I am guilty of posting partial trip reports, so I will try and make sure to finish this one. If you have been around the boards for a while, you may remember that my traveling was curtailed somewhat because I had a kidney transplant. Since then, because of the anti-rejection drugs I take, I keep getting almost every bug that passes through, also curbing my visits to LV. However, my kidney is now seven and that's lucky! So I decided on a mid-winter trip.
Flying SWA is not too much of a problem if flying solo. I snuggled into my favorite bulkhead seat--where you must stow all your belongings above. This has held me in good stead because I keep getting free drinks when I fly because I can't access my purse. Just a tip for you all. Flight was uneventful and landed a touch early. As an aside, because the weather was looking sketchy for the week ahead, my suitcase was double loaded for winter and spring, making it weigh in at 48.5 lbs. Don't worry, I tipped everyone who had to move it.
My cousin picked me up and off we went to the Aria, where I had scored, out of nowhere, three free nights, free tickets to Viva! Elvis and $100 free play. If you have not been to the Aria or City Center it is definitely worth a looksee. We entered off the Strip & parked in Valet because that is close to the reservation desk. The hotel has a huge front wall of water. Inside it is just gorgeous with a modern vibe.
At check-in the boothling disappointed me, nay shocked me, by telling me that the $25 per day resort fee was NOT comped for guests with comped rooms. I mentioned that I had asked that when I booked and was told no fee, but she would not budge--waving off in the distance to what I assumed was the player's club--she said I'd have to take it up with them. I was tired and hungry and getting nowhere, so I agreed.
Leaving the bags with the bell staff, we went looking for food. I wanted very badly to have tapas at either Sage or Julian Serrano, but I knew they were both pricey. My cousins beau suggested Todd English Pub and I thought it would be less expensive, so I agreed. Wrong in so many ways. Up side: entire menu of beers and hard ciders. Downside: cheapest draft or domestic bottle: $8. I had a lovely Chimay Ale made by monks, which came in a specially shaped glass. For the price it should have been served by the monk himself. Cousin had tuna tartare and I chose (we're in a pub, right?) fish and chips. One fork or maybe a fork and one half, tops. Everything was tasteless and it was $22. So I suggest that if you are a beer afficionado you go during happy hour or for the beer flights, which are a good deal. Eat before you go.
Now, to the room. If you have not stayed at the Aria, and I believe many haven't or they wouldn't be desperately sending a low roller like me freebies, the rooms are very smart. They talk to you, they turn on their own lights, music and TV. They open and close their own draperies. They also are kind of small, but lovely. The bathroom is beautiful, with twin vanity sinks, a separate toilet area-with only a frosted glass door however--and the shower adjoins a deep tub. For those of you who may have mobility issues, the floor in the shower becomes very slippery when wet and even after almost 24 hours the floor in it had still not dried.
My cousin had to work very early on Friday, so I "set the room" which will gently wake you in the morning. Now, I am not the most technologically advanced person, but I thought I had it worked out. At 5:45 am the lights rose softly and the curtains opened themselves and unfortunately, I had failed to set the alarm to music, so the war in Syria roared to life on the big screen TV. That got her out of bed and me, too! Well, I wanted to hit the spa early anyway. However, I discovered as I tried to turn things off that I was like the Sorcerer's Apprentice--lights going on and off, curtains opening and closing, TV changing its own channels. I was waiting for Mickey Mouse and the mop bucket army to show up. Excellent lodging--just be smarter than the room!
More on Friday and the rest of the trip to come.
Flying SWA is not too much of a problem if flying solo. I snuggled into my favorite bulkhead seat--where you must stow all your belongings above. This has held me in good stead because I keep getting free drinks when I fly because I can't access my purse. Just a tip for you all. Flight was uneventful and landed a touch early. As an aside, because the weather was looking sketchy for the week ahead, my suitcase was double loaded for winter and spring, making it weigh in at 48.5 lbs. Don't worry, I tipped everyone who had to move it.
My cousin picked me up and off we went to the Aria, where I had scored, out of nowhere, three free nights, free tickets to Viva! Elvis and $100 free play. If you have not been to the Aria or City Center it is definitely worth a looksee. We entered off the Strip & parked in Valet because that is close to the reservation desk. The hotel has a huge front wall of water. Inside it is just gorgeous with a modern vibe.
At check-in the boothling disappointed me, nay shocked me, by telling me that the $25 per day resort fee was NOT comped for guests with comped rooms. I mentioned that I had asked that when I booked and was told no fee, but she would not budge--waving off in the distance to what I assumed was the player's club--she said I'd have to take it up with them. I was tired and hungry and getting nowhere, so I agreed.
Leaving the bags with the bell staff, we went looking for food. I wanted very badly to have tapas at either Sage or Julian Serrano, but I knew they were both pricey. My cousins beau suggested Todd English Pub and I thought it would be less expensive, so I agreed. Wrong in so many ways. Up side: entire menu of beers and hard ciders. Downside: cheapest draft or domestic bottle: $8. I had a lovely Chimay Ale made by monks, which came in a specially shaped glass. For the price it should have been served by the monk himself. Cousin had tuna tartare and I chose (we're in a pub, right?) fish and chips. One fork or maybe a fork and one half, tops. Everything was tasteless and it was $22. So I suggest that if you are a beer afficionado you go during happy hour or for the beer flights, which are a good deal. Eat before you go.
Now, to the room. If you have not stayed at the Aria, and I believe many haven't or they wouldn't be desperately sending a low roller like me freebies, the rooms are very smart. They talk to you, they turn on their own lights, music and TV. They open and close their own draperies. They also are kind of small, but lovely. The bathroom is beautiful, with twin vanity sinks, a separate toilet area-with only a frosted glass door however--and the shower adjoins a deep tub. For those of you who may have mobility issues, the floor in the shower becomes very slippery when wet and even after almost 24 hours the floor in it had still not dried.
My cousin had to work very early on Friday, so I "set the room" which will gently wake you in the morning. Now, I am not the most technologically advanced person, but I thought I had it worked out. At 5:45 am the lights rose softly and the curtains opened themselves and unfortunately, I had failed to set the alarm to music, so the war in Syria roared to life on the big screen TV. That got her out of bed and me, too! Well, I wanted to hit the spa early anyway. However, I discovered as I tried to turn things off that I was like the Sorcerer's Apprentice--lights going on and off, curtains opening and closing, TV changing its own channels. I was waiting for Mickey Mouse and the mop bucket army to show up. Excellent lodging--just be smarter than the room!
More on Friday and the rest of the trip to come.
