Las Vegas thread and MSE guide 2010

TangoBunny

September

Still looking for 2for1 buffet coupons but most of the ones I've come across expire on 30th Sept.....any ideas...or just wait until the later ones come up

Boa21

January , February

Rather than one big report, I'll try to do frequent updates.

As well as yesterday's excitement at MGM, there was a weather alert last night (about 9:30). TV programmes were interrupted to warn of electrical storms and very strong winds. The TV show kept playing, but there was a voice over message and written message at the top of the screen.

It seems this past south of the strip, but it meant my youngest didn't get his ride on the roller coaster at NY,NY. He had bought his ticket and was front of the queue when the ride was suspended due to the weather!

Went to the Canyon yesterday morning with Maverick helicopters. It was brilliant. At the landing site there are loads of little chipmunk like animals that will take food from your hand. +10 on the cuteness scale. Maverick wern't the cheapest, but Google Papillon helicopter crash!:eek:

Used our first Restaurant.com voucher last night. A place called Dessi B's Steak House. It's 3-4 miles from the strip (we have the hire car). It's a real locals restaurant and won't be to everyone's taste. But the steaks were cooked perfectly (little plastic marker sticks stuck into the steak to indicate rare, medium etc.) Bottomless cokes and coffee and an endless salad/soup bar - that also had tacos, chilli etc. Mrs Boa had a steak, me steak and two skewers of shrimp, No. 1 son ribs and chicken combo, No. 2 son a burger. We all had the salad bar. After my $2 coupon giving $25 discount I paid $65, including the 18% tip - well worth it. Like I said, not glamorous but a great experience of an American diner type place for the boys. Also, I have a $50 strip steak voucher in reserve!:D

The weather today is windy and the temperature has dropped into the 90's. Expected to be cooler (90's) 'till midweek, then getting
hotter.

Foosterino

August

[FONT=&quot]Here’s a quick run down our visit 16th – 26th August, I’ll do it by topic[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Flights[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We flew Continental, NCL-LHR-NWR-LAS, we found this journey to be very exhausting, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Newark[/FONT][FONT=&quot] was confusing and some staff unhelpful, with a 2 hour stopover we just made it to our gate.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]On the way back we flew LAS-IAH-LHR-NCL, we preferred this journey, IAH was a great airport: no change of terminal, just a walk up a corridor and you were at your gate. Overall no complaints with Continental [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Hotels [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]MGM Grand[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We stayed 5 nights at the MGM Grand in a Celebrity Spa Suite; we got a good deal on this room, $89 a night. We liked this room, yes it is a bit dated and in need of refurbishing but it has a great deal of space and a Jacuzzi. It took us 10 minutes to get to our room from the casino, which is massive but I have a good sense of direction and managed to steer us to our room even when drunk. (Hope the girls in the next room sorted out their big fight they were having a [/FONT][FONT=&quot]3am[/FONT][FONT=&quot])[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Venetian[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We then moved to the Venetian for a further 5 nights with another great deal. We moved on a Saturday and managed to get checked in at 10.15am which impressed us. The receptionist did try to up sell a Palazzo room but we were happy with a “basic” room in the Venetian. Overall I preferred this hotel, the room was fantastic, our 7th floor view was ok (the building site!), lots of space and the bathroom was good, TV choice much better than the MGM. The only criticism was that the room is quite dark and you are always looking for a light switch and not get getting enough light. The hotel is good to get around and we often exited the lift at floor 2 to walk through the shops rather than the casino which was easier[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Slots[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I love slot machines, had a great fun on the WMS machines, didn’t win much but as I was just betting 1c a line anyway and wasn’t going to win much really. LOVE the Lucky Penguins, had a blast with the bonus features. Did win $50 dollars from $10 in the Mirage. Enjoyed WOZ, and won a little on that. Didn’t like Ruby Slippers as much. DH enjoyed Lord of the Rings and we managed to win $70 from a power spin. Won a minor jackpot on the Jaws machine on $78 too. We had the best cocktail service in NYNY, getting cocktails every time she came past and as a result was very drunk. Downtown the slots were as good to us but we loved the waitress service in Mermaids and they really wanted to give us drinks here which we begrudgingly took [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]FOOD [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The reason we come to Vegas, the awesome food, didn’t do many buffets aside breakfast in the MGM, but we did eat a lot of food[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Toby Keith’s[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]DH had the 100oz challenge, he managed about half, and it is a lot of food! I had the T-bone steak; the steak was good but was disappointed with the sides. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Bally’s Sterling Brunch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We had this on our first visit and had to do it again. Just as good as the first time. We had more to drink this time. Food was excellent – lamb, lobster, filet minion. The walk back the Venetian was difficult especially in the heat. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Top of the World[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Really enjoyed this menu, we opted for the cheaper lunch set menu and weren’t disappointed. The lobster bisque was delicious, surf and turf was tasty and the puddings to die for. All with the amazing view loved the fact people were skydiving when you were dining. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]We also ate at:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]House of Blues[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Stripburger[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Kahunaville [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]margaritaville [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Harley Davidson Caf![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]PF Changs[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cheesecake Factory[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Grand Caf! Deluxe[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hash House A Go Go – huge portions for breakfast[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Rainforest[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Triple 7[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Things we did:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Gun Store[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I opted for the Ladies package and was scared at first but did enjoy firing the AK-47[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Liberace[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Museum[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Really enjoyed this, his outfits were fabulous and the displays interesting. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Atomic Museum[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Good museum, an interesting side of [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Las Vegas[/FONT][FONT=&quot] history [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Shark Reef [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]A bit disappointed by this, quite short and boring in comparison to many other aquariums we have visited [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Madame Tussaud’s [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Got 2 for 1 since we staying at the Venetian, had a good time posing with the stars. Was better than I expected. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Love[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I thought this was excellent, had cheap seats in Section 303, but the view was excellent. The sound was stunning and acrobatics amazing. Some idiot got kicked out for screaming and being obnoxious to others. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]WEC 50[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]DH is a big MMA fan so it was cool that there was a show on when we were in Vegas. The [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Pearl[/FONT][FONT=&quot] is a great venue and we enjoyed the show, even though our British fighter got beat. Since the show was in town there were lots of opportunities to meet fighters in various events which was good.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Feel free to ask any questions. [/FONT]

luci

May

Thanks for the trip report.

We also go for the food. What did you think of the food at the Harley Davidson Cafe and what did you have? I have a restaurant.com cert for there and we have to spend $50 to use it.

stoneman

September

ferf1223 wrote: »

Also, if you make it to M Resort (waaaaay far south) they have self-service soft drink machines on the casino floor - love them.

Ohhh, I forgot about that. Way cool as Tracy usually only wants water or Coke, we loved it as well, and the CW service was some of the best anywhere, shame the place is so far south.

stoneman

September

Foosterino wrote: »

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]FOOD [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The reason we come to Vegas, the awesome food, didn’t do many buffets aside breakfast in the MGM, but we did eat a lot of food[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Toby Keith’s[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]DH had the 100oz challenge, he managed about half, and it is a lot of food! I had the T-bone steak; the steak was good but was disappointed with the sides. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Bally’s Sterling Brunch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]We had this on our first visit and had to do it again. Just as good as the first time. We had more to drink this time. Food was excellent – lamb, lobster, filet minion. The walk back the Venetian was difficult especially in the heat. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Top of the World[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Really enjoyed this menu, we opted for the cheaper lunch set menu and weren’t disappointed. The lobster bisque was delicious, surf and turf was tasty and the puddings to die for. All with the amazing view loved the fact people were skydiving when you were dining. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]We also ate at:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]House of Blues[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Stripburger[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Kahunaville [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]margaritaville [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Harley Davidson Caf![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]PF Changs[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cheesecake Factory[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Grand Caf! Deluxe[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Hash House A Go Go – huge portions for breakfast[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Rainforest[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Triple 7[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

Crikey:eek:
In a week we probably only eat at 6 different places. MAG, Changs, Ihop, Austins, Ellis Island and 7/11. :beer:

spike2012

September

Were off to Caesars next Sep (said it loads on here now, sorry!) have been reading reviews and reports on yelp? or yealp? AHHH. Some people's reviews are really horrible! I really really hope we dont get the service like that. Poor condition rooms and waiting 3 hours to get a room from when they arrive with pre-booked details etc. EEP. Hmm being British I have the habit of not making a fuss, but I know decent service when I see it.

Bit worried now.

Foosterino

August

luci wrote: »

Thanks for the trip report.

We also go for the food. What did you think of the food at the Harley Davidson Cafe and what did you have? I have a restaurant.com cert for there and we have to spend $50 to use it.

I thought the food was good, we went for the set $30 lunch menu and appetizer and one main each. I had the pulled pork sandwich with fries and hubby had a burger with fries. With massive refillable cokes that we got to take away refilled. The setting was cool with bikes being hauled over your head.

stoneman wrote: »

Crikey:eek:
In a week we probably only eat at 6 different places. MAG, Changs, Ihop, Austins, Ellis Island and 7/11. :beer:

we ate so much, but it was 10 days we stayed and only ate twice a day one main course, no starters or puds.

Foo
xx

ferf1223

April

spike2012 wrote: »

Were off to Caesars next Sep (said it loads on here now, sorry!) have been reading reviews and reports on yelp? or yealp? AHHH. Some people's reviews are really horrible! I really really hope we dont get the service like that. Poor condition rooms and waiting 3 hours to get a room from when they arrive with pre-booked details etc. EEP. Hmm being British I have the habit of not making a fuss, but I know decent service when I see it.

Bit worried now.

Many of the poor reviews will be of the older rooms I would guess, Roman Tower, Centurion Tower...as for waiting for 3 hours, if you arrive before check-in time it's always possible there will be a wait...even sometimes after check-in it's always a possibility - more likely on a Sunday I would imagine when loads of people will be checking out so loads of rooms need to be cleaned to be ready for new arrivals, but possible anytime at any hotel, not just Caesars. Being pre-booked doesn't make a difference if they have no clean room available at the time. We have had to wait before (think it was supposed to be an hour but ended up being nearly 2) but not for years.

Angelite

Boa21 wrote: »

Went to the Canyon yesterday morning with Maverick helicopters. It was brilliant. At the landing site there are loads of little chipmunk like animals that will take food from your hand. +10 on the cuteness scale. Maverick wern't the cheapest, but Google Papillon helicopter crash!:eek:

My goodness! I'm glad we went with Maverick when we went two years ago!