A Short Trip Report
Actually this report may not be short. It was the trip that was short, both in time and geographical distance – just a short drive across Flamingo Road from our condo to the Cromwell Hotel and Casino.
As I have mentioned in past blogs, we are planning to phase out our play at CZR, but it is a slower process than we expected. They keep sending us good offers! First, we had a monster offer in April from Harrah’s Tahoe. And then we got a good offer if we checked into a Vegas Caesar property in May or June.
We hadn’t stayed or played locally for several years, so decided to choose the Cromwell, an old haunt of ours back when it was called the Barbary Coast. We did have a room there once when it was first bought by CZR and renamed the Cromwell, and I had written how the rooms reminded us of a stately old library that was the scene of an English murder mystery – dark, with heavy old furnishings. That was still our impression when we walked in our room this time, much the same historical romantic mysterious atmosphere of that old Barbary Coast.
We had chosen the Cromwell over other local CZR properties because it is easy in- and-out self-parking and you didn’t have to walk a mile to check-in and then to your room. Brad and I are both having trouble walking long distances these days, a major change in our lives from when we would take long power walks up and down the Strip. However, we had forgotten that going through and between casinos is always a longer distance that one expects. So, our plan to walk down to Harrah’s for dinner and a show became a stop-and-go experience as we would grab an empty slot machine chair for a rest period every so often!
We enjoyed a return to Harrah’s buffet, one that we had visited many times in the past but not recently. Not as fancy as some, but with a large selection of food we liked – as Brad remarks when we visit some of the new buffets and restaurants around town, “No weird food.” The only lack for me was no-sugar-added ice cream, but they did have other SF desserts.
We rarely take advantage of shows in Vegas these days, even when we could have them comped. After 35+ years we have seen most of the on-going big productions, and many of the new shows feature modern music that is not to our tastes. We miss our “oldies” music, with so many of the stars we loved passing on. But sometimes a “tribute” show can bring back some happy memories of by-gone days, and so we used the monthly free-show Seven Star benefit to go see the new Harrah’s show called “Heartbreak Hotel.”
I hate to review a show really, because it is like trying to recommend a restaurant. So many different tastes! But I really enjoyed this tribute to Elvis. It was high energy with a live band of six guys and 3 gal singers – all very talented! It concentrated first on Elvis’ early life, with biographical narrative and photos on 4 huge LED walls in-between the performances of his early hits, then covering many of his most well-known songs. Here is a review that gives more details about the performance.
I talked earlier about the old-fashion atmosphere we liked about the Cromwell room. So why am I writing this blog tonight from home when we are checked into the Cromwell. Well, it’s hard to explain. Maybe it’s because we are old – or maybe just jaded? We have enjoyed staying in fancy casino hotels for 35 years. But with this offer we could do just “down the street” we decided to skip the packing and lugging the CPAP machine. Just go for the day and do the little bit of play we needed to do, eat, and see a show. Mess up the bed and gather up all the nice toiletries, and then return home to sleep in our own bed.
Some of you might understand.
I love your story about sleeping in your own bed…
My husband and I have our usual yearly vacation in Vegas.
I loved the Barbary Coast, it was the first casino I stayed in in the mid 80’s. I actually learned VP there on quarter machines that faced the strip… (he loved their poker room)
We used to go in July and found that the Barbary was so central without a rental car ( another thing that changed over the years)
We now go in early December, it really is vacation when you can leave the east coast and 7 degree weather to the great weather and deals in Vegas.
I hope to stay at the Cromwell but don’t play a majority of Caesar properties, my daughter and SIL have stayed there and also like the in and out and central location.
Thanks for stirring up old memories, also how we used to be able to get a prime rib at the Victorian Room, and now we are more selective about healthy menu choices LOL
MO
Question. Finally made Sapphire, I play at ORLEANS. Usually play VP, so tried a few hands(5 cent) and found that it took 8 hits($2.00) to get 1 point. Tried today on triple play(.75) and $30 in was only 15 pts.. When did that change happen?….so 11 times, really is only 5.5 times, no better than Station on 10/6 days. Am I correct?
Even though we are not local, we do something similar to what you and Brad did. We will stay at the Tuscany (We love their casino, rooms, slot club and Marilyn’s) and then will go to the Orleans to take advantage of the comped room for the free slot play, dining credits and promos, like 2 for Tuesday and gift days. Nice to have a room to relax in after playing at the Orleans, even though we will sleep at the Tuscany. Also can’t beat the price for movies on Tuesday’s at the Orleans either. Heading back in the middle of June so can’t wait to see what goodies we get next time, although we will stay the night in our HGVC timeshare this time and poach the freebies at the Orleans and Tuscany.
That sounds like a “sound” play Jean, to just do enough to get what you want out of an offer! If I was a local I would use the same playbook I’m sure. We recently got back from our latest trip (Venetian/Linq) and only found one decent bank of Vp machines which was at the Cromwell (99.86% Bonus DW). We’ve never stayed at the Cromwell (Barbary Coast/Bill’s) but from your description it sounds like fun, so thanks for the update! Terry and Teri Haile
As a local, I certainly understand not sleeping over. Messing up the bed and taking the toiletries is exactly what my wife and I do. Haven’t bought soap or shampoo or conditioner in years!
I stopped playing CET properties the first time they charged me to park while I was a registered guest! Call it a boycott. On top of resort fees? I am appalled.
Tony, if you start from square one, there is no video poker play, at any CET property anywhere in the country, that is inherently positive, nor is there any opportunity to play negative expectation games and be adequately c0mpensated with comps. They’ve simply gotten too good at ensuring that you only get back a fraction of what you lose.
If you have status from the past, you might still be able to get worthwhile offers. Existing members–even Plutonium or A Million Stars or whatever they call it–are reporting benefits being drastically slashed across the board. But players who have a robust history at CET properties may still get offers to particular properties when those properties’ business is slow. For the rest of us peons, forget it.
LOL … that has to be one of the best blogs I have read in a long time. God bless you both
GREAT I totally understand and agree. Sounds like a great short enjoyable trip with a short shot of the past.
Glad you had a good trip to the Cromwell
Just curious, in terms of video poker play, aside from some decent higher denomination games at some of their casinos, what’s really worth it as far as the Caesar’s play goes? Are the comps & offers that good? The slot club doesn’t offer much & I am not aware of any multiplier type days. Just curious…
Thanks for the story!
Oh, we definitely understand! Scooter time on the Strip!
Dave & Larry
76 & 80 years old.
We must be old also been there done that.
I’ve stayed at the Cromwell 3 times now, though I probably won’t much any longer. We lost our Caesars property (Cleveland Horseshoe) a few years back, which means I’ll never be Diamond again. Even without Diamond, I would still get comp room offers for the Cromwell, but they are getting few and far between. I really like the Cromwell. Mostly for the reasons Jean mentioned. Super easy in and out, and you are right in the middle of the strip. They have a bank of 6 decent VP machines (quarter only), but they screw you on points ($50 coin in for ONE point). The rooms, albeit small, are great – if not just a little too dark for me. I think they did a great job redesigning the small rooms. I won’t be staying/playing much any longer at Caesars properties, but it was fun while it lasted.