Just returned from a three nite Sun Country Airlines Beau Rivage package trip from Little Rock. We were extremely pleased with the whole thing, and if these offers continue "we will come."
I'm a hard core Las Vegas/Bellagio fan, but this Beau trip has changed my thinking in several ways:
1. Free flight. I spend $500-600, at best, for two of us to get to/from Vegas. Free Airfare to Vegas is just about non-existant, for me at least. And, a one hour flight versus 3-6 hours.
2. The Sun Country plane was fine...more leg room than on Southwest, almost as much as exit row on Southwest (though not quite). Personnel great. Everything very well organized. Free alcoholic drinks on the flight to Biloxi. And...did I mention 1 hour flight time, versus 3 1/2 hours to Vegas IF we get the non-stop, 6 or more hours with a connecting flight. Flight home, soft drinks etc. only, no booze.
3. Beau Rivage, as many of you know, is a gorgeous hotel (MGM), some similar architecture to Bellagio. Though it lacks the Chihuly glass ceiling in the lobby and the Fountain Show that I love, I much more enjoyed the view from our room at the Beau of the Mississippi Sound, which is there 24/7, no having to watch the time and run to the window (or outside) to catch the Fountain show, no loud noise from the breaking of the sound barrier by the Fountains. Ocean as far as the eye can see, boats, birds, clouds, and quiet...loved it.
4. The $40 "convenience fee" assessed per person at time of reservation was returned as $40 added to the players cards. No Resort Fee issues to be concerned about!
5. Didn't have to go to the Players Club to get the $40 added on, it was already on there.
6. The Beau breakfast buffet was $11.95, and half price for seniors on Wednesdays. The cashier didn't even mention the senior discount, just did it. OK...I look "senior"...I can take it. Plus a free buffet with the trip package. Very good food, at least at breakfast.
7. The Beau Cafe very nice, inexpensive. Huge Reuben sandwich and fries.
8. Bartender at 857 Bar (or something like that) made an excellent Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini..I was skeptical when he suggested it, but it was wonderful. Plus, one drink filled the Martini glass to the rim, COLD, with about another 2-3 ounces in a side glass, really about the equivalent of two drinks. And, he didn't skimp on the alcohol. I was loopy about half way through it...just as God and the Beau intended!
9. A lot of neat little shops in the shop promenade, variety of jewelry and clothes but without the Gucci and Hermes prices.
10. The whole place was very relaxing, very friendly staff, no crowd fatigue, no snobbery, no obvious tip expectations as in Vegas. Tip somebody at the Beau a dollar (or anywhere in Biloxi) and they act like it is a hundred. No long lines, no throngs of people bumping into you like in Vegas (on the Strip, at least).
11. The Casino Hopper Trolley is the best thing going. Cost is $1.50 for one ride or $6 for an all day pass, unlimited riding casino to casino. They give you a booklet with the pickup schedules, and it stays pretty much to the minute on schedule. You can't get far for that price in a Vegas taxi.
12. Hard Rock is next door to the Beau, easy walk. Played a lot of Quick Hit machines (there and everywhere). Very nice casino, but that place is COLD! We got a nice Tee Shirt for sign up (or you could have a buffet instead). The other casinos, you can get there on the Hopper unless you have a car. The Hopper also has other routes which go to the beaches and other attractions.
13. Harrah's (formerly Grand) is tiny, not much there. Didn't stay there long. Perhaps they have plans to expand??
14. Also gambled at Golden Nugget, Palace, and Margaritaville. Did well on an Ultimate X machine at Palace. Margaritaville had a lot of fun promotions going...got lots of chocolate bars and free play while we played Quick Hit machines.
15. Didn't make it to Boomtown, which is walkable from the Beau except that our friend can't walk fast or long so we didn't try; also didn't make it to IP or Treasure Bay. The Hopper doesn't go to Treasure Bay, so it must be a ways out. Used to like Treasure Bay when it was in Tunica, but that was eons ago.
16. Friend and I are Quick Hit machine addicts, and they have plenty of those at the Beau. (Husband is pretty much a non-gambler, but enjoys the atmosphere and silliness of it all.) Friend hit really well on a 50 cent WOF at Beau. I intended to play some Blackjack but didn't get around to it, being hooked on those Quick Hit machines!
Next time will visit some of the other attractions besides casinos. Some ladies in our group told of a little 'village' they walked to "across the bridge", with shops and places to eat. I forget the name, but will check it out when we go again.
Thanks for reading.
I'm a hard core Las Vegas/Bellagio fan, but this Beau trip has changed my thinking in several ways:
1. Free flight. I spend $500-600, at best, for two of us to get to/from Vegas. Free Airfare to Vegas is just about non-existant, for me at least. And, a one hour flight versus 3-6 hours.
2. The Sun Country plane was fine...more leg room than on Southwest, almost as much as exit row on Southwest (though not quite). Personnel great. Everything very well organized. Free alcoholic drinks on the flight to Biloxi. And...did I mention 1 hour flight time, versus 3 1/2 hours to Vegas IF we get the non-stop, 6 or more hours with a connecting flight. Flight home, soft drinks etc. only, no booze.
3. Beau Rivage, as many of you know, is a gorgeous hotel (MGM), some similar architecture to Bellagio. Though it lacks the Chihuly glass ceiling in the lobby and the Fountain Show that I love, I much more enjoyed the view from our room at the Beau of the Mississippi Sound, which is there 24/7, no having to watch the time and run to the window (or outside) to catch the Fountain show, no loud noise from the breaking of the sound barrier by the Fountains. Ocean as far as the eye can see, boats, birds, clouds, and quiet...loved it.
4. The $40 "convenience fee" assessed per person at time of reservation was returned as $40 added to the players cards. No Resort Fee issues to be concerned about!
5. Didn't have to go to the Players Club to get the $40 added on, it was already on there.
6. The Beau breakfast buffet was $11.95, and half price for seniors on Wednesdays. The cashier didn't even mention the senior discount, just did it. OK...I look "senior"...I can take it. Plus a free buffet with the trip package. Very good food, at least at breakfast.
7. The Beau Cafe very nice, inexpensive. Huge Reuben sandwich and fries.
8. Bartender at 857 Bar (or something like that) made an excellent Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini..I was skeptical when he suggested it, but it was wonderful. Plus, one drink filled the Martini glass to the rim, COLD, with about another 2-3 ounces in a side glass, really about the equivalent of two drinks. And, he didn't skimp on the alcohol. I was loopy about half way through it...just as God and the Beau intended!
9. A lot of neat little shops in the shop promenade, variety of jewelry and clothes but without the Gucci and Hermes prices.
10. The whole place was very relaxing, very friendly staff, no crowd fatigue, no snobbery, no obvious tip expectations as in Vegas. Tip somebody at the Beau a dollar (or anywhere in Biloxi) and they act like it is a hundred. No long lines, no throngs of people bumping into you like in Vegas (on the Strip, at least).
11. The Casino Hopper Trolley is the best thing going. Cost is $1.50 for one ride or $6 for an all day pass, unlimited riding casino to casino. They give you a booklet with the pickup schedules, and it stays pretty much to the minute on schedule. You can't get far for that price in a Vegas taxi.
12. Hard Rock is next door to the Beau, easy walk. Played a lot of Quick Hit machines (there and everywhere). Very nice casino, but that place is COLD! We got a nice Tee Shirt for sign up (or you could have a buffet instead). The other casinos, you can get there on the Hopper unless you have a car. The Hopper also has other routes which go to the beaches and other attractions.
13. Harrah's (formerly Grand) is tiny, not much there. Didn't stay there long. Perhaps they have plans to expand??
14. Also gambled at Golden Nugget, Palace, and Margaritaville. Did well on an Ultimate X machine at Palace. Margaritaville had a lot of fun promotions going...got lots of chocolate bars and free play while we played Quick Hit machines.
15. Didn't make it to Boomtown, which is walkable from the Beau except that our friend can't walk fast or long so we didn't try; also didn't make it to IP or Treasure Bay. The Hopper doesn't go to Treasure Bay, so it must be a ways out. Used to like Treasure Bay when it was in Tunica, but that was eons ago.
16. Friend and I are Quick Hit machine addicts, and they have plenty of those at the Beau. (Husband is pretty much a non-gambler, but enjoys the atmosphere and silliness of it all.) Friend hit really well on a 50 cent WOF at Beau. I intended to play some Blackjack but didn't get around to it, being hooked on those Quick Hit machines!
Next time will visit some of the other attractions besides casinos. Some ladies in our group told of a little 'village' they walked to "across the bridge", with shops and places to eat. I forget the name, but will check it out when we go again.
Thanks for reading.
