Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

Chanty17

June

duchy wrote: »

It's the final countdown on my supercheap long weekend latest jaunt to Vegas
I go a week today.
Using Delta miles I paid just under £100 in taxes (seems to be a glitch that tax is £200 plus if you pay for it here-call Delta in the US and it tumbles)

I changed my dates to give me an extra night which cost me an extra $100 and has given me a not so good connection with 2 hours in Atlanta and another 2 hours in Memphis. Works out as friends in Memphis are going to drop by for coffee at the airport. I'll be flying from Gatwick and need to decide if I'm getting the train or the local airport bus with free Wi-fi. Have 4 mystery shops to do at Gatwick -all foodie ones so will take care of brekkie and the fees more than cover my fares to the airport-Completing the reports when I wake up at 4am on my first morning-as I always do -won't be a problem If the Memphis to Vegas flight has inflight internet -it'll be done before I even land tho.

Adding Thursday the Flamingo had shot up to $180 for a deluxe room so I'm arriving late and have a studio comped at the Rio so will amble over to the Palms for brekkie next morning if feeling energetic -if not buffet at Rio.

At some point I'll transfer over to the Flamingo by cab or their shuttle bus to the Strip (only got hand baggage) Friday, Saturday and Sunday I'm at the Flamingo-booked into a deluxe room-total with tax for 3 nights with a Total Rewards rate is $100 but I'll probably ask for a paid upgrade to a Go room if it's the same $20/30 it was the last couple of visits last year.

Leaving Monday at a very civilised 3pm -connecting through Minneapolis to Heathrow and home.

New things I want to do this trip are Finally try Ellis Island- it's about time , see Human Nature , try the new ACE bus down to Freemont Street -of course if I don't do them.....it's just another good excuse to go back again

Not too worried about any impact the BA strike may have. My flight appears to be overbooked unsurprisingly-I've already looked to see what possibilities are open to me if I'm offered a bump and I could actually fly later and arrive about the same time -so I shall keep an open mind on that a nice contribution from Delta towards my next flight would be rather nice tho (Also if they bump and rebook me I'd most likely get miles on it too) however if they don't offer a bump I have emergency row seats all flights-so it's all good.

Just wanted to wish you a good (and safe) trip! Have a great time.

Cx

Steff

July

photome wrote: »

Good luck in new job and check in when you can....dont want you to miss that Orleans deal!!

Thanks photome and Tango for your good luck wishes!
I will definately check in whenever I can to keep me smiling!
Steff;)

Zazie

April

duchy wrote: »

I'd add the Orleans buffet to the list too- although off strip -the free shuttle from Bill's makes it as easy to get to as some far Strip places and better value. I like their casino too.

Don't forget to add the cost of tipping too though

Do you need to tip at the buffets even though you serve yourself???

Steff

July

Steff wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks to Chyna for posting the above code. HOWEVER, I have just tried to use it and allows me to do so until payment page then says, "our records show that this code has already been used".

Such a shame as I was going to book my Orleans 9 night stay through them. Direct with hotel will be $400 (approx £267) with expedia £266 then 15% off = £231 (then 7.25% cashback via quidco = £16.50 - would bring total to £214.50.

Then the code doesnt work - darn it!!!

Fingers crossed I get one myself.. How did you get it Chyna?
Steff

INTERESTING!!!!

My OH got one of those 15% codes sent to his email account yesterday at 4.30pm. I was really happy and all set to book the Orleans (as above) when, again, at check out it said "code already used!".
We most certainly hadnt used the code, so I rang Expedia and they said that although the codes are exclusive they have been having problems with them.

Only way they could honour the 15% off would be to charge my CC the full hotel price, then refund the discount back to my card.

This would mean paying for the phone call, not getting my Quidco cashback of £16.70 and paying interest on my cc at the full purchase price, - so not as good a deal - so I declined.

I asked if they could simply email us another code, but despite checking with a Manager, couldnt do it.

SO - anyone banking on using that 15% off Expedia code - bear this in mind. It allows you to enter the code and takes off the 15% (in our case £36) then, when you get to the very end, it tells you that you cant use it!

HTH someone else.
Steff

Steff

July

Zazie wrote: »

Do you need to tip at the buffets even though you serve yourself???

Definately!!
You have someone who shows you to your seat, takes your drinks order and brings you cutlery, napkins etc. They will check that all is ok and tidy your area etc. They also take your plates away for you to give you room for seconds!!

Always a good idea to keep them happy - more tea/coffee top ups at brekkie etc.

You are only talking about a matter of dollars or so - dont worry!!
(Obviously, this is relative - the Orleans breakfast buffet is only $8 each, so a tip of, say $5 should be ok and OBVIOUSLY depends on service - maybe at Bellagio etc, the tip should be more...)

After staying at the Orleans 14 nights the other year, we had the same guy serving us at breakfast every day and he was so nice, helpful and happy that we tipped a lot - its all relative to service etc.
Steff;)

Steff

July

duchy wrote: »

I'd add the Orleans buffet to the list too- although off strip -the free shuttle from Bill's makes it as easy to get to as some far Strip places and better value. I like their casino too.

Don't forget to add the cost of tipping too though

I second this - but I am biased - I really like the Orleans.

(EDIT: in case this doesnt make sense - this is meant for miketurtle - the poker player)

They have a great cinema too if you need a break from playing poker.
They also have some VERY GOOD daily no limit hold em poker tournaments - from memory they start at 12noon and 5pm (or is that 8pm) check it out for yourself.
Historically, they have held The Orleans Poker Open in May or June/July which attracts some very big crowds - they have a HUGE ballroom upstairs that they deck out with poker tables and countdowns etc - very professionally done. Prize pools are excellent too.

The poker manager did email me recently to say that they may not be holding it this year though - I havent yet investigated...
Steff

luci

May

tingtong wrote: »

Wasn't Benalmadena Palace was it ? Went there a couple of weeks back through Alpharooms, £63 each for 5 nights S/C, great value and nice hotel.

No, it was Las Arenas which was a very good hotel, but a lot more expensive than that with it being New Year.

photome

WestHamDaz wrote: »

just noticed this in the T&C's of the Mandalay Bay:

Shocking! there are threads/campaigns on other forums on getting rid of these extra costs, looks like they might be here to stay though as more and more hotels join in

Cand

September

Cheers Pebblesmax & Luci will keep "trying" haha!

duchy

March

I usually tip a couple of dollars a head at buffets minimum -more if it's a good server , cheery, friendly and good with clearing used plates and topping up the drinks but yes you are definitely supposed to tip at buffets too.

The only place I'd not tip in the US is one of the Coldstone icecream places (this one was by Disneyland) as when you tip all the staff behind the counter burst into a "Thank you for your tip" song <cringe> LOL