Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2009 part 2

stoneman

September

ajmoney wrote: »

We ate at them for different meals so I can't really comment too much but it most definately was not our favourite

Sorry, that must have sounded flippant, wasn't meant to be. Just that many on here and other forums have had horrendous experiences of the Flamingo buffet, and by and large, Paris is considered one of the best. But there you go, the world turns on diverse tastes. Just as an example, I think the Spice Market buffet is pants, not many would say that.

luci

September

We had the champagne brunch at the Flamingo buffet because it was cheap, but that's all it had going for it. Would rather pay a few dollars more for a better buffet.

Paris is still trading on its reputation. It used to be good, but on the last 2 visits it has been garbage.

The first time we went to Caesars buffet, both breakfast and dinner were excellent. Went back the following year and it was awful so won't be wasting my money there again.

Mandalay Bay was excellent for breakfast. We thought TI was awful for dinner.

If we have a bad experience, we rarely give it a second chance as it's too expensive and there are so many other options.

ajmoney

August

We had a good experience at TI for dinner, it was one of our better ones

ferf1223

October , November

ajmoney wrote: »

We went to the Auto Collection at Imperial Palace, we had free vouchers in one of the Harrahs booklets. I didn't think it was great so was glad we hadn't paid $8 each. If you aren't staying at a Harrah's chain (we got them at each hotel apart from Paris) then join there Total Rewards at one of the casinos and you will get a booklet that way. OH enjoyed it and I guess it was ok to walk round..

You can also print one from here:

http://www.vegascoupons.com/images/imperial-palace-auto-coupon.jpg

Enjoying the report and look forward to reading more!

As for Paris buffet - we've had breakfast there several times over the last several years including last October and this past April...we haven't noticed any change in quality at all and really enjoy it. In October we at there twice and the in-laws continue to rave about it. We've never been for any meal other than breakfast though...and we always go at stupid o'clock and are always seated pretty much straight away...so maybe getting there and seated very shortly after they open each time we've gone has made a difference in quality.

ajmoney

August

I just wrote loads and my screen froze

davidmcg2u

September

ajmoney wrote: »

I just wrote loads and my screen froze

Happens to me all the time - just do it in small bits, save then add to it by editing.

On another note, has anyone ate at Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops @ Planet Hollywood? If so is it any good?

Thanks

ajmoney

August

Try again...
Day 4

We went to the airport to pick up our car and decided it may be cheaper to try and keep the car for an extra 3 days rather than keep paying cab prices to the airport. We paid £110ish for a week, it was going to cost about £250 for 3 days! We decided the taxi was worth it. If you use a cab, there are roadworks on Harmon from just next to Planet Hollywood for a couple of blocks, one cab driver sat and let the meter run to £8 before he turned round and found a different way, if you are taking a cab ask them to avoid it.

We picked up our cab and after finding our way to the freeway we set off for the grand Canyon. We had been advised by a Canadian couple to avoid the Hoover Dam because of traffic but it wasn't too bad. They are building a bypass but it is causing huge tailbacks with the roadworks but I guess if you want to see the Hoover Dam then you need to go that way. We decided against stopping for pictures because of the traffic.

Apart from a quick lunch stop we got to Williams in around four hours after seeing some great lightning on the way. Our accommodation was a sight! We are used to staying in basic hotels in this country but when you have been staying in a 4-star hotel a 2-star motel looks awful. In fairness the Travelodge wasn't that bad once we had recovered from the shock but it took a few hours, I wanted to go straight back to Vegas but my moneysaving head told me to be sensible.

We tried to make ourselves feel happier with a walk and some food but all we saw were loads of huge cowboys which made it worse. Once we found out it was a rodeo weekend it wasn't so bad and all the Harleys that kept going by made us smile (Williams is on the old Route 66).

I felt a lot happier going to bed.

ajmoney

August

Day 5

We got complimentary breakfast which was ok, cereal, coffee/tea/juice and muffins, enough to get us to the Grand Canyon. We thought we were down early at 7 but we may have been the last!

We decided to drive to the Grand Canyon, a guy in Vegas had told us that the train was quicker and not much different in price, if you are told this DON'T LISTEN! It takes almost three times as long, is VERY expensive, gets you there for the hottest part of the day and doesn't give you any freedom.

We got there in an hour and parked up in the furthest south rim car park. We used one of the shuttle buses to take us a couple of stops along and then we walked back. It wasn't as hot as Vegas which was a relief and we got some great pictures.

We only stayed a couple of hours as we wanted to get back and see the rodeo in Williams, we figured we could take pictures all day but this was our only way of seeing some of the real America.

Apologies, we had a McDonalds on the way back, it was the easiest option...honest! We made it back for the last hour of the rodeo which was very amusing and OH got some great pics.

That evening we ate in a saloon type place with live country music. The food was really good value and we met a great couple from Canada who were coming to the end of a camping road trip and were ending it with a night at Trump on the strip. The girl was a money saving lass and mentioned a site she uses, hotwire. If it is on here somewhere then I apologise but she said it was handy for stuff over there and uses it for all their travel, maybe it will help some of you.

pebblesmax

October , November

ajmoney wrote: »

I just wrote loads and my screen froze

I write all mine in a word doc and then post it after I've finished. Sometimes it takes two or three posts to get it in the word count. I post on a few more sites too, so it makes sense for me to do it that way.

Just a suggestion.

ferf1223

October , November

pebblesmax wrote: »

I write all mine in a word doc and then post it after I've finished. Sometimes it takes two or three posts to get it in the word count. I post on a few more sites too, so it makes sense for me to do it that way.

Just a suggestion.

I do the same...and as long-winded as I am it's probably a good thing.

I also like to post them on lasvegastripreport.com since otherwise I tend to lose track of them.