Las vegas trip report May 28-june 4th

We flew Alliegent for 374 total and rented a car from hertz for 224 for the week.  We stayed 2 nights at the gold coast and 3 nights at the suncoast comped and had the weekend buy one night get one free at the Rampart with some free play and food credit.   We played at Alliante, Santa fe Station, Rampart, Suncoast, Red Rocks, Green Valley, The Pass, Rainbow Club,  The Vitgin, Palms, Gold Coast, Ballagio, Cosmo, Park MGM,  Sahara, Circa, Golden Gate, The D, the Plaza and Ellis Island.  No big wins this trip, but had alot of fun and held our own most days.

     We had a great meal at Ellis island.  We used the coupon from the La advisor for the BBQ and did the Half a chicken and half slab of ribs.  It was great food and alot better deal than the cafe.  Also played 5 dollar craps there for a few hours and cashed out up a few dollars.

   We used our celabration dinner at the Voodoo steakhouse on friday night and it was very average, but easy in and out on friday and we did not play there. Any tips for using our celabration dinner next time would be appricated.

      We tried the Burger place at the Circa this time and the portions were huge.  Very good but will split something next time.

    It seems like more casinos are holding back on top shelf drinks.  It is so frustrating to get a  crapy drink , and we usually move on.  Fun tripand we have already booked the next one

I also got some good response to filling out the surveys this time afyer we visited a few properties

How nice to be able to spend time in so many casinos, had a lot of fun and some good meals.  One thing that is pretty much standard in Vegas is that many meals are big enough for two, as you experienced.  That is a great way to save money or comps. 

I'm a big proponent of taking the post-stay surveys.  I think there is an art to it which you seemed to have found out:  Rate each section as you see it; if something was excellent, it gets a "10".  If something is way off don't give it a "10".  Give it a"2"or lower, which will get the attention of somebody in that department.  Do take the time to describe what was wrong, though politely and briefly.  Check any box that asks if you'd like to be contacted.  Try to remember the name of somebody, anybody who gave good service, including their department.  Servers in eateries have actually thanked us (how did they know it was us, can't always tell) for mentioning them in surveys.  They get recognized in some way and appreciate it.  I find it challenging to recall names, often thinking I'll remember it after arriving at home...NOT.  I'm trying to do better by writing a name down ASAP, especially housekeeping personnel need attaboys/girls.   Completing surveys is the best way to call attention to issues.  It gets in the system and somebody has to answer for it.

Anyway, thanks for the very nice TR!

Candy

Enjoyed your report and info.

We too last week hit a lot of the same casinos as you.  Also stayed at Suncoast, haven't for a couple years and surprised how little traffic they had during the week. Besides Dupars, which was busy and always good, the other places slow.  They even shut the snack bar/bagel shop at 5.

Did notice the old buffet is being changed to a high limit room-hard to believe that took 2.5 years to decide on this. Also where they had an Italian restaurant there putting in some other restaurant/restaurants.

The pool area that supposedly went thru a renovation is nothing great, BUT they finally got rid of the 1970's pool loungers we all owned at one time.

Just wanted to add I had the ham/eggs at Ellis and it was great and humongous.  Ham covered the whole large plate one half inch thick and under in was the eggs and American fried with toast on the side. Great and unreal.  I think only around $11-12.

The Suncoast has nice rooms and they have surpised us several times with a suite out of the blue.  We agree that the food options there currently not very good and sometimes almost non existant.  Savatores was our favorite in Vegas for years, with the piano player and the wine discount you used to get at check in.

     The casino has had very little traffic since they took out the buffet, and the 25 cent roullete, and the good  pia  gow poker.   But if you are looking to watch a game there is always a seat at the 2 bars that are still open ,   out of the 4 they used to open.  Hopefully the food options will get better.  We started going there because of the food, but now we leave to go get something to eat.  Dupars pastry case is half price after 9pm

I didn't realize VooDoo Steak was still open!  Good to know.

Next time you win and want to celibrate, I'd suggest Binion's Steakhouse as one place to go.  I like it better than Hugo's and it is a little less expensive.

And LVA has a coupon for Binions

Binions steakhouse is a great place and we have been there at least a dozen times.  One of our go to places with another couple since the coupon in the las vegas advisor is for the entire bill which is an awesome deal. Currently the D and Circa are giving us so much food credit that we are eating there when we are downtown.  It is nice to be wanted, and the food is really good.