Orleans and Golden Gate 7/28 - 8/3

Going to break this down into categories to keep it shorter.

Transportation

SW as usual was excellent, won't fly anyone else.

Added
Alamo for car, $138 for an Athlon Plus $32 in gas. Makes me think I need to
explore not getting a car next time.

Hotels

Stayed Saturday night at the Golden Gate in one of there new suites. Got a great deal on it only $72 with tax. They gave me room 30 a handicap assessable room. Faced the GG parking lot was very quite for a room on a low floor. Could only barely hear the Fremont street experience.

It's neat that you are only about forty feet from valet parking to front desk and elevator. One weird thing, they were adamant that I couldn't check in until 2:30. Never ran into that before, I mean if you have rooms why make people wait. Desk clerk was friendly just firm on this rule.

Nice room, a bit modern in style for me, in that it was kind of dark with all of the browns and dark reds. But bed was great and shower very nice. Couch was kind of firm and I am not a fan of vinyl so not crazy about that. Took a bunch of photos since I couldn't find any on the internet before booking the room.





























Orleans was great as usual, $20 got me a remodeled room on 20th floor with view of mountains.
All of the staff was friendly and paid less than $120 for five nights (two nights comped.) Plus a $10 food
credit, free popcorn, free ice cream cone and discounts on the food court. Can't be beat for price and
convenience.

Gambling

Played a lot more BJ at least for me. GG had 3:2 blackjack usually at the $10 level, during the weekdays
they have some $5 with the regular dealers. Only saw $10 tables with the GoGo dancer dealers.
They have a few eight deck shoes and some continuous shuffle tables also. Tiipped heavily and ended up
down about $200 for the trip for BJ. My only complaint about there tables games is that the music is too loud and you can't hear the dealers or be able to chat with them.

Also played wheel of fortune here and did pretty good, as a plus you can watch the GoGo dancers while
playing

At Orleans played DW VP exclusively. Couldn't find the DW games listed at VP free. But came out about $100 ahead for the trip.

Eating

Had two $15 food comps at Dupars at the Golden Gate, ended up eating there three times. Would give it a 3.5 forks. Food was inconsistent, for instance the sausage links were great but very under cooked one time and over cooked the next. Did find there pancakes to be excellent. Overall found it pricy for what it is.

Capriottis liked the Italian sub more than the Bobby (turkey, cranberry and stuffing) would go back. 3.5 forks.

Sabaro pizza at Orleans 3 forks, not as good as last couple of trips.

Bellagio Breakfast Buffet excellent as always 4 forks.

Orleans Lunch Buffet, had been avoiding the Orleans buffet due to poor experiences in the past. But for $7.99 for lunch with players card decided to give it a try. Was pleasantly surprised. Good service on drink refills and over all a good lunch. Especially enjoyed the BBQ station, the brisket was excellent.

M Resort Buffet, enjoyed it but a couple of complaints. Got there in time to get in at the end of the breakfast pricing. But they seem to have caught on to this trick. Only one cashier open so line went very slow. As soon as price changed opened up two more cashiers. Oh well. Still an excellent price for the quality.

The seasoning of the food on the Italian station was bland and one of the pastas was under cooked. But still an excellent buffet. 4 forks.

In-N-Out Burger out I tried it twice this trip and several times on past trips. I even read up on the special orders you can do, but to no avail it's just a ok hamburger to me. Sorry 3 forks

Coasta Cantina Express at the Orleans was very good, kind of surprised me. Used my $10 food comp here. 3.5 forks

DQ still can't find anyone that knows how to properly make a choclate dipped cone, it's can't be this hard, or can it. 2 forks.



Added
Forgot about the Breakfast brunch at the Border Grill at Mandalay Bay. It was good but to me not worth
the $41 cost. It's tapas style so you order off this menu..

Menu

Some of the items seemed to have sat a while before being delivered, and wern't as hot as I would have liked also on one dish the egg was not cooked as ordered. It was interesting and considering what a normal buffet costs on a Sunday I don't regret doing it. If I went back it would be when the weather was nicer. 3.5 forks.


Entertainment

Layed around and read several books on my Kindle. The last few trips doing nothing and not having a schedule has been the theme.

Pedicure and manicure at A Harmony Nail Salon
Paula does an excellent job and the foot massage is to die for. A great way to start a trip off.

Link to Harmony web site

Spent most of my time on Fremont street in the evenings. Posted some video's here for those that havn't ever been down town. It's an interesting crowd.

Fremont Street video's

That's it thanks for reading and thanks to westie, sionow and everyone else for their trip reports.

Great report! Thanks for writing it.


One of the things I forgot to mention in my own report a few weeks ago was that I really liked Freemont street. I may even try staying there sometime.

I also think you were very generous awarding In and Out 3 forks. I would have only given them 2.

Thanks for the nice pics.
I'd have to experience the room to see if its worth $72. Thats awfully close to the Rush Tower room price at the GN next door.

Well, that's a Saturday night price, so it would be cheaper on Sun-Thurs I liked the bed better than the one in the Rush tower, but overall the Rush Tower was nicer. But I paid $99 a night also.

Julie, it depended on what I ordered at In n' Out the best was the double double with grilled onions and extra sauce on the side. But don't see why people brag on the milk shakes, they are just out of a machine nothing special. Here in Oklahoma we have Braum's and they are much better. Or Earls for fancier gourmet bugger.

Nice TR! Totally agree on the music being too loud at the GG. Stopped in there for a drink last trip and even though they were playing music I liked, we bailed due to the volume.

Nice read. Thanks for taking the time to post!
Border Grill...we did like the brunch...ordered one plate at a time....tried alot of different items...peruvian shrimp & grits, (very nicely done )short rib hash & eggs,(my eggs were done over medium and hot) green corn tamales. biscuit & gravy with chipolte gravy(my fave)...a few other dishes don't recall.....never felt rushed
In-N-Out Burger.........tried it once...did one of those special order things...so not impressed... 1 star. Honestly, don't get it.
Agree with M & Bellagio.

I stayed 7 nights at the Orleans a couple weeks ago with family and agree the Mexican restaurant was really good. We all enjoyed our food. I do like the Orleans bfast buffet, we all love breakfast food so we get our money's worth!

We also decided to try In N Out to see what all the hubbub was about, burger lovers that we are. First mistake was arriving at noon on Friday, good lord, from the look at the line you would think the food was FREE! We knew we would need to be patient and it was an organized circus. We thought the food was good but agree with you, certainly not worth waiting for, nor fighting the lines.

I'd have a hard time recalling a meal I've had that was worth fighting those lines and cruising for a table, only to end up sitting outside in the fun, but it sure wasn't THAT meal!
diane

Fremont Street. Named afer John C. Fremont, very significant American.