It has been awhile since I posted a trip report, so thought I would give
it a try again. It's long.
We returned Monday to wet, humid Georgia from 17 days in hot, windy
Vegas. We stayed downtown seven days at the Plaza and Fremont, plus four
days at New Frontier and six at the Strat. All rooms free, plus a free
invitation to a Hawaiian Luau at the NF, and free seats at the Beach
Boys Concert (outdoors) at the Strat. Had a great time!!
My wife, Dot, really enjoyed the Plaza this trip (as usual--and so did
I). When we were there in December we had a great room with a view of
Fremont St., and the lady in checkout said if we wanted it on our next
trip to call her. We did, and she did even better, arranging for a
suite next to the room we had previously, and a better view and balcony
where we could sit outdoors and watch all the activity down Fremont St.
We arrived on Fri. the 13th, and both of us lost the first four days, me
being down around $600 (we play .25 VP and I play $5 blackjack at the
tables for a break from VP). Monday evening we had a nice meal at the
California Pasta Pirate with dear friends from Henderson, and talked
about losses and near wins, and changes in the VP world.
Things changed for the better on Tuesday. It was 2X points day at the
Plaza, and Dot hit a royal for $1,000 (plus 5 $10 gas cards bonus). I
picked up two more gas cards while there for getting $200 wins. I played
lots on the 5 Joker machine (Mav's) and earned lots of points, but no
big wins. This was the first time Dot has had someone at a casino count
out a thousand dollars in her hand. She glowed!!
We moved to the Fremont for three nights, and played the 8/5BP and
9/6DDB, and I earned an umbrella, two Polo Shirts with logos, meal
comps--plus some money playing 2-deck blackjack. 
The Fremont was
nice, but we found the room small after three nights in the Plaza suite.
While downtown we saw the "Hollywood" movie at the Crown Theater in
Neonopolis (2/1 coupon), bought a "Music of the Andes--Ecuador" from
street musicians, ate lunch at El Cortez, had buffets at Main St.
Station and the Paradise Buffet at the Fremont, had .99 cent shrimp and
2/1 entree at Golden Gate, played BJ there and listened to the piano
player for a few hours, saw the Comedy Zone (2/1), and ate a couple
meals (2/1) at the Plaza cafe. We found full pay VP in several casinos,
so had a good variety of play and scenery.
We enjoyed our week downtown so much that we have already made
reservations in August for 10 days at the Plaza and Fremont, plus three
days at the Strat and two at the New Frontier.
We each pulled our wheeled-carry-on bag to the CAT Downtown
Transportation Center and caught bus #301 to the New Frontier. Cost us
$2, compared to probably around $14 for a taxi, and riding the bus is
always interesting for us. We've done it for more than ten years there,
and never had a problem.
We checked in the New Frontier (NF) on a special "Hawaiian Luau"
invitation, and settled into our atrium suite, registered for the Luau,
and received a gift of a very nice Ocean-themed wind chime. It is made
of cast fish, sea shells, urchins, etc., and five metal chime tubes,
each hanging from an end of a starfish
arm. Nice! But I was concerned about getting it through security at
McCarran. Turned out to be no problem.
Not much good VP at the NF, but we played 9/7DB and 9/6DDB, plus some on
the progressive DW machines, until it was time to go to the Stratosphere
to see the Beach Boys outdoors concert.
We didn't care for the free BB Concert, but thoroughly enjoyed watching
the dedicated fans dance and sway, and the beach balls bouncing overhead
throughout the performance. It was too loud for us, and we were in
Germany the years they were popular. Still, it was interesting.
The Saturday-night Luau at the NF was almost blown away. The wind was so
strong and gusty that we could hardly keep the table cloths on the
tables. And forget about the napkins and plastic cups, which ended up in
the pool. But the excellent food and drink, and Hawaiian entertainment
made it worthwhile. Very colorful and well done.
During our four days at NF we earned four more $10 gas cards (one for
1,000 points earned), but broke about even playing VP and blackjack.
The prices at the Orchard Buffet and Restaurant are considerably higher
now than last year, and we're glad we have food comps built up to use.
Took the #301 to the Strat, with our tow-bags in hand, and checked in
for six days. Originally, we had planned on staying two days on one
coupons, then moving to the Sahara for one night, then back to the Strat
for three nights because when I made the reservations the lady said we
could not combine free night coupons. We had one for four free week-day
nights, and one for a Fri-Sat weekend stay. When checking in I
mentioned this to the clerk, and he said that was not right. He agreed
that it would be better to stay the six nights rather than move
somewhere else in the middle of the stay. So he left for five minutes
and came back and said we could stay the six nights free. How nice. I
tipped him for his help.
Had an attractive room with a view of the mountains for a change, and
the downtown area. Usually we get a room with a view of the Strip and
the Sahara.
Dot had a great time at the Plaza, and it was my turn to have a great
time at the Strat--which I did!! She played the 9/5BP and 10/7DB, and I
concentrated on the 10/7DB hitting quad aces four times, and quad
deuces, 3s, 4s, and others many, many times over the 6-day period. It
was like I could do nothing wrong. So easy. But I remember the dry
spells too, so know it was a streak of luck, and thankful for it. Had no
luck on the Loose Deuces at all! Just ate the $20s one after another.
We used to see the Dick Feeney "Viva Las Vegas" afternoon show at the
Strat on about every trip to Vegas (when it was $3.95 each) years ago,
then bought a video of the show for $19, which we have shown to all our
relatives, etc. over the years. Was a great show then, but lacks a lot
now. Just not the same humor without the Englishman Dave Swan, and the
Elvis impersonator (Joe Baker, I think), who has been ill for some time.
But Bruce Mickelson (Big John) is still there doing his very funny
barbecue routine. (We also saw him at the Grand in Biloxi two years ago
doing a Jackie Gleason bit when between shows in Vegas). There's a new
comedian, and a magician with a dog-bird act that just doesn't quite
make it. The Las Vegas Dancers and scenery are better, but not sure the
new price of $7 each (for a drink) is worth it.
Sunday was our last day at the Strat, and we arranged to stay in our
room until 6pm, rather than check out at 11am. Our flight wasn't until
11:30pm, and we wanted to rest in the afternoon, so it was worth the $20
extra to stay the seven hours longer.
"Ednar" and his charming wife met us at Lucky's Cafe in the Stat for
breakfast. Was a delightful time, since we have met them in Biloxi and
Vegas at other times, and carry on an active e-mail correspondence. They
are still in Vegas, and winning and having lots of fun we hope.
While at the Strat we ate in the Buffet twice, and walked down to the
Sahara for our new funbooks (2/1 meals, first card an Ace, $50 in chips
for $40, etc), and played VP some, and I concentrated on blackjack. I
did play the 9/6JB by the cashier booth for quite awhile, and some on
the 1-2-2-3-5-9-12-20 DW machines, but lost on everything except
blackjack. We always enjoy the inexpensive (2/1) buffets there.
Doesn't compare to Rio or Main Street Station, but enough variety for
us and well prepared.
At 6pm we checked out of our room and stored our bags at the Strat,
walked down to Sahara to eat, came back to the Strat where again I
decided not to stretch my luck on VP and played blackjack instead. Three
of us were playing at a 6-deck shoe game, and the dealer gave each of us
an Ace of spades, then gave each of us a 9 of diamonds. Then the dealer
busted. What fun!! When I was ahead $100, I quit, thinking this was
the way to end a great trip. But this wasn't the end.
In the taxi to McCarran we commented that life just doesn't get any
better than this--but it did!
Using the kiosk at American West took only five minutes to get our E
Tickets, and security was a breeze for me (the wind chime was in my
pull-on bag and chimed right past the checker), but they opened Dot's
bag to check on a metal spoon and electric immersion heater she used to
make tea and coffee in our rooms. But, no problem.
We arrived at our gate an hour early, and Dot went to fill her water
bottle. When she returned she said she passed the counter and the
American West employee was on the phone writing, and saying "B-E-C-H..."
and she wondered if they were trying to contact us (our last name is
Bechdolt). No sooner had she said this, that the man announced over the
PA system for "Passengers Robert and Dorothy Bechdolt to report to the
check-in desk." Oh, oh. My mother is 92, etc. etc. You know! I went
to the desk and the man smiled and asked what kind of trouble I was in
now, and I said that we had passed security--he said it was no security
problem and smiled. I looked at him and asked if he was upgrading our
seats--he smiled and said yes--I asked it it was to first class--and he
smiled and said yes--I asked what we had done to deserve this, and he
said it was just because we were long time and dedicated Flight Fund
members. Wow!! What a way to end a perfect trip. It was a great
flight to Atlanta!!
But it's not over.
On Monday when we received our 18-day package of mail, there was a
letter from a host (Nords Malilay) at the Plaza, addressed to MS DOROTHY
BECHDOLT telling her that she is a "#1 Main Club Member" and has earned
privileges, one is "having your own Casino Host." He wrote that his job
is to make sure her gaming at the Plaza was satisfactory and fun-filled,
etc. He gave her three free nights and two free show tickets to the
Comedy Zone, and a business card. Said to please call him and he looks
forward to seeing her soon. This was another "first" for Dot, and made
her smile--a lot. What fun this hobby is!! And on this trip very
profitable!!
Bob and Dot, in GA