Thread Rating:

JohnnyQ
JohnnyQ
  • Threads: 265
  • Posts: 4039
Joined: Nov 3, 2009
January 9th, 2012 at 5:36:12 PM permalink
Some of the recents posts have been kind of serious. So here's
something maybe no one will care about, but it is the list of hotels
I have stayed at in LV over the past almost 20 years.

This is in chronological order, from oldest first, for the most
part. Some trips have been with my brother, some with
the family, and some on business. I think this has pretty
much run the gambit from dumps to almost Taj Mahal's.

Mostly we paid our hard earned money to stay at these,
but we managed a comp for a couple of them.

MGM Grand
Flamingo
Westward Ho ( gone )
Lady Luck
Stratosphere
Aladdin ( now PH )
Tuscany ( several times )
Boardwalk ( gone - Business )
Tropicana
Riviera
Buffalo Bill's ( wanted a cheap place on a weekend )
Terrible's ( wanted a cheap place on a weekend )
Treasure Island
Rio
Hilton Grand Vacation Club - Conv Ctr
Crestwood Suites ( yuchhh - wanted a cheap place on a Friday )
Cliffs at Peace Canyon
Planet Hollywood Towers

My favorite place now is the Planet Hollywood TOWERS
suites. Find a decent deal on-line ( I use BOOKIT.com )
and I think you will really like it there.

The HGVC also had a very nice suite, and so did Cliffs
but it was a ways from the Strip ( but convenient to
Red Rock Casino ).

I think in the future I will try to stay at a new place
every so often. I've heard the TRUMP tower is
very nice, even though I think the DONALD himself
is a total idiot. I'd also like to stay at the Platinum
Hotel at Flamingo and Koval sometime.

My philosophy has gradually changed from find
the best deal to find the best deal for a nice
place to stay. I have already booked a North
tower room for BALLY's for this summer, I guess that
falls under the good deal category once again.
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
EvenBob
EvenBob
  • Threads: 442
  • Posts: 29360
Joined: Jul 18, 2010
January 9th, 2012 at 5:57:08 PM permalink
I have to admit I've never been in Planet
Hollywood since they changed from Aladdin.
I so disliked the low ceilings that I was only
there once and never returned.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
slyther
slyther
  • Threads: 13
  • Posts: 691
Joined: Feb 1, 2010
January 10th, 2012 at 9:34:14 AM permalink
Good ol' Westward Ho... that was the site of my very first trip to Vegas while in college. Now 17 years later I am up to 20 trips :)
kmumf
kmumf
  • Threads: 1
  • Posts: 182
Joined: Jul 5, 2011
January 10th, 2012 at 10:15:45 AM permalink
Ohh this reminds me of the good old days of Boardwalk. When you need to step it down from the high rolling IP. In a way I miss slumming it in my broke days. I do also enjoy the Palazzo now it is by far my fav room to stay now.
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5529
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 10:23:39 AM permalink
My list is not as extensive or historic as yours, but I will put it up anyway, in chronological order:

My friend's parents' house at Jones & Sahara.
Terrible's.
Rio.
Palms Place.
Gold Coast.
Tuscany.
Harrah's.
Silverton.
Circus Circus.
Eastside Cannery.
Arizona Charlies Boulder.
Friend's condo at Jones and Robindale.
Palace Station.
Imperial Palace.
Hacienda.
Vegas Club.
Main Street Station.

I would have to rate Palms Place as the best, Hacienda as the worst, and Gold Coast/Rio as the ones I would be most likely to return to. Harrah's is also pretty good.

By the way, I haven't paid for a room since the second one on the list (Wizard reviews excepted).
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
  • Threads: 67
  • Posts: 4300
Joined: Jan 5, 2012
January 10th, 2012 at 10:29:36 AM permalink
So I'm new here, what's the general opinion for best value on the strip? Where value is a combination of location, quality, and price, and not too heavy on the quality (I'm a pretty cheap bastard).

In my opinion (5 trips to Vegas since 2008, 2 more on tap already for 2012), it's the Flamingo. Rooms can be had for $40 generally on weeknights, the location is smack in the middle of the strip, and for some reason I really get a kick out of staying at the oldest hotel on the Strip.

Last trip I splurged for the "Go Deluxe" room and it was a disappointment. I don't have an iPod and forgot my aux-in cable, so I couldn't even plug my own music into the cool stereo system, and the flat-panel widescreen was wasted with an SD cable feed (lame). The bathroom was cool though, with a TV screen above the sink and a classy all-glass shower with additional heads misting directly at you from about chest-height (sounds weird but I enjoyed it).

Next time I want to spend a little bit more dough though, I'll try a nicer place. The Go Deluxe was $75 on a Thursday night and wasn't worth the upgrade from the standard at the Flamingo.

Plus I like supporting Harrah's properties due to their position on resort fees...
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5529
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 10:33:18 AM permalink
Quote: AcesAndEights

So I'm new here, what's the general opinion for best value on the strip? Where value is a combination of location, quality, and price, and not too heavy on the quality (I'm a pretty cheap bastard).

In my opinion (5 trips to Vegas since 2008, 2 more on tap already for 2012), it's the Flamingo. Rooms can be had for $40 generally on weeknights, the location is smack in the middle of the strip, and for some reason I really get a kick out of staying at the oldest hotel on the Strip.

Last trip I splurged for the "Go Deluxe" room and it was a disappointment. I don't have an iPod and forgot my aux-in cable, so I couldn't even plug my own music into the cool stereo system, and the flat-panel widescreen was wasted with an SD cable feed (lame). The bathroom was cool though, with a TV screen above the sink and a classy all-glass shower with additional heads misting directly at you from about chest-height (sounds weird but I enjoyed it).

Next time I want to spend a little bit more dough though, I'll try a nicer place. The Go Deluxe was $75 on a Thursday night and wasn't worth the upgrade from the standard at the Flamingo.

Plus I like supporting Harrah's properties due to their position on resort fees..

I'm by no means an expert on Strip properties but I'd have to agree with you. I would also add Harrah's. I stayed there this trip and was really impressed with the quality of rooms, dining options, and overall workings of the property. The location is great, too -- walk right out the door and across the street to Mirage/Forum Shops.

I would NOT recommend Imperial Palace. Even for the dirt-cheap price they charge, I don't think it is worth it. Spend $10-$15 more for Harrah's/Flamingo.

I wish I had the chance to review Bill's this trip, but I couldn't work it. It looks to be a decent value with a great location, although I am not too impressed with the casino portion.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
Ibeatyouraces
Ibeatyouraces
  • Threads: 68
  • Posts: 11933
Joined: Jan 12, 2010
January 10th, 2012 at 11:12:06 AM permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
Ibeatyouraces
Ibeatyouraces
  • Threads: 68
  • Posts: 11933
Joined: Jan 12, 2010
January 10th, 2012 at 11:15:33 AM permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
  • Threads: 67
  • Posts: 4300
Joined: Jan 5, 2012
January 10th, 2012 at 11:30:19 AM permalink
Quote: Ibeatyouraces

What they dont charge in resort fees they sure make up for it in all their 6:5 BJ. And I wouldn't call any of their places "resorts" except Caesars.


True they are stingy in other ways, with the 6:5 "blackjack" tables and 2:1 payouts on the flied for 2 AND 12. But there's a pretty simple way to avoid that: don't take those bets. When I'm playing craps for fun I'm a staunch dark side bettor, laying full odds on 2-3 DP and DC combined bets. So far I haven't gotten beat up at a cold table, but I foresee it happening before I die :)

As for blackjack, I'm an amateur low-to-mid-stakes counter and stick to the 6 deck shoes. No 6:5 BS to deal with, and not as much heat as the 2 deck games (from what I've heard, I am in no means an expert at heat yet).
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5529
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 1:07:25 PM permalink
Quote: AcesAndEights

As for blackjack, I'm an amateur low-to-mid-stakes counter and stick to the 6 deck shoes. No 6:5 BS to deal with, and not as much heat as the 2 deck games (from what I've heard, I am in no means an expert at heat yet).

Certainly less heat on the 6 deck games, although a little harder to count than 2 deck games. Remind me to write the story of the backoff I witnessed at Mirage when I have time.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
  • Threads: 67
  • Posts: 4300
Joined: Jan 5, 2012
January 10th, 2012 at 1:27:27 PM permalink
Quote: teddys

Certainly less heat on the 6 deck games, although a little harder to count than 2 deck games. Remind me to write the story of the backoff I witnessed at Mirage when I have time.


Yes, please do. One trip to Vegas (and lots of practice sessions around my current home) and I have succeeded in not getting backed off, we'll see how long I can keep that going. When it does inevitably happen, I need to be prepared to respond appropriately.

Sorry for this thread getting off topic - I actually joined this forum to talk Blackjack primarily but haven't yet gotten my first post ironed out.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
Tiltpoul
Tiltpoul
  • Threads: 32
  • Posts: 1573
Joined: May 5, 2010
January 10th, 2012 at 3:49:50 PM permalink
Quote: AcesAndEights


As for blackjack, I'm an amateur low-to-mid-stakes counter and stick to the 6 deck shoes. No 6:5 BS to deal with, and not as much heat as the 2 deck games (from what I've heard, I am in no means an expert at heat yet).



Um, most of the Harrah's properties tables in Vegas are 6:5 BJ, INCLUDING 6-deck shoes. Unless you're playing AT LEAST $15 a hand, (at least $25 at Caesars), you won't find a 3:2 6-deck table. Your best bet is Paris. You MIGHT (key word here) find a 3:2 at $10 minimums.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a Diamond player at Harrah's, and they do have some nice properties. I've stayed at Caesars, Paris, Bally's, Flamingo and Circus Circus (not Harrah's, but just all my gambling trips). Caesars is amazing, and Paris is great too. I didn't have the best room at Bally's, because I think they were renovating at the time. I wasn't impressed with Flamingo, and frankly the location is nice, but a little overrated...

The best value is probably going to be Harrah's. It's a mid-level property, in a pretty good location and the rooms are comparable to Flamingo. However, after staying at Caesars, there's nowhere else in that family I even am interested in considering.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
  • Threads: 67
  • Posts: 4300
Joined: Jan 5, 2012
January 10th, 2012 at 3:58:57 PM permalink
Quote: Tiltpoul

Um, most of the Harrah's properties tables in Vegas are 6:5 BJ, INCLUDING 6-deck shoes. Unless you're playing AT LEAST $15 a hand, (at least $25 at Caesars), you won't find a 3:2 6-deck table. Your best bet is Paris. You MIGHT (key word here) find a 3:2 at $10 minimums.


Hmmm, this is good to know. On my recent trip (December '11) I actually was specifically NOT playing BJ at Harrah's properties since I was staying at the Flamingo on my players card and was getting rated for my craps play and sports bets on my TR card. I didn't want to mix that with my "anonymous" hit-and-run blackjack play, which I restricted to mostly MGM properties. At the MGM properties I didn't have any trouble with the 6:5 tables, which seemed to be restricted to single deck. In fact at my betting level ($25-$250 for that trip) I was able to find very favorable rules at $25 6 deck tables (S17, DAS, DOA, LS, not sure on RSA) at most MGM properties.

I'm sure this is nothing groundbreaking to the Vegas and BJ vets, but just for reference. On my next trip I plan to play some Harrah's properties so I will definitely be on the lookout for the short pays at 6 deck games.
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
JohnnyQ
JohnnyQ
  • Threads: 265
  • Posts: 4039
Joined: Nov 3, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 4:09:58 PM permalink
And oh yeah, we spent several nights at ENCORE
the summer before last...

MGM Grand
Flamingo
Westward Ho ( gone )
Lady Luck
Stratosphere
Aladdin ( now PH )
Tuscany ( several times )
Boardwalk ( gone - Business )
Tropicana
Riviera
Buffalo Bill's ( wanted a cheap place on a weekend )
Terrible's ( wanted a cheap place on a weekend )
ENCORE
Treasure Island
Rio
Hilton Grand Vacation Club - Conv Ctr
Crestwood Suites ( yuchhh - wanted a cheap place on a Friday )
Cliffs at Peace Canyon
Planet Hollywood Towers

We're going back to PH Towers in March.
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
YoDiceRoll11
YoDiceRoll11
  • Threads: 7
  • Posts: 532
Joined: Jan 9, 2012
January 10th, 2012 at 4:11:48 PM permalink
Quote: JohnnyQ



We're going back to PH Towers in March.



Have heard good things recently about PH Towers, that is going to be my next stop.
JohnnyQ
JohnnyQ
  • Threads: 265
  • Posts: 4039
Joined: Nov 3, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 4:19:14 PM permalink
Yo Yo:

See what you find on BOOKIT.COM. They had
an upgrade to a 1 BR suite for Sun - Thur
recently.
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
JohnnyQ
JohnnyQ
  • Threads: 265
  • Posts: 4039
Joined: Nov 3, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 4:20:45 PM permalink
ps:

PH Towers, not a Tower at PH. PHT is the
time-share type place, which explains the
extra nice accomodations. AND no riduculous
annual maintenance fee if you just book a
room like a hotel !
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5529
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 4:26:23 PM permalink
Planet Hollywood Towers Westgate, Signature at MGM Grand, Vdara and Palms Place all give excellent hotel bargains -- a condo suite for the price of a hotel room. All also have superb pools. Prices are as low as $80 for a weekday room. If I had the money and my choice of properties, that is what I would do. (As it is now, I can't resist free.)
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
YoDiceRoll11
YoDiceRoll11
  • Threads: 7
  • Posts: 532
Joined: Jan 9, 2012
January 10th, 2012 at 4:27:14 PM permalink
Quote: JohnnyQ

Yo Yo:

See what you find on BOOKIT.COM. They had
an upgrade to a 1 BR suite for Sun - Thur
recently.



Thanks for the heads up. You know, I had not even heard of Bookit.com until I came here. Love this place!
YoDiceRoll11
YoDiceRoll11
  • Threads: 7
  • Posts: 532
Joined: Jan 9, 2012
January 10th, 2012 at 4:28:39 PM permalink
Quote: teddys

Planet Hollywood Towers Westgate, Signature at MGM Grand, Vdara and Palms Place all give excellent hotel bargains -- a condo suite for the price of a hotel room. Prices are as low as $80 for a weekday room. If I had the money and my choice of properties, that is what I would do. (As it is now, I can't resist free.)



Ah, I see. I had a friend stay at the Vdara. I stopped in. The room was amazing. And she said it was just the "standard" room.

Sweet.
JohnnyQ
JohnnyQ
  • Threads: 265
  • Posts: 4039
Joined: Nov 3, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 4:45:51 PM permalink
Quote: YoDiceRoll11

Thanks for the heads up. You know, I had not even heard of Bookit.com until I came here. Love this place!



Well check out BOOKIT.com and then also check out TRAVELZOO.com.
Go to Travelzoo and sign up for their weekly e-mail. They list
about 20 of the best travel deals that are available that week.

There is usually 1 for LV.

We stayed at a fabulous resort in Orlando during the Christmas break
that I heard about through Travelzoo.

I used to like TRAVELAXE.com, and still use it to see what they
come with up for hotel rates. It searches several other booking
sites for you.
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
Tiltpoul
Tiltpoul
  • Threads: 32
  • Posts: 1573
Joined: May 5, 2010
January 10th, 2012 at 5:02:03 PM permalink
Quote: AcesAndEights

At the MGM properties I didn't have any trouble with the 6:5 tables, which seemed to be restricted to single deck. In fact at my betting level ($25-$250 for that trip) I was able to find very favorable rules at $25 6 deck tables (S17, DAS, DOA, LS, not sure on RSA) at most MGM properties.

I'm sure this is nothing groundbreaking to the Vegas and BJ vets, but just for reference. On my next trip I plan to play some Harrah's properties so I will definitely be on the lookout for the short pays at 6 deck games.



Yeah, MGM properties are a lot better on their six-deck games. Mandalay Bay used to have a fantastic six-deck game on the floor, at $15 most of the time, but they changed that pit to H17. Your best bet with MGM is to go to their nicer casinos. I think Monte Carlo and possibly Excalibur do have some lurking 6:5 pits, but that's only in their party pits. That's not an excuse, but that's kind of the standard now... except for Caesars properties, where the standard is everywhere.

I can tell you Harrah's properties have full-pay at most casinos, exceptions being IP, O'Sheas and Bill's, both of which (if I remember correctly) are entirely 6:5. Harrah's has maybe two tables outside the High Limit that are 3:2, and they are mixed in with ones that are 6:5. Paris is basically divided into pits, and the back pit is 3:2. Bally's is hit or miss too, but their party pit is open quite a few hours, and that's where there are a lot of tables. PH has the pit near the poker room which is mostly 3:2, and they have a good (well the best you'll get at Harrah's) for DD game, at $25.

I'll point out that Harrah's is VERY sensitive to card counters. They have a mid-shoe entry max on most tables, capped at $100. Of course, no mid-shoe on DD. I'd be surprised if they actually backed somebody off for counting but you don't want to get backed off at a Caesars property.

By the way, if the last time you were there you gambled at all, you need to go to Caesars website (caesars dot com) and log in. You might have some free rooms available... sure they might be at IP, but FREE is FREE.
"One out of every four people are [morons]"- Kyle, South Park
zippyboy
zippyboy
  • Threads: 2
  • Posts: 1124
Joined: Jan 19, 2011
January 10th, 2012 at 7:47:05 PM permalink
Quote: teddys

My list is not as extensive or historic as yours, but I will put it up anyway, in chronological order:

My friend's parents' house at Jones & Sahara.
Terrible's.
Rio.
Palms Place.
Gold Coast.
Tuscany.
Harrah's.
Silverton.
Circus Circus.
Eastside Cannery.
Arizona Charlies Boulder.
Friend's condo at Jones and Robindale.
Palace Station.
Imperial Palace.
Hacienda.
Vegas Club.
Main Street Station.

I would have to rate Palms Place as the best, Hacienda as the worst,


Chronological order? Really? Looks like you stayed at Hacienda a few years after Palms, yet Hacienda was blown up in 1996 to make way for Mandalay Bay, a decade before Palms Place opened.
"Poker sure is an easy game to beat if you have the roll to keep rebuying."
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5529
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
January 10th, 2012 at 8:20:30 PM permalink
Quote: zippyboy

Chronological order? Really? Looks like you stayed at Hacienda a few years after Palms, yet Hacienda was blown up in 1996 to make way for Mandalay Bay, a decade before Palms Place opened.

Like Doctor Who, my chronology is malleable ... ;)
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
AcesAndEights
AcesAndEights
  • Threads: 67
  • Posts: 4300
Joined: Jan 5, 2012
January 11th, 2012 at 9:46:12 AM permalink
Quote: Tiltpoul

Yeah, MGM properties are a lot better on their six-deck games. Mandalay Bay used to have a fantastic six-deck game on the floor, at $15 most of the time, but they changed that pit to H17. Your best bet with MGM is to go to their nicer casinos. I think Monte Carlo and possibly Excalibur do have some lurking 6:5 pits, but that's only in their party pits. That's not an excuse, but that's kind of the standard now... except for Caesars properties, where the standard is everywhere.

I can tell you Harrah's properties have full-pay at most casinos, exceptions being IP, O'Sheas and Bill's, both of which (if I remember correctly) are entirely 6:5. Harrah's has maybe two tables outside the High Limit that are 3:2, and they are mixed in with ones that are 6:5. Paris is basically divided into pits, and the back pit is 3:2. Bally's is hit or miss too, but their party pit is open quite a few hours, and that's where there are a lot of tables. PH has the pit near the poker room which is mostly 3:2, and they have a good (well the best you'll get at Harrah's) for DD game, at $25.

I'll point out that Harrah's is VERY sensitive to card counters. They have a mid-shoe entry max on most tables, capped at $100. Of course, no mid-shoe on DD. I'd be surprised if they actually backed somebody off for counting but you don't want to get backed off at a Caesars property.

By the way, if the last time you were there you gambled at all, you need to go to Caesars website (caesars dot com) and log in. You might have some free rooms available... sure they might be at IP, but FREE is FREE.


Thank you for the info Tiltpoul. In fact, I *did* have some free nights available (at the Flamingo), which I used for my upcoming March trips. I'm splitting rooms with friends for the high-price weekend nights, but was able to use the comps for Thursday/Sunday/Monday, which works out well since I'm sticking around longer than my friends.

I'll be extra careful if I count at any Harrah's properties...
"So drink gamble eat f***, because one day you will be dust." -ontariodealer
JohnnyQ
JohnnyQ
  • Threads: 265
  • Posts: 4039
Joined: Nov 3, 2009
September 17th, 2012 at 5:52:57 PM permalink
Quote: JohnnyQ

So here's
something maybe no one will care about, but it is the list of hotels
I have stayed at in LV over the past almost 20 years.

This is in chronological order, from oldest first, for the most
part. Some trips have been with my brother, some with
the family, and some on business. I think this has pretty
much run

MGM Grand
Flamingo
Westward Ho ( gone )
Lady Luck
Stratosphere
Aladdin ( now PH )
Tuscany ( several times )
Boardwalk ( gone - Business )
Tropicana ( long before they made it nice again )
Riviera
Buffalo Bill's ( wanted a cheap place on a weekend )
Terrible's ( wanted a cheap place on a weekend )
Treasure Island
Rio ( Comped, YIPPEE )
Hilton Grand Vacation Club - Conv Ctr
Crestwood Suites ( yuchhh - wanted a cheap place on a Friday )
Cliffs at Peace Canyon
Planet Hollywood Towers



AND in the "I needed a cheap place to stay
on a Friday night Category", I can now add......

IMPERIAL PALACE

I was not expecting much, and it did NOT
meet my expectations ! OK, OK, I take
part of that back, they did have surprisingly
quick and friendly drink service for a
Friday night. AND the shuttle service to
the Airport was OK.

I would like to stay at PALMS or RED ROCK
sometime. If airfares don't come down
some, though, I'll just drive to one of the
new mid-west joints. You would think
competition would be good for the
gaming consumer, but with all the Red
Ink flowing, that may not be "in the cards".
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
RaleighCraps
RaleighCraps
  • Threads: 79
  • Posts: 2501
Joined: Feb 20, 2010
September 17th, 2012 at 8:44:41 PM permalink
This is a neat thread. It got me thinking back to my Vegas trips.

Imperial Palace - My wife and I started out by sharing a room with friends. Feet hung over the end of the bed and the shower hit me in the chest.
Tropicana - The next time to Vegas our friends had scored a couple of rooms, although we had to blow 3 hours at a Polo Towers Time Share pitch. NO MEANS NO.
The Orleans - Mother in law wanted someone to go with her to Vegas, so I went along. Got my first ever comp here (dinner for 4).
Paris - Comp'd room based on play from a trip to Harrah's Crystal Palace casino in the Bahamas.
Rio - All Harrah's comps at this point. Stayed at Paris 4 or 5 times, and Rio 3 or 4 times.
Caesar's Palace - Got a fantastic upgraded room here, but also suffered my biggest loss ever. Tripled my total BR the first 2 days, and lost everything in the next 3. :-(
Aria - Not sure how I scored 3 free nights at Aria. I think it may have been due to my MGM play at Beau Rivage.

Now a lowly Gold card member of CET, instead of Diamond, and all of the Vegas casinos want me to PAY for a room, which ain't ever going to happen.
Beau Rivage still values my play, and aside from that, I can drive to one of three different casinos, all within 6 hours.
Always borrow money from a pessimist; They don't expect to get paid back ! Be yourself and speak your thoughts. Those who matter won't mind, and those that mind, don't matter!
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5529
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
September 19th, 2012 at 3:00:43 PM permalink
Fremont
Main Street Station
Four Queens
Las Vegas Club
Circus Circus
Imperial Palace
Harrah's
Flamingo
Rio
Palms Place
Gold Coast
Orleans
Tuscany
Terrible's
Hard Rock
Boulder Station
Palace Station
Sunset Station
Santa Fe Station
Texas Station
Arizona Charlie's Boulder
Eastside Cannery
Hacienda
Silverton

Yeah, I've been in a bit of hotels... :)
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
Ayecarumba
Ayecarumba
  • Threads: 236
  • Posts: 6763
Joined: Nov 17, 2009
September 19th, 2012 at 3:15:33 PM permalink
Quote: slyther

Good ol' Westward Ho... that was the site of my very first trip to Vegas while in college. Now 17 years later I am up to 20 trips :)



Ahh, memories. My first trip after turning 21 was highlighted by an 8 hr. session at the Circus Circus craps table, and a fairly scary walk back to the bungalow room my seven buddies had crammed into at the Westward Ho. The swimming pool with no water, but dirt thrown into it, and the rusted out missing rails on the second floor walkways, are images burned into my psyche. I think from Friday night to Sunday, I was in the room a total of four hours. Good times...
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
JW17
JW17
  • Threads: 8
  • Posts: 344
Joined: Dec 30, 2011
September 19th, 2012 at 7:53:28 PM permalink
My list of stays is a short one, maybe someone should start a list of plays. in order of 1st stay.

Flamingo Hilton, at the time 1994
Las Vegas Hilton, now LVH 1999
Platinum Hotel and Spa, my go to place in Las Vegas, next time Oct 5 2008- present
Tuscany Suites and Casino 2010
M Resort and Spa 2011

Those are the only places in the Las Vegas Metro area I have laid my head and snoozed, random tables, slots and sports books not included
FarFromVegas
FarFromVegas
  • Threads: 7
  • Posts: 878
Joined: Dec 10, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 8:45:56 AM permalink
We used to fly in and out of Vegas to take the kids to the Grand Canyon before we bought a place in Arizona, so we would stay in a hotel that had suites. That made my first Vegas hotel The Venetian. You could get spoiled that way!

So:

Venetian

Venezia Tower (two or three times; I forget)

Bellagio (anniversary, but it wasn't as nice as Venetian. NBA Players' Association meeting was there so we shared an elevator with Bill Walton and the pool with Vince Carter as a bonus!)

MGM Grand (friend's wedding, no kids)

Paris (with my sister, no kids)

Rio (many times, with and without kids. We got upgraded twice so we could have rooms close together, and one time they gave us a suite that was about 4,000 square feet and looked like Versailles. We stayed two nights and when I was packing up and looking around to make sure no one had left anything behind I found a powder room we hadn't found when we were unpacking. Considering my room had been free and the second room was like $40, it was a major score!)

LVH (no kids)

My husband just stayed at the Cosmopolitan and said it was very nice, but I never saw the rooms there. He had also stayed someplace off-strip for a conference before, but I forget where.
Each of us is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts. Preparing for a fight about your bad decision is not as smart as making a good decision.
SlangNRox
SlangNRox
  • Threads: 0
  • Posts: 45
Joined: Jul 19, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 10:02:12 AM permalink
Here's my list roughly in chronological order. I"ll have to try the nicer hotels sometime

Luxor
Circus Circus -NBA All Star Game weekend. Will never stay there again
Ceasars Palace
Paris
Ballys
Monte Carlo
MGM
Flamingo
Monte Carlo -broke my streak of not staying at the same hotel twice
Ballys
Monte Carlo
bigfoot66
bigfoot66
  • Threads: 54
  • Posts: 1582
Joined: Feb 5, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 11:26:31 AM permalink
Treasure Island
Venetian
Aladin (now Planet Hollywood)
Stratosphere
Caesars' Palace
Gold Spike
Imperial Palace
Flamingo
Golden Gate
Four Queens
El Cortez
Plaza
Harrah's
Rio
Paris
Monte Carlo
Vote for Nobody 2020!
ThatDonGuy
ThatDonGuy
  • Threads: 122
  • Posts: 6589
Joined: Jun 22, 2011
September 20th, 2012 at 11:53:31 AM permalink
I have a short list as well:

2005 - TI
2006 - Excalibur
2008 - Golden Nugget
2009 - Mirage
2012 - Planet Hollywood

On the other hand, if you want a list of casinos where I've been to, it's easier to list the ones on the site's maps that I haven't been to yet:
Suncoast
Rampart
Aliante Station
Cannery
South Point
Silverton
M
Fiesta Henderson
Sunset Station
Railroad Pass
Hacienda
SOOPOO
SOOPOO 
  • Threads: 122
  • Posts: 11334
Joined: Aug 8, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 11:57:21 AM permalink
Riviera
Jockey Club
Maxim
Sands
Harrah's
Flamingo
Rio
Orleans
New York New York
Mandalay Bay


I stay at the Rio now.
MathExtremist
MathExtremist
  • Threads: 88
  • Posts: 6526
Joined: Aug 31, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 12:04:21 PM permalink
This might be tough -- I've been to Vegas so many times. This is nowhere close to chronologically. It's closer to geographically but I'm skipping around a lot:

Golden Nugget
Four Queens
Stratosphere
Circus Circus
Palace Station
GVR
Rio
Gold Coast
Caesars
Harrah's
Las Vegas Hilton
Flamingo
Venetian (after selling my house in LV I stayed at the Venetian one night. We checked in so late they lost our room and upgraded us to a suite. A nice going-away present.)
Sands (1995, just before they tore it down. I saw Guys and Dolls with Jack Jones as Sky Masterson.)
I think I stayed at the Wynn but honestly can't remember if it was Wynn, Encore, or I just had lots of meetings there one trip.
Mirage
TI
Casino Royale
Orleans
Bally's
Paris
Mandalay Bay
THEHotel
Excalibur
Luxor
MGM Grand
Monte Carlo
San Remo
Maxim
Tropicana
Tuscany
The extended stay place on Maryland across from the hospital

And soon to add: Aria (during G2E)
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
buzzpaff
buzzpaff
  • Threads: 112
  • Posts: 5328
Joined: Mar 8, 2011
September 20th, 2012 at 12:07:05 PM permalink
Terrible's
Circus Circus

Perhaps i should investigate better complimentary accommodations for my high level of play ?
FarFromVegas
FarFromVegas
  • Threads: 7
  • Posts: 878
Joined: Dec 10, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 12:11:14 PM permalink
Quote: buzzpaff

Terrible's
Circus Circus

Perhaps i should investigate better complimentary accommodations for my high level of play ?



This underpass is close to the action and not in use now! :P

Each of us is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts. Preparing for a fight about your bad decision is not as smart as making a good decision.
buzzpaff
buzzpaff
  • Threads: 112
  • Posts: 5328
Joined: Mar 8, 2011
September 20th, 2012 at 12:21:21 PM permalink
Are there any steam grates nearby ? I want to press my suit before attending the G2E WOV banquet .
RaleighCraps
RaleighCraps
  • Threads: 79
  • Posts: 2501
Joined: Feb 20, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 12:25:22 PM permalink
I think this thread should be a new member's mandatory first post. Even if the post says, "yet to stay in Vegas". It is pretty cool that there are long time WoV members who are just now posting their hotel stay lists.
Always borrow money from a pessimist; They don't expect to get paid back ! Be yourself and speak your thoughts. Those who matter won't mind, and those that mind, don't matter!
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5529
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
September 20th, 2012 at 12:50:24 PM permalink
Quote: MathExtremist

This might be tough -- I've been to Vegas so many times. This is nowhere close to chronologically. It's closer to geographically but I'm skipping around a lot:

Color me impressed. That's a lot. I think you win the award for most cheap plastic cups unwrapped, cell phone chargers left in the room, and fiddling with drapes that won't close all the way. :)

Quote: ThatDonGuy

On the other hand, if you want a list of casinos where I've been to, it's easier to list the ones on the site's maps that I haven't been to yet:
Suncoast
Rampart
Aliante Station
Cannery
South Point
Silverton
M
Fiesta Henderson
Sunset Station
Railroad Pass
Hacienda

I've been to every casino in Clark County except the Primm triolith and the Gold Strike. I don't count Silver Saddle or slot-only joints. You still have some good ones to look forward to except for Railroad Pass and Hacienda. Those are dismal.

Adding Cannery, Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock, and Bill's (for G2E) hotels this trip.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
CrystalMath
CrystalMath
  • Threads: 8
  • Posts: 1911
Joined: May 10, 2011
September 20th, 2012 at 12:54:38 PM permalink
I can't put these in order. I really don't remember.

Monte Carlo
Bally
Harrah's
Rio
Luxor
Orleans
Silverton
Flamingo
Green Valley Ranch

I know I'm missing about half a dozen, because I made many trips to Vegas while at GLI, and I don't think I ever stayed at the same place twice.

The biggest room I've been is was at the Rio with a private rooftop swimming pool. It wasn't my room, I just slept on a roll out. Still, it was pretty amazing.

The worst room ever was at the Monte Carlo. I was on the north side and construction was getting started on the City Center. Starting about 4 am, I could hear trucks.
I heart Crystal Math.
miplet
miplet
  • Threads: 5
  • Posts: 2132
Joined: Dec 1, 2009
September 20th, 2012 at 1:59:19 PM permalink
I went to Vegas for the first time for last year's G2E and stayed at the Imperial Palace. Staying there this year too.
“Man Babes” #AxelFabulous
tgarrettcpa
tgarrettcpa
  • Threads: 2
  • Posts: 28
Joined: Apr 18, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 2:05:25 PM permalink
Luxor
TI
Flamingo
Mirage
NYNY
Vdara
Vegas Club

In that order.
MathExtremist
MathExtremist
  • Threads: 88
  • Posts: 6526
Joined: Aug 31, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 2:35:16 PM permalink
Quote: teddys

Color me impressed. That's a lot. I think you win the award for most cheap plastic cups unwrapped, cell phone chargers left in the room, and fiddling with drapes that won't close all the way. :)


Oh, you've stayed in the Luxor pyramid too?
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice." -- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
JohnnyQ
JohnnyQ
  • Threads: 265
  • Posts: 4039
Joined: Nov 3, 2009
September 20th, 2012 at 3:48:22 PM permalink
Just updating my list and adding a recollection or two...

MGM Grand
- - - First trip, about 18 years ago (?). I still remember the check-in line looking like a busy airport ticket counter. Lots of agents, but lots of velvet rope to walk through. Have only stayed there this one time. They still had the Wizard of Oz theme at the time, and I remember small amusement/theme park. I think it was there, right ?

Flamingo
- - - I had started to read up on VP, and I remember finding a machine with the wrong description on it. It said the game was played with a Joker card, and based on the paytable I was pretty sure it didn't, So I told somebody, and at first they didn't think I knew what I was talking about. But I was right and I asked the supervisor to give me a couple of free buffets, which he did.

Westward Ho ( gone )
- - - Got a great pkg from them including airfare out of O'Hare. But Mrs. Q still talks about how dumpy the motel type room was when we start telling Vegas stories. They had a free breakfast, and I thought a donut and coffee was great. Mrs Q, not so much.

Lady Luck
- - - Went shortly after 9/11. And stayed there one other time when I talked my brothers into meeting out there. One of them ended up in the really old crappy part, right on the street with buses going to the DTC all night long.

Stratosphere
- - - Haven't stayed for a long time, but we still go up to the bar in the tower for a drink. Back in the day, I think they had a couple of 100% payback VP machines.

Aladdin ( now PH )

Tuscany ( several times )
- - - Pool is nice, I like that it is less hustle/bustle than the rest of Las Vegas. And Rooms are HUGE.

Boardwalk ( gone - Business )
Tropicana ( Business trip )
Riviera

Buffalo Bill's ( wanted a cheap place on a weekend )
- - - Rode the coaster. Also missed our flight home due to a bad wreck that closed down I-15 for a couple of hours. That led to our first stay at Terrible's.

Terrible's ( wanted a cheap place on a weekend )
- - - I used to like to walk over from Tuscany to get a great made to order ommlette. But the gambling and breakfast have been significantly downgraded.

ENCORE
- - - Got a great promo rate in the mail. But haven't been back. I did buy one of the famous $ 5 diet cokes at the bar for Mrs. Q, even though she was playing VP at the bar.

Treasure Island

Rio
- - - I'm still not sure how we got some comp rooms there through a mailing. But we did, our first comp room !


Hilton Grand Vacation Club - Conv Ctr
- - - Very nice, you can book it on line like a regular hotel.

Crestwood Suites ( yuchhh - wanted a cheap place on a Friday )

Cliffs at Peace Canyon
- - - Nice, but you need a car. It was sortof close to Red Rock.

Planet Hollywood Towers (Now ELARA)
- - - Excellent ! Good rates on-line from time to time.

Bally's
Imperial Palace

And the places I would still like to try are Red Rock, Palms,
The Platinum, and Trump Tower.
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
RonC
RonC
  • Threads: 40
  • Posts: 4874
Joined: Jan 18, 2010
September 20th, 2012 at 4:19:27 PM permalink
1985
Sahara
Motel near strip (don't know name)

2000's
Aladdin
Planet Hollywood
Treasure Island
El Cortez
Tropicana
JW17
JW17
  • Threads: 8
  • Posts: 344
Joined: Dec 30, 2011
September 20th, 2012 at 5:10:20 PM permalink
Quote: JW17

My list of stays is a short one, maybe someone should start a list of plays. in order of 1st stay.

Flamingo Hilton, at the time 1994
Las Vegas Hilton, now LVH 1999
Platinum Hotel and Spa, my go to place in Las Vegas, next time Oct 5 2008- present
Tuscany Suites and Casino 2010
M Resort and Spa 2011

Those are the only places in the Las Vegas Metro area I have laid my head and snoozed, random tables, slots and sports books not included



I forgot about my second trip, I have to add the Travelodge on the strip towards MGM 1997. We drank so much it is a wonder I didn't die that long weekend.

To give you a hint of my travels, walked from boulder station back to the travelodge, using the Statosphere as our compass, meaning walking towards that. Took probably 8 hours, dont remember, because we drank the whole way home.
WongBo
WongBo
  • Threads: 62
  • Posts: 2126
Joined: Feb 3, 2012
September 20th, 2012 at 8:10:47 PM permalink
East Coast in the house..
Resorts
Caesars
Bally's
Sands
Harrah's
Atlantic Club Casino Hotel (formerly, Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort) both
Claridge
Tropicana
Trump Plaza
Trump Marina
Trump Taj Mahal
Showboat
Borgata
Golden Nugget
Atlantis,Paradise Island, Bahamas
Mohegan Sun CT
Turning Stone, Verona NY
Casino de Montreal, Canada
Revel

Vegas..
Luxor
Bellagio
Venetian
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief. - Proverb.
  • Jump to: