A Wild Ride
Harrah’s New Orleans and Harrah’s Ak-Chin
(Cliff Notes version: 2 great hits in NOLA then lost my a$$. Won back loss Sat. at Ak-Chin, scroll for VP pix)
I fell in love with NOLA my first visit 4 years ago and have been obsessed with going back. My goal this trip was to go at a leisurely pace and to spend time exploring parts of the city I had not seen. I took the red eye Saturday night and arrived sleep deprived and ready to go Sunday morning. Although, I tried not to over plan, my plan for Sunday was to explore the Warehouse Arts District as I was pretty sure my room would not be ready at 9:30 am. Although it wasn’t, they assigned me to a corner suite on the 15th floor. I was able to do the paperwork, leave my luggage with the bell man, and off I went.
I narrowed my choices for brunch to Annunciation or Willa Jean. I selected Willa Jean because it appeared more casual and I could arrive without a reservation. I loved everything about Willa Jean and will go back. The avocado toast was to die for and the service was excellent. The cappuccino was good. I declined a glass of bubbles and pastries to go because I was walking in the heat. I liked that everywhere I dined, I never felt rushed. It reminded me of dining in Guadalajara.
Avocado Toast at Willa Jean
Next, I walked to The Ogden Museum of Southern Art located across from the WWII Museum. Air conditioning, YAH!!! I liked the diversification of the exhibits. I leisurely walked back to Harrah’s passing one or two of the beer/wine garden restaurants in that area. Many of the business in that area were either closed on Sunday or opened later in the day.
View from 5th floor terrace
It was still too early to check in, around 1 pm, and I was ready for a cocktail. What’s a girl to do? Go to the casino? I had some luck on slots. Turned my first $20 on 25c Eagle Bucks into $200.00. I did okay playing random slots. I had $50 in fsp and wanted to use it playing video poker. I walked by this machine a couple of times. It said “play me.” I don’t usually play 50c video poker, yet the machine was calling my name, “Lisa, Lisa . . . Lisa.” I sat down and downloaded my fsp. The machine was generous. I was over tired, still had not had any adult beverages, and forgot I was playing TDB. I hit this and was figuring out the math, 800 credits playing 50 cents = ???. The credits just kept adding up. Happy Birthday to me!
Shortly afterward, I hit this then cashed out.
I found the Masquerade Bar and ordered a cosmopolitan. It was comped thanks to my diamond card and the nice bartender gave me a bottle of Fiji water. I played while waiting for my room. Things started to go south. Around 3 pm, I was able to check in. I didn’t take any pictures. The room, #1509, was gorgeous. Part of the view overlooked the Mississippi, and part faced west. I unpacked, rested, yet did not want to chill in the room.
Sunrise over the Mississippi
Casino round 2. Not pleasant. Because the Palm Room (diamond lounge) was packed, I opted for an early dinner at Besh Steak. Used my $30 food credit and paid the balance with points. Took half the food back to the room and enjoyed it during my stay. Played some more. Nada, nada, nada. Back in the room early (for a casino downstairs), watched gymnastics and went to bed with a profit.
Monday – my birthday. Booked a massage via Travelzoo at the Lowe’s spa next door. Although they don’t have much in facilities, it was one of the best massages I have ever had. They have a small indoor pool and a whirlpool. I enjoyed a lovely lunch at Café Adelaide, part of the Commander’s Palace family. Like Commander’s, they offer a 3-martini lunch, 25c each. I enjoyed all my salad and took half the fish and dessert back to my room. Because it was my birthday, they gifted me birthday bubbles.
After lunch, I hired a bicycle taxi to take me to the 9 West Outlet on Canal Street. There was a pair of shoes I had seen here at home. I purchased a different pair then went to CVS to purchase some toiletries for the room. I walked back.
After a break, it was time to gamble. All I can say, it was ugly, ugly and ugly. Why, I kept trying? Don’t ask. I expected something to give. I learned one can go in and out of the Palm room. Diamond players receive 4 cocktails and 2 appetizers.
On a side note, Sunday night, I got a glass of wine to go from Ruth Chris and charged to my room. Bartender gave a generous pour because she had to put it in a plastic cup. I’m assuming because I played a lot Sunday and Monday, it never showed as a room charge.
I did not schedule anything for Tuesday and did not go near the casino. I walked around the French Quarter and decided on The Court of Two Sisters for Lunch. The ambiance was lovely. The food, slightly above average. It was pricey for what it was and most likely I will not go back. I got back to my room about 30 minutes or so before the thunderstorm. It poured. It rained for well over an hour, so hard, one could not see the river. The temperature dropped. Early evening, it was quite pleasant to walk outside.
Ruth Chris is located off the lobby inside the Harrah’s Hotel. Weekdays, they offer $9 small plates and drinks for happy hour. Tuesday evening, I enjoyed happy hour at Ruth Chris. I thought about renting a movie in my room. Granted, sometimes I spend money frivolously, other times not so much. Any movie I was interested in was $20. I said no thank you and watched ESPN.
Wednesday, I spent the afternoon with a friend who recently retired. She and her husband relocated to NOLA so they could be near their adorable granddaughter. She picked me up then enjoyed a lovely lunch at Ralphs on the Park, part of the (original) Brennan’s family. Although we were dressed casual, the business people were dressed in formal business attire. I noticed this also at Café Adelaide and Ruth Chris. After lunch, we drove through part of City Park then walked through part of the Sculpture Garden. Isn’t the moss on the trees beautiful?
I learned my friend likes to play low level penny slots. She played without a card and we hung out for about an hour before she needed to head home. She recommended Bayona as a place to go for dinner. Because I didn’t want to walk back from the French Quarter by myself around 8 pm, it’s at the top of the list for lunch next time.
I remembered the Swizzle Stick Bar at Café Adelaide offers $6 drinks and $3 appetizers for happy hour. I enjoyed The Adelaide Swizzle and parmesan fries. I spent about 2 hours in the casino, had some luck including this 4 of a kind. I for looked and did not find the bank I played Sunday.
Tuesday’s room charge to Ruth Chris was not taken care of. I used points, 2 to 1 at check out. Also used points for a limo to the airport Thursday am. I was downstairs at 4:15. My 4:30 ride was waiting for me. Thankfully, restaurants in NOLA airport open at 5am and I was able to have breakfast before boarding my cross country flight. More people sat at the bar enjoying cocktails with breakfast than sat at the tables.
Daytrip to Ak-Chin
Do you ever have a feeling? The one where the casino calls your name? Logic says no, yet intuition says GO FOR IT! Thanks to the big loss in NOLA, I cancelled going to Laughlin for the 4th. However, I had that feeling – play my FSP Saturday at Ak-Chin and come home with cash. I’m glad I went for it.
My offers: weekly FSP $75.00, Saturday FSP $50.00, Firecracker promotion, mystery amount, guaranteed $100.00. I got $125.00.
4 of a kind #1 on first $20 of FSP.
Shortly thereafter
Nice lady next to me said don’t give it all back. I listened. She left. A very sweet elderly lady sat next to me. She is 93, has macular degeneration and reminded me of my Grandmother. I helped her with the cards, making sure she held the correct ones. She knew what to hold, yet couldn’t see all of them. She said I’d get a royal for helping her. I didn’t. I had phenomenal luck playing VP and slots. I hit these during my first hour of play.
Not necessarily in order - photobucket challenges
I lost playing Buffalo. I had phenomenal luck playing Gold Pays, machines I call “the firecrackers,” All 3 machines were hitting bonuses right and left. I forgot to take photos. I lost on the triple play machines near the front door. I wasn’t ready to leave. Had 2 good hits playing single line.
I then played a machine similar to 88 fortunes that usually kicks my butt. I cashed out about $20 ahead (that machine) then called it a day. I won back my NOLA loss and brought it home. Mission Accomplished.
Harrah’s New Orleans and Harrah’s Ak-Chin
(Cliff Notes version: 2 great hits in NOLA then lost my a$$. Won back loss Sat. at Ak-Chin, scroll for VP pix)
I fell in love with NOLA my first visit 4 years ago and have been obsessed with going back. My goal this trip was to go at a leisurely pace and to spend time exploring parts of the city I had not seen. I took the red eye Saturday night and arrived sleep deprived and ready to go Sunday morning. Although, I tried not to over plan, my plan for Sunday was to explore the Warehouse Arts District as I was pretty sure my room would not be ready at 9:30 am. Although it wasn’t, they assigned me to a corner suite on the 15th floor. I was able to do the paperwork, leave my luggage with the bell man, and off I went.
I narrowed my choices for brunch to Annunciation or Willa Jean. I selected Willa Jean because it appeared more casual and I could arrive without a reservation. I loved everything about Willa Jean and will go back. The avocado toast was to die for and the service was excellent. The cappuccino was good. I declined a glass of bubbles and pastries to go because I was walking in the heat. I liked that everywhere I dined, I never felt rushed. It reminded me of dining in Guadalajara.
Avocado Toast at Willa Jean
Next, I walked to The Ogden Museum of Southern Art located across from the WWII Museum. Air conditioning, YAH!!! I liked the diversification of the exhibits. I leisurely walked back to Harrah’s passing one or two of the beer/wine garden restaurants in that area. Many of the business in that area were either closed on Sunday or opened later in the day.
View from 5th floor terrace
It was still too early to check in, around 1 pm, and I was ready for a cocktail. What’s a girl to do? Go to the casino? I had some luck on slots. Turned my first $20 on 25c Eagle Bucks into $200.00. I did okay playing random slots. I had $50 in fsp and wanted to use it playing video poker. I walked by this machine a couple of times. It said “play me.” I don’t usually play 50c video poker, yet the machine was calling my name, “Lisa, Lisa . . . Lisa.” I sat down and downloaded my fsp. The machine was generous. I was over tired, still had not had any adult beverages, and forgot I was playing TDB. I hit this and was figuring out the math, 800 credits playing 50 cents = ???. The credits just kept adding up. Happy Birthday to me!
Shortly afterward, I hit this then cashed out.
I found the Masquerade Bar and ordered a cosmopolitan. It was comped thanks to my diamond card and the nice bartender gave me a bottle of Fiji water. I played while waiting for my room. Things started to go south. Around 3 pm, I was able to check in. I didn’t take any pictures. The room, #1509, was gorgeous. Part of the view overlooked the Mississippi, and part faced west. I unpacked, rested, yet did not want to chill in the room.
Sunrise over the Mississippi
Casino round 2. Not pleasant. Because the Palm Room (diamond lounge) was packed, I opted for an early dinner at Besh Steak. Used my $30 food credit and paid the balance with points. Took half the food back to the room and enjoyed it during my stay. Played some more. Nada, nada, nada. Back in the room early (for a casino downstairs), watched gymnastics and went to bed with a profit.
Monday – my birthday. Booked a massage via Travelzoo at the Lowe’s spa next door. Although they don’t have much in facilities, it was one of the best massages I have ever had. They have a small indoor pool and a whirlpool. I enjoyed a lovely lunch at Café Adelaide, part of the Commander’s Palace family. Like Commander’s, they offer a 3-martini lunch, 25c each. I enjoyed all my salad and took half the fish and dessert back to my room. Because it was my birthday, they gifted me birthday bubbles.
After lunch, I hired a bicycle taxi to take me to the 9 West Outlet on Canal Street. There was a pair of shoes I had seen here at home. I purchased a different pair then went to CVS to purchase some toiletries for the room. I walked back.
After a break, it was time to gamble. All I can say, it was ugly, ugly and ugly. Why, I kept trying? Don’t ask. I expected something to give. I learned one can go in and out of the Palm room. Diamond players receive 4 cocktails and 2 appetizers.
On a side note, Sunday night, I got a glass of wine to go from Ruth Chris and charged to my room. Bartender gave a generous pour because she had to put it in a plastic cup. I’m assuming because I played a lot Sunday and Monday, it never showed as a room charge.
I did not schedule anything for Tuesday and did not go near the casino. I walked around the French Quarter and decided on The Court of Two Sisters for Lunch. The ambiance was lovely. The food, slightly above average. It was pricey for what it was and most likely I will not go back. I got back to my room about 30 minutes or so before the thunderstorm. It poured. It rained for well over an hour, so hard, one could not see the river. The temperature dropped. Early evening, it was quite pleasant to walk outside.
Ruth Chris is located off the lobby inside the Harrah’s Hotel. Weekdays, they offer $9 small plates and drinks for happy hour. Tuesday evening, I enjoyed happy hour at Ruth Chris. I thought about renting a movie in my room. Granted, sometimes I spend money frivolously, other times not so much. Any movie I was interested in was $20. I said no thank you and watched ESPN.
Wednesday, I spent the afternoon with a friend who recently retired. She and her husband relocated to NOLA so they could be near their adorable granddaughter. She picked me up then enjoyed a lovely lunch at Ralphs on the Park, part of the (original) Brennan’s family. Although we were dressed casual, the business people were dressed in formal business attire. I noticed this also at Café Adelaide and Ruth Chris. After lunch, we drove through part of City Park then walked through part of the Sculpture Garden. Isn’t the moss on the trees beautiful?
I learned my friend likes to play low level penny slots. She played without a card and we hung out for about an hour before she needed to head home. She recommended Bayona as a place to go for dinner. Because I didn’t want to walk back from the French Quarter by myself around 8 pm, it’s at the top of the list for lunch next time.
I remembered the Swizzle Stick Bar at Café Adelaide offers $6 drinks and $3 appetizers for happy hour. I enjoyed The Adelaide Swizzle and parmesan fries. I spent about 2 hours in the casino, had some luck including this 4 of a kind. I for looked and did not find the bank I played Sunday.
Tuesday’s room charge to Ruth Chris was not taken care of. I used points, 2 to 1 at check out. Also used points for a limo to the airport Thursday am. I was downstairs at 4:15. My 4:30 ride was waiting for me. Thankfully, restaurants in NOLA airport open at 5am and I was able to have breakfast before boarding my cross country flight. More people sat at the bar enjoying cocktails with breakfast than sat at the tables.
Daytrip to Ak-Chin
Do you ever have a feeling? The one where the casino calls your name? Logic says no, yet intuition says GO FOR IT! Thanks to the big loss in NOLA, I cancelled going to Laughlin for the 4th. However, I had that feeling – play my FSP Saturday at Ak-Chin and come home with cash. I’m glad I went for it.
My offers: weekly FSP $75.00, Saturday FSP $50.00, Firecracker promotion, mystery amount, guaranteed $100.00. I got $125.00.
4 of a kind #1 on first $20 of FSP.
Shortly thereafter
Nice lady next to me said don’t give it all back. I listened. She left. A very sweet elderly lady sat next to me. She is 93, has macular degeneration and reminded me of my Grandmother. I helped her with the cards, making sure she held the correct ones. She knew what to hold, yet couldn’t see all of them. She said I’d get a royal for helping her. I didn’t. I had phenomenal luck playing VP and slots. I hit these during my first hour of play.
Not necessarily in order - photobucket challenges
I lost playing Buffalo. I had phenomenal luck playing Gold Pays, machines I call “the firecrackers,” All 3 machines were hitting bonuses right and left. I forgot to take photos. I lost on the triple play machines near the front door. I wasn’t ready to leave. Had 2 good hits playing single line.
I then played a machine similar to 88 fortunes that usually kicks my butt. I cashed out about $20 ahead (that machine) then called it a day. I won back my NOLA loss and brought it home. Mission Accomplished.
