Belated Laughlin trip report

Yeah, If looking at the big room on its own, it seems high. But once you compare it to the cost of everyone getting their own room then having to fight for space in common areas for lounging and grilling, it becomes a pretty decent value. Especially since everyone shares total rooms cost. That's pretty awesome that they give everyone in the group a key card for the big room. I'd imagine most places won't do that. 

Next year's trip, our 43rd annual, is already booked for October 23-26..  As most of us are retired, more are showing up one day early with many golfing...8 this year.

Let me clear something up on the Big Room cost.  Our first year (2024), it cost us $5071 (all in cost).  The villa was great, although we had some major issues.  Wifi was out, one of the two water heaters was out, plus additional less important things.  Because of the issues, they gave us a discount this year to $4050.  I'm not sure if it's because of me bringing the lady who handles the Big Room a bottle of wine both years, or because I handled the problems in a letter firmly yet diplomatically, but when confirming the price this year she just off handedly told me that she'd give me the room again at the discounted price of $4050.  Contract completed and signed yesterday.

I mentioned Wifi earlier and that was the biggest issue year one.  We tried to get 4 TV's going for different football games using Firesticks, and this didn't work our well with Wifi out.  They got all of the issues rectified this year and all was perfect.

Well, figuring it "per guy" seems like a bit of a rationalization...when you consider that any given guy got 1/15 of a villa.

That aside, if your group played that much BJ, weren't any comps earned? If so, could they have been applied to restaurant meals, or collectively, to the charge for the villa?

Good move. I would imagine that any of the Laughlin casinos are thrilled to get guaranteed repeat business at this point.

Have you discussed the action your group gives the GN? As dead as it always seems in there, I would imagine that several guys playing five hours a day each should get their attention.

For comparison purposes, I got a regular room comped for six nights by playing .10 8/5 Bonus Poker for several hours (and winning). So I think they might be generous with comps, especially this time of year.

I don't think any of us used our comps, but they're good for 12 months.  We'll make sure to use 'em next year.  One of Laughlin friends was at the Golden Nugget Lake Charles a week ago, and the players card program there isn't tie together with Laughlin.

Because of the issues, they gave us a discount this year to $4050. I'm not sure if it's because of me bringing the lady who handles the Big Room a bottle of wine both years, or because I handled the problems in a letter firmly yet diplomatically, but when confirming the price this year she just off handedly told me that she'd give me the room again at the discounted price of $4050. Contract completed and signed yesterday.

Handling problems civilly and then showing appreciation for a person's efforts usually brings positive results.

Not trashing the room also helps (: 

Tom, I believe that you are correct, and we left the place in great shape.  I forgot to take the jumbo trash can back to the garage after cleaning up, but it was left nearly spotless.  I can't say that I/we were so respectful when leaving our rooms 40 years ago.

I can't say that I/we were so respectful when leaving our rooms 40 years ago.

I have had similiar experiences

It used to be that giving the casino host a gift aka bribe to get better treatment/deals was part and parcel of the whole casino shtick. As were "discretionary comps." Nowadays, hosts have to "justify" everything they give you, and they have very little latitude.

That's why I think the reason you got the offer is that they really crave repeat business at this point, and it's certainly been noted that your group collectively gives them a decent amount of action.

If you left the room in decent shape, nothing trashed or broken, that's kind of the beginning and end of it. You might get docked for any damage, but you won't get any credit as such for leaving it neat and clean. The cost of maid service is already factored in.

Kevin, I respectfully disagree with your comment that the general condition of the Big Room doesn't matter, as long as things aren't broken.  I'm confident that Michelle at the Golden Nugget gets a report on one room and one room only, and that's the Gold Rush Villa.  If housekeeping tells her that the place was near spotless, security was never called, we were pleasant to employees, and she likes the wine that I bought her, I think my chance of getting the $1000 discount that she gave me (again) is more likely.

Here are room costs per guy next year, assuming 15 attendees.

For those who stay in single standard rooms and those staying in the Big Room:  $466 out the door for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Several guys will double up in standard rooms, and their cost will be $332 for all nights.