Trip Report Dec 11-14,2001

Here goes,
I was in Las Vegas last week 12/11-14 and despite chilly weather enjoyed it very much. It has been over 10 years since my last trip to Vegas, so I had a lot to rediscover. THis was like getting two vacations in one. Since the Rodeo was in town I felt like I was in Texas and Las Vegas at the same time.
Ill break down the report into sections.
Airlines- America West..
despite reading less than flatering things about this Airline, everything was fine.Booked on-line via Americawest.com and save over $130, paid $429 r/t for 2people against $569 via the phone. Only snag was upon reaching JFK, A/W changed terminals and had no signage up. We checked in at the British Airways terminal and were the only ones there. AWESOME. Flight took off 10 min. late, totally acceptable. Return flight left almost an hour late due to rain in Vegas, windy weather over Rockie mtns. and rain/fog in NYC. Captain needed to chart a new route and add extra fuel for ancicipated circling over JFK, which never happened. Only complaint is only pretzels for a 5 hour flight??

Hotel The Venetian
Took LVL to the hotel and again thanks to this website, everything went well too. $4.50pp for a stretch limo ride to your hotel. So you share it, big deal. Two quick stops at MGM & Excalibur left us alone for our ride to the Venetian.
Calling this a hotel is a disservice. THis is one of the most beautiful resorts I have visited. Thru this site found a promo for $79nt for a suite. Spoke nicely to Res. Mgr and desk clerk upon checkin and without a tip they gave us a 33rd floor suite facing Treasure Island,north strip and mountains view. The clerk warned us about the phone and minibar charges and gave us coupons for 2/1 entrees and 2/1 insuite breakfast.
The service was great, suite was in tip top shape I really couldnt find anything negative about the Venetian. Ordered insuite breafast twice and it was delivered hot within 30 min. They brought a toaster too so the toast was done to your liking.
The Grand Lux cafe was another great place to eat and priced right. Very busy 5-9pm, ate there at 1am and sat down to a great late night meal. The Grand canal shops, with Gongdola rides was amazing to see, the murals are beautiful. Even if you dont stay there you must visit it.
Shows- Mac KIng Comedy show- Barry Manilow-Fremont Street Experience.
Most splashy reviews and headliners take off during December which I was not happy about.
Also closed was the Buccaneer pirate battle outside Treasure Island, White tiger compound inside Mirage. Anyway, went to buy tickets for Mac King at Harrahs, $16.95 isnt much so we bought them. During this my wife joins the slots club and gets comp tickets to see Mac King. I got a refund for my paid tickets and used the comps(must buy one drink each). Great entertainment and a really great show. My wife and I hadnt laughed that hard in some time. Mac KIng announced Harrahs extended his contract till 2004, so hes doing something right. After the show, I joined their slots club and got a free Mac King coffee mug for joining. Last night we saw Barry Manilow at Mandalay Bay. It was a birthday present for my wife, so i struggled though it. It was the 1st night of his new tour, but $126 for 2 tix he only played for 1 1/2 hours. Big hit with the Misses, so I was happy she was happy. Went to Downtown and saw the FSE. Although show is under enclosed structure, you are outdoors, so it was cold and slightly raining. We caught a Rock N Roll tribute light show featuring Rolling Stones,Beatles,The Who which was good, also saw the Xmas tree lighting.
Gambling
I lost, my wife won. THATS IT. Mostly played slots Wheel of Fortune slots were good. NO casino better than next winning wise, slots service at Venetian the best. Played at Venetian, Harrahs,Mandalay,Cesars,Mirage,Barbary Coast, Golden Nugget and 4 Queens. My wife won $300 in Harrahs and over $250 in 4 Queens on the Merlin Slot. Dont ask about me, I made my donations.

All in all trip was great. No rude or unfriendly people encountered. Guys, Watch out for those timeshare bums along the strip, they offer you the world only if you indulge their mandatory seminars for property rentals/purchases.
Rent a car and deal with the parking, taxis cost us $100 or so with all the traveling we did. Venetian location is excellent to access other casinos by walking.
Sonya, thank you and all the people who provide accurate information on this site. It helped me plan an outstandng trip and my wife loved every minute of it.

 

These time share people stopped us also when we passed the Imperial Palace.When I told him we were from the Netherlands he did not know how to get ride of us.I kept on asking him that I wanted in on this great deal.
But no luck he did not invite us.

He got very irritated with me after 5 minutes.Thats serves him right, now he knows how others feel about this.