Hi,
I just returned from a three night HET comp offer to Tunica.
Good Points: The people there are the friendliest and most helpful
and this is not just including the staff.
Charter flight on Allegiant Air from LaGuardia was prompt and the
flight was
good. One loudmouth girl and a drunk on board, but the majority of
people were extremely friendly. Plane was about 85% full. No
alcohol served and that was fine with me. Plane staff were
courteous.
Bad Points: Alot. Reservations were at the Grand Casino Resort.
This is a poorly run place, albeit with a friendly staff. I'll just
try to list items.
Three hotels on property with two you need to take a shuttle to get
to the casino! Imagine if you just wanted to go back to your room to
pick up something you left behind? Shuttle shuttle shuttle. I
immediately contacted a host who put me in the hotel adjacent to the
casino( but it is a 100% smoking hotel).Some people who stayed at
the distant hotel( The Terrace) complained about holes in their bed
blankets and dust around the window sills.
The Grand casino is second rate. Ambiance is like an old Vegas
casino circa 1950. They were doing renovations and the idiots were
using jackhammers during the day. Many people including myself
opted to go to other casinos( more on that later). Alot of smokers.
Boy do I appreciate the AC smoking regs. even more!
Food..almost non-existent in the Grand. They closed the Steakhouse,
there isn't a 24 hr. coffee shop just a snack bar counter with only
one person working it so the lines were very very long. The only
place for breakfast was the buffet and the food was not good at all.
I ate a very good meal at Jack Binions Steakhouse at the Shoe. The
Shoe's buffet is also good with a lot of uniquely southern dishes.
Shuttles: The Sheraton, Horseshoe ( HET) and the Gold Strike (MGM-
Mirage), are adjacent to each other about three miles away from the
Grand. A shuttle runs there every half hour but it only begins at
10 AM and ends at 11 PM. With tongue firmly implanted in my cheek I
asked one of the suits if this meant that the casinos were only
opened for twelve hours !? How stupid are these people ? And don't
forget if you're staying at the Terrace Hotel its the shuttle to the
shuttle.
Video Poker: The Grand has a good number of 9/6 Jacks and Aces
Faces Bonus Poker at the dollar and five dollar level. Horseshoe
and Gold Strike are a complete waste. The Sheraton is the best,
offering 9/6 Jacks from quarter and up. They also have two Spin
Poker machines offering quarter through dollar 8/6 Jacks with 130
for a quad.
Overall: Although I made money this trip, I wouldn't go back but if
you go, ask for a room at the Horseshoe and play next door at the
Sheraton. Visited Graceland..a nice tour ..but sadly I realized Elvis
really
is dead !
Larry Feldman