It's amazing how many things can go wrong during 10 days away from home. Therefore, part 2 was delayed several days while I "corrected" all the problems.
The issue of being charged $15 per day to upgrade to a smoking room at Palace Station was somewhat resolved at checkout. I decided during the first day to cut my stay to 2 days, due to the charge. Called Bally's, and no problem getting 1 more day there. The morning of checkout, I went down to speak to a host to check on comping of meals and hotel charges. I was comped ahead of time for 1 night, and $29 the second night. Stopped at the players card desk, and asked if I could speak to a host. After taking my card, the lady made a brief phone call. Her reply was, a host said no further comps were warranted. I did expect a little more, but at least they were straight up about it.
On to checkout. I questioned the upgrade charge, and the girl said they didn't charge extra for smoking rooms. She said the charge was for upgrading to a tower room, and my original reservation was for a courtyard room. No Ma'am, my reservation was for a tower room. I can get it out of my suitcase if you would like. Amazingly, she punched more buttons, and "discovered" it was for tower room. The upgrade charge was removed. Could have been an honest mistake, but it smelled like a rat to me.
Rather than a blow by blow, I'm gonna do a bit of a summary.
Hotels
Tropicana. As i said in part 1, it was fantastic! Only 1 downside. Who designed the bathroom in the paradise suites? Big, beautiful room with a crappy little bathroom. Still a great room for $99 a night even before 1 night was comped.
Palace Station. Room was nice, and looked recently upgraded. (bathroom was nicer than the Trop) All casino personel were wonderful. Excellent deal for $29 total for 2 nights. That being said, I don't think I'd ever stay there again. As was said in another topic a few weeks ago, everyone has something different they're looking for in a Vegas experience. This was not mine. First time I've stayed anywhere other than strip or downtown. Just not what I'm looking for when I go to Vegas.
Bally's. Had booked 4 nights comped south tower online. About a week before leaving, I got an offer to upgrade to north tower for $10 per night. Jumped on that really quick. At check in, I told the lady my offer to make sure I got north tower. She said, "honey, we're not going to charge you for that, you're platinum." Seriously? Platinum matters? That was a new one on me! The room was nice. Much larger than Palace Station, but one notch below on quality.
Gambling
Blackjack. Is it just me, or are quality tables getting harder to find? I usually play quarter level, and have never had much trouble finding a good table. It didn't matter, strip, dtown, or off strip, it was tough finding a good table that wasn't packed. As a result, I usually got up early to get in my blackjack play. Btw, I kicked a little ass in the process.
Craps. Had success here also, although not nearly as much. One great (and not so great) story. I passed on all 6 numbers at the Trop! Downside is the Trop doesn't have a fire bet. I didn't even realize I had done it till the dealer said so. Rarely do I ever make a fire bet, so it was a bit of a relief not being offered.
VP. Speaking of an ass kicking. Too bad it went the wrong way! I switched to JOB for this trip to calm the ups and downs. Well, I quieted the up part! Even with a $400 win early at the Trop, and going to quarters the rest of the trip, I got drilled. More than enough to offset the wins at BJ and craps. Bummer.
Food. Just a few highs and lows.
GN buffet. Second time in the last few months I've had a weekend lunch here. What the heck has happened to it? Not very good either time. Limited selection, and not very good quality.
Fremont buffet. Big appology due. I posted after my trip last May about the horrible food here. It was almost unedible. This coming from someone who will eat cold mashed potatoes straight from the fridge. I had a good craps session there one afternoon, and decided to give it another try. (I had read some good comments on here) After all, cost was less than $9. Was it worth $9? No, it was worth much more. Very tasty, and excellent selection.
Cafe Nikki. Only ate there once. Had a sandwich called (I think) Philly Style Reuben. Oh my, how wonderful. Took half to the room, and made two meals of it.
Sultans in Summerlin. A small Lebanese cafe that came recommended by Jazzlover. Thank you! As I stated in a pm, best hummus I've had in many years. It was a "mother" to find , but well worth the effort.
Warnings!
Warning #1. Margaritas at Palace Station. Not only are they, (as one of my buddy's says) "hella good". Nine of them in less than two hours, will cause one to miss the running of the KY Derby!
Warning #2. For those of you who don't already know, DO NOT attempt to drive across the new Hwy 93 bridge when there are signs flashing warnings for motorists about high winds. It wasn't scary, it was terrifying. I've had the misfortune of getting caught driving near tornadoes twice. Never been this scared driving. It felt like like I was driving on black ice. Took both lanes to keep from hitting the bridge. Stupid me.
Dollar Express. First time using it. Easy, simple, quick, and awesome. Note to dollar, (and noted it the post rental survey) clean your cars every now and then. MY Charger didn't look as if it had been cleaned in years. Inside or out. In over 500 miles of driving the car performed flawlessy though. That's the most important part.
Hookers. Wow, 9 nights in Vegas solo, and never got approached once. Gee thanks ladies, now I'm questioning my masculinity. :-)
Been home a week and a half, and ready to go back....now!
Joey
The issue of being charged $15 per day to upgrade to a smoking room at Palace Station was somewhat resolved at checkout. I decided during the first day to cut my stay to 2 days, due to the charge. Called Bally's, and no problem getting 1 more day there. The morning of checkout, I went down to speak to a host to check on comping of meals and hotel charges. I was comped ahead of time for 1 night, and $29 the second night. Stopped at the players card desk, and asked if I could speak to a host. After taking my card, the lady made a brief phone call. Her reply was, a host said no further comps were warranted. I did expect a little more, but at least they were straight up about it.
On to checkout. I questioned the upgrade charge, and the girl said they didn't charge extra for smoking rooms. She said the charge was for upgrading to a tower room, and my original reservation was for a courtyard room. No Ma'am, my reservation was for a tower room. I can get it out of my suitcase if you would like. Amazingly, she punched more buttons, and "discovered" it was for tower room. The upgrade charge was removed. Could have been an honest mistake, but it smelled like a rat to me.
Rather than a blow by blow, I'm gonna do a bit of a summary.
Hotels
Tropicana. As i said in part 1, it was fantastic! Only 1 downside. Who designed the bathroom in the paradise suites? Big, beautiful room with a crappy little bathroom. Still a great room for $99 a night even before 1 night was comped.
Palace Station. Room was nice, and looked recently upgraded. (bathroom was nicer than the Trop) All casino personel were wonderful. Excellent deal for $29 total for 2 nights. That being said, I don't think I'd ever stay there again. As was said in another topic a few weeks ago, everyone has something different they're looking for in a Vegas experience. This was not mine. First time I've stayed anywhere other than strip or downtown. Just not what I'm looking for when I go to Vegas.
Bally's. Had booked 4 nights comped south tower online. About a week before leaving, I got an offer to upgrade to north tower for $10 per night. Jumped on that really quick. At check in, I told the lady my offer to make sure I got north tower. She said, "honey, we're not going to charge you for that, you're platinum." Seriously? Platinum matters? That was a new one on me! The room was nice. Much larger than Palace Station, but one notch below on quality.
Gambling
Blackjack. Is it just me, or are quality tables getting harder to find? I usually play quarter level, and have never had much trouble finding a good table. It didn't matter, strip, dtown, or off strip, it was tough finding a good table that wasn't packed. As a result, I usually got up early to get in my blackjack play. Btw, I kicked a little ass in the process.
Craps. Had success here also, although not nearly as much. One great (and not so great) story. I passed on all 6 numbers at the Trop! Downside is the Trop doesn't have a fire bet. I didn't even realize I had done it till the dealer said so. Rarely do I ever make a fire bet, so it was a bit of a relief not being offered.
VP. Speaking of an ass kicking. Too bad it went the wrong way! I switched to JOB for this trip to calm the ups and downs. Well, I quieted the up part! Even with a $400 win early at the Trop, and going to quarters the rest of the trip, I got drilled. More than enough to offset the wins at BJ and craps. Bummer.
Food. Just a few highs and lows.
GN buffet. Second time in the last few months I've had a weekend lunch here. What the heck has happened to it? Not very good either time. Limited selection, and not very good quality.
Fremont buffet. Big appology due. I posted after my trip last May about the horrible food here. It was almost unedible. This coming from someone who will eat cold mashed potatoes straight from the fridge. I had a good craps session there one afternoon, and decided to give it another try. (I had read some good comments on here) After all, cost was less than $9. Was it worth $9? No, it was worth much more. Very tasty, and excellent selection.
Cafe Nikki. Only ate there once. Had a sandwich called (I think) Philly Style Reuben. Oh my, how wonderful. Took half to the room, and made two meals of it.
Sultans in Summerlin. A small Lebanese cafe that came recommended by Jazzlover. Thank you! As I stated in a pm, best hummus I've had in many years. It was a "mother" to find , but well worth the effort.
Warnings!
Warning #1. Margaritas at Palace Station. Not only are they, (as one of my buddy's says) "hella good". Nine of them in less than two hours, will cause one to miss the running of the KY Derby!
Warning #2. For those of you who don't already know, DO NOT attempt to drive across the new Hwy 93 bridge when there are signs flashing warnings for motorists about high winds. It wasn't scary, it was terrifying. I've had the misfortune of getting caught driving near tornadoes twice. Never been this scared driving. It felt like like I was driving on black ice. Took both lanes to keep from hitting the bridge. Stupid me.
Dollar Express. First time using it. Easy, simple, quick, and awesome. Note to dollar, (and noted it the post rental survey) clean your cars every now and then. MY Charger didn't look as if it had been cleaned in years. Inside or out. In over 500 miles of driving the car performed flawlessy though. That's the most important part.
Hookers. Wow, 9 nights in Vegas solo, and never got approached once. Gee thanks ladies, now I'm questioning my masculinity. :-)
Been home a week and a half, and ready to go back....now!
Joey
