Decided to write a trip report since I know some people that are
Harrahs Seven Stars are deciding where to take their annual trip and
San Diego might be one that appeals to them. Also, have not heard
much on Red Rock so decided to write on that as well from a
visitor's perspective. This was a short trip of two nights Harrahs
Rincon and one night Red Rock Station and back on the redeye.
HARRAHS RINCON/SAN DIEGO
Received an offer from Harrahs two weeks ago for Rincon that
included reimbursement for travel expenses maximum of $600 (this
was not a junket), free hotel, $50 food, spa credit and $200 cash.
I wanted to go because August in San Diego means one thing to me
Bing Crosby singing "Where the Turf Meets the Surf" and going to the
races at Del Mar. Wrestled with whether to use the offer since
there is little video poker that is playable and if I did go how
much to play. Decided that with the $200 cash, I could put through
$20,000 on the dollar 9/5 Jacks and would have something that was
playable.
Room
I was in the Garden Tower second floor overlooking the pool. I was
a little disappointed in the room nothing exceptional in my
opinion. It was standard Harrahs good quality. In fact, the room
and bathroom had the same furnishings/appointments as rooms in the
Orleans Tower at Showboat. The room was a nice size with a couch
and the bathroom was big with a separate shower and a good
showerhead which was great since I take several showers a day. When
checking-in and the clerk said "second floor", I was going to ask
for something higher but thought maybe I should keep my mouth shut
and there might be something special about the second floor, Garden
Tower. Perhaps others can say if I should have said something and
asked for a high floor in the Spa Tower.
Check-in was very smooth with the clerk in VIP reception calling to
have a host come which they did within seconds and doing the travel
reimbursement which was done within minutes. Thought this was nice
rather than having me run all over the casino trying to chase a host
down and get this done.
Gaming
I can sympathize with other players who said they could not find the
dollar 9/5 JOB. I made one pass through the casino and could not
find them and had basically given up. Took one more chance and I
found them. Actually, I think there are only three machines left
(possibly four) and they have a video keno game on them that is
popular. They are in a bank but are split between the two sides of
the bank which is probably why some people did not find them. Did
not have any royals or straight flushes so took the usual 5% drain
of JOB on the limited bankroll that I took to hopefully appease
Harrahs. There is $5 (and higher) 9/6 JOB in the high limit area
but did not want to play that this weekend. Friday and Saturday
were also 5x points days which helps for a few pennies.
General
I thought that I knew where I was going in relation to San Diego
WRONG. Since I flew on August 11, the airports were still in
turmoil and I got to San Diego at 4:00 p.m on Friday rather than
11:00 a.m. Got the rental car (Hertz for two days, cost $46) and
take off. Traffic was horrible. Rincon is on the northeast side of
Escondido I was hoping and thought it was the south side since
several signs say Harrahs San Diego and the brochure that Harrahs
sent me for the trip had all pictures of San Diego and related
activities. It is fifty miles from the airport and took a little
less than two hours to get there. It is fifteen miles northeast of
Escondido and you take those wonderful California mountain rods with
the sharp turns and steep climbs and dips. The speed limit is 55
and I think they are great but some people might be a little
uncomfortable. The scenery though is very pretty.
I ate at the buffet on Friday night which I thought was very good.
It was their "special" night so maybe that was the reason since
other people have said that they were disappointed. I decided to
concentrate all of my play on one day to get the most of Bonus
Reward credits and stayed up late playing.
Saturday was the day to go to the races at Del Mar. Here again
going to the track, traffic was bad on a Saturday on the
interstate. But if felt good to be back at Del Mar although I still
have a fondness for the old grandstand. As for my handicapping, bet
on five horses and had two winners, one second, one third and one
off the board. My horse handicapping is better than video poker
maybe I should start gong to the races more often than the casinos.
Since it was almost 7:30 by the time I got back to the hotel, I went
to the buffet again since I was by myself and tried some of the
things that I did not have the prior night. It still gets a good
rating.
Sunday had a 1:15 flight to Las Vegas. Got up and went to church at
the Cathedral in San Diego at 10:30 and since the airport is nearby
was able to get to the airport, turn in the rental car and off to
Las Vegas.
Conclusion
Harrahs Rincon is a nice property but I did see anything to make it
exceptional. Taking into consideration the lack of playable video
poker at the dollar level and below and the distance from San Diego,
it loses much appeal for me. For me to go back, it would probably
take a better offer than the one that I received.
RED ROCK STATION
The pictures of Red Rock had caught my eye and had received an offer
that expired on June 30 for two nights and $25 in free play. Then
received another offer but only for two free nights but no free
play. Called and said that my offer (the first one) had expired but
could they honor it? The clerk said "no" but let's take a look at
your account and see what offers you have. She says "you have an
offer for two nights and $50 in free play". I said good and booked
it.
Room
What can I say but "WOW"!!! I was impressed. I have considered the
rooms at the Borgata to be the best standard room that I have seen
but this room at Red Rock was better by a slight bit. Borgata
9.5; Red Rock 9.6. The room was a nice size and a large bathroom
separate shower and tub with TV over it. It was not the size of
the room but rather the decorating and touches that just made it
awesome. I have not stayed at Wynn or Green Valley Ranch so cannot
use them as a comparison but I would have no problem recommending
Red Rock to anyone. I want to go back!
Gaming
Once you get away from the Optimum machines, you are looking at
Bonus Poker and things that pay 99% or less. So it is hard to get
excited. They were offering double points while I was there so that
was a nice surprise which I did not know about in advance. No
royals but did get deuces twice but still had a loss.
General
As you can tell I was totally impressed. They must have consulted
with Steve Wynn for advice or have hired one of his design team
members because I thought there were indicators of his touch.
Had dinner at TBones because I was in a steak mood. This steak
house was terrific. Since I was by myself, I opted to sit at the
bar that has full menu service. The portions were reasonable not
the gigantic sizes that you see in some steakhouses and the prices
were reasonable as well. Service was fast and quick which I like
when by myself. In fact, I liked it so much, went back for the
second night and had basically the same thing except I changed the
side dish. Breakfast was at the cafe and was good in pleasant
surroundings.
It was hard to keep track of my coin-in since some machines give
only half points. I estimate that I put through about 27,000 in the
thirty hours that I was there a mixture between the optimum play,
five-play deuces on a short pay table and even a bit of slots the
new Deal/No Deal machine which caught my eye and attention and was
fun. Decided to ask a host if they could pick up some of my food
charges since I had a loss. Host agreed to pick up one dinner and
breakfast as a discretionary comp and I used points for the other
dinner. He mentioned to me that the next time they would give me a
late check-out of 6:00 p.m. and that way I would not be charged for
two nights of comp value for the room and he would have been able to
pick up the other dinner. This is a nice touch since I dislike that
feeling of being on a redeye and being an orphan with no place to
call "home" even though I don't spend that much time in the room.
Went to the Palms in the afternoon for a massage that I had coming
for free. Turned in the rental car (Dollar cost $56) and came
home. No problems with security coming home and it was a smooth
flight. I fell asleep as soon as we took off and woke up about
thirty minutes before landing.
Conclusion
Red Rock Station is a winner and certainly a classy place. But my
understanding is that the Optimum play machines earn comps at a
substantially reduced rate so it will be hard to make money (or
breakeven) here and get comps as well. A return will depend on what
comes in the mailbox.
Hope this was helpful.