I'll make a start on this now, but I won't be able to finish. Yes, I've woke up at 6am despite not getting to sleep until about 1230, so I suppose I'm still jetlagged!
Sat 6th September
Flight from Philadelphia over to Vegas was delayed a abit, so we never got to Vegas until about midnight. Checked in to Orleans, taxi from airport took tunnel $24, so I didn't tip him. We checked in and got room 1099 which was at the end of the corridor, on the 10th floor and in the new tower. We went down to the casino after unpacking a little, and played slots and got 2 drinks each (from cocktail waitess). Went to bed at 230am, so we were off to a good start hopefully by staying up a while.
Sunday 7th September
Had the Orleans brunch buffet $15 approx with 2/1 ACG coupon. It was 9am and they had lunch items out, but we still ate them even though it was a bit weird. We then took the shuttle to the strip and did the craps lesson at 1030am at Bill's. They gave us a free $5 MP coupon. We 'signed up' for the card, but we had already done this last year so they wouldn't give us a funbook. We then went to Casino Royal and did the $50 slot promo which is very hard to win as you just have to play down the credits and only the jackpot or a huge amount of cumulative credits is a winner. Still had 99c margaritas, so we tried them out. Went up to Fashion show mall for a wander, then into Palazzo, back to Casino Royale for a frozen Margarita refreshment and then got the shuttle back from Bill's to the Orleans. We then went to the pool for 2 hours, and then got ready and took the shuttle back to the strip. Had the Harrah's buffet with 2/1 coupons I bought on ebay - $20.99 for 2 for dinner. Went to Palazzo to do the AGC $10 slot play. Says it's for new signups but we always try these coupons anyway. Hubby and I went to separate clerks, and he got the $10 but I never. We played that then went down to Casino Royale, had a Margarita, a beer for hubby ($1 Michelob), and did the promo again $50. We were very tired (walking about like zombies feeling awful) so we went back down to Bill's and got the shuttle back and were in bed by 11pm
Monday 8th September
Took the shuttle to the Gold Coast for breakfast 2/1 ACG less than $7 for both of us. They gave us the $1 slot card discount which Orleans doesn't seem to do (or maybe it depends on the cashier). Took the shuttle back and went to the pool for 2 hours. Then we took a taxi over to Tropicana (for easy access from Tropicana Ave from Orleans) and went over to MGM and got the car at 230pm. Got a Dodge Caliber which we always seem to get on a compact 3 door even though it's slightly bigger at 5 door. Must be a very popular type of hire car, take it they have lots. I like it now because it's familiar. Drove down to Town Square, which was lovely, but I just didn't care for the shopping much. It was also getting very grey and damp smelling and had started to rain a little. Then we drove over to Belz outlets (or whatever they're called now) and then on to Silverton for dinner buffet. $13 for two with ACG 2/1 coupon. I really like their buffet. Also got the $10 free slot play each and won $21 so it really paid for dinner and more. I'm not a big player, so I'm always happy when my winnings pay for something even cheap like a few drinks! Went over to the Riviera comedy club at 9pm, which I feel is now just overpriced compared to the Tropicana one. Had 2/1 tickets, but they always seem to manage to bump it up to over $30 for two with all the taxes etc. It was $38.50 with no drinks included. Was a good show, but not as good as the Tropicana one which we ended up doing the next week. Had some drinks at slots (non alcohol for me obviously as had the car), played a few dollars and really broke even including the drink tip so I was happy with that. Drove back over to Orleans and sat in the Mardi Gras for a drink, then went up to bed.
Tuesday 9th September
Drove up to Wal Mart on Charleston. had breakfast buffet at Red Rock 2/1 AGC - this is another really good buffet. Went to Marshalls and Bed Bath & Beyond and Best Buy across from Red Rock. I seemed to be quite successful at shopping in Marshalls this year! Good bargains! Went to the outlets near downtown and got back to the hotel at 445 to go to the pool. Shopping took longer than expected today, which I find stressful. I don't like to shop all day. It seemed a bit cooler compared to the 104 degree heat the few days before which was quite unbearable. Got ready and went to Nora's on Flamingo Road. Got this recommendation on Open Vegas. Dinner was $33 all in. Had drove so only had cokes to drink. Morzzarella sticks to share, I had Penne Arrabiate and hubby had pizza. Went back to Orleans and dumped the car and went to McMullan's for the quiz. Was $8 for a wine and a bud light. Went back to hotel and had an early night as we were tired.
To be continued..........
How was the Orleans? Any changes? We are staying there in November, and haven't stayed there in a while. Do the have flat screen TV's yet?
No flatscreens, the place is pretty much the same, except no Sazio's. It's something else now. I had read bad reports about the hotel lately, saying it was getting run down etc. I never noticed anything wrong with it, so hopefully you will find it fine too.
Thanks Lesley. I'd heard it wasn't as clean as it used to be. I was very impressed when we stayed there the first time. Didn't want to be disappointing this time.
Our room was absolutely fine. Don't worry. It's not a luxury hotel, but we certainly thought it was clean enough.
Drove over to Terrible's for breakfast 2/1 AGC coupon. Really cheap but not very good! Did $10 MP on roulette each. Both won. Tipped $5, and walked away $35 up. Did $5 free slot play each and cashed in at $6.
Went to Boulevard Mall then the pool. Got ready and took shuttle to Bill's. Strong 99c margaritas! Did $5 MP on craps. Played $10 each, walked away with $52 each in a short time! Went to Harrah's buffet 2/1, Legends 2/1. More Margaritas at Bill's then back on the shuttle and to the lounge in the Orleans. The lounge act were actually quite good.
Thur 11th September
Went to Meadows Mall after Orleans b/fast (again 2/1). Then drove down to Henderson Galleria, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Craft store etc. Went to GVR for dinner. Back to Orleans, played slots went to lounge again to watch the lounge act and get our free drinks with ACG coupons.
Friday 12th September
Went to Orleans B/fast buffet again (yes we like it). 10 minutes free internet. Checked out and moved to Platinum. Were offered upgrade for $45 she said it was usually $60. Got a Princess Suite with strip view and it was lovely!!! Room 1601 on 16th floor. Great view of back of Bally's, Flamingo, etc, and also partial view of the pool. Large Spa bath, separate shower, twin sinks, washer dryer etc. Pool lovely had swim through section into indoor pool. Took car back to MGM after Marshalls, comic shop, and Kevin went to Atomic Testing Museum while I was at Marshalls. Walked by the ticket outlet at the coke bottle, got 1/2 price tickets for the Playboy Hollywood Comedy Show at The Palms for Saturday. $22 each, $58 including all fees. Did the free spin at Planet Hollywood - Kevin won $5 slot play and 2 free stomp tickets. We didn't use the tickets as we saw it last year and didn't like it much anyway. Did tournament upstairs but didn't win anything. More Bill's 99c Margaritas. Got large pizza from Ellis Island Metro Pizza. Really big. I liked it, Kevin thought it was ok. Drinks on balcony, but had pizza indoors as it was getting too dark outside. Went over to Tuscany ($50 for $25 free chips offer in room at Platinum). Lost it on craps! Won a little on slots. Went over to Ellis Island with our 2x 4 free drink coupons. Played some slots after some drinks but pretty much uneventful.
keep it coming Lesley, sounds like you had a busy time!!
What do you do to keep getting the 2 for 1 buffets everywhere you go?
American Casino Guide - you get it on Amazon for about £7 or £8. It expires at the end of each year. Next one comes out in November.
Went to pool for 2 hours. Walked over through back of Bally's, Paris, and into PH for free spin. No luck and slot tournament in 40 mins so didn't wait. Pizza at Sbarro in Miracle Mile. Walked to Bill's for 99c Margarita's. Walked up to Harrah's and put a dollar in a penny machine an done $34. Walked back to hotel, where they gave us a free martini at reception. We sat and drank it in the Hotel bar, then went and got ready and had a drink on the Balcony. Walked over to Bill's for shuttle to Gold Coast for buffet 2/1 $10.99 + tax. Had wine $6+tax called Foxhorn I think. It was white zinfandel - it was ok. Walked over to the Palms for the Playboy comedy, 1 bud + 1 smirnoff ice was $11. Comedy good but a bit crude. Also did $10 free play from ACG. Think we broke even (well won $10). Taxi back $10.
Sunday 14th Sept
Pool + packing. Asked about checkout time and were offered free 1pm checkout. I love this hotel! This meant we could go to the pool in the morning then take our time going to MGM and hopefully check in!
Checked out at 1pm, moved to MGM Celebrity Spa Suite $99, $89 etc per night. Room 27140 was at the end of the corridor (yes the wrong end), it overlooked the airport. It had a big spa, 2 sinks, separate shower, divided bedroom living room. Went to the MGM brunch. Intended lunch, but forgot it was sunday. So we paid the extra $2.50 for unlimited 'champagne' which tasted ok. Total $58 for 2, and it was really nice! Read some dull reviews about MGM buffet, but I liked it.
Went down to lazy river, saw a tube lying looking lonely on a deserted sunlounger, so we took a shot of it. Went to the meet at Barbary Coast (OpenVegas) stayed for a while till about 6pm. Then went and had a slice of pizza at O'Sheas foodcourt before getting more free beers (they were handing out these little green flyers all the time near carnaval court). Watched the beer pong. Yuk. Well I don't like beer. Hubby drank the free beers and I had Baileys bought from the bar. Stopped at the open air bar at Hawaiian Marketplace and there was some really bad karaoke on. Had Smirnoff Ice Raspberry (tasted like Archer's raspberry) $6, but was $4. Also got some fries for $3. Walked back to hotel via Walgreens.
Monday 15th September
Excalibur buffet $12 for breakfast, not very good. Went to the Director's pool at MGM (back right pool) and it was quite quiet. Got slightly too much sun, but that's ok as there will be no sun tomorrow. Also went into lazy river again. I like that! Good ready, took hotel monorail tram from Excal to Mandalay bay and had the dinner buffet. This is our first time in Mandalay Bay and I like it. I still think it's too far south to stay there, but it's ok to visit! The buffet was really nice. At first I felt the choice was restricted a bit (with us being Vegetarian), but soon realised there were enough things for me to eat. The quality was better than many other buffets, and it was nice and quiet so nicer atmosphere. Wasn't keen on the dessert selection, but I'd already ate too much anyway but I had some 'frozen custard' which was lovely whipped style ice cream. Much tastier than most others I've tried! Stopped at luxor and did the wheel of fortune, put $2 on a 5to1, so walked away with $12 when it won first time! Took pics of Luxor and headed to Excal. The went over to the Tropicana Comedy Stop early show, which was as funny as ever.
Walked back over to MGM and watched the Lions for a short while before having an early night.
As for the MGM buffet, well we've been there three times now and each time I think it has been excellent. There do seem to be some people who have it in for the MGM as a whole across a number of forums so I always take reviews/comments with a pinch of salt. The only way to determine if it is any good and up to standard is to go yourself.
Anyway, great reports Lesley, sounds as though you had a great time with some wins and also some serious bargains for food and drink. I have noted these down for next time (whenever that will be).
Ju
I will say though, the room at Platinum was much nicer! Not that there was anything wrong with the Celeb Spa at MGM at all! If Platinum was on the strip t would be a dream come true (and of course there would be no availablity and scandalous rates to go with that)!
Yes, I see what you mean...we knew the ones opposite must have the better view, but the view was actually quite nice. I enjoyed watching some planes land, but to be honest we didn't spend much time in the room at all!
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