Vegas Impressions and little snags

[marie meijer]

The crowds at Rio, Paris and Palms were HUGE last night and the traffic jams, unbelievable. If one judged from those, it appeared there is no economic slow down! However, when we talked to cab drivers and shuttle bus drivers they were unanimous that business is WAY down and heading for worse! Wed, I was the only passenger on the shuttle from Bill's to Gold Coast, eventually on my way to Palms. The driver said Sam's Town had ceased their fleet of shuttle buses on Nov 5. and would save $100,000 per month in the process.(?) Sam's has the locals, RVs and everything else and does not need the shuttle traffic, according to that driver. The Coasts, he continued, would die without the shuttle buses because no one would go there.   Thurs, we were the only passengers on the South Point shuttle, six miles from Mandalay Bay and only one other passenger was with us on the way back. South Point and Green Valley Ranch shuttles run continuously during certain hours from the valet parking pick up outside Mandelay Bay. There was no sign at the unmanned tour and travel lobby inside where internet guides instructed us to go to catch that shuttle. The South Point shuttle picks up in less than half hour intervals depending on traffic conditions.           Aliente Station in N. Las Vegas opened on Nov. 11 with fireworks and was scheculed to open at 11:11 PM. According to papers, they opened earlier. We fought the crowds to attend the opening of Orleans, back when and vowed never to attend another casino opening. However, it sounded like fun. We gave up on the idea when we heard it would cost $100 to take a cab to Aliente.       We often fly Spirit, appreciate their service and super deals sent to us on line. They began charging $10 for checked luggage over a year ago. Other airlines are also charging for checked luggage. We can pack for a week in a carry on. They ceased most food, drinks, pillows, blankets. (steward quipped last night that they never washed those blankets anyway, LOL) My husband, for the first time ever, paid $30 extra for our aisle ($10) and center ($5) seating round trip. His legs are happier on the aisle and we preferred to sit together. Flights to Vegas have always been packed except this one that had several empty rows and we could have had our choice of many seats without that extra fee. We chose not to pay $3 for a water bottle by credit card only.      We had great comped rooms at both Venetian and Paris but neither felt it necessary to contribute anything more for my husband's birthday. Both Gold Coast and South Point players clubs personnel noticed it was my husband's birthday and generously gave players points for birthday great buffets for us.     Error at Venetian: our comped room fees showed up on our bill at TV checkout and registration check out. Those fees were quickly deleted.     We have asked for room with view of the strip in the past at Paris. This time, registration personnel said they usually charge $50 extra for the strip view.    IF you are heading to Vegas and planning to walk along the strip in the next couple of months, avoid the temporary enclosed walkway between Bellagio and Monte Carlo! It's narrow and allows for single file in each direction. Sounds of traffic and construction of Kirk Kerkorian's City Center "megaresort" are intense. There is one black, overhead electric cable between the thin rectangular overhead lights. That walkway is congested and on the scary side and would be even creepier at night. WHY was I thinking of THE SHINING and "RED RUM"?  Our airport cab driver said construction on City Center halted because of financial problems but there are probably more investors. Wikipedia has interesting story on Kerkorian. He;s #41 on Forbes 2008 richest at $18 B but that figure has dropped recently. Not bad for an 8th grade drop out.I just accidentally laundered seven bills in my nylon passport holder! They are now curly, very clean and new-looking! I blame it on the red eye flight!       Down town Fitzgeralds was robbed a few days ago by a man who also checked out Golden Nugget first and left in a cab. He was on video tape. Our driver was confident he would soon be apprehended.   We had a great time!

[faygo]

Er... Marie, no mention of winning?  You do laundry on Vacation?
 
The more I read about Vegas, I don't know if it would be on my travel plans.
 
Happy you had a great time.

[marie meijer]

TY faygo! My losses at six casinos were obscene for the first 2 1/2 days, similar to my May trip before the wins lined up. So, I headed for the Palms that has been profitable on past trips. I hit several quads, aces and two unusual hands to get me on track. Loose Deuces .25 machine paid 2500 cr for deuces instead of the usual 1000. It claims 100% if max coins and optimum play. I had hit a royal on that deuces machine last trip. I was then dealt SF clubs 9 through K on five play .25 machine for 1250 cr. That looked more like a royal at first. I needed that win and going for the royal (s) was not an option! The next day I trusted Palms again and was soon dealt a royal in spades on that same .25 machine but three play. (A few years ago I had triple play royal dealt in hearts on that machine at Palms!) Soon I kept 3RF diamonds and the needed two fell into place on five play for one more royal. YES! Four royals in one day, again! A short time later, I was dealt three aces and two converted into AWAKS on five play, .25 for $500 each. Others were noticing my $5K good fortune. I took a cab to Bally's instead of risking the walk across busy Flamingo Blvd and past the parking structure to the Gold Coast shuttle at night. I walked  through Bally's and shops to Paris. I used the house phone near the elevator to tell my husband, in our room, to meet me at the elevator NOW. He got the message and I had used that same MO in Reno for wins. He wanted to stash some of those wins in his luggage. I was adamently against that and related rfonlymama's negative experience of having $ stolen from her laundry in her hotel room. Besides, our luggage was going to be checked at Paris yesterday from 11:00 AM check out time to 9:00 PM time to leave for the airport. We made it home with the money, although we slept on the plane and then I began the laundry and banking.

[scorpio2]

great story marie.how did you get the hotel incidental charges cancelled?daily they add up over a 6 day free room trip we noticed.

[marie meijer]

TY scorpio2 The Venetian charges were not incidentals. We had been offered three nights free but only needed two. We were on a late flight and V knew that. Our flight was even later than scheduled. At check in the guy had to take a room off hold from someone else that probably was a no show. This took time but no problem. He was very congenial and professional. He probably missed the comp info on our reservation. The charge on our bill was over $300! That fee might have been two nights at casino rate or his thinking of one night free with one night pay as was a much older offer. Or the rate that other person was supposed to pay. I did have that mailed offer and confirmation number with us but he said he did not need it. (A Native Am. casino in MI insists one have that mailed offer with them or will not honor the reservation even with the confirmation numbers and name of the employee who booked the reservation) When we protested at check out, they quickly agreed it was two nights comped and removed the charge. I am glad my husband caught it before it was actually charged to our credit card and had to be settled much later when our credit card bill arrived! I am confident we would have noticed that charge on our credit card bill. BTW do not even touch or pick up any of those food or drink items offered for sale in an upscale hotel room. Some are weight sensitive and you might get charged even if you do not consume anything! That happened to friends in Vegas for their daughter's wedding and they had to fight to get that off their charge account. We have so enjoyed our stays at Venetian and everything has been perfect in the past. It's a beautiful place with charming personnel.

[scorpio2]

thanks marie.i think bob dancer used to go to venetian,don't know if he had given free classes there though.

[Eduardo]

I think we should all pitch in and buy marie an "Enter" key.
 
Sounds like a good time. I'll be going this week.

[oej719]

I have to get my glasses and a cup of coffee before I read her posts.
How much are enter keys for a pc now days.?

[marie meijer]

Hey, I think I found the enter key and it seems to work, too!   TYWhat a cool invention!Sorry! 'Trying for shorter posts, too. Anything else?Danny Gans will close at Mirage Nov 22. 'Heard he put on a great show.Nathan Burton put on a hilarious magic/comedy act at Flamingo. He was on America's Got/Has Talent. 'Guess I did not miss a contest after all. I do not want to face a VP machine for a few days until my eyes clear up and I can see straight once again!Those sessions were rather intense!

[shadowman]

Much better, Marie.  I have to admit I rarely read your posts previously.