G2E Trip report

L-O-N-G post alert.


I was in town for G2E last week, 6 nights total. 2 nights at Rio, 2 at Golden Nugget, 2 at Planet Hollywood.

Here's a brief review and comparison of the hotels, followed by some gambling and travel notes, and random photos.


Check in / out

Rio

Reservation was totally free.

There was a short line at 7pm, but I used the kiosk anyway. A couple minutes later, I was heading to the room. Check out on the TV was equally effortless.

GN

Reservation was totally free.

There were no kiosks and a very long line at 4pm, so I went to the casino. Tried again at 6:30. Although shorter, there was still a long line. I asked the person at the front how long they waited, and was told almost an hour. I left and went back at 8:30 where the wait was only about 10 minutes. I was heading to the room only a few minutes later. Check out on the TV had a glitch where I was left unsure if I checked out, so I called. Confirmed easily.

P Ho

Reservation was free room, $49.95 resort fee and taxes. $113.26 total.

The day before my arrival, I got an email with a link for online check in. I used it, and requested no housekeeping, and 8pm for my estimated arrival time. The response was that I was all set, and I'd get an email telling me when the room is ready and to go to a kiosk for the key. I actually got to PH at 7:30, but played craps while waiting for the email. Finally, with no email, at 8:40 I went to the front desk (no line at all) to check in and complain. I was told my room was ready hours earlier, and there's no indication that the email didn't go out. No apology and no offers to make restitution. Whatever.

No 'Do not disturb sign' in the room. Some rooms had them so I know that they do use them. Despite the email screwup, it didn't occur to me to double check the no housekeeping preference I made. Fortunately, that preference DID make it to the housekeeping department.

Check out on the TV didn't show my balance until after I hit the 'OK' button. And then it only flashed for a split second. But I got an email almost immediately with the folio summary: $266.17!

Rather than call, I used their AI text assistant, Ivy. This way I'd have a digital record of the conversation. My results make me want to call Ivy "AS" - Artificial Stubborness.

After several back-and-forth messages, I gave up and asked for human interaction.

I *thought* the next response (marked A in the screenshot below) was a human since it explained why there was an error. I confirmed their response.

The response after that (marked B) was so bizarre, I had to take a screenshot to use as a reply. Frankly, I wasn't sure that their system would be able to receive the screenshot. I was confident that if it could, then a human had to get involved to read it. At least the response after that (marked C) seemed the most human and kinda confirmed my suspicions.


Their final reply above came two minutes later. I immediately checked my email, and, yeah, it said I had a $113.26 total less $39.85 deposit for a $73.41 balance due. My credit card activity confirmed this.


Rooms

Rio

Rio is in the process of renovating. Although I didn't confirm it, I'm pretty sure my room had not been renovated yet. Although the TV was a modern flat screen, it was sitting on top of a TV stand designed for a big tube TV. The lamps and clock on the nightstand had no electric or USB outlets. Since Rio is all suites, the room was big, meaning the only exposed / available outlet was clear on the other side of the room.

Fortunately, I always bring a short, three outlet extension cord and put it between the outlet and the nightstand lamp. So this 'problem' wasn't really a problem for me.

The bathroom had a tub/shower with full sliding glass doors with privacy glass, and great water pressure. There was a head-high wall pocket where the large shampoo & conditioner was. There was a place for body wash, but its dispenser was missing. No biggie because there were two small bottles of body wash and bar soap next to the sink.

The shower had a peek-a-boo window into the room, but had been covered on the room's side. Outside the bathroom was a second sink & large vanity - and a refrigerator.

GN

There were a fair number of easily accessible outlets, including USB, but no clock. Flat screen TV on the dresser. The bathroom had a standard shower/tub with a curtain on a curved rod. Fair shower water.

No refrigerator, but there were four half liter water bottles next to the ice bucket.

P Ho

Plenty of electric outlets, including a charging dock that had outlets, USB, USB-C and wireless. I didn't even know that my iPhone had wireless charging until I tried this dock!

The bathroom was spacious, with a nice tub (but no curtain), large shower stall with a plain glass swing door. Poor shower water pressure.

Flat screen on the dresser and a refrigerator in the dresser.

Common to all rooms:

The beds and pillows were way too soft.

I know, we're not there for the TV, but I like to watch a little when dressing, and for a few minutes before bed. All the TVs had regular program guides where a brief description of the show would appear when highlighted. (I've been in hotels, in Vegas, where the 'guide' only indicated the network or none at all and just a printed sheet of the channel and networks.)

All the rooms were acceptably quiet at night and the curtains effectively blocked out the morning sun.


Pools:

I'm not a big pool person, but there's something about Vegas that requires me to be in a pool, even if it's only for 15 minutes.

Rio

They have multiple pools in their pool area with plenty of free lounge chairs. (The free chairs don't have cushions.) Although two of the pools were closed (for the season?) and there were plenty of people around, and I was easily able to find a free chair near the pool stairs.

The pool water was freezing. While this wouldn't normally be too surprising for October, Vegas experienced an abnormally long, hot summer, with near 100 degree days in the weeks before and during my visit. It took a while to get used to it enough to go all in.

I'm sure there was music playing, but it left no impression. So either I’m wrong or it was at a nice low volume.

I was gonna wear my towel out and leave it in my room, but I got stopped before exiting the pool area.

GN

I had planned on using it right after checking in, but those long check in lines killed that idea. And my second day there was the first day of G2E, so the timing just didn't work out.

But, I've been there before and really enjoy the pool. Chairs aren't a problem, and the pool itself can be summed up by reminding people that there's a two story slide that has a clear section that goes through the shark tank.

P Ho

Once I got to the pool area and got my towel, I saw a large, empty area (presumably for parties) that left me wondering where the pool was. I headed towards the noise, and got to a set of stairs that was closed. I had to walk around to a ramp that led to the back of a bar, then through the bar to finally get to the pool area, which had no free chairs.

Not no free chairs 'available', no free chairs at all that I saw. No biggie. I put my stuff on a section of retainer wall and went into the pool. Cool, but not as cold as Rio's.

The music was annoying. Loud and urban club style. I guess it would have been OK for a day club vibe, but I looked around and it was mostly an over 40 crowd.

This may be standard for all pools, but I never noticed before: The day beds had a hotel style room safe built into the bedframe.

I didn't get stopped when I wore the towel out of there.


Bus Travel

Although it takes longer, I tend to use the buses when in Vegas. Great opportunity to people watch out the window. Word to the older crowd: If you're a bus person too, and are over 60, get to the Bonneville Transit Center for a senior discount card - 50% off.

Buses that go to the airport include the 108, 109, CX and the free rental center shuttle. The most popular bus for tourists is the Deuce, which runs up & down the strip from Fremont to the South Strip Transit Terminal, but not to the airport. Southbound, it makes a stop at the car rental center, so using it and the shuttle for airport access isn't a terrible idea.

Side note: The 108 and 109 don't ride the strip, but they do go to Fremont. The 108 also crosses the strip near Sahara with a stop at the Strat. I've taken it in the past when staying at the Strat.

Since Rio is off-strip, the bus wouldn't be convenient. Or I'd have to change buses to get anywhere. Getting from the airport to Rio, and moving from Rio to GN, while dragging my luggage seemed to be more of a challenge than I cared for. So I looked into a rental.

Taking the Deuce from Golden Nugget to Planet Hollywood wasn't a problem since there were stops near both, and the GN stop was near the start of the run, so I knew I'd be able to get my luggage in easily.


Car Rental

About a month ago, I was able to snag a two day rental from Advantage for $79.52 all in. They are across the street from the rental center (in a building that used to be for Sixt Rent A Car). There were 3 people in line when I got there. After several minutes of no progress, an employee announces that they are overbooked. If you booked today, they don't have cars for you. Oy. A bunch of concerned grumbles. But although the line moved slowly, an hour later I was driving out in a minivan - I paid for a small/midsize car. While I wouldn't purchase that model, for two days, it was fine. It was a Chrysler, but I don't know the model. It had no center console which made it uncomfortable for a big guy like me and is why I wouldn't buy one. It also had a knob on the dash next to the radio for the gear shift. Weird, but I could live with that.


During the paperwork process, they tried to get me to purchase their insurance. But since I had my own car's insurance policy number, I was able to opt out. This was the first time I was asked for the policy number to be able to opt out. Keep that in mind if you rent cars.

I figured Uber or taxi from the airport to Rio and Rio to GN alone would run close to the $79.52 rental fee. Plus, having a car allowed me to visit a bunch of places outside the tourist area. These included: South Point, M, Sun Coast, Rampart, Orleans and Red Rock. I went to most of these places just to get my souvenir chips. I meant to also go to Durango, but I ran out of time.

A secondary reason to go to Sun Coast was to get pancakes at Dupars. I've missed them ever since they closed the Golden Gate location. Yeah, the pancakes were that good. And those at this location are just as good as I remember.



Taxi

Since the Deuce is often full, I knew getting on at P Ho with my luggage would be trouble. Plus the two bus thing made it undesirable, so I planned on using Uber to the airport.

On the morning of my check out, the Uber rate to the airport from P Ho was about $17. Nice. Except I didn't leave until about 1:00, when Uber wanted $67! I asked the valet if the cabs were flat fee. (I know they are flat fee OUT of the airport.) He said yes, it was a flat fee, for $25. Sold! Nice and quick, for $30 with tip.


Gambling

I rarely play anything other than live poker and craps so this is gonna be kinda limited info.

Although I do remember finding $10 craps once (I forget where), $15 was the norm. Except for the Venetian in the afternoon when it was $25. All were automatic buys on the 4/10. Most were at $20, but at least one was at $10. Most were $1 vig on bets up to $30. A couple capped it at $25.

All had vig up front for 5/9, so I placed rather than buy. Most were vig on the win for 4/10. Only one where the vig on 4/10 was paid up front. That pissed me off enough to remember it so I could report it here. It was Four Queens - where their two standard size tables were closed. The only craps available, with that bad rule, was a tub. While the dealer claimed they only used the tub because they had a dealer shortage, I suggested it was a player shortage because of that bad rule. It was also the only place where I played inside rather than outside. Which worked out well, because we all seemed to be throwing a lot of 6/8 and not many 4/10.

Only one craps session stands out. At P Ho, I bought in mid-roll. But unlike some players who disrupt the game by buying in with a large amount of small bills, I bought in with a single hundred and said "$60 outside." Simple and quick. Despite this, the guy next to me gave me the side-eye glare.

40 minutes later when that shooter was finally done and we were both coloring up, I told him I saw the sneer, but I hope it's all OK now. We both laughed. Yeah, it worked out well.

One poker hand at Horseshoe stands out. They have a rule that forbids blind chops. Many casinos allow the blinds to 'chop' meaning they take their blinds back, the button moves, and we go to the next hand. This only happens when all other players fold leaving only the blinds to act. They allow the chop, and even encourage it, because such hands usually don't get much action, therefore wasting time for very little or no rake.

Because of this rule, or for the high hand bonus, players will often check it to the river. I was the big blind, and mentioned checking it down. I had Ac 6c. Two clubs on the flop. We both check. Another club on the turn. He checks and with the nut flush, I say, "I gotta make a bet", with $15 in my hand. Before I move the chips forward, he says, "What happened to checking it down?" I said ok, but then asked the dealer if I was committed to a bet. She said that it seemed like I was just thinking out loud, so I can check. Ok, check. The river has nothing significant. I still have the nuts. But he leads out for $5. I'm like, "WTF? You convince me to check the turn, then you come out swinging? Ok, I raise it to $15 - the amount I was originally gonna bet." With no hesitation, he makes it $60! I responded, "You reraise??? F-- you! I'm all in!" He had another $180 left, I had him covered, and he quickly called.

He had a set. Life is good.


Photos & additional stuff

Anybody remember Angela from the Wizard's videos? She was at G2E. 😘

Did you all see the video of the Trop implosion? So did I, on TV, when I woke up at GN, 5 miles away. I had no intention of being anywhere near there. But here's my last photo of it, taken Sunday.

At Dupars, although the wait staff delivers the food, they use robots to carry it to the tables.

While riding on the upper deck of the Deuce, front row, I noticed this car with a weird thing above it. I immediately thought it was a Google Street View camera car. It was a close guess. Although blurry, you can see it says "Apple Maps".

I don't remember what the hand was, but here's a big all in pot I won at GN while waiting for the line at check in to die down a bit.

Although I didn't take a picture of the actual cards, I hit a high hand ad Venetian for a $100 bonus.

Remember the Golden Arm Wall of Fame plaques on the bridge between California and Main Street Station? It was replaced by a digital display.

The Mirage marquee thanks the staff and community for 34 years. But look closely. The second marquee (to the left) still advertises the Beatles Love show. Could this be an indication that it may come back? Makes sense for a resort that celebrates Rock & Roll... Note: The truss in between is the support for the lighting that will be added for the F1 race.

The indoor connector between Paris and its Versailles tower is open, but it's weird. Go up one flight, turn and walk over the driveway, thrun and walk the length of the CVS/Bizaar, turn and walk past the hotel elevators, then turn and down an escalator which drops you off next to the Nosh snack bar and poker room. While going down into Horseshoe, there is a large wall above the escalators which presumably will eventually be a video wall of some sort.

Finally, I have no clue…

I have been renting a lot of cars lately and many have asked for insurance cards if you decline their insurance. I keep a photo of mine on my phone.