Praise

[Steve]

This week's Topic of the Week Question is:

Has anyone gone above and beyond for you in Las Vegas? Details please.

Steve

[ronnie2000]

None that I can think of. There have been many who have actually done the job without appearing to be troubled by doing so, but I can't think of a single situation where someone has gone above their regular duties.

[parisbill]

Not really and I never expect it as well.

Las Vegas is all about money.

There are many who extend themselves in circumstances but they have their own agenda. I can appreciate that self interest.

If a member of hotel staff upgrades your room because of a complaint it is in their own self interest to keep and retain a customer

You always paid for your Casino, restaurant and entertainment perks one way or the other.

There are of course simple acts of kindness as when my lost wallet was returned by a passerby with the all contents intact.

A thank you and a reward and a gesture never to forget

[averydedog]

Above and beyond seems to be a dying art in Las Vegas. Used to be (only a few years ago, not when the Rat Pack roamed the Earth) A&B was the normal experience in Las Vegas. It still is off the strip. On the strip, forget it! Mediocre is the new standard of valets, bellmen, desk clerks, room maids, concierges ticket vendors Maitre d's and just about everyone else in the so called hospitality industry. Above & Beyond was the kid at Alamo car rental last week. I paid for a mid sized car and was shown a row of PT Cruisers - pick one. I asked the kid on duty which was the best. He gave a conspiratorial look and took me over the the "specialty" cars. He gave me an Impala Super Sport with Satellite radio. His "baby". He wasn't standing there with his hand out, either. $20 did make it's way to him, however. I feel that if I get A&B treatment, I give A&B tips. If I sit at a poker table, the waitress is tipped well up front and again if she does her part well.

I got some half price tix for MGM's Hollywood theater. When we went to reserve seats, the concierge there offered to make dinner reservations for us even though we were not guests and even though we wanted to eat at Batista's. Other than these small examples, Las Vegas has a new place somewhat lower on my list of places to go.

[charlotter]

Yeah, a couple of the male strippers that I have met at the various clubs have been nice enough to come back to my hotel room with me...seriously.:D

[JVegas]

Previously to our last trip it pretty much been usual with people doing their jobs, usually in a friendly manner, however, on our last trip I had used frequent flyer miles and my wife, daughter and her fiance had use companion tickets for our trip I was on a different flight from everyone else, and we all had connections. My connections were the worst, I had a horrible 9 hour flight with crazy connections way out of the way to get me home (which is a four hour direct flight).

When we got to the airport all the flights were overbooked, since it was the end of two big conventions. Following my life long motto "It never hurts to ask" we requested we get moved to better flights, with little hope it would happen as the airport was mobbed.

We ran into a fantastic supervisior with USAir (an airline I don't usually have praises for) who was determined to get us all home together on resonable flights. If I remember right her name was Amanda and she worked for over 40 minutes moving people, getting volunteers, and doing a lot of work that she could have avoided by just saying "sorry" to us. It was unbelievable to me someone going out of their way to do that much for us, especially as busy and harrassed as the USAir people were at the time.

I am so glad I got this chance in this public forum to say thanks.
james

[1940GMC]

On one of our trips to Vegas, disaster hit. While my husband was paying the taxi driver at Mandalay Bay, he misplaced his wallet. Apparently, he put it in the back of the cab. The cab driver sped away before my husband realized that his wallet was in there. Immediately, Joseph, one of the doormen at Mandalay Bay, appeared. He ran down to the taxi line downstairs. He asked every cab driver if they had just dropped us off. He ran back to us, saying he coudln't find it. He kept assuring is, "Don't worry...it will turn up." It did, finally. It was wedged under the handle of our suitcase! We didn't realize it until our luggage was delivered to our room.

I will always be grateful to Joseph. He truly went above and beyond. Then, every time he put us in a cab, he always told the driver, "Take care of Mr. & Mrs. Mitton---they're valued customers of Mandalay Bay."

[pennyslots717]

I traveled by myself to Vegas to see David Cassidy at the MGM- during EFX. I arrived a little early & was roaming around, trying to get my bearings. An employee saw me limping around with my bags, & offered to get me a wheelchair to rest in until my room was ready, then helped me arrange for a scooter. I had the security wing, and they went out of their way to help me with my key-card & watch out for me in & out of that wing. I love the Grand & prefer to stay there when I travel by myself.:):rolleyes:

[tryon4]

The Valet crew at Excalibur has taken excellent care of us each and every time we are in Vegas. They make us feel part of the family, ask what they can do for us. We never wait for the car. It is always brought to us first. As soon as they see us they get the car.

[judyqu]

Hubby and I visit Las Vegas frequently and it has not been our experience that "above and beyond" seems to be a dying art in Vegas. Only rarely do we find much to complain about, but perhaps we're easy to please and just happy to be back in our favorite vacation spot. During our most recent trip to celebrate hubby's birthday, our slot host, who was aware it was his birthday, had a selection of goumet chocolates delivered to our room, with a lovely note wishing him a Happy Birthday. We are not high rollers but certainly felt like it when we found those chocolates. :)

[Fundytide]

Husband and I spent Feb 3-8 at MGMGrand and 8-13 at Southpointe..night before leaving MGM, went to Players Club to inquire about using points for two buffets...older, friendly lady there advised me to charge buffets to the room and return in the morning to see about comps as it "is the first time you are staying with us "..wary of doing this in case I'd be paying more than the room, we did, and returned to Players club before checking out in the am...well, didn't they comp the total bill....I didn't even ask, always wondered how people got rooms comp'd....we left laughing and feeling that next Vegas trip, MGM is where we'll stay...beautiful rooms, friendly staff...totally unexpected and made our holiday !!

[pixiec]

I realized I did not have my 20 yr old treasured Mickey Mouse watch while at the airport heading home. I tried to back track and try to remember where I could have possibly dropped it. I called all the Casino's we had spent time in. I called the Wynn's Lost and Found dept. I did not even have the compete discription out before the nice young lady says 'It's here'. She said someone had found it in the Buffet area and turned it in to security. She got my information and sent it to me Overnight delivery. Maybe it was just her job, but it meant the world to me!! I sent a letter of praise to the department's supervisor. :)

[vegasclub]

At the Las Vegas Club downtown Vegas, we have always been taken good care of. The slot host Elmer has gone out of his way to take care of us, from comped rooms for an extended time to getting us the little extras that mean alot, he has been super. My 84 year old parents travel with us and he is good to them as well.

Rattana, one of the casino slot attendants, who has been there as long as we have been going to Vegas, goes above and beyond. She greets us everytime we see her, helps us with whatever is needed and evens checks on my parents and gives us a report when we are engaged in a "hot machine".

We will be there in 2 weeks and I am sure they will great to us again!! We love them and thank them both.

[stevevarro]

Yes! Just this last month I had someone go above and beyond in Vegas for me.

I had won some tickets to one of the shows in Vegas from the EverythingLasVegas football pool. They had an expiration date of Feb. 28th. Due to a mailing error they did not arrive in time for me to use them while I was there in January.

My next trip is not until May. When I called the box office they went above and beyond the call of duty and extended the tickets until the end of May.

Thank you Golden Nugget (and EverythingLasVegas)

Steve

[CZee]

Carol, the hostess at Harrah's buffet, has always given us a special welcome with each trip. Perhaps this is something she does with many customers as well. We look forward to saying "hello" to her. We are seated promptly and in a special section as she knows we enjoy. TJ, at the Party Time Bar, is also someone who takes personal care of us. And, not to forget Rudy, our friend and server at Flavors. What makes each one of these individuals special, is that they have greeted us warmly whenever we return to Harrah's Las Vegas.:)

[Golfergirl_64]

We had a very good trip starting with a agent named Tracie,with NWA upgrading us for free to 1st class. Then checking in at the Plaza our host Dee, who has since left, but she put us in a Penthouse suite for 5 days, this being Memorial Day weekend, paying $38.85 at check out.
Right before we left for our concert on my husband's 50th Birthday, our favorite cocktail waitress Laurie brought my husband out a huge piece of chocolate cake.

[gcw]

I've made several trips to Las Vegas over the years and in thinking back, I can't remember a single incident where I felt I received truly wonderful service that was personalized to me. I can think of many times I was less than pleased with service but not once has anyone made me feel special - with the exception, if this is relevant to the topic, one waitress at Denny's!

This has me seriously rethinking my planned trip in May. I can take any cruise I want and feel delighted with the care and attention of staff. Maybe I'll go to Oregon instead - beautiful coastline, verdant and lush forests and, if I remember correctly, a well respected theatre festival.

[pcbrooks]

We have always been well taken care of at Fitzgeralds. From check in to check out, all of our needs have always been taken care of. But one person inparticular bends over backwards for us...Rich, the casino host. From comping our room, meals, limo service,late check outs when needed, even going so far as to print out our boarding passes for our return flights. He even personally phones us before we leave to see if we need anything. This type of service will keep us a loyal Fitz customer.

[krisfarnsworth]

At the Bellagio Catherine Seifert is the best staff member. A few years ago we attempted to stay at the Bellagio for our 10th wedding anniversary (always a dream stay and Easter Sunday) and low and behold no power at the Bellagio. We were told to go to any brunch at any hotel and we would be reimbursed return around 2 pm and the power should be on. After a nice brunch at the Hilton we returned about 3 pm still no power we were assured the power would be on by 5 pm we were given a room (we needed 2 queen beds we had the kids with us) we got a room with 1 king bed they switched the room, second room was occupied(man sitting in a robe in the room) room 3 was perfect but still no power (now it is about 5:30) I forgot to mention my husband has severe sleep apnea and has to have a machine to help him breathe while sleeping power is a must. Catherine came in to our room and assured us we would be taken care of. She first let our girls clean out the honor bar I have golf balls comming out of my ears and small bottles of wine ( we don't golf or drink), then she got us a suite at MGM Grand and gave us a comp for dinner at Emeril's Fish house for all 4 of us. Most wonderful meal ever. Even they made a special pasta dish for my daughter who couldn't find something she liked on the menu. The stay was only for 1 night at the Bellagio and when we got home I was checking all of our charges and I found the charge for Bellagio was reversed and we recieved a full credit. I was shocked, To my surprise we recieved a personal apology from Catherine and an offer for 3 days comped on our next visit. We checked in a year later for our anniversary and had chocolate dipped strawberries and sparkling cider waiting in our room (she actually remembered we didn't drink) she personally came to welcome us back and made sure our entire stay was comped including food. None of the extras were necessary we would have stayed there no matter what comp or not but Catherine made sure we had the most wonderful time. We now stay at the Bellagio at least 1 nght everytime we go to Vegas and Catherine always is there to greet us.

T minus 14 days and counting down I can't wait.;)

[kokopelli]

While staying at the MGM a few years back a casino host B.J. Brown told me next time I am in Vegas let him know see if he could do something extra for me. Expecting maybe a dinner comp of somsort. It was dinner at Emerils and tickets to KA, and he asked me if I was happy!

[kokopelli]

Carol, the hostess at Harrah's buffet, has always given us a special welcome with each trip. Perhaps this is something she does with many customers as well. We look forward to saying "hello" to her. We are seated promptly and in a special section as she knows we enjoy. TJ, at the Party Time Bar, is also someone who takes personal care of us. And, not to forget Rudy, our friend and server at Flavors. What makes each one of these individuals special, is that they have greeted us warmly whenever we return to Harrah's Las Vegas.:)

Those ladies are very nice, Harrah's should be proud.

[RWHannu]

Commendable service from, of all people, one of the Monorail attendants at the Sahara.

I'd parked in the Sahara ramp and had purchased a "one day pass" to go back and forth between the Sahara and the Convention Center for CES last year. Once I got to the platform, I realized I'd lost my CES credentials somewhere between the car and the station. I left the platform, backtracked to the ramp and seached my way back to the monorail station. No Luck. I was about to resign myself to the fate of having to "spend" another swipe of my monorail pass to take a ride up to the convention center and buy a duplicate set of credentials when one of the attendants flagged me down and asked if I had lost my badge...he'd found it over by the machines where you buy the passes. He returned it to me and let me back onto the platform. Saved the day.

RWH

[astidog]

Mine was last October. We had had the journy from hell - 2 hrs late from Mancheter, Chicago Immigration being a jobsworth, missed connection, 6 hours trapped in chicago, the horrible car rental facility (the facility not Dollar, Dollar were great! upgraded ecomony car to pt cruiser free) finally arrived at Golden Nugget at 2am just wanting bed to be told the room isnt ready.

Just as I was going to start off with a how the heck can the room not be ready speil they got the bell hops to take our luggage off us, told us to go the cofee shop have dinner/breakfast on them and they would bring the room card to us in the coffee shop when the room was ready. by the time we got to the room our luggage was already there :)

[Kplayer96@aol.com]

Started trips to Vegas in "77-My (extremely) disabled neice has traveled with me quite a few times-Always(without fail) impressed with kindness shown to her! She won a couple of bucks at Ceasar's and you would've thought she had won a million---can't even begin to tell you what that meant to her--she still talks about it to this day. So,yes-big praise to everyone we have EVER dealt with in Vegas!.........Keep up the good work!:)

[hambone]

Our host at TI, Joy Perrone, always goes above and beyond for us.

[Boston_Bill]

None that I can think of. There have been many who have actually done the job without appearing to be troubled by doing so, but I can't think of a single situation where someone has gone above their regular duties.

Same here. Thats why I hate tipping for someone who is just doing what they are supposed to do. Ive never really had anyone go above and beyond but I have had no complaints either.

[MrKWP]

When is someone going above and beyond? I suppose everyone has a different opinion on when that level is achieved. We pretty much believe that level has been reached if the people are pleasant, they smile, and they are helpful. I cannot imagine how weary one must get from having to deal with all the SPECIAL requests from EVERYONE out there.
If they allow us to have a good time they are doing their job, if they contribute to our good time they are going above and beyond. Just my way of thinking.
(NO, I am not in the service industry.) :)

So yes, during our last trip last fall
1-At the Planet Ho our room was not available (it was 9am) so they booked us in an upgrade took our luggage and gave us comps to the buffet.
2-At Dollar they upgraded our car one level.
3-At Mon Ami Gabi, the waiter recommended and brought me a beer that was no charge if I did not like it. I did, he brought the 2nd on him.
4-At the Wynn when we picked up the ticket for Spamalot the lady upgraded us a couple row. (Unfortunately that put us right in front of the boisterous lady that started to laugh LOULDY and often even before the jokes were even spoken)

That was just in the first couple hours out there. Everyone was really nice the whole week.
We do tip accordingly to the service level too.

[Steve]

Even though I put the bad mouth to Harrah's every once in a while, they went above and beyond when I fell ill in Vegas in 1998.

My family had a limo at their disposal 24/7 to shuttle them back and forth to the hospital as I was there for almost 48 hours. They were also very accomondating to my family during the rest of the trip.

To my members that remember this incident: It's really hard to believe that this July will be the 10th year anniversary of this event. Time flies and without some luck and a lot of faith, I would not be here to celebrate this anniversary.

Steve

[Tweeets]

Even though I put the bad mouth to Harrah's every once in a while, they went above and beyond when I fell ill in Vegas in 1998.

My family had a limo at their disposal 24/7 to shuttle them back and forth to the hospital as I was there for almost 48 hours. They were also very accomondating to my family during the rest of the trip.

To my members that remember this incident: It's really hard to believe that this July will be the 10th year anniversary of this event. Time flies and without some luck and a lot of faith, I would not be here to celebrate this anniversary.

Steve

I remember that well Steve, I can't believe it's ten years either. Happy Anniversary.

[iam4nd]

Back in the nineties we stayed at the Riviera many times and acquired a large collection of playing cards and the "Crazy Girls" keychains that they passed out daily to entice people into playing their "Forty for Twenty" slot game. Our oldest son was an Army captain and Chinook helicoptor pilot serving in Albania at that time during the Serbia-Hercegovina crisis. We sent him a box full of about sixty or seventy keychains and decks of cards and he said the guys in his barracks were really happy to get them when he passed them out, especially the "special";) keychains with the five rear ends on them.

We sent a note to marketing at the Riviera relating the story and they asked to put it in their quarterly newsletter to players club members. They also sent more goodies to the troops. On our next trip there was a huge spread of fruit, candies, and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us in our room with a note thanking us and thanking our son for his service. We felt this was over and above for the Riviera staff and even though we haven't stayed there for several years we'll always remember them for it.:)

[brister21]

Hard to believe this took place 10 years ago - my how time flies. I had received 3 free nights stay at NYNY through my bank as a perk for taking my car loan out with them. We were planning on staying 4 days, so we figured we would stay mid-strip for the last night and booked a room at Harrahs. We arrived at Harrahs around 11am and I greeted the Desk clerk with a cheerful Hi as always, I said sopmething like it looks like you are having a bad day she said yes, everyone that she had taken care of so far had some gripe, either about the flight, cab ride, or something. She said we were the nicest people she had seen that day and it gave her some reassurance that the day was not a total loss. She said she noticed we were only staying one night, I said yes and explained. She said let me check something - then came back and said she was upgrading us to a suite at no charge for brightening her gloomy day! We were surprised and thanked her several times. The suite was definitely the nicest room we had ever had in Vegas. We sent a note to her supervisor about her going above and beyond, which was totally unnecessary but very much appreciated!!

[VegasBride]

Nothing really stands out in my mind except one small minor incident. It was when the Bellegio first opened. We went there to check it out. As always, I collect chips from all the different casinos, so I had to one from there. I also bought some post cards, and got some matches.

I sat down at a machine to play and when I got up, I forgot to pick up my little bag of trinkets. I didn't think anything of it until later I noticed I didn't have it. I told my husband my bag was gone. He said, "You'll never get it back; who's going to turn that in?" So I went to security, as asked if by chance anyone had turned in a small bag with some souvenirs in it. They took me all the way in the back, where the public never sees. I got the see the store where the employees shop, and all the different offices. I thought I'll never find my way back. And sure enough, there it was. I had to describe all that was in it, but no problem, I knew everything that was in there. They said some cleaning lady turned it in. Then they walked me back to where my husband was. Needless to say, I was very impressed.:)

[Steve]

Not to be redundant but everyone at The Las Vegas Hilton are to be commended for all that they did for myself and my members at the ELV buffet and slot tournament.

Steve

[MHIROTSU]

One thing that goes above and beyond that has an affect on me in Las Vegas through it doesn't actually occur in Las Vegas is Steve doing this message board. Much of what I do and sometimes what I don't do is dependant on this message board. For this last trip, nobody liked the buffet at the Fitz so I didn't go. People had been talking about the refurbishing of El Cortez, so I had to take a look. I was warned about the buffet at the Plaza, decided to go anyway (twice), and confirmed to never go against the advice of this message board. To paraphrase the Godfather, "never go against the family."

Mike

[vegasbabe]

Steve--for doing all the great things he does for his members, both while he's here, and even while he's not.

The other--
About 6 years ago, I had met and befriended the best hypnotist in town-- Justin Tranz. I was still just coming out on vacation then, and he asked me what hotel I would be staying at. I told him the Rio suites, and when I checked in, I discovered I had been upgraded to a 2 room deluxe jacuzzi suite. He used his clout, or knew somebody there, and made my whole trip an awesome experience. We're still good friends to this day, and even though he's currently not performing in LV, he still is always there for his friends.