We just returned from 5 nts at the Grand Gulfport. Thanks to all of the info
and suggestions from this site, this turned to be one of the best family
getaways we've had.
Hotel
The Grand is definitely kid friendly. Stay at the Oasis hotel across from the
Casino hotel. This has a resort type set-up and feel to it. As stated in
other posts, the set-up of interrelated pools surrounded by a river where you can
lie on a tube and be taken on a ride around the pools is one of the best I've
ever seen and lots of fun. The rooms are large conformable and clean. We had a
view of the pools. My daughter had fun in Kids Quest and we enjoyed the games
in the arcade. Several times my daughter mentioned that it felt like we were
at a resort in the Caribbean and she was right.
Restaurants
The food and service in all of the restaurants was very good. They also had
great views of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a gourmet seafood/Italian
restaurant across from the hotel that has very good food. We thought the at $114 with
appetizer and wine was pretty reasonable. It is independently owned and you
cannot use points to comp.
Gambling
Every VP machine we saw was multi demo and TITO. This was good because it
allowed me and my wife to play next to each other. She plays .25 and I play $1.
There are lots of $1 FP 9/6 JB, 8/5 BP and NSU Ducks. I played them all. All
of the machines on the third floor were FP except the ones at the bar. There
are 4 upright 3/5 plays in the corner 3rd fl that have FP JB and BP. The only
draw back (and I don't mean to be a snob) is that they were frequently
occupied by .05 players. There are also 2 Multi Strikes next to the 3/5 plays. The
best play on these was .50 9/5 JOB. The BP was shorted to 6/5. As you go down
the escalator to the second fl there are 3 3/5 play slant tops at the bottom of
the escalator. These were frequently busy. These also had FP $1 JB and BP.
There are 4 more multi strikes on the 2nd fl. 2 uprights and 2 slant tops with
the same pay tables as the machines on the 3rd fl. On the first fl, all of the
$1 VP is short pay with the exception of the machines in the high limit room
and in the room directly across from the high limit room. The high limit room
has 5 FP $5, $10, $25 JB, BP slant tops by the door. In the corner there are 2
upright $1, $2, $5 , $10 FP single line and 2 3/5 plays that are shorted to
8/5 for JB but FP BP.
For most of the first 4 nts I couldn't hit a thing. On the 4th nt while on
the way back to my room with my trip stake down to about $300, I made a last
minute stop at the multi strike machines closest to the hotel. Played the . 50
JB. About 2 hrs later with 3 4K on the top line, I returned to my room with
about $2500. Then on the last nt, playing next to my wife, I hit a royal. I
didn't expect to be returning a winner, but it was a nice finish to a great
vacation.
Treasure Bay
I played a few hours here while my wife and daughter shopped at a nearby
mall. As you walk in, the bar in the front has 3 FP 9/6 JB $1 progressives at each
end of the bar. These are very old machines that only take coins. Never mind
TITO. There are six other $1 FP JB progressives to the right of the bar that
have bill feeders and 3 FP JB $5 progressives. Upstairs there are some short
pay $1 DB and 3 short pay 3 plays.
Copa
There is a bank of 5 $1 8/5 progressives on the first floor and another bank
of 8 9/6 JB. Upstairs there are some 9/6 JB at the bars. The BP are all sorted
to 7/5. None of these machines are TITOI. The only TITO were at the bar in
the center of the 1st fl which were multi denoms with FP on the JB. I played
these for a few hours, hit 2 SF and left up $400.
Host/ Comps
My host was Tazz. He treated us real well and said to feel free to refer
other players to him. He comped us up front 5 nts into what they consider a suite
(relay a large room) with another attached room for my daughter. He also
picked up another $150 in charges. We used connection points to pick up the
remaining compable charges. The restaurant across the street and gift shop purchases
were not compable.
Birthday month double points: Thanks for the info I received on this. It was
not mentioned to me by anyone in the connection center, but I asked and
received what amounted to almost 2 nts of double cash back.
Southern Hospitality
There had been some posts over the last months that seemed to be resurrecting
the Civil War.
I want to make it clear, that everyone from valet parking, check in,
waiters/wiatresses, connection center to our host were extremely friendly, hospitable
and helpful. I'd say significantly more so then we typically find in A/C or
Vegas.
Bottom Line
This was a compromise vacation. I wanted to go to Las Vegas and my wife
wanted something more family friendly and let me tell you we found it. A great
resort area, good VP, food, shopping, friendly service etc ..We will definitely be
back.
And the best topper of it all, is that after all expenses, airfare, car
rental etc.. my net cash flow for the trip is positive.
Joel
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