SOOPOO June trip
I used to stay at Rio all the time easy free parking. Free or neatly free rooms. Wife abhors the Rio. Last 4 trips had been either Caesars Palace or Wynn. I qualified for free room at Bally’s/Harrahs/Linq/Flamingo/Rio/ Planet Hollywood. Before the pandemic friends got married at Paris and wife liked overall vibe, so it was around $100 a night including resort fee, so not too bad.
Room was fine. Easy convenient ice machine. Cold fridge in room. No view at all. Easy to use AC. Easy to use TV. Easy to use internet. Paid $25 extra to check in at noon instead of 4pm. Well worth it. Check in was at a kiosk so took just a few minutes. Check out was easy too. I went to check out desk at 8am. They said I could check out but not be checked out until an agreed upon time. I asked for 11:30 instead of 11 and there was no problem.
I’ll break this up into a few introductory posts.
Quote: SOOPOOMonday June 14 to Saturday June 19. Paris hotel
Let me condense and summarize for you. Arrived, check in, ate, gambled, bed, got up, ate, golf. Repeat in various sequence next three days. Depart. Arrive home. Look at all the time I saved you.
Food. Lunch after arrival we went to Wahlburger. Two burgers and fries and two alcoholic drinks were around $70. Dinner was at Vegas Golden Nights game. We split some chicken tenders fries and two sodas for I think $30.
Other notable meals were at Aria Steakhouse with Axel, his lovely wife, PokerGrinder, RS, Maxpen, and my wife. Exactly what you’d expect. Way overpriced but ok.
Spago with ophthalmologist friend and his wife and my wife. Waiter seemed impaired by drugs. Talked but didn’t listen! Took our drink orders. Came back 5 minutes later and asked me to remind him what drink I ordered! Other couple discussed oysters with him. He asked me about an order. I told him my wife doesn’t eat seafood. He then recommended the seafood tower! He then finally gets it and recommends the bread to us at a minor $12 charge. I say, ‘ ok, bring one order’. It never came, and when the main course came and I mentioned it to him, he blames some under server, like it is not his responsibility. The meal itself was ok, but not even close to being worth the $250 a couple. The desserts were great. The chocolate soufflé was spectacular. At the end the waiter was chatting with my friend, and basically was going to give him a free parking pass that comes with dinner. My friend pointed out clearly twice that he doesn’t need one as he has some status at MGM, and gets free parking. The waiter then told him about some alley across the street he could park at by slipping a guy $10.
Quote: redietzI like Paris. When my friends visit LV for the first time, I recommend Paris because you're in the middle of everything, but it's low key in its own way. Don't need a vehicle. Restaurants are good. Breakfast buffet is nice. CookEJarr was still performing at the Paris lounge last time I was there. My friend, Al, usually gets a suite -- very nice. The restaurant on the patio has treated us well.
Buffet not open. Had dinner at Hexx one night. It was 111 at the time. They only had outdoor, but there were ‘misters’. I sat down before we accepted the table, and it was quite comfortable. I like being right on the strip people watching. The food was pretty good. Buttttt…. Mid meal the ‘misters’ turned off, and I’m now sitting outside in 109 temperature. I immediately grab a busboy, then our waiter, then walk inside to the hostess, and then request the manager. The manager said there was some sort of leak that they were fixing, then said they usually turn off the ‘misters’ because “it gets too humid”!!!!!!
It was one or the other. I think they turn them off for $$ issues. Anyway, they came back on for like 10 minutes then went off again, so we took dessert back to the room.
Went to Mon Ami Gabi with Wiz and his med student daughter. I’ve interviewed med students got residency positions for the past 3 decades so (I think) I was a good resource for her. I hope Mike doesn’t mind me saying this, but his daughter is brilliant, personable, and strikingly beautiful. I thought the lunch special for restaurant week ($30) + up charges was great. Excellent French onion soup, bacon brie burger, and creme brûlée. Mike and daughter were happy with their choices.
Quote: SOOPOOCVS right outside the Paris. Bought muffins, chocolate, Starbucks Double Shots, spring water, LOTS of Diet Pepsi. The few times I went to a Paris coffee shop the prices were RIDICULOUS. Last morning I got wife a Danish and Diet Pepsi and it was $14! Different day a $3 EggMcMuffin equivalent was around $15.
Food. Lunch after arrival we went to Wahlburger. Two burgers and fries and two alcoholic drinks were around $70. Dinner was at Vegas Golden Nights game. We split some chicken tenders fries and two sodas for I think $30.
Other notable meals were at Aria Steakhouse with Axel, his lovely wife, PokerGrinder, RS, Maxpen, and my wife. Exactly what you’d expect. Way overpriced but ok.
Spago with ophthalmologist friend and his wife and my wife. Waiter seemed impaired by drugs. Talked but didn’t listen! Took our drink orders. Came back 5 minutes later and asked me to remind him what drink I ordered! Other couple discussed oysters with him. He asked me about an order. I told him my wife doesn’t eat seafood. He then recommended the seafood tower! He then finally gets it and recommends the bread to us at a minor $12 charge. I say, ‘ ok, bring one order’. It never came, and when the main course came and I mentioned it to him, he blames some under server, like it is not his responsibility. The meal itself was ok, but not even close to being worth the $250 a couple. The desserts were great. The chocolate soufflé was spectacular. At the end the waiter was chatting with my friend, and basically was going to give him a free parking pass that comes with dinner. My friend pointed out clearly twice that he doesn’t need one as he has some status at MGM, and gets free parking. The waiter then told him about some alley across the street he could park at by slipping a guy $10.
While it's rumored the unemployed aren't exactly all rushing out of the house for jobs, I'm sure there's about a hundred people who would gladly take that waiter's job.
Quote: EvenBobLet me condense and summarize for you. Arrived, check in, ate, gambled, bed, got up, ate, golf. Repeat in various sequence next three days. Depart. Arrive home. Look at all the time I saved you.
No golf this trip. Wife wanted a ‘romantic’ trip. Whatever that means.
Gambled…. Played Tiles whenever it was open. It was only open evenings except last morning (Saturday). First 5 days played $25- $40, probably at an average of $28. Saturday morning was $50 table, probably averaged $62 or so. Overall UP around $1000! Friday night when I was telling my dealer that I wouldn’t see her as I’m leaving before her next shift, she accurately relayed to the table ‘he hasn’t lost once’! I did cash out ahead each ‘session’ of tiles. Once I was down $25 and played a $50 just yo try and ‘be ahead’ that session on my last bet. It worked. There was one clear error I noticed that turned what should have been a push into a win. Once I noticed her mis-set her hand and I corrected her. It didn’t matter to me as I’d win either way. But it cost the one other player, and I apologized profusely. He was kind and didn’t make a big deal about it.
I was also up $300 at Face Up. $25. I went to sleep when big bonus was $2.2 million. Woke up and it was $302k. Saw one big error. Dealer had 4,4,5,6,7,8,10. Played 4,4,7,6,5 and 10-8. She was talking to what seemed like a friend about how someone hacked her bank account and stole $1200. I think overall error cost Bally’s $600.
Quote: rxwineWhile it's rumored the unemployed aren't exactly all rushing out of the house for jobs, I'm sure there's about a hundred people who would gladly take that waiter's job.
Almost every ‘service’ person I spoke with said they need more of them but there aren’t enough people willing to work. There were only two waitresses at the Paris pool! They were continuously with full trays of drinks. Figuring $2 a drink tip I can’t see her making less than $100 an hour. Probably more with food delivery as well. I think Paris would want 3-4 waitresses at a minimum.
Many other examples.
She asks if I remember her…. I may have told a white lie when I said ‘of course’..
Quote: SOOPOOAlmost every ‘service’ person I spoke with said they need more of them but there aren’t enough people willing to work. There were only two waitresses at the Paris pool! They were continuously with full trays of drinks. Figuring $2 a drink tip I can’t see her making less than $100 an hour. Probably more with food delivery as well. I think Paris would want 3-4 waitresses at a minimum.
Many other examples.
It doesn't make any sense though. If you can't find enough waitstaff where you're serving $250 meals, how do any of the regular low end food places even stay open? Why would you stay working at a $10 a meal hash & eggs joint if they need people at a high end restaurant. Seems more likely they're being picky and not hiring.
Quote: SOOPOONo golf this trip. Wife wanted a ‘romantic’ trip. Whatever that means.
.
It's code for they want you to spend all your time and money on them. Men think it means they want more sex. Nope.
I guess the hockey game is a show as well. I guess I’m getting old, but it is just too loud in there. Apparently the FACE VALUE for the seats I had were $600. Double that on the secondary market. But it was a great deal! I got a $5 discount on the $100 sweatshirt my wife needed because it was so cold in there. Beer was only $20 a can in the Club.
Quote: EvenBobIt's code for they want you to spend all your time and money on them. Men think it means they want more sex. Nope.
It was all of the above. She does have some giant new bag from Louis Vuitton. I’m guessing less than $2k but more than $1k. She is worth it.
Quote: rxwineIt doesn't make any sense though. If you can't find enough waitstaff where you're serving $250 meals, how do any of the regular low end food places even stay open? Why would you stay working at a $10 a meal hash & eggs joint if they need people at a high end restaurant. Seems more likely they're being picky and not hiring.
You would be shocked how much money waitresses at a Hash joint can make in Las Vegas. My daughter slings hash at a chain hash house in Vegas and makes much more money than the average American worker makes. Probably more than most people on this site make. I am not proud that she is a waitress after having spent six figures on her college degree, but she makes more now than she can with her business degree. She wants out of that business but refuses to take a 50% pay cut.
Also had breakfast with friend from Buffalo and his wife. He took us to some egg place near the airport. Made a good skillet thingie. He retired and was planning on working a little in Vegas. Ended up opening Vegas Vinyl selling old records, 8 track tapes, CD’s, etc. Must be doing well because he says he is so busy he’s exhausted every day after work. His ‘retirement’ is a 4 day a week job, and he says he often goes in on days the store is closed to do inventory, paperwork, etc…. My retirement is only interrupted by a few lectures I give each year. Easier..
Quote: SOOPOOIt was all of the above.
Lucky you
Quote: EvenBobLet me condense and summarize for you. Arrived, check in, ate, gambled, bed, got up, ate, golf. Repeat in various sequence next three days. Depart. Arrive home. Look at all the time I saved you.
Must be fun to be you… imagine going through life and knowing that every day you wake up you’re EB…
We flew in on Sat 06/19. Somehow Mrs. Q got 2 comp nts at GVR. Of course it is nice here, but surprised by the $ 31 + tip taxi ride from McCarran.
We walked over to "The District" and had a good breakfast at Rachel's Kitchen.
Drinks at the pool were $ 16, oh well, it is vacation. Normally we don't even go to the pool, but we decided to despite the heat. The pool attendant told us the cabanas were $ 500 per day. Yikes !! We got a couple of good spots under some umbrellas instead.
Gambling at VP has not been good so far. Tomorrow, we are off to the Strip. My brothers are meeting us out here too. So a mini-family reunion/get-together.
Some of us will do O-MegaMart at Area15 later this week.
Quote: gordonm888The price gouging on food, drinks, shows and swimming pools seems very high to me. If that is typical of the Strip, I will stay away.
If? You're funny..
Quote: PokerGrinderMust be fun to be you…
I wouldn't have it any other way..
Are you a valued casino customer like MDawg?
Quote: ten2winHow did you happen to score VGK tickets during the playoffs?
Are you a valued casino customer like MDawg?
I’m so valued I accumulated $12 in comps via my gambling! I have one friend who has SIX season tickets. He invited me and my wife. I have another friend who has the normal two for him and his wife. The friend who has two told me the face value for the seats I was in was $600 a ticket. More than double that on secondary market.
Quote: gordonm888The price gouging on food, drinks, shows and swimming pools seems very high to me. If that is typical of the Strip, I will stay away.
Yes, that is the new now. Everything is very expensive. Not much value for typical tourists. To me it is like taking a family to Disney World. Everything is expensive but you know that going in. Some people will stay at the Magic Kingdom for very expensive rates and others will stay at the Best Western for only $100 a night. Some people will spend $500 for dinner for the family and others will eat at a chain restaurant for under $100.
Quote: SOOPOOBuffet not open. Had dinner at Hexx one night.
Didn't you get the memo? I thought we were supposed to boycott places like Hexx that tack on a "concession fee" (in this case, 4.85%) hidden in the fine print of the menus.
Quote: ThatDonGuyDidn't you get the memo? I thought we were supposed to boycott places like Hexx that tack on a "concession fee" (in this case, 4.85%) hidden in the fine print of the menus.
I could be wrong, but I don’t think there was a ‘concession fee’. Pretty sure. Dinner was ‘cheap’ in that it was restaurant week. Before the up charges I think it was only $30 per person. No alcohol that meal so I think we kept it under $100. A miracle.
Untill you get into a hot car or step foot outside for very long.Quote: redietz. Missing Las Vegas right now.
Quote: AxelWolfUntill you get into a hot car or step foot outside for very long.
Natives to Vegas say you get used to the heat and other natives to Vegas say they are lying, you never get used to it. I heard an old guy in Singapore say the same thing that you never get used to the humidity if you live to be a hundred.
Quote: AxelWolfUntill you get into a hot car or step foot outside for very long.
I'm pretty good heat tolerance-wise up to about 112. But these latest temps, and my advancing age, would make it a real tester. I remember running in the morning a few years back when it was about 108 in LV. The sweat trickles down your face but evaporates before it drips off, leaving an instant cool streak for a second or two. Very weird. I'd been running for 40 years and never experienced that. An alien environment with those kinds of temps.
No golfing in that Las Vegas heat eh?
I golfed at Arroyo a few years back and my playing partner was one of the Marshals. I asked about golfing in the summer and he said they couldn't get anyone out. They'd offer deals like $1 per hole for as many as you want to play. He said nobody came out.
With luck, my wife and I will be in Las Vegas for our 30th wedding anniversary next month provided the restrictions aren't too odious. My wife asked if I was going to golf in Las Vegas in July and I said, "No way!"
--helpmespock
Quote: helpmespockI'm enjoying the trip report SOOPOO. Thanks for sharing!
No golfing in that Las Vegas heat eh?
I golfed at Arroyo a few years back and my playing partner was one of the Marshals. I asked about golfing in the summer and he said they couldn't get anyone out. They'd offer deals like $1 per hole for as many as you want to play. He said nobody came out.
With luck, my wife and I will be in Las Vegas for our 30th wedding anniversary next month provided the restrictions aren't too odious. My wife asked if I was going to golf in Las Vegas in July and I said, "No way!"
--helpmespock
This was last minute ‘romantic trip’ so I didn’t bring my clubs. We had plans with lots of Buffalo transplants and my WoV friends so it didn’t seem right to tell wifey id be gone for 7 hours. I play almost every day at home.
If you make it out there will be close to zero restrictions. . Apparently in Las Vegas mask requirements seem voluntary. The only obvious thing is the dearth of service type people due to the lack of workers filling those jobs.
The portion of them who live in metro areas/have decent commutes and took jobs remotely, a lot of those people are going to refuse to spend 1-2 hours each day commuting even if it means a minor pay decrease if they can find a job working remotely. Uber/Lyft drivers people think are sitting at home, many of them simply moved on to food/grocery delivery when it took too long for that status of worker to be eligible for benefits and they’re not coming back to Uber/Lyft period.
Quote: mcallister3200I don’t think the service worker shortage is going to end as much in September as people think it will in many areas.
The portion of them who live in metro areas/have decent commutes and took jobs remotely, a lot of those people are going to refuse to spend 1-2 hours each day commuting even if it means a minor pay decrease if they can find a job working remotely. Uber/Lyft drivers people think are sitting at home, many of them simply moved on to food/grocery delivery when it took too long for that status of worker to be eligible for benefits and they’re not coming back to Uber/Lyft period.
It’s not just Uber/Taxi. I think it has crushed food service as well. Apparently American Airlines can’t find workers as well. I forgot which credit card or airline I just tried to call, but estimated hold time was FOUR HOURS. Local massage therapy place can’t fill job opening. Golf course can’t fill cart girl position. It’s all over
Been here since 1990 and I never got used to it, I just learn to tolerate it and try to avoid it as much as possible. I have switched my sleeping schedule so I'm up mostly at night to avoid the sun for the most part. Yeah, I would probably rather be in your area or anywhere but the dessert, it sounds nice(IIRC you sent pictures of a stream on your property? post more please), but I have too many ties here.Quote: EvenBobNatives to Vegas say you get used to the heat and other natives to Vegas say they are lying, you never get used to it. I heard an old guy in Singapore say the same thing that you never get used to the humidity if you live to be a hundred.
Quote:While the warm weather is harder on our bodies, statistically, more people in the U.S. die from extreme cold
Quote: SOOPOOThis was last minute ‘romantic trip’ so I didn’t bring my clubs.
Our trip will be similar given its for our anniversary.
Also we'll be without a car as I noted in the other thread so getting to a course would be tricky.
Quote: SOOPOOIf you make it out there will be close to zero restrictions. . Apparently in Las Vegas mask requirements seem voluntary. The only obvious thing is the dearth of service type people due to the lack of workers filling those jobs.
I was thinking that we would take a taxi from airport to the hotel, but the chatter in this thread makes me think that we could be waiting a long time for a ride. Should I book a limo?
We're hoping to do some shopping, catch a show, and laze around the pool. A nice Steakhouse would be great too.
--helpmespock
Quote: AxelWolfyou sent pictures of a stream on your property? post more please), but I have too many ties here.
I have almost an acre to mow with the lawn tractor.
Quote: SOOPOOI was also up $300 at Face Up. $25. I went to sleep when big bonus was $2.2 million. Woke up and it was $302k.
What’s going on with this? I’m here now and it’s still $2.2 million.
I did hear someone say that someone hit it at Caesars. Why was it still $2.2 million at Harrah’s today?
GET OFF MY LAWN STREAM!Quote: EvenBobI have almost an acre to mow with the lawn tractor.
Wow, very envious of that. Assuming there are brook trout in there, you would never hear from me again.
p.s. Did you get it via the momestead act? (-;
Quote: AxelWolfBeen here since 1990 and I never got used to it, I just learn to tolerate it and try to avoid it as much as possible. I have switched my sleeping schedule so I'm up mostly at night to avoid the sun for the most part. Yeah, I would probably rather be in your area or anywhere but the dessert, it sounds nice(IIRC you sent pictures of a stream on your property? post more please), but I have too many ties here.
I would like to say that i got used to the heat but like you, I really just manage to avoid it. I golfed on Sunday morning at 6:30am and it was warm. By the time we were finishing at around 10:30 it was miserably hot at 109 degrees. So much so that I skipped the last hole because I was exhausted. After 30 years of living here I have decided it is time to move. My wife and I are shooting for November or so to relocate to Florida and become old people. Those young whippersnappers better stay off of my lawn.
Quote: helpmespock
I was thinking that we would take a taxi from airport to the hotel, but the chatter in this thread makes me think that we could be waiting a long time for a ride. Should I book a limo?
--helpmespock
I have not had any issues getting a Taxi at the airport. I have flown into Vegas probably four times in the last two months and there have been taxis available each time. Getting an Uber or Lyft at the airport has been challenging with incredibly long waits.
Quote: billryanHeat ain't nothing without humidity
Got that right.
100 degrees in Las Vegas: hot, but I can manage it.
100 degrees in New York or Washington DC: I melt like Odo.
Quote: helpmespockOur trip will be similar given its for our anniversary.
Also we'll be without a car as I noted in the other thread so getting to a course would be tricky.
I was thinking that we would take a taxi from airport to the hotel, but the chatter in this thread makes me think that we could be waiting a long time for a ride. Should I book a limo?
We're hoping to do some shopping, catch a show, and laze around the pool. A nice Steakhouse would be great too.
--helpmespock
I took at least a dozen cabs. Longest wait was maybe 5 minutes. At airport waited zero minutes. You’ll need someone else to recommend the steakhouse. The one in Aria was fine. But I wouldn’t specifically search it out.
. I’m back in Buffalo, so is it possible there was an ‘error’?!? Anyway, if it’s back to $2.2 million, TAKE IT DOWN! How much did you win last time?Quote: ams288What’s going on with this? I’m here now and it’s still $2.2 million.
I did hear someone say that someone hit it at Caesars. Why was it still $2.2 million at Harrah’s today?
Quote: SOOPOOI took at least a dozen cabs. Longest wait was maybe 5 minutes. At airport waited zero minutes. You’ll need someone else to recommend the steakhouse. The one in Aria was fine. But I wouldn’t specifically search it out.
I went to Oscar's Steakhouse on Friday and thought it was very average.
