Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

nvh

tingtong wrote: »

Sorry, that's one of the vouchers we actually used - nice food too (if a little pricey).

Value Expiry Restaurant
$50.00 8 Aug Aureole
$50.00 8 Aug Fleur De Lys
$25.00 8 Aug AL'S GARAGE (Located @ GVR's "The District")
$25.00 8 Aug Border Grill
$25.00 9 Sep Cafe Heidelberg
$10.00 9 Sep ENOTECA San Marco (Venetian Hotel & Casino)
$25.00 9 Sep Kil@Wat (The Platinum Hotel)
$25.00 8 Aug Pampas Churrascaria
$25.00 9 Sep Rosemary's Restaurant
$25.00 9 Sep Rub BBQ

blimey, you had some meals planned there!

I'll drop you a PM, unfortunately, the majority expire before i get there - Aureole would've been good otherwise! good on you for giving them out anyways!

Kate0208

hi

thanks for the advice guys - u are all fab!! im genuinely shocked at just how much you all know about everything vegas - would love to holiday with you must be great!! lol!!

more questions im afraid - how does this restaurant voucher thing work - is it free - how do u get them?

also what is the accepted tipping etiquette? i just dont get it at all :embarasse
last time i went we were in a big group and all tipping was worked out by someone else - we just put into a kitty!! lol!! shame on me!!

kate

nvh

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luci

May

Kate0208 wrote: »

hi


more questions im afraid - how does this restaurant voucher thing work - is it free - how do u get them?


kate

Go to https://www.restaurant.com and type in 89109 as the zip code as that is the strip. Select either 1 mile or 5 miles if you want Casa di Amore.

Eg they sell $50 certificatess for say $20, but you can get up to 80% off that with a code so it could only cost $4 for a $50 certificate.

Google restaurant.com code The current code is ENJOY for 80% off, but that expires today and another one will be issued.

Read the T&C of the certificate as the $50 ones may have a minimum spend of $100 on food. You can only use one certificate at a time.

Kate0208 wrote: »

hi

also what is the accepted tipping etiquette? i just dont get it at all :embarasse
last time i went we were in a big group and all tipping was worked out by someone else - we just put into a kitty!! lol!! shame on me!!

kate

The expected tip in a full service restaurant or for taxis is 15-20%. The easiest way to calculate is double the tax which is currently 8.1% and is added to all bills and shopping.

It sounds like a lot, but you soon get used to it.

Bear in mind that servers are taxed as if they have received X% so if you tip less they are actually paying your tip.

$1-2 a drink to the cocktail waitress for the free drinks while gambling.

At buffets leave $1-2 per person.

Housekeeping, $3-5 on the pillow each morning as you may have a different maid each day.

I'm sure others will chip in with what they do.

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ferf1223

April

Kate0208 wrote: »

also what is the accepted tipping etiquette? i just dont get it at all :embarasse
last time i went we were in a big group and all tipping was worked out by someone else - we just put into a kitty!! lol!! shame on me!!

We pretty much do what Luci does, though it's rare that we tip less than 20% for sit-down meals (mainly because I find it easy to work out 10% and double it)...and you should always, ALWAYS tip based on the value before any discounts/coupons/etc. Some restaurant.com certificates state that they add X% before the discount...some follow through on that, others don't.

Remember that as US servers make a significant part of their money from tips, they're motivated to give good service. Unlike other places in the world where tipping is not so commonplace. I know it irks some people, but I'd rather have good service and tip than have crap service and not.

tingtong - you're good to give away the Casa Di Amore voucher if you can find a taker.

ferf1223

April

lewt wrote: »

Hi guys i think I asked before but can't find it.

I am off on the 12th June and there for three full days. I would like to see the grand canyon and do the helicopter boat possibly skywalk. Where is the best place to book?

Your post is here and at least one reply to it...but see the first page of the thread for lots of detail.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/30654229#Comment_30654229

Have you read reviews for the Skywalk?

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g31306-d602012-Reviews-Skywalk_Grand_Canyon-Peach_Springs_Arizona.html

luci

May

We always tipped 20% at sit down restaurants until this trip.

After our last trip someone posted on TA asking where the 20-25% was coming from as they always tipped 15%. As this was coming from an American, I started to wonder if we were overtipping. Now it's somewhere between 15 and 20%.

We tipped 25% for our massages the other day as I would have felt a bit mean counting out single dollars bills.

Housekeeping's the one that usually worries me. We always keep the room clean and tidy so they have the minimum to do, but I still wonder if my tip is enough. That said, if we do see the maid they are always appreciative.

stoneman

September

luci wrote: »

Housekeeping's the one that usually worries me. We always keep the room clean and tidy so they have the minimum to do, but I still wonder if my tip is enough. That said, if we do see the maid they are always appreciative.

This is the one that gets me. Maids at MGM properties make $14 an hour which is pretty good going for service industry. We never tip them unless we ask for turndown. because we keep the room tidy anyway. What do you think you get extra by tipping? Does your bed get made better, do they hover more, do you get extra towels, no. You might get extra amenities but you would ask for them and tip separately anyway.
We fond out last night that the CW's at PlanetHo make $15 an hour as well, but you know what would happen if you didn't tip them;)

trets77

also to add to tipping discussion .

Taxi's around 10% ( if a short fare a couple of $'s)

Valets about $2-$3 per use of ( this includes anyone who delivers bags to your room as they pool tips with the Valets )

Taxi hailers $1

as for Maids we tend to leave all our loose change and a few bucks at the end of our stay . plus any odd unused vouchers and freebies. i even left a unclaimed cashout voucher once because i forgot about it and had no time to get up to the strip and cash it before our flight .

Buffet servers $2-$3 depending on service .

others who play Blackjack or Roulette ect will advise on tipping Croupiers . i tend to tip poker dealers a few bucks ( unless i am out very early )