Re: JK's TR


"JK" <jksinrod*SPAM*@aol.com> wrote in message
news:48502cae$0$11629$607ed4bc@xxxxxxxxx
We're just back, and for the first time I can remember, I crave some
NY humidity! Maybe it's our age, or my allergy problems, but this trip we
drank more water more often than I can recall and it was only in the high
90's. I left all stuffy, congested and scratchy throated, and came back
the same.... oh well.
Jet Blue was teriffic as usual, and arrived 30 minutes early. Rented at
Dollar, and with the express program only needed to show license, and we
were on our way. (by the way for a reversal, rental companies are now
eager to let you have that Hummer or other big SUV rather than the litle
guys these days.... wonder why?)

Since we got in way to early for check-in, we used a American Casino
Guide BOGO and drove to the Texas Station for Saturday brunch. After
getting our players cards I was embarrassed to pay only $10.79 for the 2
of us! We were very pleased with the food, display, and service there.
Really nice buffet, and the free champagne didn't hurt one bit! We called
the Wynn at about 1pm, and they held a strip view, king room for us. This
may be a good strategy for travellers right off the plane in the future?
We still needed to kill some time, so we stopped at the "Worlds Biggest
Gift Shop" for fuzzy dice and other assorted junk, and connected with our
son via cell phone. He drove over from LA, and had a reservation at the
Hilton. Since his companion fell through, he decided to try and cancel his
res and stay with us to save the $130. How do you cancel a non
cancellable guaranteed Saturday night res, on the same day? He used the
$20 trick, and added to its mystique, by being successful!

We got the Wynn the first night only because the room was $199 and my
wife got $100 in slot play. Seemed like a great deal for a Saturday night,
and see how the other half live. The Wynn is a magnificent 5 star venue,
I'll point out the few things that bothered me first. Now with our son we
switched to a 2 bed, rear view room on check-in. Why do they need to have
a stocked refrigerator and sell you $8 a bottle water? No vending machines
next to the ice, or "usable" refrigerator, so be prepared. They have a
display with assorted bags of chips, cookies, tins of nuts, etc, and the
notice that if you remove anything from the refrigerator or display for 60
seconds, it will be automatically billed to your room. Real or threat? Who
knows, but seemed really cheezy to us. The only other criticism was the
tiny postage stamp sized flat screen TV that was a mile away from the
beds. I'm guessing that when the hotel was built, these were state of the
art $2000 beauties, but just a couple years later look silly and lost on
that big wall that really needed at least a 40" screen. The rooms were
very large, and the bathroom was spectacular! Fluffy robes and slippers
hanging in the closet. Mechanized drapes revealing the golf course and
mountains were breathtaking. One thing that was just a tad creepy was
when we returned to the room that night, beds were turned down, mats
placed in front of the beds, new towels, and chocolates left on the
dresser.

We ate tempura, sushi, and chicken yakatori in a nice place in the
Fashion show mall acrosss the street. We toured the Palazzo and were left
unimpressed with it's lack of individuallity. Seemed like they are happy
to be a spill over for the other biggies next door. We delivered our son
to the Venetian where he was going to meet up with a yet again new lady
friend he just met. (He is 30 years old and needs an XL spread*** to
keep track of all the women in his life. No interest in marriage and lives
the life of Frank Sinatra in Santa Monica... without the money). He told
us the next day that he partied with the likes of Paris Hilton at the
nighclub TAO. He's short, thin, very cute and sure I love him.... but
can't help being jealous! LOL... he told us that at Night you couldn't
find a BJ table at Venitian less than $50. The Wynn pool and cabana
complex was very impressive. 2 huge circlular pools connected by 200 feet
of straight away, looking like an elongated dumbbell. Complimentary ice
chilled water bottles were an unexpected little perk to help keep us
alive! We didn't take advantage of the upscale restaurants, $500 golf
course, Ferrari dealer, or spa.... sorry not our thing. Slots at Wynn
were surprisingly loose.

Let's see.... Sunday brunch at Paris buffet. What a spectacular
array of delicassies not found at other upscale buffets. Seafood filled
pastry cups, grilled marinated lamb and thinly sliced squashes, baby clams
and lots of veggies which we really love. My wife is the dessert expert,
and swears they have the best chocolate and mousse items to be found
anywhere. The brunch was $24.95 including French champagne, and a
bargain. Tables were good, and slots were not.

We walked up and down, hotel to hotel, until we then checked into The
Orleans for the next 2 nights. This is our first time staying there
basically because after all the bonuses it was basically free. I loved
their sign "the place for locals, back when they were tourists". Although
off strip this place was huge! They have a bowling complex, multiplex
theater, TGI Fridays & 8 restaurants, and a sports arena. George Carlin
was there, but sold out at $245 a ticket... what bad economy? Their buffet
is one of the best inexpensive off strip places to go. Worth it for the
BBQ beef ribs alone. I think it was about $12.95, but we got to eat free.
All the employees at the Orleans are just so warm and friendly. There's
alot to be said for getting away from the strip for awhile, and mingling
with the locals. Many are transplanted big city professionals and
retirees. not the toothless goobers that the snooty crowd cringes from.
Seems like when you move to Vegas, you pretty much stay away from the
strip biggies, that are crowded and overpriced. Slots were looser than
the strip, and I turned $100 into $300 at the craps table! Everything
considered, room-meals-gambling, we actually made money at the Orleans!

We met up with a husband wife broker team that I met on an online
message board, and toured Sun City Summerlin for a couple hours. They
were very charming, knowledgeabe and no pressure at all. Saw some great
homes, at low reduced prices, but was blown away with the community
centers. Pools, golf, hobby rooms, biking, so much to do,,,,,, if and when
we live to retire, this may be the place. We finshed that trip wth a visit
to the Rampart. Very pleasant small and quiet casino where I sat alone and
killed the poor dealer at 3 card poker. Wife lost most of it back at the
slots... but we got a free Tee shirt and deck of cards! The buffet was OK,
slow roasted prime rib superb, good sugar free desserts and chocolate
fountain to dip fresh strawberries in, but wouldn't eat there again.

Saw the best ever Fremont dome show. A tribute to Freddy Mercury and
Queen blasted at us from above. Ended with "We are the Champions" images
of Olympic athletes, and 911 cops and fireman that choked me up standing
there amidst total stangers on the street. Always fun to pop in and out
of the downtown joints. Sadly no more .99 cent shrimp cocktail.... but
still saw the deep fried Twinkies!

Folies Bergere show was fun, and such a big cast! Must have been 3
dozen dancers, acrobats, singers, comedians etc. All those nekked gals
were quite a sight to behold. Trop continues to look more rundown than
ever. What's better than standing on a Vegas strip overpass on a warm
night looking at all the lights?

We did so much more, but with little sleep, can't recall it now. We
decided no more switching hotels on a trip. One place to get settled, and
buy a case of water.

Seems like no matter how well we plan our get away day, it's never
enough time to not be stressed out. Between packing, returning the car,
airport check-in, we cut it too close to be relaxed. Oh by the way, show
your Jet Blue credit card, and get free drinks on the plane each way.



"Money won is twice as sweet as money earned"..... Fast Eddie Felson


--
JK Sinrod
www.MyConeyIslandMemories.com



I'm in awe of your son. I have never heard of any one using the $20 trick
to NOT get a room. LOL!

One of the things we have done to help departure day be a little less
stressful is to return the car the day before we leave. This probably works
a little better for us since we almost always stay on the strip. We
returned the car at one of the on strip rental locations (and this hasn't
cost us anything extra) and cab it back to the airport. Eliminating that
extra step was a big improvement for us.

Thanks for a great report!
Margaret
--
mrs.fine@xxxxxxxxxxx


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