Posted by chrislu03 on 09-21-2005

Hi all,

I have never written a trip report, and didn't take any notes during the trip, but in the interest of keeping this board going I am going to take a stab at it. I'll just give you the main points here and answer any questions you may have.

Trip was August 6-15. A summer trip because of a conference. We flew NW airlines Sioux Falls to Minneapolis to Vegas. The only direct flights out of here are on Allegiant, and while I have taken them before and have no real complaints, the days and hours didn't work out for this trip.

Spent 4 nights at the Riviera (where the conference was) and 5 nights at The Orleans. Have stayed at the Riv for this conference before. I don't have any real problems with them, but I will say that there are a wide variety of room types available. I first tried to check in at a kiosk, but they only offered 2 of the towers with one or two beds, all smoking. We don't. (smoke) So when I got to my room, and it was a very long haul from the registration desk, I called down and asked to be moved. It might have been a nice touch to send someone up with keys to the other room, but that wasn't to be. So I drug my luggage back down to the desk to pick up keys for a non-smoking room on a different floor. View changed from a wall to a parking lot. In the past I have had nicer rooms at the Riv, it seems to be the luck of the draw, especially during a conference when the hotel is quite full.

It was our first time at the Orleans, and I loved it. We used the shuttle to the strip each day, and to the Gold Coast from which we walked to Rio. It was a long trek down the hall from the elevator, but the room was great. I even liked the funny little window in the shower. The pool area was very nice.

Shows: Riviera Comedy Club (half price) Rita Rudner (tickets gotten at a discount at Tix4Tonight), Mac King (2nd time I've seen him), Ron Lucas (also 2nd time), Jerry Seinfeld (only ticket purchased in advance), Tony Orlando (half price with coupon from Orleans funbook) and Scintas (half price from Tix4Tonight)

Attractions: Eiffel Tower on a beautiful summer night, and Bellagio fountains.

Gambling: I mostly play quarter and a few dollar slots. I won here and there and came home with more than I brought, so that's good.

Dining: Ten days is a lot of meals!!
Stardust Buffet - won't do again
Circus Circus Steakhouse - very good meal, the hostess had a bit of an attitude when we showed up without a reservation, but they were not at all busy early on a weeknight and we were shown right in and seated.
Peppermill (breakfast) huge portions, great scrambled eggs and coffee.
Kady's Coffee Shop - a couple of really good breakfasts and a decent lunch.
Island Paradise Cafe (Stardust) better than the buffet
Riviera Buffet for lunch - I think the breakfast buffet is better
America (NYNY) good food and a lot of variety
Le Cafe Ile St. Louis (Paris) - I don't know why, but we love this place and eat here once every trip.
Victorian Room (Barbary Coast) - I am usually a big fan of the Victorian Room, but we had a really bad breakfast and awful service this time.
Sao Paulo Cafe and Bamboleo (Rio) We always have a good meal at Sao Paulo, this was our first meal at Bamboleo and it was very good.
Don Miguels (Orleans) Not a bad meal, but kind of average. The margarita was quite good, and free with a coupon from the funbook.
Prime Rib Loft (Orleans) I think we both agreed this was the best meal of the whole trip, and we sat with a view of the casino floor below.
Courtyard Cafe (Orleans) - we only did breakfasts here. I like Kady's better.
Wynn Buffet - we got 500 points on the red card and got two free buffets here. I liked the line pass better than the buffet. It would have been a long wait without it. I am not a big buffet fan, it was alright.
Planet Hollywood (Caesars's Palace) - pretty average chain restaurant food, I guess. Nothing memorable.
Cafe at Harrahs - I can't remember the name, but it was a pretty decent lunch.

I guess those are the highlights. Did some strip walking, people watching and gambling in several different casinos. The time goes so fast, it's never a long enough trip for me. Three days were eaten up by the conference, but it helps pay for the trip, so what can you do??? Don't know when I'll get back but this was my second trip this year so I won't complain.

Chris