Bellagio and Wynn

I know...boo, hiss, but BFF and I are Strip snobs for a few times a year, special occasions.

Husband ducked out of the trip at the last minute, and loved his long Thanksgiving weekend alone to veg out in front of TV and actually get a few things done.

Both Wynn and Bel seemed busy to me, but employees said they were relatively slow.

Wynn had this remote temperature taking tiny camera-like aparatus aimed at where you walked in which you almost didn't notice.  Later I asked the guy manning the desk/computer next to it how it worked.  He told me as a person passes by the thing notifies him if temp is "over the limit".  I asked "Is that 100.4?" and I think he nodded yes.  He wasn't real talkative, like his duty was top secret or something.  I asked him what he would do if someone's was over the limit.  He said "Well it doesn't happen much right now because it is cold outside.  In the summer we had some that did."  (Uh, does this make sense?) I asked him "So what do you do if someone's is over the limit?"  He said "We have to make them leave, they can't stay in here."  Again, not going into detail how they accomplished that.  Big bouncers?  I asked him if they had a medical clinic or urgent care or something coming new because I thought I had read that or heard it.  He said no.  Nobody asked to check our purses or bags, like I had for sure read about after the disturbance that occurred some weeks ago.  I wished Mr. Secret Agent Man had been more talkative.

Surprising number of $10 minimums at BJ tables both places.   Probably raised in the evenings, I didn't check.

I played my favorite new game, High Card Flush, at Caesars, which was $15 minium ante but you could play one red ($5) on each of the Flush or Straight Flush spots.  We are talking $25 total to start (though you don't have to bet the Flush or Straight Flush spots but then why would you play if you didn't?)  Doable for a short time if you got lucky, which I did.  BTW, no plexi barriers between players at Caesars.  Three players to a table.

They had one High Card Flush table at Wynn.   On Saturday I walked up to that table to be there when it opened at noon, saw $25 ante and $25 on Flush and Straight Flush spots each.  $75 to start, and another $25 to raise if you had a hand.  Boo, no way.  BUT, I batted my 73 year old eye lashes at the nice young pit boss, asked if I could play for $15 and he let me! And $10 on the other two spots.  Still a lot to put out but again luck was with me.  Wynn did have the plexi barriers at tables.

Of course it wasn't long before they raised the minimum to $25 all around, but I was grandmothered in.  Yay!

Bellagio did not have that game, so they got none of my money on tables.  I'm hooked on HCF.  But I noticed Bel did have the plexi barriers at tables.  3 players, everywhere, at blackjack at least.

Make meal reservations early if you plan eating at either place, or probably any restaurant on the Strip.  Every place was tight, no walk in availability.  So many are closed, and then the ones that are open with the 25% max customer limit mandated by the Gov. you almost need to reserve a day ahead if you can.  Of course there is Snacks at Bellagio for burgers and such to take to the room.  At Wynn you can get take out from Charlie's Bar and Grill, or the little cafe.  All of it expensive, of course.  No bargains at either place. 

One meal of note at Bellagio, which was Prime.  Excellent, had lobster.  The next night we managed to get 5:30 pm reservations at the Mayfair Supper Club which would be a first, but we walked out without ordering.  As we were looking at the menu a piano guy started his gig and it was so loud we couldn't take it.  Maybe an acoustic problem because it was early and there were few tables/bodies in the place.  Snacks was good for burgers.  Snacks was crazy busy, but they move fast.

At Wynn had a good breakfast and excellent lemon drop martinis at Jardin.  At Allegro (Italian), I was underwhelmed by the food, but the lemon drop martinis were OUTSTANDING, just a tad colder and better than Jardin's.  I love me some really well made lemon drops!

VIP lounges are sparse as far as snack/food items.  At least at Bellagio they had Snickers and Peanut M&Ms, little parfait things, granola bars, as many as you wanted.  Wynn's had nothing out, you had to ask, mostly cracker type snacks on the list.  Maybe later they have more substantial fare, I don't know.  Hosts will bring you coffee on request, but no coffee out on the counters as before at both.  No newspapers like they used to have, though I think you could request one.  Husband and I used to eat enough at the Wynn VIP that we spent very little on meals beyond our food credits.  Cheapo VIP people.

Housekeeping services as usual at both. 

Came home with enough money left over, i.e. lost a little, to almost finance the next trip, Christmas week.  Flights:  Southwest going out was non-stop, middle seats open.  Coming back was first day they filled all the seats; plane completely full from Vegas to Dallas, almost full from Dallas to home.   Everybody wore masks, no trouble there.

Didn't see any bad guy trouble happening anywhere.

And didn't see one single person not wearing a mask in Las Vegas,

Candy

Did you learn the Mousseau strategy for HCF? It's simple: raise the max on any four card flush or any three card flush 10-8-6 or higher. The Wizard of Odds says you lose the minimum 2.71% that way.

It's real simple re the temp checks. If you indicate over 100.4, a trap door opens and you are dropped onto a conveyer belt, which ejects you into the fountain. More fun at the Bellagio than the Wynn.

How many thousand dollars did your meal at Prime cost?

I would absolutely freak out at a completely full plane and would probably walk home. Especially over a holiday weekend. You KNOW someone on the plane has the virus, and with my luck, he'd be the friendly guy sitting next to me. Or the screaming baby in the next row.

I guess I'm most surprised that you didn't see any no-maskers. My only trip this year (one that as I've said before, I think was a really bad idea), I saw among the general public MAYBE 70% compliance. A bit more in the casino itself---but there were the mask-danglers who used a drink or a cigarette as an excuse to only kinda sorta in a way but not really wear them.

There's one more recent development that might kick Vegas right in the butt. People leaving several counties in California and traveling more than 150 miles are expected to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return. Don't know if or how that would be enforced, but it might be a real wet blanket for Vegas's single largest market.

Hello Candy.  It sounds as though you had a nice trip.  I've only once gone to a steakhouse on the strip, because frankly I feel as though I'm getting hosed...............or maybe it's because I'm too cheap.  I have enjoyed Andiamo's steakhouse downtown, and it's magnificent.  I was curious how pricing at these two top notch steak houses compare.  The same meal that I would likely order would be $150 out the door at Prime, and $75 out the door at Andiamo's.

You'll get no grief from me if you choose to enjoy a great meal at Bellagio.  I'm glad that you had a fun trip.

Thanks for the info Candy , we are scheduled out to Vegas Dec 20-25, but watching all the bad news on Covid 19 surge in Vegas keeping options open again thanks.

Nice TR Candy....I have regrets not going by myself the week of 15 Nov but I have managed to get the wife to agree to go to Atlantic City on the 13th Dec for a few days. We can drive there from Richmond, VA (6 hours) and will stay at the Casino Hotel. I'll write a TR after.

I'll use the Southwest credit from my changed flight for a trip to Vegas in 2021. Hopefully by that time a vaccine will be available for people of our age and it is effective.

Happy holidays

Terry

Kevin--I had comps sufficient to cover all food and drink, fortunately.  The Prime lobster alone was $89...yikes!  Not something I would normally treat myself to on my own money, to say the least.  

In addition to the mask compliance, at every eatery the hostess seating us kindly advised us that we must keep our masks on until drink or food arrives at the table, and put them back on when no longer eating or drinking.  That impressed me.  And at every place a small place mat (about a quarter of a regular size one) was placed on the table to lay our mask on, "outer side up."  So they were really attentive to Covid precautions.   

I didn't know about the Mousseau strategy for HCF, raising on a four card or a 3 card 10-8-6.  I can see it for a four card.  A three card 10-8-6...I'll have to think about that, but if the Wizard says so, then it is worth a shot.  Thanks.   I saw something about the California quarantine mandate.   Brutal.

Boilerman---I'm cheap too.  Lobster, two lemon drop martinis at $16 each, and a side of onion soup (all excellent) came to $142, so you are right that Andiamos would be half of that.   Prime was lovely and quiet, my priority---quiet.  Already told my Host to reserve us a table at Christmas.  

Bobby---I'm not a doubter about Covid, but I saw nothing, heard nothing that concerned me.  TV always ampIifies everything, must have something to justify their existence.  I think if you stay where they take care of things you'd be fine.  Just wear your mask, watch where you are standing.  Where will you stay?  You have to do what gives you the least heartburn just thinking about it.   I didn't even enter the Conservatory this time, just looked in.  It wasn't even half as crowded as usual, but people were lining up at the one entry point not roped off.  I guess they were limiting access, thus the line.  I don't stand in any lines.

rett98---Have a good time in AC.  Nice that you live within driving distance.  Will look forward to your TR.  I am also hoping for a vaccine really soon.  

Candy thanks for additional info, we are staying at The D, also will gamble at 4 Q, Fremont, Golden Nugget, Golden Gate, & El Cortez downtown, & taxi to Flamingo & Orleans. Again Thank.s

Bobby, I was at all of the casinos that you mention when I was in Vegas two months ago, with the exception of The Orleans.  I'm a downtown guy.

Boilerman We are downtowners also, but The D after many years of generous comped room nights is reducing our comped room nights from 6 to 2, so we are spreading our play looking for a new home, we would love to continue staying downtown.