I love the comment in one of the previous posts about Sam's being the right place if you don't want dolphins and volcanos. That's exactly why myself and a couple of others in our group used it as our home casino for a few years. Along with the aforementioned, we also didn't get massive crowds, long lines, overpriced food and beverage, high table limits and everything else that comes along with the strip.
Vegas is my favorite vacation spot and for me, vacation is for relaxation. At Sam's or any locals joint, I can get up and go down for breakfast without standing in a line for a half hour. Next stop is valet where two minutes later I'm in my car on the way to the golf course. After the round I'll return for some vp or craps for a little fun. Usually late in the afternoon, I'll sit down with a scotch, a paper and the afternoon news. After cleaning up, we'll head down for a cocktail at the "Rock" bar. This is the Ram's Head bar in the atrium. A late friend of ours dubbed it the "Rock" bar because it looked like a rock. Since then, it's the "Rock" bar to all of us. After putting our name in at Billy Bob's, we'll have a cocktail or two before attacking a big ribeye or a nice rack of ribs. Or a NY, A filet, a porterhouse or seared flesh of some dead animal. They got it all at Billy Bob's.
After dinner, everyone goes their own way and attempts to bolster Boyd Gaming's bottom line!
The whole point is that we just walked through a typical day we experienced there when it was home base. After a few years I moved on to other locations, but that's natural after you stay somewhere 15-20 times. I have returned to stay there and had a great time. If you want the volcano action or you're a first timer, by all means stay on the strip. It has to be experienced. After a few visits though, if you want somehting a little less hectic and more reasonably priced, try one of the locals casinos. Sam's, South Point, Silverton, Gold Coast, Orleans and Suncoast all offer good rates and minimal resort fees if any. The M is a step up, but very nice. Station properties are good, but all have that pesky resort fee, which is not all bad if you plan to use a laptop in your room. GVR and RR have a pretty steep one though. One thing you will find at all of these will be good value for everything.
Good Luck!
Ric at Joes
