I'm a planner. It's my thing.
I'm already thinking ahead to January 2014, when I have my next solo trip planned. That's not to say that I'm not excited about my October trip with my mom because I AM, but my mind is thinking ahead to a challenge: "What can I get for free?"
I'm seriously considering using my Total Rewards (www.caesars.com), my M Life rewards (www.mlife.com), and the myVegas comps I'm planning on redeeming in the next few weeks to get free meals and shows and cover all of my expenses outside of my gambling.
It's not that far of a stretch, really. My room at Harrah's is already comped, so no problem there. Outside of airfare (which my family helps with by giving me much-loved SWA gift cards as gifts!), I have meals and entertainment to cover when not gambling. Is it possible I could become a frugal Vegas visitor like my friend Dewey? (He's on my favorite blog list, but here's a quick link to his Vegas blog if you haven't seen it yet: Vegas Adventures) It is possible that I could cover the cost of everything outside of gambling easily.
I'm a low-rolling gambler, but I have enough comps built up that I could eat easily at Total Rewards and/or M Life properties for my entire solo trip without any problem. Add in the myVegas rewards that I'm earning through playing the game on Facebook and I can also throw in another meal, a show (will it be LOVE again? probably), and another visit to the Mirage habitat, depending on what I choose to redeem. And I just remembered the Wynn buffet that I could redeem with my points that continue to wait...wait...wait...for me.
So...will I eat breakfast at Harrah's, redeem a myVegas reward for lunch at the Bellagio buffet, see the dolphins and tigers at The Mirage before seeing the Beatles in LOVE once again? Redeem some Total Rewards comps for dollars and have a nice meal at Mon Ami Gabi on the patio while watching the Bellagio fountains across the Strip? Try the Aria buffet? Go for cheeseburgers at Mix when I visit Mandalay Bay? Another round of Zen mojitos at Fin in The Mirage? Wynn buffet while I'm taking a break from taking more photos?
So many options, and plenty of time to decide what I REALLY want to do!
Only 33 days until my October trip, and I'm already looking to the future beyond that one!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
The High Roller Wheel Showing Signs of Progress
The construction of the High Roller wheel behind The Quad is finally starting to look like a giant wheel! Here's a link to the latest photos:
Got rims?
Still, it's a giant ferris wheel, and I'm not crazy about it even if it IS in Las Vegas, so I'll just take photos from the ground, thanks very much.
But I'm glad to see some progress to the construction in this area! It seems like the Boardwalk theme can't come together fast enough for me. Looking forward to seeing some new shops, trying some new restaurants, and enjoying the outdoors in Vegas. Hurry, Vegas!
Got rims?
Still, it's a giant ferris wheel, and I'm not crazy about it even if it IS in Las Vegas, so I'll just take photos from the ground, thanks very much.
But I'm glad to see some progress to the construction in this area! It seems like the Boardwalk theme can't come together fast enough for me. Looking forward to seeing some new shops, trying some new restaurants, and enjoying the outdoors in Vegas. Hurry, Vegas!
Traveling - and Airplane Etiquette - Revisited
Once upon a time, about 2 1/2 years ago, I posted a list of airplane etiquette items on this blog for consideration - here's the original post: Be nice!
Webmistress Bonnie at LasVegas4Ever found an article titled "13 Things That Make You Public Enemy #1 On A Plane". Here's a link to that article: 13 things... There are a few things that kind of overlap my own list, but I agree with each and every one.
I have to say I especially agree with #10, and when it comes to clipping nails, that is someone I would NOT want to be seated next to! What if their fingernail shrapnel flew into my drink? Disgusting!
Just remember that you ARE in a public place, even it's a small and confined one. Don't do stuff that would embarrass your mother.
Webmistress Bonnie at LasVegas4Ever found an article titled "13 Things That Make You Public Enemy #1 On A Plane". Here's a link to that article: 13 things... There are a few things that kind of overlap my own list, but I agree with each and every one.
I have to say I especially agree with #10, and when it comes to clipping nails, that is someone I would NOT want to be seated next to! What if their fingernail shrapnel flew into my drink? Disgusting!
Just remember that you ARE in a public place, even it's a small and confined one. Don't do stuff that would embarrass your mother.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
"The Walking Dead"...Coming To a Casino Near You!
Pretty much anything can become a slot machine these days. Movies and TV shows are the biggest trends right now.
My husband's favorite TV show, "The Walking Dead", is coming to Vegas via Aristocrat slots.
Zombies!
He might actually play slot machines now! Well, probably not, but if he did, this is what he'd be playing.
I love all the themed slots in Vegas, especially if they have good bonus rounds with lots of interaction. I will have to try this one out on my next trip and see how it goes, so I will reserve judgement until then.
Here's a promo clip from YouTube:
Flesh-eating Fun
My husband's favorite TV show, "The Walking Dead", is coming to Vegas via Aristocrat slots.
Zombies!
He might actually play slot machines now! Well, probably not, but if he did, this is what he'd be playing.
I love all the themed slots in Vegas, especially if they have good bonus rounds with lots of interaction. I will have to try this one out on my next trip and see how it goes, so I will reserve judgement until then.
Here's a promo clip from YouTube:
Flesh-eating Fun
A Space Finally Filled at Harrah's!
I was hoping they'd put something good next to the Harrah's Sports Bar, and it looks like they did!
Carnaval Grill
The photos look yummy, so here's hoping that a quick food option is a positive change for Harrah's.
I have been supremely disappointed by the Harrah's Cafe' constantly changing its hours, its menu, and its whole attitude towards the customers. It was a great place to have a quick dinner, but now you can't do that. So, Carnaval Grill looks to meet that quick dining requirement.
If anyone has a chance to try it, please post your opinions!
Carnaval Grill
The photos look yummy, so here's hoping that a quick food option is a positive change for Harrah's.
I have been supremely disappointed by the Harrah's Cafe' constantly changing its hours, its menu, and its whole attitude towards the customers. It was a great place to have a quick dinner, but now you can't do that. So, Carnaval Grill looks to meet that quick dining requirement.
If anyone has a chance to try it, please post your opinions!
The Quad Makes Progress
This is a complete makeover I'm actually looking forward to seeing.
My original home-away-from-home, Imperial Palace, is getting ever closer to being transformed into The Quad. See some recent photos here: Metamorphosis
It was a very tired and outdated hotel, to be sure. There are so many good changes coming to it, but I am worried they will also price themselves out of my market, too. Let's hope they don't do that when they start renovating the rooms.
Imperial Palace was always a cheap place to stay in Vegas. I remember my very first trip in 1997, my mom, an aunt, and a cousin stayed in one room during a quick weekend trip that was part of a bigger trip to Southern California to see my dying uncle. That trip formed by Vegas foundation. I fell in love with the city, and I was able to find my way around the little casino blindfolded. After only a couple of trips, I was able to give people directions through the casino and hotel while they were in Vegas and I was sitting on my own couch at home because I knew it so well.
The food choices definitely needed updating. The Emperor's Buffet - I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I hope they give it a complete overhaul, as well. Hash House a Go-Go and Embers restaurant are the only two places I think are very good right now. But I'm looking forward to Guy Fieri's new restaurant, too.
So many possibilities. They should be almost finished with the main casino renovations by the time I get there in October, and I'm looking forward to a visit to see what great new things await.
My original home-away-from-home, Imperial Palace, is getting ever closer to being transformed into The Quad. See some recent photos here: Metamorphosis
It was a very tired and outdated hotel, to be sure. There are so many good changes coming to it, but I am worried they will also price themselves out of my market, too. Let's hope they don't do that when they start renovating the rooms.
Imperial Palace was always a cheap place to stay in Vegas. I remember my very first trip in 1997, my mom, an aunt, and a cousin stayed in one room during a quick weekend trip that was part of a bigger trip to Southern California to see my dying uncle. That trip formed by Vegas foundation. I fell in love with the city, and I was able to find my way around the little casino blindfolded. After only a couple of trips, I was able to give people directions through the casino and hotel while they were in Vegas and I was sitting on my own couch at home because I knew it so well.
The food choices definitely needed updating. The Emperor's Buffet - I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I hope they give it a complete overhaul, as well. Hash House a Go-Go and Embers restaurant are the only two places I think are very good right now. But I'm looking forward to Guy Fieri's new restaurant, too.
So many possibilities. They should be almost finished with the main casino renovations by the time I get there in October, and I'm looking forward to a visit to see what great new things await.
Bill's Changeover To Gansevoort Is Making Progress
I am not a huge fan of the new name, and I'm not really a big fan of Bill's Gambling Hall changing to Gansevoort...
But they are making progress. Here's a link to the latest information on the change from "gambling hall" to "boutique hotel": Floors With A View
I was finally curious enough to look up "Gansevoort" and find out what it means, because it's certainly not a word I hear every day, even in the world of all things Vegas :).
I found that Gansevoort was the surname of a Colonel in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It is also the name of two luxury hotels in New York, which is who Caesars Entertainment is partnering with on this new venture. Here's an artist's rendering and a related article on the new Gansevoort boutique hotel in Las Vegas: High Style.
According to the article, the hotel is set to open in January 2014 with rates starting at $249 - WOW! That's far above the usual Bill's Gambling Hall rate. Those had better be some REALLY fantastic views of the Bellagio fountains!
Drai's late night club will be returning in the new hotel - and I'm sure that will make the Vegas party set very happy. I will enjoy it for another reason: people-watching as all the late night/early morning zombies return to their rooms. Ahhhhh...happiness.
Caesars Entertainment is trying to lure "a new breed" of Las Vegas tourist with this new hotel, in addition to the new Nobu wing at Caesars Palace and the makeover of Imperial Palace into "The Quad" (I will expound on that one further in another post), but they really need to remember that Vegas was built on the little guy, too. They are going to price themselves out of a market and have some of us loyal Caesars Entertainment hotel visitors moving to MLife Properties where we can get more FREE stuff by playing online games for comps, as well.
Just sayin'.
But they are making progress. Here's a link to the latest information on the change from "gambling hall" to "boutique hotel": Floors With A View
I was finally curious enough to look up "Gansevoort" and find out what it means, because it's certainly not a word I hear every day, even in the world of all things Vegas :).
I found that Gansevoort was the surname of a Colonel in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It is also the name of two luxury hotels in New York, which is who Caesars Entertainment is partnering with on this new venture. Here's an artist's rendering and a related article on the new Gansevoort boutique hotel in Las Vegas: High Style.
According to the article, the hotel is set to open in January 2014 with rates starting at $249 - WOW! That's far above the usual Bill's Gambling Hall rate. Those had better be some REALLY fantastic views of the Bellagio fountains!
Drai's late night club will be returning in the new hotel - and I'm sure that will make the Vegas party set very happy. I will enjoy it for another reason: people-watching as all the late night/early morning zombies return to their rooms. Ahhhhh...happiness.
Caesars Entertainment is trying to lure "a new breed" of Las Vegas tourist with this new hotel, in addition to the new Nobu wing at Caesars Palace and the makeover of Imperial Palace into "The Quad" (I will expound on that one further in another post), but they really need to remember that Vegas was built on the little guy, too. They are going to price themselves out of a market and have some of us loyal Caesars Entertainment hotel visitors moving to MLife Properties where we can get more FREE stuff by playing online games for comps, as well.
Just sayin'.
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