This trip was five nights at the RIO - my home base for quite a few years now. Went Feb. 26-March 3 w my friend and travel companion, Joe; a friend of many years. We took Sun Country for a rate of $269 plus $20 pre-paid baggage fee. This will be a "highlights" TR - a blow by blow would require notes - too much work!!
We got in on Sunday night around 7; took the Bell Tran shuttle for $17.50 each round trip. Have had good luck w them and we were the first "out the gate" - YAY! Arriving at check-in, we were asked whether we'd like to upgrade our room for an extra $20 a night. We said yes - and received one of the colorful rooms (samba suite?) on the 37th floor of the Masquerade Tower (37008). We had the strip view to our left. I hadn't stayed in the Masquerade Tower for quite some time (2010 or 2011); so i was kinda happy we got that tower. We unpacked and hit up the RIO Wine Cellar for a celebratory glass of wine - a Shiraz picked out by me. It fell a little flat i thought; but definitely drinkable! Joel was our steward. We then went to Smashburger; where my salad was also a disappointment but Joe's Classic Smashburger apparently hit the spot. We then walked to the Gold Coast to play BJ. Here's where the fun begins - by chance i met fellow LVA'ers over there playing BJ - a retired couple from Menominee, WI! Ron and Bev - I know you are waiting for this report! It was so much fun seeing you over there several times and playing BJ w you and our friend from upstate New York! So much more fun than playing w the "locals" that hang out at the Gold Coast! Thanks for the memories - and hope you enjoyed the rest of your journey - to AZ!
Here's where the "highlights" as far as dining and shows go. We went to MJ ONE on Tuesday night and enjoyed it very much. I am a fan of his music - probably even more so after his untimely death right before going out on tour : ( . It was a little LOUD - had to plug my ears once cuz it hurt! I had picked aisle seats after reading you'd get a better experience this way - and it was really cool to see the performers as they came up the aisle performing. We had perfect seats. I'm so glad this man has been honored w a Cirque du Soleil show on the Vegas strip - he deserves it.
We did two "splurge" meals. The best being at SINATRA - an Italian restaurant at the Encore. What a cool place! The ambiance, meal, and service could not be beat! Sinatra music playing at the restaurant - which i love. I was thankful i did NOT hear "Fly Me to the Moon" though; that song brings tears. I started w a manhattan made w Remy whiskey (cognac). It was shaken and put in a martini glass. Sooooo tasty! I had the "John Dory" - a whitefish delicacy from the coastal waters off New Zealand they tell me. SOOOO delicious! Joe had the Chilean Sea Bass; also very delicious - we exchanged bites. We also split a very unique and tasty salad of greens the waiter recommended. My dish was also served w a delicious fancy pasta in a white sauce. I can't wait to go back to this place!!
Our other splurge meal was Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on our last night there. This was also a fantastic experience; with a window seat overlooking the Caesar's Palace complex. Here I had the petite filet mignon - which was by no means petite. I had asked the wait staff if a sauce was recommended for this steak and she highly recommended an encrusted blue cheese sauce. It was the best steak i've ever had.
After this meal I went back and played one last session of BJ at the Gold Coast . . . . . . .
Other dining experiences worth mentioning - Grand Lux for breakfast (Venetian); Bouchon for breakfast (Venezia Towers). We used LVA coupons for buffets at the Gold Coast and Palms for breakfast; and at the RIO for supper. The supper buffet at the RIO was, unfortunately, not very good. Nothing we took was worth mentioning; and many entrees seemed like they had been perhaps warmed up from a previous buffet? Probably our worst meal of the trip : (
We took a second trip to the RIO Wine Cellar on Wednesday night; enjoying a flight of merlots from Napa Valley - Duckhorn, Rombauer and Shafer. I don't know if my tastes have changed because i never thought i liked merlots - but these were all excellent!! I was of the mistaken notion that merlots were "drier" than CABS - not so per wine steward Joel. I got to know Joel a little better this trip - he is a nice man.
I played BJ at Gold Coast mostly; but also Treasure Island and Palms. I played Pai Gow at the Palms and the Flamingo. Playing Pai Gow at the Palms one morning I missed out on $350 by not having a dollar on the "progressive" button; and not having ANYTHING on the bonus bet. The reason i didn't was because i sat down and i told the very nice female dealer i hadn't played for a long time and was going to start by playing a couple hands to refresh my memory of the game, etc. Well OF COURSE on my third hand i hit a five card straight flush - 2, 3, 4, joker, 6 (in diamonds). A dollar on the progressive button would have paid $100 and a $5 chip on the bonus bet would of netted $250. Dumb me - VERY UPSET w myself after this.......
I DID give the RIO some slot play - and on a CASH TIME machine we passed on our way out the elevator on our first morning there - I hit the machine up for $60 (took it!); then Joe decided to try it and he hit it up for $75! This was on bonus (cash wheel) spins - and i also hit three orange 7's. On my last day there, i found a very fun nickel video poker machine on the casino floor (deuces wild); and it was a very generous machine (albeit nickels); but i played forever on that machine and I wished i'd of found it earlier on in the trip! I also hit up a machine for a little money late at night one night at the RIO - it was one of those where i was playing four games at once. I'm a pretty low roller gambling-wise . . . . . . . but I do enjoy it!!
One last thought; I had downloaded LYFT and we used it many times this trip. No matter where we went, for instance we took it from RIO to Mandalay Bay and we took it from RIO to Encore - the charge was never more than $7 something! And the LYFT driver was always pleasant and arrived within about five minutes. We always knew the "estimate" and the name of the driver and the type of vehicle he'd be in. What a fantastic mode of travel in Vegas - the cab companies must really be hurting. We always tipped the driver in CASH - a fair amount. Otherwise, the charge for the ride is put on the credit card you signed up with.
WOW - this got way longer than i thought it would! Another great trip in the books. I am contemplating going in late July as i got an email just this morning that The WHO will be performing several shows at Caesar's - and i even received the presale code. SOOOOOOOOO tempting - we'll see .......
Gail from MN
We got in on Sunday night around 7; took the Bell Tran shuttle for $17.50 each round trip. Have had good luck w them and we were the first "out the gate" - YAY! Arriving at check-in, we were asked whether we'd like to upgrade our room for an extra $20 a night. We said yes - and received one of the colorful rooms (samba suite?) on the 37th floor of the Masquerade Tower (37008). We had the strip view to our left. I hadn't stayed in the Masquerade Tower for quite some time (2010 or 2011); so i was kinda happy we got that tower. We unpacked and hit up the RIO Wine Cellar for a celebratory glass of wine - a Shiraz picked out by me. It fell a little flat i thought; but definitely drinkable! Joel was our steward. We then went to Smashburger; where my salad was also a disappointment but Joe's Classic Smashburger apparently hit the spot. We then walked to the Gold Coast to play BJ. Here's where the fun begins - by chance i met fellow LVA'ers over there playing BJ - a retired couple from Menominee, WI! Ron and Bev - I know you are waiting for this report! It was so much fun seeing you over there several times and playing BJ w you and our friend from upstate New York! So much more fun than playing w the "locals" that hang out at the Gold Coast! Thanks for the memories - and hope you enjoyed the rest of your journey - to AZ!
Here's where the "highlights" as far as dining and shows go. We went to MJ ONE on Tuesday night and enjoyed it very much. I am a fan of his music - probably even more so after his untimely death right before going out on tour : ( . It was a little LOUD - had to plug my ears once cuz it hurt! I had picked aisle seats after reading you'd get a better experience this way - and it was really cool to see the performers as they came up the aisle performing. We had perfect seats. I'm so glad this man has been honored w a Cirque du Soleil show on the Vegas strip - he deserves it.
We did two "splurge" meals. The best being at SINATRA - an Italian restaurant at the Encore. What a cool place! The ambiance, meal, and service could not be beat! Sinatra music playing at the restaurant - which i love. I was thankful i did NOT hear "Fly Me to the Moon" though; that song brings tears. I started w a manhattan made w Remy whiskey (cognac). It was shaken and put in a martini glass. Sooooo tasty! I had the "John Dory" - a whitefish delicacy from the coastal waters off New Zealand they tell me. SOOOO delicious! Joe had the Chilean Sea Bass; also very delicious - we exchanged bites. We also split a very unique and tasty salad of greens the waiter recommended. My dish was also served w a delicious fancy pasta in a white sauce. I can't wait to go back to this place!!
Our other splurge meal was Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on our last night there. This was also a fantastic experience; with a window seat overlooking the Caesar's Palace complex. Here I had the petite filet mignon - which was by no means petite. I had asked the wait staff if a sauce was recommended for this steak and she highly recommended an encrusted blue cheese sauce. It was the best steak i've ever had.
After this meal I went back and played one last session of BJ at the Gold Coast . . . . . . .
Other dining experiences worth mentioning - Grand Lux for breakfast (Venetian); Bouchon for breakfast (Venezia Towers). We used LVA coupons for buffets at the Gold Coast and Palms for breakfast; and at the RIO for supper. The supper buffet at the RIO was, unfortunately, not very good. Nothing we took was worth mentioning; and many entrees seemed like they had been perhaps warmed up from a previous buffet? Probably our worst meal of the trip : (
We took a second trip to the RIO Wine Cellar on Wednesday night; enjoying a flight of merlots from Napa Valley - Duckhorn, Rombauer and Shafer. I don't know if my tastes have changed because i never thought i liked merlots - but these were all excellent!! I was of the mistaken notion that merlots were "drier" than CABS - not so per wine steward Joel. I got to know Joel a little better this trip - he is a nice man.
I played BJ at Gold Coast mostly; but also Treasure Island and Palms. I played Pai Gow at the Palms and the Flamingo. Playing Pai Gow at the Palms one morning I missed out on $350 by not having a dollar on the "progressive" button; and not having ANYTHING on the bonus bet. The reason i didn't was because i sat down and i told the very nice female dealer i hadn't played for a long time and was going to start by playing a couple hands to refresh my memory of the game, etc. Well OF COURSE on my third hand i hit a five card straight flush - 2, 3, 4, joker, 6 (in diamonds). A dollar on the progressive button would have paid $100 and a $5 chip on the bonus bet would of netted $250. Dumb me - VERY UPSET w myself after this.......
I DID give the RIO some slot play - and on a CASH TIME machine we passed on our way out the elevator on our first morning there - I hit the machine up for $60 (took it!); then Joe decided to try it and he hit it up for $75! This was on bonus (cash wheel) spins - and i also hit three orange 7's. On my last day there, i found a very fun nickel video poker machine on the casino floor (deuces wild); and it was a very generous machine (albeit nickels); but i played forever on that machine and I wished i'd of found it earlier on in the trip! I also hit up a machine for a little money late at night one night at the RIO - it was one of those where i was playing four games at once. I'm a pretty low roller gambling-wise . . . . . . . but I do enjoy it!!
One last thought; I had downloaded LYFT and we used it many times this trip. No matter where we went, for instance we took it from RIO to Mandalay Bay and we took it from RIO to Encore - the charge was never more than $7 something! And the LYFT driver was always pleasant and arrived within about five minutes. We always knew the "estimate" and the name of the driver and the type of vehicle he'd be in. What a fantastic mode of travel in Vegas - the cab companies must really be hurting. We always tipped the driver in CASH - a fair amount. Otherwise, the charge for the ride is put on the credit card you signed up with.
WOW - this got way longer than i thought it would! Another great trip in the books. I am contemplating going in late July as i got an email just this morning that The WHO will be performing several shows at Caesar's - and i even received the presale code. SOOOOOOOOO tempting - we'll see .......
Gail from MN
