Tropicana Trip Report & Pic Link April 21-25

Las Vegas - Tropicana - April 21 - 25, 2003

This trip was to celebrate my birthday and it was great. No problems with Southwest Airlines as usual. This trip brought us 2 free tickets on Southwest in the future on our Rapids Reward membership.

Tropicana Hotel -
After reading several questionable comments over the last few months, we were quite weary of our staying here and even considered changing our reservations at the last minute to the Luxor. We were so glad we didn't. We thoroughly enjoyed the Tropicana. Nice hotel with an excellent pool. Check-in was some what slow. Lots of people and only 3 staff members checking people in. We had booked a Jacuzzi suite. They gave us a very nice room on the 20th floor over looking the Strip and the pool. Entrance was into the living room area. There was a closet by the entrance with mirrored sliding doors. The living area contained a bar with cabinets and refrigerator, sofa, coffee table, two chairs with an end table and TV. A nice big picture window over looking the pool and the Luxor/Excalibur. Double sliding doors closed off the bedroom. The bedroom contained a large king-size bed with mirrors across the back and on the ceiling. So cool. A Jacuzzi tub with mirrors behind it was over to the left. The tub wasn't very wide, but it was quite deep with lots of jets. A dresser, 2 night stands and another TV. A second big picture window overlooking Excalibur/New York New York and the north side of MGM. The bathroom had a very nice sized dressing area with another closet with mirrored sliding doors and two separate vanities with their own sink. A separate room contained the toilet and steam shower. We've never used a steam shower before. It was really nice, but you can't stay in there to long. It got too warm and the steam was so thick you could barely breath. All furniture was rattan/bamboo style. The entire room was very clean. Yes, the bathroom fixtures could be newer, but in all we really enjoyed the room. There were 17 pics of the room and the view from our 2 windows that we took that didn't come out. I don't know if it was the film, the camera or Walgreens who developed the film. I've never had problems before and suspect Walgreens didn't process them correctly. I am very upset they didn't come out.

Tropicana Pool - We really enjoyed the pool area. The weather was not that great with highs in the low to mid 70's and rather windy, but it was nice mid afternoon in the sun. The pool was not crowded and plenty of chairs for everyone. I'm sure that had more to do with the time of year than anything else. The water was heated nicely and felt great until you got out and the wind hit you. The Flamingo's pool is more eye catching, but the Tropicana's pool is more user friendly. We defiantly enjoyed it more. Towels were provided with proof of hotel key. They also requested our key at the bar when we ordered drinks. There was no one checking at the entrance of the pool if you were a hotel guest or not.
Tropicana Spa - Happy Birthday to me from DH. The spa was great. I got a package that included body scrub, body wrap, massage and facial. The atmosphere was very nice and relaxed. The 2 ladies that did my package were friendly and professional. I thoroughly enjoyed the spa.

Tropicana Casino - We were disappointed that the hotel does not have a Keno lounge. We joined the Winner's Club and did the $50 for $20 slots. Of course, we didn't win, but did get the "cool" gifts they offered. 3 Tropicana logo beer mugs. (I have no idea why there were 3), a watch, 4 decks of cards, 2 Tropicana T-Shirts and a fun book with lots of coupons. We played various VP and slots and didn't hit anything, but did get 2 comp buffets for our play.

Other Gambling - We played at Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York, MGM, Aladdin, Flamingo and Barbary Coast. We found all the VP and Slots in every casino very tight. Hardly any return, much less a hit. I did hit 2 $80 tickets at the Keno Lounge in New York New York and 2 $10 tickets a MGM in their Keno Lounge. We really enjoyed the Keno Lounges this trip. We got the best cocktail service we've ever experienced. The cocktail waitresses came around every 10-15 minutes at every lounge we were at. Never got one single cocktail waitress at any hotel playing VP or slots except the Tropicana, when we played VP at the Tropics bar.

Dining -

Calypsos's 24 Hour Cafe at the Tropicana - We went about 2 am. Ordered the nachos to share. Very good. Huge plate with guacamole, sour cream and salsa in separate dishes. We ate all of it.

The Garden Buffet at the Tropicana - We went for lunch one day and breakfast on another day. The lunch was good. The chicken fajitas were really good. DH had bar-b-cue ribs that he enjoyed also. The salad bar and fruit bar were fresh. The breakfast was a different story. We used our comps for this meal. Didn't care for the eggs or the biscuits and gravy. The orange juice tasted watered down. The fresh fruit was good, but the danishes were dry and old tasting.

Tuscany Italian Restaurant at the Tropicana - It was good. The shrimp cocktail had 6 huge shrimp that were rather rubbery and the cocktail sauce was bland. I like lots of horseradish. This has none. The dressing for the Caesar salad was just bad. However, the egg plant parmesan and the shrimp scampi with fettuccini was excellent. Creme brulee for dessert was also very good. So a little hit and miss. Service was good and the waiter was friendly.

Gallagher's Steakhouse at New York, New York - Another hit and miss. DH had a regular iceberg salad. I had the tomatoesand onion with blue cheese and vinegar/oil. Yum! The table bread was actually soft and warm with a great spice on top. DH had the grilled shrimp with rice. The shrimp was barely cooked, much less grilled. I ordered the bone in rib eye with mushroom and onions. I gathered from the menu that the mushrooms and onions were either grilled or sauteed. Instead they were fried. I don't like fried food too much and didn't like this at all. The steak was huge. At least 2'' thick. I ordered it medium rare and it came out raw. Sent it back and it came back rare. DH and I both ate the steak and enjoyed it. Creme Brulee for desert. Very good. The waiter was friendly and the service great. They gave me a complimentary cocktail for the having to re-cook the steak. I thought that was nice.

Drais at the Barbary Coast - The best meal we had this trip. I was disappointed at first because the menu I printed off the Internet was not the same menu we were presented with. DH had the spaghetti with tomatoes, onions and olive oil dressing and I had the grilled salmon with lobster mousse in a puff pastry with fresh cooked spinach and garlic. Total yum. Never had anything like it before. This was excellent. Service very good, but the atmosphere was quite pretentious. They gave us an awful table in the middle of the doorway to the back dining area. I asked the waiter if we could have a booth instead. He directed us to the restaurant manager for us to re-ask our request to be moved. I thought that was silly, but he did move us. Would definitely eat there again.

Tournament of Kings at Excalibur - This was just fun. I've been to a dinner show like this before in Dallas, TX and really enjoyed it. DH has not been before. The food was much better here than in Dallas, except the pina colada I ordered was undrinkable. The soup and cornish game hen was very good. The show was entertaining.

Red Square at Mandalay Bay - Still the best raspberry martini's ever. We sat at the bar with the ice strip and drank martini's and ate creme brulee (YUM) The bartender was so nice. We struck up a conversation with him and I told him it was my birthday and he gave us 2 free vodka shots. Love the atmosphere and the vodka.

Fat Burger - Very good hamburgers. DH got the double king with onion rings and ate the whole thing. Took him a awhile, but he wasn't going to leave it.

We attempted to eat at Paris breakfast buffet. We arrived at 10am and was told there was no seating until 12 noon. Since there was a 2 hour wait that would take us out of breakfast and into lunch, we skipped it.

Entertainment -

Folies Begere at the Tropicana - We were given 2 free tickets from the Tropicana, but they were for the 7:30 show. I pre-purchased the 10:00 show before we left. Great seats in the first row of booth seats. The show was very nice and tastefully done. We enjoyed it. The juggler in the middle of the show was great.

Amazing Jonathan at the Flamingo - This show was hilarious. Very questionable humor and quite off-color, but it was fun and we enjoyed it. It's not for the faint of heart or if you are offended easily. Lots of vulgarity.

We attempted to go to the Time Square Piano Bar at New York New York. At 7:00 it was totally packed and there was a guy at the door holding guests until a table was available. We skipped it and headed over to the Keno Lounge instead, which was were I won the $160. We could clearly hear the bar from the lounge and also got free cocktail service, so not being in the middle of the action was no big deal.

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour - This tour was great. We flew over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam to the west rim. The views were just awesome. We landed near the Colorado River and was given a picnic basket lunch with champagne. Very nice. On the way back we flew over Down Town and then all the way down the Strip back to the airport. The tour was rather expensive, but very enjoyable.

Bellagio Conservatory - We went to the conservatory to see the butterfly exhibit. It was very nice and all the fresh flowers smelled and looked wonderful. We noticed that out of all the casinos we went through, the Belliago was dead. Hardly anyone playing. We checked out their Keno Lounge and their minimum was $5. No Way! We enjoyed the Conservatory, but didn't play there at all.

Free Bird Show at the Tropicana - We enjoyed the bird show. The birds were so cute and full of personality. The trainer was also very personable to the crowd. We sat for the 2nd show and then sat at the bar and played VP with free cocktails during the 3rd show.

Legends Hall of Fame Museum at the Tropicana - We got free tickets from the Winner's Club promo desk. Nice exhibit with lots of memorbilia. Definitely get the free tickets or coupons. I wouldn't have paid to go in there. We grab a quick rebuen sandwich outside the museum from the Legends Deli and it was excellent.

Summary -
We had a great trip and rather enjoyed ourselves. The best birthday I've had ever. We liked the Tropicana. Out of all the hotels we've stayed at (West Ward Ho, Plaza and Flamingo) we liked the Tropicana the best, and would stay there again. We didn't have any plans of returning to Las Vegas until next year. We have a trip to the Bahamas planned in September and a trip to the Poconos in November, but looks like we might be able to swing a long weekend mid-June. We are keeping our fingers crossed. Viva Las Vegas Baby!

Pictures (the ones that actually came out) are on our web-site at: http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

 

Nice trip report Kelly. Really enjoyed your pictures. Do you mind telling us what it cost for your Jacuzzi suite? We considered staying at the Tropicana because my husband liked the idea of the swim up Black Jack table, but he found out that it doesn't open until 24th of May I think, and we are going May 6th.

Lynne in the Falls

 

Lynne in the Falls,

I searched all over the internet for the jacuzzi suite and it keep coming up $189-$199 a night on the various dot.com's. I finally called the Tropicana directly and they gave me $149 per night. $163 with tax. Right before we left, I got an email offer from the Luxor for $109 + tax per night and we considered taking it. Now, I'm glad we didn't. We loved the mirrors in the Trop's room and the Luxor was so hard to navigate through. I believe the swim up blackjack opens around Memorial weekend. The pool will probably be really crowded then though.