Please send anything Las Vegas related that you think might be of interest to
our members and I will post it in an upcoming Members Corner newsletter.
Send the articles to mrvegas98 at aol.com
———–
Re: [Everythinglasvegas] Everything Las Vegas: Steve and Eileen’s Trip
Report

Great Newsletter/Trip Report. I especially loved the reviews of the
Buffets. Was wondering what TI’s was like. My favorite, the last time
in Vegas (5 years ago) was Paris (Alaskan King Crab Legs). I’m glad
Bally’s has improved their buffet. At the time we ate there, I was the
only one who liked it. Thanks for sharing your trip.

I was a little surprised of room your view at IP. I thought maybe you
would be a special guest as much business you give them through this
site. Maybe you should stay elsewhere.

Thanks,
Mary in Madeira Beach

Re: [Everythinglasvegas] Everything Las Vegas: Steve and Eileen’s Trip
Report

Thanks for the good tips. Am going to Vegas on the 25th staying two nights
at the Venetian and two nights at Harrah’s. Finally got upgraded at Harrah’s
the last time I was there only after having been Diamond for several years.

One thing about the IP that probably most people don’t know is that they have
a business center upstairs where they will recharge your cell phone for two
dollars. I tried unsuccessfully at Harrah’s to get a charge and even asked one
of the kiosk people and they said they weren’t allowed to charge but could
sell me a charger for about forty dollars. Then walked into IP and asked
someone there and were they ever cordial and helpful.

Haven’t had much luck winning but maybe this trip will be better. Your tips
help.

Joan

My trip report

Drove over from Los Angeles on April 24th for my b-day for a two day stay.
Nice to be Platinum with Harrah’s, as you get free weekday rooms monthly. Stayed
at Harrahs instead of Rio to be on the strip, and got a fairly decent view of
the strip in the Carnival tower, where you can get to your car in 5 minutes.
As always, went to Memphis Barbecue (the one on Warm Springs) for great food,
huge portions, and great service for under 50 bucks for two with drinks and
tip. Note: beef ribs only ok, rest of menu is great!
Could not win a thing at Harrahs or IP, so much for b-day luck, so we called
it an early night.
Had two free breakfast buffets coming from Terrible Herbst’s for my b-day, so
popped over there, and walked out with 300 bucks, used my theory that if you
don’t hit anything in six spins move on, and if I won anything over 20 bucks
move on. After about 20 machines it added up to the 3 bills! But stopped at
Bally’s and back to Harrahs and gave it all back!
Went to KA, used tram from Ballys/IP, and it was great. A little expensive
for one way trips but all day tickets are a good deal! While waiting for the
show won couple of hundred again using my “theory” . KA is great, special
effects and the show room itself are the stars of this show, not much gymnastics
like O or Mystere. No bad seats anywhere in lower section, even on the sides!
Back to Harrahs and IP, by-by 200 bucks that we won at the MGM
Thats Vegas!
Eric
Chatsworth, CA

Re: [Everythinglasvegas] Everything Las Vegas: Steve and Eileen’s Trip
Report

Hi Steve,
We survive the Harrah’s problem because we also go to St. Louis where I
have a niece and great niece – a simpler solution is to get their credit card,
where you only have to charge a dollar every six month. Will be going to their
St. Louis casino the end of the month with free tickets to see Paul Anka –
would have liked to have gone in June to see the Beach Boys, but my annual
physical got in the way.
It was good to meet you and Eileen after all these years. We also did the
haunted Vegas tour with the $10 off internet couponand took one or two
hundred off the nickle machines there. Used the letter for the free tickets to see
Legends in concert. Also took in Ronn Lucas’s ventriloquist act in the
afternoon at the Rio – paid for VIP tickets with a t-shirt and personally autographed
photos – but eventually got them comped by the Rio. Also took in the Showgirls
of Magic act at the San Remo with half-off internet coupons – but tipped the
maitre’d and got front row seats next to the center stair onto the stage. A
bit to much bunping, grinding and leg spreading for my taste but the magic
wasn’t bad, the girls attractive, and the comedians alone worth the price of
admission. Especially a large gentleman in drag billed as Tiny Bubbles who in his
first act drew a caricature of audience member and had it talking and rolling
its eyes before he erased it. In his second act, he wore an imitation of Cher’s
see-through outfit and teamed with a midget to do a hilarious takeoff on “I’ve
got you babe”. The other comedian used four members of the audience to make
gestures wearing masks and was also hilarious. The nickel slots were again
loose – I actually lined up all five wheels on the nickel wheel of fortune and
eventually took $300 off it, that night I played phone tag and took $200 off it.
Our last day there we went over see Wynn’s – the same time the Today Show
was broadcasting there and had breakfast in the buffet – which is a lot like
the Bellagio in room layout, but with less cooking stations. This isn’t for
publication – just thought I’d send you my comments. Am going to Fallsview
Casino in Niagara Falls tomorrow.
Take care, Stan Johnston

Re: [Everythinglasvegas] Everything Las Vegas: Steve and Eileen’s Trip Report

I love your reports when you and your wife go to LV. I write everything
down, where to eat, best shows, what kind of machines Eilleen plays, ha ha ha ha
Will try the triple star machine when I gamble. I have learned so much
from both of you, THANKS ALOT!!!!!

Trip report

Steve,

Here is a trip report for you.

Four girls and one guy go to Vegas. Now that says adventure right
there! There was originally only four of us going, but one person got added right
before we left so she had to be booked on a different flight.. Here is our
story.

The flights:
Four of us departed Buffalo at 5:40 am on Monday April 18. Since our
flight was so early, nobody went to bed, choosing to visit Fallsview Casino in
Niagara Falls Ontario before we went to Buffalo airport. It turned out great
for me as I won over 700 CDN playing Spanish 21, so my trip was off to a great
start!
Our fifth friend, unfortunately, did not leave Buffalo until about 2:30
in the afternoon, so we left her to people watch and try and sleep. Our ComAir
flight went to Cincinnati first. We than had a 3 hour layover before our
connecting Delta flight went to Las Vegas. We arrived into Vegas at 12:15 pm
Vegas time (on time). After a quick stop at the smoking lounge and a $5 dollar
win on a 25 cent Wild cherry machine, we made our way to baggage claim where we
were met by our limo driver. Only one person needed baggage so we did not
have to wait long and we were on our way to the limo which was right outside the
doors. The driver took us right down the Vegas strip to the Imperial Palace
hotel. Since one of the girls was in Vegas for the first time, she loved the
view from the limo!
Our friend had to fly to Philadelphia than on to Vegas, landing about
7:30 pm Vegas time. She caught a shuttle to IP and met up with us there, very
tired, but ready to rumble!

THE HOTEL
We were set up by Bob Cohen, through Steve’s connection. After a number
of emails back and forth as we kept changing our preferences and room
requests, I was happy that everything was booked perfectly. I actually got an IP
flyer on the Friday before we left, with a spring special for 65 a night. It
included $25 in comp dollars, 4 match play coupons, 2 emporer’s buffet coupons, 4
free drinks at the bars, 2 for 1 for Legends.. plus others. Since we had 2
rooms booked, we got double coupons too. Great Deal!
Despite getting to IP at around 1:30 pm, our rooms were ready, so we went
up and got our bags, than changed into cooler clothes and hit the casino.
Our room was nice, but we discovered at night that the one lamp by the beds did
not work at all. I didn’t complain though since I could turn on another light
and see fine. Our rooms were side by side and on the tenth floor facing
Harrah’s pool. The first night when I finally decided to sleep, the music was
quite loud from Harrah’s but I turned on the air conditioning unit, and couldn’t
hear it at all!
The maid service was okay, we left a couple bucks tip and had tons of
towels and shampoo, soap, lotion etc left for us.
Also Bob arranged for a refrigerator to be brought to my room for my
“insulin”, thus no charge for it! I appreciated it! Bob was extremely nice to
all of us, and we gave him 2 wine glasses on our arrival and had bought a gift
card for Outback Steakhouse (Thank you Steve) for checkout, but he had called
in sick that night so left it with the other host and he did send us a nice
card acknowledging that he had got it. I will be sure to book with Bob next
time!
THE CASINO
I love to play at IP. When I went last year, I fell in love with the
Champagne Pit, because of double deck bj and the BEADS! However I found out
quick that the BJ only pays 6-5 there now, so I tended to avoid it. I did play a
bit there, but when I went at 8 at night and asked for Pip my favorite dealer,
I was told she had been in a serious car accident, and wouldn’t be back for a
long time. This saddened me and I wish her a very speedy recovery!
Without the Champagne Pit to play in, I went around to different tables
and had varying degree’s of luck. One morning when I could not sleep, I went
down and played three card poker one on one. Normally I don’t do that, but
something told me to sit down. It was pretty good cards for a long time. I even
scored three 8’s, which paid me $125 on the pairs plus! Wish I bet more that
time! I managed to get some of my money back at that table.. than left when
it went sour on me.
I love Spanish 21, but IP does not have it. So my friend and I jumped on
the monorail and went to MGM Grand, than to Tropicana, than across to
Excalbur, where I found a $5 Spanish table open. The two dealers there were a
riot… it made losing fun, which I don’t mind in a casino. If I am losing and the
dealer won’t even talk or tell me how much I have, I will leave guaranteed. I
deal in a Casino in Ontario, so I know what it is like to have a rude
dealer.. No one likes it. There is also Spanish 21 at Casino Royale. I went there
one morning, and found Switch Blackjack with no one playing. So I sat down and
got the dealer to explain it, I bought in for $100, and played two shoes. I
was up $45 so I walked away. On my way to the cage I saw the Spanish table.
$5 minimum, no one there… I thought okay, it’s my favorite game, I will use
the 45… I sat down and started playing 2 spots for $10 each. It was great
cards and I finally started pumping my bet up… After 4 shoes it went bad and
I had 300 in front of me, 200 profit, so I hit the door!!
I hate slots, but played some… I managed to hit one machine at IP for
1000 credits,$250.. that was great so I was even more surprised when I hit a 25
cent Elvis machine later that night for 1000 credits again!! It didn’t make
me up but gave me money to fight on with!

EATING
Finally tried the Burger Palace, couldn’t believe how cheap it was and
how BIG the burgers were! I thought I was hungry so I ordered a double, and
would have been well off with a single!
We also used our coupons for the Emporer’s Buffet, but I still think they
should pay us for it! Also ate at the teahouse one night and it was
excellent. The pizza palace has great pizza and very reasonable prices as well.
I got my friend room service one morning for a surprise, and they put on
a good size breakfast for her, although it was 18 bucks, what the heck, we’re
in Vegas!!!

GENERAL
This is the first time the monorail was working, and it was fantastic I
think. I went from IP to MGM in less than 10 minutes. Than we took it to
Sahara one night. One nice feature of the monorail is you can buy a 10 ride pass
and anyone can use it. It lowers your one way fare from $3 to $2, which is
nothing. It will be even better if they expand it downtown and the airport in
the future!
The airport was not a problem. We left IP extra early, fearing long
lineups but ended up real early for our flights since we cleared security in less
than 10 minutes! No problem though, we sat in the smoke room for 2 hours and
I managed to donate 20 dollars to the expansion plans of McCarran via a greedy
quarter slot machine! *LOL*

Our flights home were okay. Our one friend pushed back at 10:55 pm and
the four of us pushed at 11:30. We landed in Cincinnati on time, though we
flew through some pretty rough weather and landed in a thunder storm. Our friend
flew US Airways to Charlotte North Carolina, and landed on time with no rough
skies. Our connection on Delta was delayed 45 minutes because of fog at the
other end of our plane’s trip there… so were late landing into Buffalo.
Originally we were supposed to all land within 4 minutes of each other. So we
couldn’t find our friend there, but the USAirways staff were VERY friendly and
helped reunite us in no time. A quick trip to the border and a breeze through
Canada Customs, and our trip was over.

So that is my trip report… hope it was not too long for you.

Chris Weaver (on behalf of Lisa, Lida, Deb, and Melissa)

Posted on July 30th, 2005 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Member's Corner