We usually plan out our trips to Vegas for months. Booking airfare way in advance to get the best prices, booking hotels months ahead and planning out everything down to a daily plan on where to eat, what coupons to use ect, but we planned a trip at the last minute. Working in the office of a construction company, we had no jobs in site so I volunteered to take a week off (would rather take a week off unpaid and keep a job than no job at all). Had Southwest credits to use up before they expired and some great offers had come in from Vegas so just had to go. LOL. Gonna break things down for review a little different--by category not by the day.
Travel: Was really happy to be able to book our return trip at the last moment using Southwest credit. I didn't think I would be able to find something with such short notice of just a couple of weeks. Booked our flight to Vegas using Expedia--Delta. The D in Delta should stand for delays or don't dare try. When we got to Columbus, found the flight to be delayed (posted at the gate) and of course the delay was long enough that we not going to be able to make our connecting flight in Memphis (we had a 45 minute layover), the flight was delayed over 2 hours. Line was very long at the gate so called Delta and they got us on a flight connecting in Atlanta---only flight "had" going to Vegas that late at night. It was only 6 PM. Of course the flight was delayed in Atanta when we finally got there. They did bump us to first class, but arrived 4 hours later than we were suppose to. The rest of the trips travel consisted of taxi's and the deuce which we used to change hotels when we went from Harrah's to the MSS. It was the first time we used the bus when changing hotels and it went rather well.
Hotels: First 2 nights we spent at Harrah's. It was our first time to try the place. I was not impressed, but not disgusted with the place. Nothing special--check in was fast (but it was 2 in the morning). There was a little confusion on getting my free play that came with our hotel offer, but all was worked out rather pain free. Next stay was at the MSS--had to wait for a room to get cleaned, but other than that everything was good. It is starting to feel like home away from home there. Our final 2 nights we spent at Aria. Never stayed there or even played there, but got an offer for free night and $150 in free play and couldn't pass on it. Long lines at check in and got yelled at by a doorman, the taxi took us to the wrong door--not the check in doors. The rooms were completely awesome. Loved the bathroom, from the huge shower to the small details. The room is very high tech. You can control just about everything from your bed--from the lights in the bathroom to open/closing the curtains. Our view overlooked to pools. I would really like to stay there again, but doubt we will get more offers on our gambling budget.
Restaurant/Food: Nothing to exciting to speak of here. Ate at the Mexican restaurant the the IP and thought it was real good (coupon in the ACG). Tried the buffet at the Mirage for the first time using the LVA coupon--it was average. Had a very nice meal at the Pasta Pirate @ the Cal. Very good food and nice service.
Gambling: Again nothing terribly exciting. Wondered down the strip to use the Saraha coupons for the last time--while hubby was using the 50 for 40, I found a decent DDB game and was dealt 4 Aces on the 3 hand, didn't catch the kicker but is a nice memory to leave the place on. Stopped at the Riv to take advantage of the coupons there (ACG and LVA), but they wouldn't let me use mine as they said I had a better casino offer, but I could come back tomorrow and use the coupons. Was able to make a few small hits and then the next day stopped and used the coupons and was able to hit 4 aces on DDB (again no kicker)-ha thats what they get for making me come back. LOL. The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful when it came to gambling. No big hits-but no big losses. I couldn't hit 4 of a kinds to save my a**, but when I did they were good ones 2's with kickers or aces. Hubby was hitting 4 of a kinds like crazy, but they were the little ones. One the last day we were playing VP at Excalibur and hubby decided to try a little $1 level VP (we are quarter players). He hit a couple of 4 of a kinds on DDB (our game) which was a nice way to leave.
Other: On Friday and Saturday nights Fremont Street was having country concerts (Country Music awards were on the Monday we were there). Music was great--crowds got worse as the night went on. The final 4 NCAA tournaments were going on also and we were surprised that more wasn't going on regarding that. The weather was great and we were able to enjoy the pool at Aria while we there. It was really nice--very few people there since it so early in the year. I also did 2 spa days during the trip--the first was during our stay at Harrah's (I like to go to the spa where we are staying), but the IP spa had a special $160 for 50 min massage and a 50 min. facial. I was a little worried--well it is the IP, but was pleasantly surprised. It was not fancy, but what they had was nice and I think it was one of the best massage and facials I have had in Vegas. They staff was extremely friendly and I got free admission the following day. My other spa day was at the Aria--while the treatments were a little out of my price range--it was $30 for the day. Wow was that place nice. Staff was a little, well not rude, but just not friendly. Tried the salt room, heated stone beds (wonderful), and of course the sauna, indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Easily killed several hours there. Didn't take in any shows--just ran out of time.
Wonderful relaxing trip--we have both been so stressed out recently. I was nice to take a last minute trip. Places were all very crowded--more than we have seen in a long time. Some lines were long and annoying, but the best hidden places are still hidden to the masses. Now off to planing the next trip--maybe August for our 25th ann. Wow--that's a long time.
Travel: Was really happy to be able to book our return trip at the last moment using Southwest credit. I didn't think I would be able to find something with such short notice of just a couple of weeks. Booked our flight to Vegas using Expedia--Delta. The D in Delta should stand for delays or don't dare try. When we got to Columbus, found the flight to be delayed (posted at the gate) and of course the delay was long enough that we not going to be able to make our connecting flight in Memphis (we had a 45 minute layover), the flight was delayed over 2 hours. Line was very long at the gate so called Delta and they got us on a flight connecting in Atlanta---only flight "had" going to Vegas that late at night. It was only 6 PM. Of course the flight was delayed in Atanta when we finally got there. They did bump us to first class, but arrived 4 hours later than we were suppose to. The rest of the trips travel consisted of taxi's and the deuce which we used to change hotels when we went from Harrah's to the MSS. It was the first time we used the bus when changing hotels and it went rather well.
Hotels: First 2 nights we spent at Harrah's. It was our first time to try the place. I was not impressed, but not disgusted with the place. Nothing special--check in was fast (but it was 2 in the morning). There was a little confusion on getting my free play that came with our hotel offer, but all was worked out rather pain free. Next stay was at the MSS--had to wait for a room to get cleaned, but other than that everything was good. It is starting to feel like home away from home there. Our final 2 nights we spent at Aria. Never stayed there or even played there, but got an offer for free night and $150 in free play and couldn't pass on it. Long lines at check in and got yelled at by a doorman, the taxi took us to the wrong door--not the check in doors. The rooms were completely awesome. Loved the bathroom, from the huge shower to the small details. The room is very high tech. You can control just about everything from your bed--from the lights in the bathroom to open/closing the curtains. Our view overlooked to pools. I would really like to stay there again, but doubt we will get more offers on our gambling budget.
Restaurant/Food: Nothing to exciting to speak of here. Ate at the Mexican restaurant the the IP and thought it was real good (coupon in the ACG). Tried the buffet at the Mirage for the first time using the LVA coupon--it was average. Had a very nice meal at the Pasta Pirate @ the Cal. Very good food and nice service.
Gambling: Again nothing terribly exciting. Wondered down the strip to use the Saraha coupons for the last time--while hubby was using the 50 for 40, I found a decent DDB game and was dealt 4 Aces on the 3 hand, didn't catch the kicker but is a nice memory to leave the place on. Stopped at the Riv to take advantage of the coupons there (ACG and LVA), but they wouldn't let me use mine as they said I had a better casino offer, but I could come back tomorrow and use the coupons. Was able to make a few small hits and then the next day stopped and used the coupons and was able to hit 4 aces on DDB (again no kicker)-ha thats what they get for making me come back. LOL. The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful when it came to gambling. No big hits-but no big losses. I couldn't hit 4 of a kinds to save my a**, but when I did they were good ones 2's with kickers or aces. Hubby was hitting 4 of a kinds like crazy, but they were the little ones. One the last day we were playing VP at Excalibur and hubby decided to try a little $1 level VP (we are quarter players). He hit a couple of 4 of a kinds on DDB (our game) which was a nice way to leave.
Other: On Friday and Saturday nights Fremont Street was having country concerts (Country Music awards were on the Monday we were there). Music was great--crowds got worse as the night went on. The final 4 NCAA tournaments were going on also and we were surprised that more wasn't going on regarding that. The weather was great and we were able to enjoy the pool at Aria while we there. It was really nice--very few people there since it so early in the year. I also did 2 spa days during the trip--the first was during our stay at Harrah's (I like to go to the spa where we are staying), but the IP spa had a special $160 for 50 min massage and a 50 min. facial. I was a little worried--well it is the IP, but was pleasantly surprised. It was not fancy, but what they had was nice and I think it was one of the best massage and facials I have had in Vegas. They staff was extremely friendly and I got free admission the following day. My other spa day was at the Aria--while the treatments were a little out of my price range--it was $30 for the day. Wow was that place nice. Staff was a little, well not rude, but just not friendly. Tried the salt room, heated stone beds (wonderful), and of course the sauna, indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Easily killed several hours there. Didn't take in any shows--just ran out of time.
Wonderful relaxing trip--we have both been so stressed out recently. I was nice to take a last minute trip. Places were all very crowded--more than we have seen in a long time. Some lines were long and annoying, but the best hidden places are still hidden to the masses. Now off to planing the next trip--maybe August for our 25th ann. Wow--that's a long time.
