Harrah's Nov.14th -18th, 2022 (and assorted activities)

Had a VERY disappointing stay at Harrah's. Will not stay there again. Was located in the Mountain Tower. Room was not very clean, not to mention worn underwear on the shelf in the cubby of a closet. The closet was barely large enough for 4 outfits to be hung up. and the closet was located in the BATHROOM, with no closet door. So clothes got a germ drenching every time the toilet was flushed. Science has shown bacteria and germs are spread about 6 feet from the commode. Not to mention the shower had a half wall instead of a door, so water ended up on the bathroom floor. And there was no way to turn on the shower to warm up the water without getting DRENCHED with cold water turning it on. Did not eat anything at the hotel because the food was overpriced. Could not get a drink on the casino floor while playing slots, cocktail servers kept walking by, ignoring players. Unless you were playing a high end machine. Was told by several employees that the items in the giftshops that were mostly unpriced was because they charged so much. If people wanted a bottle of water, took it to the register to ask about the price, odds were they would pay $6 rather then suffer embarrassment of putting it back. I did not do much gambling there because of poor selection of slots. I just wanted a basic, 3 quarters a spin machine. Ended up eating and gambling off property. Now for the rest of the report. Bought a 3 day unlimited bus pass to hop on and off and get downtown. It was a great value, used it 14 times in the 3 days. Better then car rental, parking fees, etc. I had my heart set on Guy Ramsey Beef Wellington. Hell's Kitchen outside of Caeser's had a daytime 3 course, price fixe Beef Wellington meal for $65. Yellow beet salad was divine, Welly was a smaller portion, but still plenty big enough, and stick toffee pudding. I was told they were full when I got there (hadn't had time to get a reservation, and took a chance). When the hostess saw my crestfallen look, she asked if I'd mind being seated at the bar. Lunch was on!!! It was excellent, well worth the $65, and although it was smaller portions, I couldn't have eaten another bite. Now I want to try making Moose Wellington using the Ramsey recipe. It really was an awesome meal. I had breakfast at La Salsa and Blondie's in the Miracle Mile shops. Both are still $5.99 and $4.99 for eggs, potatoes, and bacon or sausage. La Salsa includes torillas with thiers. Both were quite good and much less expensive then the same meal in a casino resturant. Also had a lunch for $5.99 at Ocean One in the Miracle Mile. Had marinated flank steak with vegetables and mashed potatoes. While the food was ok, especially at that price, The food would have been better presented on an 8 inch plate, rather then a 10 inch. Food looked a little lost on the large plate, even though it was a fair serving size. Also had a chip about an inch long on the plate rim that should have caused the plate to be no longer used. Then there was Egg Slut... I had seen You Tube videos of Vlog travel reviews of this place in the Cosmopolitan. After my experience, I think they did some upgrade, knowing the coddled egg "Slut" was being reviewed. After waiting in line 35 minutes to order, I was told I could not get a cup of water with it,( I would have been willing to pay for a cup) but for $6, I could get a bottle of water with a cup of ice. A cup of coffee was also $6, outrageous. So I paid $11.50 for thier "specialty" a coddled egg on pureed potatoes and toasted bagette slices for dipping. The egg Slut I recieved was not like what was shown in several videos. Instead of herbs, there was 2 little pieces of chive on top. The egg-potato mixture was very bland. And the bagette slices were over toasted making them VERY dry and crunchy. Total waste of money and time. Although the truffle hash browns for $6 were nice. I am thinking it will be a long time before I go to Vegas again. Seems like the attitude in the town has become "Give us your money, and be grateful we let you come here". I did break even with my slot and roulette play. Oh, if looking for a prime rib dinner, got to the Market Cafe in the Califorina, downtown for $17.99. Much better meal then Tony Roma's downtown for $8.99 and there is a cherries jubilee dessert included at the Market Cafe. 

Glad to see you found some cheap food. I always thought eggslut was overrated. 

Always look a hotel room over first thing; call front desk and request another room if unsuitable for any reason.  Usually not a problem to get moved.  

It has been many years since we stayed at Harrah's, and I don't recall a Mountain Tower.  Always Carnival or Mardi Gras towers, but of course that could have changed.  We stayed in both towers many times and don't remember the closet and bathroom and uncleanliness as you described.  I'd have requested a different room immediately.

Good thing you found some good food, at least, and sounds like the gambling came out about right.  Thanks for reporting.  If you get a survey from Harrah's online, do it, and give low scores and descriptions of things that were truly awful.  That is the only way management learns about problems, not that you plan to stay there again, but one never knows.

Better luck next time.

Candy

Harrah's seems like they've thrown in the towel. Of course, that's pretty much true of all Strip properties.

How much do they think they can raise prices and cut back service quality until it affects their business? I guess the hordes of idiot drunken 20- and 30-year-olds are still sustaining them, because they don't know any better/aren't fazed by the gouges. But it can't go on much longer.

Vote with your feet. Stay somewhere else. Let me warn you, though--the shitty experience you had awaits you anywhere else on the Strip you might go. None of it is worth visiting. None.

If you must come to Vegas--and truth be told, I recommend staying the hell away--stay downtown, at a locals' casino, or at South Point. Prices will still be high and service will still be lousy, but that's an improvement over "gouge" and "horrible."

Had been up for 26 hours when I got to Harrah's, between a full work day and traveling. I asked about switching but the hotel was having several events and was maxed out. The room I had reserved 6 weeks in advance for $36 a night was going for $129 to $149 a night. At that point, I just wanted to get my head down on a pillow. I did the survey and explained my issues. I will be looking at staying downtown next trip. I would love to try Southpoint, but won't have a car available to get around. I am afraid to drive in Vegas!

Why are you afraid to drive there? I've traveled and lived all over the US, and IMHO, Vegas drivers are above average. Maybe that's because so many of them come from L.A., which has the most skilled drivers in the world (it's a survival mechanism), as a whole. And DUI enforcement in Vegas is downright savage.

You would love the convenience of South Point's easy access, free parking, the great restaurants, and the very nice rooms--plus the very good gambling. And as far as needing a car goes--I think you could spend several days on property and not run out of things to do, so you could just cab it over there from the airport and back. (They used to have a free shuttle, in fact; don't know if they still do.)

https://southpointcasino.com/hotel/airport-shuttle

It's unclear what they charge; that webpage implies that it's free for hotel guests, but it says that it's $10 each way at the bottom of the page. Still beats any other way to get there from the airport, although the city bus does go there.

 The charge is strickly for those going to the Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack center, to and from South Point. The shuttle is Free (with pre reservation) for those going to or from the airport to South Point.

I am from a small town and have seen LV driver's do the craziest things. Not to mention the expense of renting a car, parking fees and the like.