First - maybe I missed something, but I thought I'd seen a whole lot of
messages bemoaning that first all the $1, then $5, then $25 9/6s were gone.
But I was in the Palazzo this weekend and found a bank of at least 3
machines with $1/$2/$5 9/6. Not only that - they paid 450 for a SF. True the old
$1 9/6 (2 machines) were still gone, but what about these for all the moaners?
I didn't search every machine everywhere, so there could be more than
these. Surprise.
(By the way I asked a slot person why the 2 were gone from the Venetian and
his answer was strangely that they were trying to remove some older machines
and change things...of course the machines are still there, just new(bad) pay
tables).
Re Jersey Boys - we had great comped seats. But it seems to me that $250+
per person for orchestra is too steep for this show. Gosh! If you want to
see it, try for a much cheaper seat and hope there are open seats where you can
move down to a better seat. The show was very good, with the great music of
Franki Valli and the Four Seasons - like Sherrie, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll,
Big Girls Don't Cry, Can't Take My Eyes off of You, Who Loves you pretty
Baby, etc. I thought there was a bit too much plot, but fortunately the music
kept coming and coming. Excellent performances, especially by the 4 leads.
Very enjoyable show.
Phantom of the Opera - they must not be selling seats because someone came
by as I played VP and offered me 2 comp tickets for Sat. night. This is the
3rd time I've seen it here (4th total). Great show. I really enjoyed it
again. The theater was built specifically for this show, with magnificent sets.
Some cast members are newer than when I first saw it, including the Phantom
and Christine, but they were very good. I thought the Phantom was very very
good (he even brought tears to my eyes in the final scene). There are
fireworks, special effects, good costumes, and really great music (Andrew Lloyd
Weber's best score by far). There is ballet, singing, murder, love, romance, and
a crashing chandelier. I really was re-impressed in going again. I've sat
in the Orchestra before, which is good, this time I was higher up in the mezz
or whatever, and it was just as good. Some seats were empty, so I moved down
several rows as well to the back of the orchestra (I guess). So buying a
cheaper seat and moving might be a good option too. But I really think this is
a good show, worth seeing (even twice or more). Very very romantic show,
but I think both men and women will enjoy it.
Venetian also has excellent comedy/music group Blue Man Group, which is
worth seeing if you haven't. Also funny/entertaining/super-talented Wayne Brady
- singing, dancing, improving, and generally making you want to see a show
twice as long.
EATING at Venetian - I've had an excellent meal in the past at B&B
Ristorante, which is in the corridor between Venetian and Palazzo. We had the price
fixed pasta menu ($99) which was really great.
This time we ate at Charlie's (it may be called Charlie Trotter's) in
Palazzo. Truly fantastic food, primarily seafood. We spent about $100 per
person for several courses, and it was delicious. Expensive food, but if you
like gourmet seafood, this is the place. We'd had good seafood before at
Venetian's Aquanox (not quite as expensive), but this was a cut above. We'd eaten
recently at the even more expensive Guy Savoy at Caesar's (my 7 Star comp
plus more comps to pay for their overpriced $290 8+ course meal). Charlie's
was better. (Actually Guy Savoy was disappointing, especially at that price!).
Charlie's also had excellent service (as did Guy Savoy) and served several
kinds of bread during the meal.
Another good choice at the Palazzo is Morales, where we had some great
steaks on a previous trip.
I also tried Sushi Samba, which is up the escalator in the shop area of
the Palazzo. Similar food to Tao, but not as good for what I had - primarily
sushi. They have a lot of different types of Japanese food, and some
interesting appetizers and sushi rolls. I had one with tuna, foie gras, and caviar
on it (3 pieces for $19) - interesting. They also have several different
things made with Kobe beef. I didn't think the sushi was as good as that at Tao
though, at least not this trip. Atmosphere is loud and modern with video
screens, versus Tao's quieter, dark interior. Of course so far, if I'm eating
sushi, I prefer Palm's Little Buddah which seems to have the freshest, best
sushi in town.
High Roller Lounges - if you have a Gold or Platinum card you can now use
the lounge behind the high roller area in the Palazzo (you don't need to have
VIP check-in). You may be asked to show your card. They have fruit and
sometimes hot snacks and sandwiches. Coffee and lemonade always out, otherwise
ask waiters for drinks. If you ask for a drink they don't have, they will get
it from the bar for you (my husband asked for Glenlevit scotch). The Gold
Lounge in the Venetian normally has less food, but does have soda and juice and
coffee set up at all times, so you can grab a soda and then go to play. I
like having the ability to quickly grab a snack and then go to play in the
high limit lounges or just outside of them. Rather than sit at a restaurant for
an hour or two (even with a comp), I prefer to just grab a bite. That's one
reason I liked Harrah's Diamond and 7 Star Lounges, which have been
downgraded. Also at the Venetian the lounges are open 24 hours, good for night owls.
They have TVs and newspapers, but strangely the Palazzo's lounge TV was set
to the Fox News Channel and they wouldn't change it. I prefer CNN which has
less biased coverage. They are less picky in the Venetian lounge, where
sometimes you find sports on one, and news on the other TV.
Gold membership - besides the advantage of being able to go to the lounges,
Gold members also get to stand in a much shorter line at the slot club. Also
they get more cashback. Cashback has changed now to a choice of cash, comp
voucher or free play. You are much better off with free play.
Hosts - I've had some very nice hosts at V/P. They sometimes will book me
at RFB and say I'm limited to $150 a day, but when you play more they will in
fact pick up more for you, which is good, since these restaurants are
expensive and $150 won't cover you unless you eat at the Grand Lux.
Events - V/P has a lot of slot and video poker tournaments and occasionally
has other nice events, such as this weekend there was a gourmet Carnival of
Food, with tastings from most if not all the restaurants at the V/P and their
shops.
V/P has a lot going for it in terms of entertainment, food, beautiful decor,
excellent rooms (everyone a suite). Cashback is low, good VP scare, but it
certainly has some points in its favor.
**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel
deal here.
(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)
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