Any stay at Aria recently?
Thank you.
Or, alternatively, here's a list of places I'd rather stay at the same pricepoint:
I know you're a Revel guy, but do you have any rated play at Borgata? MGM has a minority stake and may give you some Vegas credit based on your AC play.
Quote: rdw4potus(start review)FABULOUS ROOMS! (end review) :-)
Or, alternatively, here's a list of places I'd rather stay at the same pricepoint:
I know you're a Revel guy, but do you have any rated play at Borgata? MGM has a minority stake and may give you some Vegas credit based on your AC play.
So I suppose there is no place with comparable rooms in that price point?
Also, I have a host that is taking care of me - I just wanted to know what type property to expect as I have never been there
Quote: aceofspadesI just wanted to know what type property to expect as I have never been there
Have you been to Revel? :-)
Honestly, Aria's hotel is ultra-premium. The rooms are in the same class as Wynn, Venetian, and Bellagio. To me, Aria is the perfect blend of high-end, quiet hotel and high-action, entertaining gaming floor. And, if Aria's floor is dead for some reason, it's a short walk to Bellagio, Cosmo, or Planet Hollywood.
Quote: rdw4potusHave you been to Revel? :-)
Honestly, Aria's hotel is ultra-premium. The rooms are in the same class as Wynn, Venetian, and Bellagio. To me, Aria is the perfect blend of high-end, quiet hotel and high-action, entertaining gaming floor. And, if Aria's floor is dead for some reason, it's a short walk to Bellagio, Cosmo, or Planet Hollywood.
So you are saying I will feel right at home? how are the views?
Quote: aceofspadesSo you are saying I will feel right at home? how are the views?
Seriously? I can't remember the last time I looked out
of a Vegas hotel room window. Why would I?
Quote: EvenBobSeriously? I can't remember the last time I looked out
of a Vegas hotel room window. Why would I?
Well Bob, judging by your thread about sleeping advice, I am surprised you do not sleep in a sensory deprivation tank
Quote: aceofspadesWell Bob, judging by your thread about sleeping advice, I am surprised you do not sleep in a sensory deprivation tank
Vodka and 3 forms of ear protection isn't close enough?
Aria's views are decent. I guess it depends on what you want to see. There's not like an endless ocean out the window or anything, but you'll either face the strip (MGM, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Cosmo...) or you'll face the valley (Palms, Orleans, residential). At night, I prefer the strip view; during the day, I prefer the view the other way back into the city.
Quote: rdw4potusVodka and 3 forms of ear protection isn't close enough?
Aria's views are decent. I guess it depends on what you want to see. There's not like an endless ocean out the window or anything, but you'll either face the strip (MGM, Planet Hollywood, Paris, Cosmo...) or you'll face the valley (Palms, Orleans, residential). At night, I prefer the strip view; during the day, I prefer the view the other way back into the city.
Yeah I tend to agree about day versus night and which view is better - love a cityscape at night with the glittering lights - and nature during the day (when you can see nature)
No ocean views...really? I guess that bridge in Brooklyn I just bought wasn't really for sale - damn!
Quote: aceofspadesWell Bob, judging by your thread about sleeping advice, I am surprised you do not sleep in a sensory deprivation tank
You know a hotel that has one? I'm there.
Ooops! Maybe I lost the thread of this thread.
;-)
Quote: IbeatyouracesBlackjack at the MGM properties is better also.
Really....details?
I would definitely stay there again for the right offer. I usually stay at the Bellagio or Paris.
Quote: MrRalphI have stayed there. I did not play Black jack there so I cannot comment. The rooms were great, very modern with everything adjustable at your finger tips by the little computer pad next to the bed. It is centrally located but do not ride the tram by yourself in the wee hours of the morning. The casino is not my favorite it is a little to contemporary for me. The video poker sucks. I did not play in their poker room while I was there, but they run quite a few big games there now. The buffet was very good but the other restraunts are either very pricey or not so good.
I would definitely stay there again for the right offer. I usually stay at the Bellagio or Paris.
I do not know anything about the tram---where does it go?
Did you have a bad experience on it? Is it for guests only?
Quote: EvenBobYou know a hotel that has one? I'm there.
Try The M. If you get a southern facing room, your view is literally nothing but the road in front of the hotel, and then desert all the way to the mountains. No houses, no buildings, just barren, empty, beautiful space. It's my favorite place to stay. Reading a book by that window's view is my favorite non-gaming activity to do while in Vegas.
By all appearances, the MGM Mirage stake remains at 50 percent, despite having passed the state's deadline for liquidation.Quote: rdw4potusMGM has a minority stake [in Borgata] and may give you some Vegas credit based on your AC play.
Quote: aceofspadesI do not know anything about the tram---where does it go?
Did you have a bad experience on it? Is it for guests only?
Bellagio --- Aria --- Monte Carlo
then if you walk further south:
Excalibur --- Luxor --- Mandalay Bay
Anyone can use it, and I suggest using it at times to save on walking/walking in a/c vs. outside. The hours are somewhat restrictive though. It's better than paying for the monorail on the other side of the street, imo.
I got stuck alone on the Tram platform late one night at the Bellagio. I was hassled by a group of young drunk or high locals. Fortunately some other people showed up shortly and they moved on. If they had not I do not think it would have ended so well. I know they are under surveillance but that is little comfort when you are stuck by yourself.
Also they do close the Tram for maintnence without prior warning. This seems to happen more in the morning.
Quote: MrRalphThe tram betweeen the Excalibur and Mandalay Bay seems to be more restrictive than the one between the Monte Carlo and Bellagio, it has also has a middle stop at Crystals which is shopping. Do not get off here or you will have a long walk to the Aria Casino. The Aria is part of City Center and is set back off the strip. It is a pretty good walk to the other Casinos from the Aria's front door. The Aria is attached basically to the Monte Carlo. When you walk through the doors of the Tram you go right to the Monte Carlo left to Aria.
I got stuck alone on the Tram platform late one night at the Bellagio. I was hassled by a group of young drunk or high locals. Fortunately some other people showed up shortly and they moved on. If they had not I do not think it would have ended so well. I know they are under surveillance but that is little comfort when you are stuck by yourself.
Also they do close the Tram for maintnence without prior warning. This seems to happen more in the morning.
So you're saying I need my mastiff walking with me?
I will surely avoid the tram at late night hours - although I am not much of a late night person (unlike EvenBob who apparently stays up playing til 3am)
Quote: Mission146I'm glad to see you posting, Ace, even if you choose not to do active trip reports anymore, you're very valuable to this board.
There will be a trip report for my Vegas trip!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d91925-Reviews-ARIA_Resort_Casino-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html
7000+ reviews. Skip the raves and click on Very Good
and Average or worse. Read about 200 of these in all
categories and you'll ge a real good idea what you're
in for.
This is from 3 days ago and has a common theme about
Aria, lack of service:
"Upon arrival I was greated with the longest line I've ever seen at hotel checkin. And if you read my reviews regularly you know I stay in hotels all over the world every month. I waited for about 45 minutes to check in. Half of the front desks stations were unmanned. When I asked why I was told 'this is normal' and 'our customers don't mind a little wait'. I was also advised to prepare myself for lines at all of the food outlets and other attractions 'as we do have 4000 guest rooms so you can't expect to have a short wait'. I have in fact stayed in many of the strips great mega hotels which even have more guest rooms and never really encountered any significant wait times. But as advised there was a line at the restaurants for breakfast, including the buffet and the sit down restaurant off the main lobby. The waits were not long, about 10-15 minutes they said, but lines despite the fact that there were many open tables. This again pointed to the issue being lack of staffing. And like others who have reviewed this property, my bathroom lacked a shower/tub matt (I used a bath towel on the floor to avoid stepping out onto slippery tiles) and the room was not cleaned until later in the afternoon."
Quote: MrRalph
Also they do close the Tram for maintnence without prior warning. This seems to happen more in the morning.
Yeah, I think this happened to us once when we used it.
Quote: EvenBobYou wanna know about Aria? Go here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d91925-Reviews-ARIA_Resort_Casino-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html
Now why didn't I think of that lol
I want experiences from the members here though as they are gamblers and have more insight into a gambler's expectations...at least I hope they do
Quote: aceofspadesReally....details?
If you look at the Blackjack survey, as a general trend, the MGM properties tend to have better rules than the Caesars properties (check out the $15 6-deck S17 game at MGM Grand, or the 2-deck S17 $25 game at the Mirage!). Also, I believe Bellagio and the Venetian/Palazzo are the only two Strip casinos left that are exclusively 3:2 on blackjack.
In my own experience, I feel like it's much easier to find a 3:2 blackjack game in an MGM property than it is to find one in a Caesars property (Caesar's Palace included). There are 6:5 multi-deck games in MGM properties, but it seemed to me they are less prevalent than in the Caesars casinos, where I feel like to have to thoroughly read every table limit sign and felt to make sure I'm not getting fleeced.
I have never stayed at Aria, but I have stayed at Bellagio, and if the rooms are anywhere near as nice as Bellagio, Aria will be awesome. Also, Aria connects right to Monte Carlo, so with regards to the food situation, if you want a cheaper alternative, that option is always there. Also, Monte Carlo has lower table games limits ($10 craps, BJ, and roulette, sometimes $10 mini-baccarat).
I have a question of my own: I have used the "$20 trick" to get a room upgrade in Vegas. Can it also be used to knock out/waive the resort fee, in lieu of an upgrade?
Quote: aceofspadesReally....details?
The blackjack at MGM properties and a few others has a house edge of 0.28%. The edge on your AC game is 0.42%. That's a big difference. That is arrived at by the addition of re splitting aces and surrender to the AC rules that you are familiar with.
You'll want to learn at least the four basis strategy surrender plays.
Quote: silversonic2006If you look at the Blackjack survey, as a general trend, the MGM properties tend to have better rules than the Caesars properties (check out the $15 6-deck S17 game at MGM Grand, or the 2-deck S17 $25 game at the Mirage!). Also, I believe Bellagio and the Venetian/Palazzo are the only two Strip casinos left that are exclusively 3:2 on blackjack.
In my own experience, I feel like it's much easier to find a 3:2 blackjack game in an MGM property than it is to find one in a Caesars property (Caesar's Palace included). There are 6:5 multi-deck games in MGM properties, but it seemed to me they are less prevalent than in the Caesars casinos, where I feel like to have to thoroughly read every table limit sign and felt to make sure I'm not getting fleeced.
I have never stayed at Aria, but I have stayed at Bellagio, and if the rooms are anywhere near as nice as Bellagio, Aria will be awesome. Also, Aria connects right to Monte Carlo, so with regards to the food situation, if you want a cheaper alternative, that option is always there. Also, Monte Carlo has lower table games limits ($10 craps, BJ, and roulette, sometimes $10 mini-baccarat).
I have a question of my own: I have used the "$20 trick" to get a room upgrade in Vegas. Can it also be used to knock out/waive the resort fee, in lieu of an upgrade?
Thanks for the info. I have no idea about any of that - my host is taking care of my room.
Quote: 1BBThe blackjack at MGM properties and a few others has a house edge of 0.28%. The edge on your AC game is 0.42%. That's a big difference. That is arrived at by the addition of re splitting aces and surrender to the AC rules that you are familiar with.
You'll want to learn at least the four basis strategy surrender plays.
NICE!!! Will do.
Quote: 1BBGood luck, Ace. Before anyone gets too excited I should point out that the 0.28% game is mostly for your level of play.
I am excited! It's been a year since I've been to Vegas and never stayed or played at an MLife property.
Quote: 1BBThe blackjack at MGM properties and a few others has a house edge of 0.28%. The edge on your AC game is 0.42%. That's a big difference.
In the extreme long term, yes. In the extreme short term, where
you play in a weekend or a week or a month, it makes no discernible
difference at all. BJ is dramatically streaky for a counter, there's no
way around it. The times that you're betting into a very high count
and you lose every hand are enough to make you jump off the roof.
Or when you win every hand with a 15 because the dealer busts 11
times in a row. In the short term its anybodies game.
Quote: EvenBobIn the extreme long term, yes. In the extreme short term, where
you play in a weekend or a week or a month, it makes no discernible
difference at all. BJ is dramatically streaky for a counter, there's no
way around it. The times that you're betting into a very high count
and you lose every hand are enough to make you jump off the roof.
Or when you win every hand with a 15 because the dealer busts 11
times in a row. In the short term its anybodies game.
If Ace plays 100 hands for $100 each on the trip, the improved vegas rules are worth exactly $14 to him. Won't even cover the cab ride!
Quote: sodawaterIf Ace plays 100 hands for $100 each on the trip, the improved vegas rules are worth exactly $14 to him. Won't even cover the cab ride!
Depending upon which way the Vegas cabby takes me LOL
Quote: sodawaterIf Ace plays 100 hands for $100 each on the trip, the improved vegas rules are worth exactly $14 to him. Won't even cover the cab ride!
Okay, rain on the guy's parade before he even gets there. :( You're right of course.
I had some of those high count shoes just this week and all I could manage was to trade pushes with the dealer. The next day I had a shoe, playing heads up, where the count hovered around 0 to -1. I won the last 12 hands in a row all with my base bet.
Quote: MrRalphRegarding the long wait in the check in line. I assume you are not paying for your room since your host is taking care of that. There should be an invited guest line and or VIP room which with your play you should qualify for. There should then be no wait.
I am looking into this right now (just sent an email).
You control any one of the lights, the TV, the sheer drapes, the curtains, the alarm, everything. There's probably a way to flush the commode too, but I did not find that option. You can set it up so the curtains are your alarm clock. Have them open up in the morning, and you get to sleep in darkness and then you get to wake to natural light in the AM.
There is a lot of money running around Aria, and it is a young crowd. I'm not sure what it takes to impress them, but my $1,000 per day BR didn't even register on their heart monitor.
Quote: 1BBGood luck, Ace. Before anyone gets too excited I should point out that the 0.28% game is mostly for your level of play.
I would slightly disagree - Ace generally plays $100 limit tables, and you can get these rules for either $25 or $50 depending on the place. At Aria it's almost always $50 in my limited experience.
Quote: AcesAndEightsDamn, all of these replies are making me want to stay there! Way out of my price range though. Someday when I'm not such a tightwad, I guess.
Do you have a host?
Quote: AcesAndEightsDamn, all of these replies are making me want to stay there! Way out of my price range though. Someday when I'm not such a tightwad, I guess.
I would slightly disagree - Ace generally plays $100 limit tables, and you can get these rules for either $25 or $50 depending on the place. At Aria it's almost always $50 in my limited experience.
Understood. I was taking Memorial Day into account.
Ace, you can play Aria's double deck with a smaller spread. It's a good game but closely watched. You could get backed off even with Speed Count.
Quote: 1BBUnderstood. I was taking Memorial Day into account.
Ace, you can play Aria's double deck with a smaller spread. It's a good game but closely watched. You could get backed off even with Speed Count.
WOW - really - I am going to try and relax this trip and play when I am not out sightseeing or partying!
Quote: 1BBUnderstood. I was taking Memorial Day into account.
I kinda forgot about the holiday weekend, damn it. I better get some money on the table before Saturday...on the plus side, I'll have a bigger trip bankroll this time than usual, so I may dabble with a $50 unit. Maybe.
Quote: aceofspadesDo you have a host?
No, I do not. CET gave me a host last year, and my gut feeling is that I've put in just about as much time at the craps tables at MGM tables, but no such offer. I've never asked though, and I've never stayed on-property, which probably has something to do with it.
In general I wish to reduce my -EV gambling, which means less craps than in the past. I could go your route and shoot for a break-even-ish BJ game and lots of comps, without getting backed off. But what I'm actually going to do is try to get in good with a cheap chain downtown and get some free room offers rolling in from them with comparatively smaller dice action, then continue to play the big places on the strip with big spreads.
That's the plan at least; I don't crave luxury.
Quote: AcesAndEightsI kinda forgot about the holiday weekend, damn it. I better get some money on the table before Saturday...on the plus side, I'll have a bigger trip bankroll this time than usual, so I may dabble with a $50 unit. Maybe.
No, I do not. CET gave me a host last year, and my gut feeling is that I've put in just about as much time at the craps tables at MGM tables, but no such offer. I've never asked though, and I've never stayed on-property, which probably has something to do with it.
In general I wish to reduce my -EV gambling, which means less craps than in the past. I could go your route and shoot for a break-even-ish BJ game and lots of comps, without getting backed off. But what I'm actually going to do is try to get in good with a cheap chain downtown and get some free room offers rolling in from them with comparatively smaller dice action, then continue to play the big places on the strip with big spreads.
That's the plan at least; I don't crave luxury.
Luxury is fun but so is casual
I find at a luxury place the rooms are usually cleaner and have less decay
If you play poker the Aria daily tournaments are a lot of fun. I played there 2 weeks ago in the Saturday 1 PM and they had 160 entrants. It is a $125 tournament with a $25 rake which is pretty high, but the dealers are top notch and the structure is great. Typically it runs 8-9 hours before chopping the final table. There are reentries allowed for the first 2 hours which translates to a lot of players dumping their chips with reckless play during that time. I was very impressed with how the tournament was run. There were some good players but a lot of bad ones too. A tournament that small isn't going to be worth the time of really good players but for a small timer like me it was a good deal.
For other gambling I agree with the other posters that the VP is bad. I don't play BJ but enjoyed the dealers at PGP. Limits are pretty high on all the games, as expected. You will also find the cocktail waitresses are hired for appearance on a very selective basis and the drink quality is top notch.
My room was adjacent to a corner suite at one of the ends, so I did have quite a walk from my door to the elevators. Floor to ceiling windows with a view overlooking the pool, my room was very beautiful, especially during the morning or the afternoon. The bed was super comfortable, and both the room itself and bathroom were quite spacious (a his and hers sink is luxe). 2 things: I had a toilet seat that was a bit taller than the standard 14', and it was not comfortable doing a #2. Their bathrooms may be sub-optimal for those shorter than 6'. Also, I wish their water pressure was higher, but I understand because of the water situation. Though, I'm not sure how other properties manage to have water cannons installed in their showers.
I really enjoyed Lemongrass and the price was quite reasonable. Their other options are hit or miss, and the miss is quite costly. By any metric, room service is a rip-off: I paid $25 for a single six -piece California roll.
I would snap stay there again if I didn't have to pay the resort fee.
