Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

ferf1223

October , November

evergreen wrote: »

Thanks Stoneman - Do you know what they cost and what they are called please?

If you click on the 'here you go' in stoneman's post it takes you to WalMart's website which gives details.

evergreen

Thanks

I think too much chocolate cake has addled my brain - I missed the link!!

Froggitt

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

Hi all - got back yesterday - will post TR when I get some time and am less tired. FYI, no change in any security at McCarren nor on VS except that they disabled the flight map. No search of hand baggage, no patdown, nothing. Not even placcy bags for liquids. The three hour delay posted above was due to the late departure from Vegas as theyre still catching up from the snow....with two ten hour flights plus turnaround, its tough for them to catch up a 2/3 hour delay.

Had the back row of four all to me and Mrs Frog so had a decent kip. Usual pet hate of people pushing their seats back both ways.....its not possible to get up to go to the loo without giving their seat a good old juddering......hope it didnt wake them up

Loved Signature. Would stay again in a heartbeat. Got fed up of the walk to the MGM Poker room though, even with the moving walkways. Only dislike....the side of the edge of the bath is about one foot wide.....only way out is to jump and wet on marble its a bit dangerous. Remember to go out the front gate if going to PH/Aria, rather than shlepping thru the MGM.....halves the walk.

pennylane99

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

Froggitt wrote: »

Had the back row of four all to me and Mrs Frog so had a decent kip. Usual pet hate of people pushing their seats back both ways.....its not possible to get up to go to the loo without giving their seat a good old juddering......hope it didnt wake them up

I flew back to Gatwick on Christmas Day, we left more or less on time, there was only 44 passengers on the plane..was like a ghost ship, although UC was completely full.

I guess there were a few people upgraded, pity I had already booked my UC seat using miles.

luci

September

Hesitation Can Wait.
96-Hour Sale From MGM Grand.

Rooms from $51 per night

Offer includes these benefits daily:
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary access to MGM Grand Fitness Center
Complimentary Admission to Studio 54 or Tab!
Complimentary Local Calls

Book now.

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=001&host=promo&code=INB316
or
call 1.800.929.1111 and mention booking code INB316

Froggitt

December ( including Xmas and New Year )

luci wrote: »

Hesitation Can Wait.
96-Hour Sale From MGM Grand.

Rooms from $51 per night

Offer includes these benefits daily:
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary access to MGM Grand Fitness Center
Complimentary Admission to Studio 54 or Tab!
Complimentary Local Calls

Book now.

https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=001&host=promo&code=INB316
or
call 1.800.929.1111 and mention booking code INB316

Someone earlier mentionned the impact of CES.....here it is in money terms on this great deal.....
Jan 6 $270
7 NA
8 NA

luci

September

Also the dates around 13 March when the big fight is mooted for are not included in the offer.

However, I have booked a Celebrity Spa Suite for 4 nights in May. I was happy that the Grand Tower rooms were under $100/night and almost book that, but the CSS was only $30 extra a night so opted for that.

Have emailed the Carriage House to change our reservation from 3 nights to 4 so that just leaves 4 nights to be booked and we're sorted........... until the next offer I find.

totallybored

Hi all, I normally lurk around the Vegas board and don’t post. However, just got back from Vegas yesterday and thought I’d do a trip report. I’ll post it in a couple of replies by topic rather than a day by day everything we did.

totallybored

This is going to be a bit long so I hope no one minds.
This was our second trip (me and hubby) in the last 3 months (went for 10 days in September) and our first time in Vegas when it wasn’t hot and pool weather. We didn’t intend to go back so soon but xmas is an expensive time of year for any hot destinations and I’m a bit picky about the standard of hotel I’ll stay in so we decided to go back to Vegas. After our last trip I was starting to become a bit disillusioned by Vegas (had to deal with rude staff at Encore and didn’t win any money!) but I’m glad we went back.

We flew out the Sunday before Xmas and back the Sunday after. Flew with Virgin, something I vowed I would never do again after flying with them a few years ago to Vegas (think flying Wetherspoons), and something I’d avoid doing again, although these flights had none of the stag groups and were a little more civilised. However, it was the cheapest flight we could find (and not cheap either at around £580 each) but that’s what you get for not planning your Xmas earlier!
The Friday before we flew out was the day it snowed and lots of public transport stopped working. As I started to worry about getting to Gatwick early on the Sunday morning (snow was forecast) we decided to go Saturday afternoon and stay at the Hilton. Cost £90 and included breakfast so it wasn’t too bad. Checked in online Saturday for the flight and found our seats had been changed. However, they had been changed to the 2 seats on their own at the back so we decided these were better than the ones I had previously selected. Tried to drop the bags off at the twilight checkin on Saturday evening and had to queue for ages but this was probably much quicker than the Sunday morning.

Flight was delayed by almost 4 hours on the Sunday so we stayed in the hotel for as long as possible. Gatwick was hell, loads of Easyjet flights cancelled, security took ages as they only had 3 gates open when we were waiting (after we got through they opened more as more staff appeared at 1pm, wonder where they had all been at lunch time?). The flight itself was not great. Seats uncomfortable, rubbish selection of movies etc, had to go and get our own soft drinks for most of the flight unlike any normal airline when they take the trolley round a few times at least. We took our own food from Pret as I don’t eat airline food so I can’t comment on the meals.
The flight back was delayed by a couple of hours but we knew this on Sunday morning so had a nice long lunch and headed to the airport around 4pm instead of around 2. I checked in online on Saturday and was annoyed to find my seats had been changed again (we were both at either side of an aisle and now had been changed to an aisle on the middle 4 and the seat next to it). The seat map showed no other free seats either. What is the point in that thing! When we got on the plane there were loads of empty seats including the ones I had originally reserved! As soon as the seatbelt sign went off hubby was sent away to find himself 2 seats while I kept our 2 for me. As previously mentioned there was no extra security (no queue when we arrived), still one piece of hand luggage and a personal item (laptops are fine) but no map. I like the map! Its the only thing I ever watch.

totallybored

Palazzo
This was our first time staying here. We have stayed at the Mirage, Caesars and Encore in the past and last time we spent a lot of time gambling in the Palazzo so we decided we’d stay here this time. We declined a $45 a night upgrade to a strip view room (seen it before and there is only so much time you spend looking out the room window).
The room was really big, probably bigger than at the Encore, although I preferred the Encore room as it felt a bit more modern. However, the sunken living room made it feel more of 2 seperate rooms which was good. There are tvs in the living area and bedroom as well as the bathroom, a comfy corner sofa, table and chairs so loads of space. I would possibly stay here again if the rate was good (only paid $129 a night most nights of our stay). My only complaint, and it is a very small one, is that there are no slippers!

Aria
Aria had only opened the week before so I hadn’t seen any pictures of inside or read many reviews. However, we spent several evenings here and it is somewhere I would definitely think about staying at. The casino is quite dark with low ceilings but feels very modern (I preferred it to the Wynn/Encore and Palazzo). I like to play slots and I found loads here that were great. I used to only play 25c machines but Aria has all new machines and the 1c machines seem to have more flashing lights, noise and bonus rounds (have a go of Viva Monopoly, it is much more addictive than Wizard of Oz). Also, this was the only casino I won any money on slots. Normally 1c machines don’t pay much if you’re only playing 1 credit per x lines and not max credits but these did. Getting drinks here was also very good as the waitresses were quick and frequent. A fire alarm went off a couple of evenings when we were here but no one moved!
The fountains outside the main entrance are really pretty and when the two streams of water hit each other the colour changes.
You can walk through to Monte Carlo if you follow the sign to the tram stop (don’t bother though, it is like an old people’s home with some slot machines in it) and if you take the tram it stops at Crystals (a shopping mall with hardly any shops that are open yet!! Needless to say I was not impressed by unopened shops) and then the Bellagio but it is a long walk through to the casino.
Aria was crowded every time we were there but it is now my favourite casino. It makes some of the others feel really dated and a bit grotty now.