Vegas Trip 2/8 - 2/12 Notes, Observations, and Opinions (I already
posted the "juicy" stuff about VP finds and food bargains)
- I hate the fact that on a comped offer at Main Street you can't
reserve a non-smoking room. Got stuck with a smoking one again for
first night of my stay, however I will say they did a great job
cleaning it and it wasn't very smokey. They did move me to non-
smoking room 1605 which was great (view of strip, away from freeway
and train noise...ahhhhh)
- The Wild Bill free (with purchase of a drink) comedy show at
Fitzgerald's was pretty weak. Hardly worth the $5 drink.
- My mother reported the Elvis impersonator show (free with drink
purchase) at Fitz was pretty good though.
- Mom also says Stars of the Strip (free afternoon show with purchase
of drink) at Plaza was very good.
- Mom didn't enjoy Best of Bottom's Up (Flamingo)
- I haven't played at 4 Queens in 23 months and they allowed me to
sign up again. This allowed me to get a free t-shirt with 40 points
on card (about 20 minutes to do this). Got a $59 t-shirt to show for
it. Oh well, at least it's something for losing!
- Hadn't played at Stations in 7 YEARS and I was still in computer.
No new sign up bonuses for me 
- Same with Casino Royale...no play in 23 months but still in
system. No coupons
- The late night steak special at LV Club (Upper Deck Restaurant) was
better this time around than last. Still think Cal's is better, but
LV Club's is a $1 less.
- FREE Air play show at Trop was pretty entertaining. At least as
good as free show at Rio. Perhaps better. The free bird show was
just ok, but I think kids would dig it more than adults.
- The Plaza's breakfast buffet is actually not too bad. Especially
when it's free (coupon in funbook). Even at $2.99 (with slot card)
it's not bad for a quick breakfast.
- Barley's has (had?) a promo going where new slot club signups got a
free spin on a money wheel after gaining 100 points. After about 20
minutes I had the 100 points and spun for $20! Also got 2000 bonus
points for already being a Station's card holder and another 500 for
my e-mail address. Also managed to snag a mug after hitting 10
Blackjack's in the span of an hour.
- Barley's Hefeweissen didn't taste as good this time. Not sure if
they changed the recipe, serving temperature, or if it was just me.
I was a little disappointed because this was one of my favorite beers.
- Hofbrauhaus didn't impress me. I didn't try the food though, other
than a pretzel. Something tells me there's a problem when the only
mustard available for my pretzel was French's yellow. C'mon...you're
supposed to be AUTHENTIC GERMAN and your only mustard option is
French's (NOTE: even after I asked for something else)? The place
was pretty dead on a Tuesday afternoon so it didn't feel real festive
and such. The Weissbier disappointed me. The Dunkel was ok.
- The steak special at Gold Coast is GOOOOOOOOOOD. Glad I snagged it
before it went up a buck. The onion rings were EXCELLENT.
- $1 Blackjack at Sahara ended in December, but they had $3 tables.
- Mac King (Harrah's) is a very good show, especially for just $8
with drink.
- Big Elvis at Barbary Coast is VERY GOOD.
- The south end of Casino Royale (near Harrah's entrance) had some
shirts and hats for sale. I picked up a shirt here for $10 that was
$29 back in MSS's gift shop.
- Aladdin's Spice Market Buffet is very good. About everything I
tried was good quality and a couple items stood out (garlic butter
shrimp...mmmmm...). Worth $23? Not quite. $18 would be better.
The "No Risk Slot Tournament" makes this an ok deal though. $25 gets
you $20 food voucher, slot tournament, and $10 free play. So in the
end it's worth about an extra $5 to you, plus the shot at winning the
slot tournament.
- My brother got a $40 comp to Triple 7 Brewpub (MSS) for a little
over $2000 coin in. Kind of shocked me.
- No Royals, but 2 straight flushes were exciting. Lost $70
gambling, but I'd say 4 nights hotel, 5 free meals, $15 spent on
entertainment, and 50+ free drinks (mostly microbrews) balances
things out!!!
- All my MSS scratch cards were $2 expect for one $3. Of course, my
friend playing right beside me got all $3 and two $5. Go figure.
TAPPER