Vegas trip report

8th Feb till 15th Feb 2006



Wed 8th Feb



This was our second trip and the first time for our friends.

We flew from Glasgow to London Gatwick and from there with Virgin Airlines
to Las Vegas, we arrived in Vegas at 2pm and jumped a taxi from the airport
to the Barbary Coast, His route took us past the Rivera and down the back of
Ceasers to the hotel. I found this a strange route having stayed at the
Rivera on our last trip but did not question it.



We got to our check in and found the staff very polite and helpful, but I
was asked what language I spoke as I have a strong accent (Glaswegian)



We were offered a room near our friends or a room with a view, owing to the
size of the hotel we opted for a view. So here's my first tip if you book
into the Barbary Coast ask for a low numbered even room we had room 404
which had great views of the Bellagio and the Eiffel tower.



We first headed out to the Aladdin there were obvious signs of the
conversion but they were tastefully covered up. After a short wonder down
the strip we headed back to the BC for something to eat. We all had the
prime rib at the Victorian Room which at $13.99 was good value and good
eating. We then had an early night to rid us of our jet lag.



Thur 9th Feb



We got the bus ($5 for a ticket that lasts 24 hours is great) to the Golden
Nugget for the Breakfast Buffet we just missed breakfast because of the line
so had lunch $7.99 +tax ( I don't understand this why not just show the
price including tax, in Brittan the price advertised is what you pay). We
then walked (I know this might be a strange concept for some of you) to the
Las Vegas premium outlets. The prices here are very good my fiancée got
three pairs of Reebok training shoes for the price she would pay for one
back home. It was so good we went back latter in the trip. A bus back to the
BC to get ready for the night out.



A bus trip to the Stratosphere and a good on the various thrill rides at the
top

See http://www.stratospherehotel.com/las_vegas_stratosphere_ride.html still
the big shot is my favourite. We then headed to Fremont Street and watched
one of the shows. Then back to BC for dinner this time the New York steak
and eggs.



Fri 10th Feb



We got the bus south on the strip and made our way back up via Mandalay Bay,
Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York then to the MGM Grand. Each hotel has
something different going for it.



In the evening we walked up to Treasure Island watched the show and went in
to the hotel for a look around then over to wonder around the Venetian. The
painted sky makes me dizzy as you walk it looks like the clouds move even
though my brain tells me its stationary.



Sat 11th Feb



We had the Buffet Breakfast at Ballys, it's a lovely dinning room and the
food was good, I would highly recommend it. We then walked through to Paris
and up the Eiffel tower. It has great views and good photo opportunities, it
was fun to watch the fountains at the Bellagio form above.



We then headed into the Bellagio for some shopping as our friends wanted to
go to Tiffany and Co. they were well pleased with the prices compared to
Britain. We then went to the Forum Shops at Ceasers to see the Atlantis
show, its looking tiered and the son did not move at all time for a refit I
think.



In the evening we took the free shuttle bus to the Orleans for the Buffet
the meal was great we used coupons from the American Casino Guide (ACG) to
get two for one the saving on this meal paid for the cost of the book alone
and I would suggest anyone going to Vegas to buy it from Amazon. After
dinner we went to Brendan's Bar at the Orleans they had a live 5 piece all
female group called Killians Angles I don't know how to best describe them
other than Irish/Rockabilly but they were very good. We to a cab back to the
BC which cost us $10.

We had Cocktail Vouchers from the BC fun books and the ACG a cheap dinner
and free drink what more could a Scotsman ask for.



I will type up the last few days soon but I would like to make a couple of
points our weather was great and the news shows were saying it was reaching
a record high for the time of year.

What is the score with tipping we saw lots of guests leaving table at the
Buffets without leaving tips or only $2 at most, they did sound like
Americans so I found this strange. Most of the time we would tip at least
$10.



The barmen at the BC leave a lot to be desired we were served by two
different guys at different times and they were the most ignorant people we
had serving us anywhere in Vegas.


.