Trip Report for June 19th-22nd
Transportation: Southwest Airlines from Kansas City. I paid $330.00 for a round-trip ticket, the most ever for a Las Vegas trip.
Car Rental: I got a great rate from Alamo on a compact for about $74.00 for five days. That's the cheapest ever for me. I like Alamo because of the kiosks. The attendant offered to upgrade me because it was my birthday, but I told him I wanted the smaller car.
Hotels: I stayed two nights on an offer from Aliante Station and had a three night offer from the Silverton. The Silverton sent me this offer despite no play in two years, so they must like me for some reason. I didn't stay at the Silverton at all as my trip was cut short, which I'll explain later.
Dining: I was going to use my MRB coupon for Garduno's brunch but was informed at the restaurant that Father's Day was considered a holiday and the coupon would not be honored. This despite the fact that I was told at the slot club booth when I got my new card that it could be used that day. What a bunch of horseshit.
Rio Buffet: I ate a comped buffet at the Rio after waiting in line for 30 minutes. I like the Rio Buffet but there's no way I would pay full price for it. A lot of the food was dried out under the heat lamps, but it hit the spot with me because I hadn't eaten in 10 hours. Grade B.
Aliante Station Buffet: First time I've tried the Aliante Buffet. I had a lunch comp and Aliante had excellent grilled chicken, roast beef and the one chili on the buffet was great. Cheesecake was good as well, but the chocolate cake I had was dry. Grade A-.
Golden Nugget Buffet: I had this dinner comped and it absolutely sucked. How could Tillman Fertitta get rich in the restaurant business and put out a spread like this in his Las Vegas casino? No selection at all and below average quality, on par with the Palace Station buffet which isn't a compliment. The Golden Nugget should be ashamed of themselves for this ripoff. Grade D.
Sunset Station Buffet: I had breakfast and dinner buffets at Sunset Station and they were fine. Breakfast has my favorite: Huevos con chorizo. I would give it an A. Dinner did not have the quality or selection of GVR or Red Rock. Grade B-.
Gambling:
I spent five hours each day playing quarter video poker at Aliante Station my two days there and five hours at Sunset my third day in town after checking in at Silverton. The Silverton has rotten games so I wasn't going to give them any action. For the third trip in a row, I lost my ass, but at least I lost it slower than the previous two trips.
Randon Thoughts:
Aliante Station is a great place to stay. Small hotel, great rooms, easy check in, great food options and full pay video poker.
I got to meet Sue Casey my first day there. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
I got to see 3,600 people playing at The World Series of Poker. An awesome sight.
I finally got into the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (Pawn Stars) but didn't see any of the guys there.
As always, perpetual road construction on I-15.
The Strip is deserted early on Sunday mornings.
The Golden Nugget has the worst buffet in Las Vegas.
The “new” Tropicana is all white on the outside.
My plane into town taxied to three different gates before finally stopping at one. Eff you to the idiot who kept us moving from one gate to the next.
Getting hammered at video poker is a bummer.
I need to stay at Sunset Station sometime.
I got a free t-shirt from Aliante Station on my birthday.
The downtown casinos were extremely crowded.
The Palms has lost my business permanently.
It's great to get a rental car for $74.00 with taxes for five days.
It sucks to pay $330.00 for a plane ticket, then another $368.00 to change it.
I love Station Casinos. Free hotel, free food, full pay video poker.
Postscript:
I had originally planned to stay two nights at Aliante Station and three at Silverton. After checking in to the Silverton, I played all afternoon at Sunset Station. After eating the dinner buffet and feeling sorry for myself about my rotten video poker luck I got a call from my sister who told me my dad had died and I was needed at home. Suddenly, video poker losses and buffets didn't seem so important. I drove back to the Silverton, checked out and headed for the airport and got the last flight back to KC. On the flight home, I thought about the first time I had gone to Las Vegas. It was with my mom, dad and brother back in 1993. My dad said “You'll love it there being around all those sports books.” He was right as I've gone every year since. Now I'll never see him again. Rest in Peace dad.
Transportation: Southwest Airlines from Kansas City. I paid $330.00 for a round-trip ticket, the most ever for a Las Vegas trip.
Car Rental: I got a great rate from Alamo on a compact for about $74.00 for five days. That's the cheapest ever for me. I like Alamo because of the kiosks. The attendant offered to upgrade me because it was my birthday, but I told him I wanted the smaller car.
Hotels: I stayed two nights on an offer from Aliante Station and had a three night offer from the Silverton. The Silverton sent me this offer despite no play in two years, so they must like me for some reason. I didn't stay at the Silverton at all as my trip was cut short, which I'll explain later.
Dining: I was going to use my MRB coupon for Garduno's brunch but was informed at the restaurant that Father's Day was considered a holiday and the coupon would not be honored. This despite the fact that I was told at the slot club booth when I got my new card that it could be used that day. What a bunch of horseshit.
Rio Buffet: I ate a comped buffet at the Rio after waiting in line for 30 minutes. I like the Rio Buffet but there's no way I would pay full price for it. A lot of the food was dried out under the heat lamps, but it hit the spot with me because I hadn't eaten in 10 hours. Grade B.
Aliante Station Buffet: First time I've tried the Aliante Buffet. I had a lunch comp and Aliante had excellent grilled chicken, roast beef and the one chili on the buffet was great. Cheesecake was good as well, but the chocolate cake I had was dry. Grade A-.
Golden Nugget Buffet: I had this dinner comped and it absolutely sucked. How could Tillman Fertitta get rich in the restaurant business and put out a spread like this in his Las Vegas casino? No selection at all and below average quality, on par with the Palace Station buffet which isn't a compliment. The Golden Nugget should be ashamed of themselves for this ripoff. Grade D.
Sunset Station Buffet: I had breakfast and dinner buffets at Sunset Station and they were fine. Breakfast has my favorite: Huevos con chorizo. I would give it an A. Dinner did not have the quality or selection of GVR or Red Rock. Grade B-.
Gambling:
I spent five hours each day playing quarter video poker at Aliante Station my two days there and five hours at Sunset my third day in town after checking in at Silverton. The Silverton has rotten games so I wasn't going to give them any action. For the third trip in a row, I lost my ass, but at least I lost it slower than the previous two trips.
Randon Thoughts:
Aliante Station is a great place to stay. Small hotel, great rooms, easy check in, great food options and full pay video poker.
I got to meet Sue Casey my first day there. Definitely a highlight of the trip.
I got to see 3,600 people playing at The World Series of Poker. An awesome sight.
I finally got into the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (Pawn Stars) but didn't see any of the guys there.
As always, perpetual road construction on I-15.
The Strip is deserted early on Sunday mornings.
The Golden Nugget has the worst buffet in Las Vegas.
The “new” Tropicana is all white on the outside.
My plane into town taxied to three different gates before finally stopping at one. Eff you to the idiot who kept us moving from one gate to the next.
Getting hammered at video poker is a bummer.
I need to stay at Sunset Station sometime.
I got a free t-shirt from Aliante Station on my birthday.
The downtown casinos were extremely crowded.
The Palms has lost my business permanently.
It's great to get a rental car for $74.00 with taxes for five days.
It sucks to pay $330.00 for a plane ticket, then another $368.00 to change it.
I love Station Casinos. Free hotel, free food, full pay video poker.
Postscript:
I had originally planned to stay two nights at Aliante Station and three at Silverton. After checking in to the Silverton, I played all afternoon at Sunset Station. After eating the dinner buffet and feeling sorry for myself about my rotten video poker luck I got a call from my sister who told me my dad had died and I was needed at home. Suddenly, video poker losses and buffets didn't seem so important. I drove back to the Silverton, checked out and headed for the airport and got the last flight back to KC. On the flight home, I thought about the first time I had gone to Las Vegas. It was with my mom, dad and brother back in 1993. My dad said “You'll love it there being around all those sports books.” He was right as I've gone every year since. Now I'll never see him again. Rest in Peace dad.
