Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

luci

September

trets77 wrote: »

we will take your silence as admission you made a mistake ..;) . we all do it :A

Virgin fly direct from Gatwick for anyone who still is not sure . :beer::beer:

Thank you trets. The member was so adamant I was starting to doubt myself.

carolann215

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

Day 3
All woke up about 8.30 so we headed down to the buffet in the Mirage. Headed out to have a look at the Wynn and the Encore before going out to the Premium Outlets. Got there just before 12 and hit Ralph Lauren first. They had an offer giving 10% off if you spent over $150 or 20% over $250. Loaded up on polo shirts and headed round to Gap but there was a massive queue to pay so didn't bother. Checked out the Ugg prices here but they were no different to the store in the Forum shops and you couldn't use the discount voucher for that store on them. I thought the Calvin Klein shop was a bit dissapointing , I went to the Premium Outlets in Florida last year and that one was great but I guess it depends on the season with the outlet stores. A few other bits and pieces then a taxi back to the Mirage to drop the bags off and then hit the Fashion Show mall. Walked through TI for another go on the Wheel Of Fortune but no luck on that one. Got to the mall and my friend went to the Hello Kitty store to get some bits for her daughter. I headed of to Abercrombie but when I went to pay my credit card had been blocked! I had trouble in Florida last year even though I'd told them I would be in the States so I remembered to take the phone number with me this time. Called them up , 20 minutes in a queueing system and then they cut me off when they were looking up what the problem was :mad: Gave up and decided to call when I got back to the hotel. A bit more shopping then walked over to the Venetian for another go in the slots. Lost again but my friend decided this was her favourite hotel and we should stay there next time!
Back to the hotel to get ready and went over to the Rio. Decided to try the seafood buffet over there but it wasn't great. Paid $40 each and they didn't have any lobster or calamari. Nice service though so we got the waitresses birthday ready for our roulette session later. Went up to the Voodoo lounge and that was a bit disapointing as well. We should of really got there earlier to watch the sunset cos by the time we got there the dj was on and it all looked a bit tacky! Thats the first time I've been over to the Rio and I thought the whole place looked very run down compaired to the others on the strip.
Headed back over to the Bellagio to watch the fountains. We stayed to see a few bursts of the fountains and then went over to the Paris to go up the Eiffel Tower. Had 2 for 1 tickets out of the Vegas 2 Go book we got from the bell desk at the Mirage. Its the first time I've been up there and the view was amazing. It was about midnight so there was no queue to go up either.
Day 3 merged into Day 4 so we headed back to the Mirage to play the roulette tables. 1 of us doesn't gamble so the rest of us put in $100 each. 2 of us played and we agreed to split any winnings. I was playing the birthday numbers including the waitresses from the Rio and the dealers and kept the same numbers each spin, my friend was doubling up on any numbers that looked hot and playing the 1st 3rd 2nd 3rd etc. It was a really good crowd on the table and we got off to a real winning streak! I think at one point we had about $1200 in chips on the table but then they had a dealer change and our luck turned. Cashed out when we had $700 but we were all well pleased to over double our money. It was gone 4am by so there really didn't seem to be any point in going to bed at that time. I played for a bit longer and then the 2 of us still up went for a walk. Back over to Harrahs for the Wheel of Fortune but no luck on that. Went over to Caesers and lost a bit more on that one! Walked back to the Mirage at about 6ish and I think thats the prettiest I've seen the strip. A few people staggering home , a few out jogging but it was lovely and peaceful. Back into the hotel and the dealer we were lucky with ealier was back.Thought I might as well have one last try but no luck this time.
Went to wake the others up and then back down for breakfast. Hit the pool for an hour then back to the Forum shops for last minute shopping. Had a late checkout arranged for 1pm so just enough time to wedge the shopping in my cases and head downstairs. Limo pick up was booked for 2pm so had a drink in the bar before we left. Earlier we picked up a cake from the Chesecake Factory and they gave us some candles so we surprised our friend with that and had the waitresses singing happy birthday.It was the perfect end to our stay!
Got to the airport and they checked our bags in all the way to Heathrow.
Really tired by the time we got to LA and that really is a horrible airport. Luckily we stayed this side to have something to eat and go in the duty free shop. Went through to the gates and there's nothing there! 1 little shop , nowhere near to get a drink and not enough seats for everyone to sit down on. They started boarding quite early though and as soon as we got on the plane we all crashed out! I don't even remember the plane taking off and managed to sleep for 8 hours.

I think we all agreed 3 nights wasn't nearly long enough but we've had a great time.
Luckily I go again in December with my OH so I haven't got long to wait until I'm there again!

Carol

carolann215

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

luci wrote: »

Carol

Can you remember how much the photos at the Bellagio cost?

My friend treated us as we arranged everything for her birthday but I think it was $45. I'm not sure if that was for 1 or 2 photos though. They come in a Bellagio album as well that holds 2.
You can have them done anywhere in the hotel but they can't go on the strip to take a picture of the fountains with the hotel in the background. That's why we had it done from the terrace instead although it was a shame the fountains had finished by that time. We asked about the photos at the desks just as you go into the O theatre , she takes loads and you just choose which ones you want.
No-one seamed to be outside on the strip taking photos so perhaps its not allowed. Thinking about it though I wonder if you went to the Paris they have a photographer who could take it from that angle?

luci

September

Thanks Carol. Might be a nice momento with the fountains in the background.

carolann215

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

luci wrote: »

Thanks Carol. Might be a nice momento with the fountains in the background.

The photo looks great and is a lovely reminder. I think I'll try again in December for one with my OH.

Hope you have a great trip out there.

Froggitt

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

ferf1223 wrote: »

I don't know of any indoor pools...none that I can think of anyway...maybe off strip or downtown but all the pools I can think of are outdoor. Some will be open in November.

Mirage pool was open mid November, but closed end November for draining and cleaning. Was OKish to swim in but when you got out of the water it was COLD

karie

hi guys, amateur question... how long in advance of your flight do you need to checkin in?? - both going over and coming back? i am flying from birmingham to vegas via philadelphia with us airways

ps carolann - great trip report thank you! sounds like you had a fab time! i love CSI, am off to google it now. and i want a go on the wheel of fortune - i hope its easily recognisable!!

luci

September

I would say 2-3 hours if you haven't checked in online.

davidmcg2u

September

Hi folks,

Just thought we'd say hello from a very hot & sunny Las Vegas.

It's in the 90s during the day & 60-70 in the evening and it's supposed to get a little warmer over the weekend.

It's 6pm just now & we're just about to get ready as we have booked Mon Ami Gabi for 7.30pm (based on what you guys have mentioned recently) then we're off to see Ka. We booked a table indoors as it may be too uncomfy to sit & eat outside but will see when we get there.

That's it except I tried to pick up our Killers tickets today but was told I need to wait until Sat - so anyone who is going to that don't waste your time.

Speak soon!

luci

September

Hi David

Yes, been checking the forecast on Fox News and it was showing 102/101/101 for Friday onward. That has dropped back to 98.

Too bad about not getting the Killers tickets in advance. I imagine there could be quite a queue on Sat. We will probably pick them up not long after checking into the Four Seasons.

Posting this from Heathrow waiting for our flight to SF.