As I was up at 5:45, I took a quick rinse and headed for the spa at Aria. I can only say, amazing! With the resort fee you get access to the fitness center--which is large and was hopping at 6:00 am on Friday. Lucky for me the spa types sleep in. There is a fee to enter the spa that is separate from the price of treatments. $30 per day or a three pack for $80. Those sessions are good for a year, once purchased.
The staff was wonderful and there were all types of beverages and snacks. There are three co-ed areas: the hot stone beds, the salt room and the therapeutic infinity pool outside. You lie on the stone beds in your robe to detox. It felt great after the long day I'd had Thursday. Next you enter the salt room, one of seven in the world. It helps with respiratory problems. You lie back on curved leather recliners with headphones playing soothing music. I had to force myself to move on. There is a dry cedar sauna, a eucalyptus steam room--beware it is really strong--and three whirlpools of different temps inside. Then I wandered out to the therapeutic pool. It was early morning, sunny with a chill and I felt like I had died and gone to heaven as I relaxed in the swirling pool, which I had all to myself. Because the casinos are so loud and busy, I treasure peaceful moments when I can get them in LV. After using the rest of the facilities to shower, blow dry hair and so on, it was finally time to gamble.
I had to get a new M-life card, which was easy--no crowds at 9:00 am. I found the free play did not work on every machine, but chose a quarter one and didn't do too well. Unlike some properties, with the free play at M-life casinos you just move on and download the the free play again (whatever's left) when you get to a new machine. On my second try, a very pretty, pink Diamonds and Sevens machine, I hit three sevens, each with a double (so 8 x pay) for $132. Not a bad return on my investment of 0. Embarrassingly, when I started playing, I had no points. But hey, if they sent me the freebies that was their choice! I also played the Batman machine and was winning, but got so sad when they showed footage of Heath Ledger that I had to move on.
I headed to the back of the casino where they have an additional entrance, parking and Valet off of Harmon. For convenience purposes, this is the entrance to use if you stay there or are coming for a show or dinner. I hopped a cab for the Old Coast, as we call it, to meet my Aunt & Uncle for lunch. Alas, just after I paid the cabbie and he departed, my cousin called and said her parents were at a meeting and not coming. So I was sort of stuck at the Gold Coast. No problem! I was starving so raced to the Sports Book for a dog and then settled in at a Ghostbusters machine. Yes, it is addictive. I had read that but didn't understand until I hit my first bonus. I am the first to admit that the cuteness factor gets me every time with a new slot machine. I also played the new version of Pinball and all in all came out about $25 ahead.
My cousin managed to get off work early and rescued me. We headed back to the Aria. I took a nap while she went to the pool. I think she had sunstroke because at the pool she purchased two GIANT Mojitos which were $25 each. They were the size of a Big Gulp. I didn't go to the pool but I assume they have a large staff of life guards on duty to save the drowning drunk people.
It was now time to get dressed and hit the gourmet buffet at Aria before our Elvis show. It is $42 including tax and I had one comp. The variety of food is very good. There is very good sushi/sashimi and king crab legs, already cracked. You have to peel your own shrimp, but they are huge and worth the trouble. They bring a whole, split lobster to the table, as well. You can have unlimited red or white wine, too. Other foods include Italian, Asian & Mexican. The carving stations have prime rib, turkey, lamb, pork and beef brisket. Good veggie selection and the desserts are to die for. Our waiter told us they are made by the chef from the Patisserie in the hotel, the same folks with the chocolate fountain at the Bellagio. Four Forks!
We cabbed to Caesars to meet some friends at the Diamond Lounge. I really like that one the best. I guess each lounge has its regulars but we have really hit it off with the staff and customers alike. I enjoyed my favorite drink, "Lucky You," which is a delightful concoction that is a lemon drop martini with raspberry liqueur, topped off with champagne. Then it was off to see Elvis.
More to come
The staff was wonderful and there were all types of beverages and snacks. There are three co-ed areas: the hot stone beds, the salt room and the therapeutic infinity pool outside. You lie on the stone beds in your robe to detox. It felt great after the long day I'd had Thursday. Next you enter the salt room, one of seven in the world. It helps with respiratory problems. You lie back on curved leather recliners with headphones playing soothing music. I had to force myself to move on. There is a dry cedar sauna, a eucalyptus steam room--beware it is really strong--and three whirlpools of different temps inside. Then I wandered out to the therapeutic pool. It was early morning, sunny with a chill and I felt like I had died and gone to heaven as I relaxed in the swirling pool, which I had all to myself. Because the casinos are so loud and busy, I treasure peaceful moments when I can get them in LV. After using the rest of the facilities to shower, blow dry hair and so on, it was finally time to gamble.
I had to get a new M-life card, which was easy--no crowds at 9:00 am. I found the free play did not work on every machine, but chose a quarter one and didn't do too well. Unlike some properties, with the free play at M-life casinos you just move on and download the the free play again (whatever's left) when you get to a new machine. On my second try, a very pretty, pink Diamonds and Sevens machine, I hit three sevens, each with a double (so 8 x pay) for $132. Not a bad return on my investment of 0. Embarrassingly, when I started playing, I had no points. But hey, if they sent me the freebies that was their choice! I also played the Batman machine and was winning, but got so sad when they showed footage of Heath Ledger that I had to move on.
I headed to the back of the casino where they have an additional entrance, parking and Valet off of Harmon. For convenience purposes, this is the entrance to use if you stay there or are coming for a show or dinner. I hopped a cab for the Old Coast, as we call it, to meet my Aunt & Uncle for lunch. Alas, just after I paid the cabbie and he departed, my cousin called and said her parents were at a meeting and not coming. So I was sort of stuck at the Gold Coast. No problem! I was starving so raced to the Sports Book for a dog and then settled in at a Ghostbusters machine. Yes, it is addictive. I had read that but didn't understand until I hit my first bonus. I am the first to admit that the cuteness factor gets me every time with a new slot machine. I also played the new version of Pinball and all in all came out about $25 ahead.
My cousin managed to get off work early and rescued me. We headed back to the Aria. I took a nap while she went to the pool. I think she had sunstroke because at the pool she purchased two GIANT Mojitos which were $25 each. They were the size of a Big Gulp. I didn't go to the pool but I assume they have a large staff of life guards on duty to save the drowning drunk people.
It was now time to get dressed and hit the gourmet buffet at Aria before our Elvis show. It is $42 including tax and I had one comp. The variety of food is very good. There is very good sushi/sashimi and king crab legs, already cracked. You have to peel your own shrimp, but they are huge and worth the trouble. They bring a whole, split lobster to the table, as well. You can have unlimited red or white wine, too. Other foods include Italian, Asian & Mexican. The carving stations have prime rib, turkey, lamb, pork and beef brisket. Good veggie selection and the desserts are to die for. Our waiter told us they are made by the chef from the Patisserie in the hotel, the same folks with the chocolate fountain at the Bellagio. Four Forks!
We cabbed to Caesars to meet some friends at the Diamond Lounge. I really like that one the best. I guess each lounge has its regulars but we have really hit it off with the staff and customers alike. I enjoyed my favorite drink, "Lucky You," which is a delightful concoction that is a lemon drop martini with raspberry liqueur, topped off with champagne. Then it was off to see Elvis.
More to come
