around the shops, then headed to the buffet. Eh. I'm not much of a buffet eater - I think my husband had a ham and cheese sandwich ultimately - but we felt like we had to do it. The pasta salad was exceptional, but hey, how hard is it to muck up pasta and mayonnaise? Too picky, I suppose.

After lunch, we walked up through Bally's, Barbary Coast, the Flamingo, and ultimately Caesar's, playing a little at each. Didn't fare too poorly - probably dropped $150 in slots and made out with about $250 profit....admirable, considering at Caesar's I stopped and got the 190 octane YARD and was plowed post haste. I suppose you don't need much coordination to hit that little button....

So we made the trek back to Bellagio to hang out a bit more - got a facial at the salon while my husband got a massage. Spent an hour or two walking around while he hit the Craps table (for a $500 win), and then we dressed for dinner.

Delmonico's - FABULOUS, and I'm so NOT an afficianado of steak...perhaps my palette is not sophisticated enough, but normally I just can't tell the damn difference. In this case, the filet melted like cotton candy, and the accompanying potato was divine...husband had filet and shrimp, which he ate every bit of, which is uncharacteristic of him.

Spent a little time in the Venetian - WOW. As beautiful as Bellagio is, those who know me should have told me to stay at the Venetian. Beautiful...and the Guggenheim was closed by then, but we bought tickets for the next morning...dropped another $50 in slots while husband bonded with the craps boys - drank 4 or 5 more greyhounds - though less in quality than the fresh-squeezed from Bellagio.

Cabbed it back to Bellagio (we were dressed for dinner, so I was not down with walking in my 4 inch heels) - changed into more casino-friendly clothes, and that's when I saw it - it that would become my lover and my nemesis for the remainder of the stay.....


CASINO WAR!!!!!!

Now, I know all of you seasoned Vegas veterans, card sharks and dice masters are howling with laughter. BUT. As someone who has never been too interested with table games (call me easily bored), and relegated to the senior-filled slot area....I was in heaven!!! Even though we were on Atlanta time and I was exhausted (it was only 10pm Vegas time)....I played for about an hour, my husband mocking me the entire time. Not so once I exited the table $300 up for the night - rock on.

1/18
Up at 6am - still can't shake the time difference. We dressed, wandered around taking pictures of the Bellagio conservatory (right now it's decorated to reflect the Chinese New Year, complete with a tacky-ass mirrored stallion in the foyer - ick). Breakfast at Cafe Bellagio - it was ok, but not the greatest scrambled eggs I'd ever had.

Waited for the Museum to open up - was sublimely moved by the Monets - beautiful setting as well. The intimate surroundings are so superior to a larger museum, for viewing a small collection. Breathtakingly beautiful. Husband was counting the floor tiles while I bored him with my ex-docent knowledge. Blah, blah blah.

Off to the Mirage. Dark casino - icky smell (and I smoke when I'm drinking, so it wasn't the smoke)...just a creepy kinda vibe. I did like the atrium, and I suppose the flowers were pretty - but wow, the smell was awful...moving on.

Stopped back in at Caesar's...got to see a few moving statues, and wandered the shops again. Tried on a pair of $3000 shoes, which, oddly enough made my day. Stayed at Caesar's and played for awhile (husband lost big at Craps)...hit a few slot machines, drank a lot, and talked to a lovely hooker who informed me that she works during the day because there are less "smelly drunks" to deal with. Good point.

Back to Bellagio to get ready for dinner - Commander's Palace. Again, fabulous. A beautiful environment that's a nice break from the glitz and glitter of the casinos. Great meal, great wine, and free beignets to celebrate the upcoming Mardi Gras. Got some beads, and didn't even have to "show us your tits!". Yay me.

Went to bed early after a few losing hands of War! Watched King Arthur in-room (horrible), and were asleep by 11:00. That's probably illegal in Vegas.

I'll split this in two if anyone is still reading....sorry if it's boring.

 

Not at all boring!! I had to laugh about your being plowed and hitting the slot buttons. I've been there, so drunk I could not watch the reels spin. Ouch. LOLOL

 

The no-internet thing at Bellagio wouldn't have happened if Steve was still running the place. Good for you hitting the tables, even if it was War. Might try Mini-Bacarrat next time, really not much more than war anyway but lower house edge.

Nice restaurant picks.

 

This is a great trip report--keep going! I love it. Can't wait to hear the rest.

Mikey

 

When I first read "Casino War" I couldn't help but think of the casino in Vegas Vacation...Rock, Paper, Scizzors; War, etc.

 

Which $3000 pair of shoes?? I hear there's a Taryn Rose shop (only $500 shoes)at Caesars or Fashion Show mall and I want to go try some of those on!

[ January 21, 2005, 02:26 PM: Message edited by: HoyaHeel ]

 

good tr so far----

icky smell at Mirage !! what !!!
oh maaaaaan !! r u serious ??

Well, i guess i'm on the other side of the fence there, lol.

mK

 

$3000 shoes? You go girl! Before every trip to Vegas I make a vow to myself that if I win big money I will buy myself a pair of Mahnolos. Thanks for the great report.