TR July 20-July 27 Barbary Coast, IP, Aladdin
I went out to Vegas Wednesday July 20th kind of spur of the moment. My return was planned for July 26th, but I extended it a day to go see Elton John perform at Caesar’s Coliseum.
My excuse was to meet a friend of mine who just got his first coaching job and was going to be in Vegas to scout players at the Nike, Reebok and Adidas basketball camps. Of course, he didn’t need my help so it was just an excuse to be there while he was, but any will do and this would be my excuse. He doesn’t gamble (imagine that?). He stayed off strip while I stayed on the strip and we met up for meals while he was there (he left Sunday, I didn’t leave until Wednesday).
Flights
Went out on America West non-stop redeye with no notice and had a row to myself ($147) and came back on half empty Southwest flight (using credits accumulated on Southwest). The flight out was perfect. Flight back I got stuck in Albuquerque on my way to El Paso with 4 hour delay due to maintenance problem on the connecting flight coming in from Oakland which ironically made an unplanned stop in Las Vegas to get it’s “ mechanical problem†fixed. The Flight attendants told me that some passengers just got off in Vegas and never got back on. I can understand that!!!!! For more reasons then one. So while I’m in Albuquerque my plane was in Vegas. It was roughly 4 hours late when all was said in done. So if you can believe it, America West defeats Southwest in my air travels this trip.
I took a cab to Barbary Coast. The shuttles were non-existent on arrival (10 p.m.) and a rental car was out of the question for what they were asking. I got a grumpy driver who complained most of the way about other drivers. As I see it, he was complaining mostly about other cabs but I kept my mouth shut.
Hotels
The first two nights I stayed at the Barbary Coast on a mailed offer, two nights free, dinner for two in the Victorian room and a free gift (BC tote bag). I was in room 218, which was hovering right over the pedestrian bridge from Bally’s to Barbary Coast with a tremendous view right down the strip. I could see all the way down to Mandalay Bay, what a view! Read the rest of this entry »
This covers 3 trips: Venetian in March with the family, solo trip in June, and family trip in July.
Hotel
Venetian—Venezia tower (March). Don’t stay at the Venezia tower!!! It sucks!!! Stay at the regular Venetian tower instead!! All I wanted was some packages to be delivered and some room service, and I had to wait an hour for each. Maybe they didn’t hire any additional staff when the new tower went up. Or maybe it just takes the staff too long to take the elevator to the Venezia lobby, walk all the way down a long hallway, then take another elevator to the room. I chose the Venezia because you get access to an additional pool area, but then read here later that all guests have access to it? The room is very spacious and well appointed, but I think it’s basically the same as a regular Venetian room. Strangely, I had free high speed internet throughout my stay. I can’t believe they charge more for the Venezia tower.
Bellagio spa tower (June). I like what they’ve done with the place. The walkway to the tower is filled with light and has chairs and tables that look out onto the pool area. Great place to enjoy some ice cream from the new candy shop. I did not notice a difference in the quality of the new areas, but then again I don’t usually notice such details. The rooms themselves seem the same as the original tower, except perhaps a little smaller, even though they are advertised as having the same sq footage. Perhaps they used more space for the bathroom. Service was great. No problems getting packages delivered, towels delivered, or odd requests for the time to clean the room.
Mandalay Bay (July). I think this will be my last stay here. I chose it because the family I was traveling with needed something close to the pool and not too pricey. But I found the beds very hard, just like last year. Also, even though the room is supposed to be large, it feels a little cramped, I think because of the strange location of the bathroom doors. This location requires extra space between the bathrooms and the bed, and that space seems wasted to me. While Mandalay may have started out as an upscale place, I think they are now more focused on the conventioneers and events, and just want to pack people in and out. Although maybe the real reason I don’t like them is that they are a Pepsi-only establishment. Read the rest of this entry »