Our friend in Vegas, NMchop, put a value to his comps and freebies so far on his Las Vegas adventure.
His total comps so far (not counting free drinks) comes to about $4,834 if you were to put it in dollars. Read his breakdown post here:
http://www.blonde4ever.yuku.com/topic/9923
He has been in Vegas since June 17th, and the amount of comps and free play he's received so far is becoming legend among our little group of Vegas fanatics.
Best of luck, NMchop! Hope you're still in Vegas for the big LV4E meet next Saturday.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Big meet coming up - I'm so excited!
Some of my people are beginning to head to Vegas today!
Our big LasVegas4Ever Mega Meet takes place next Saturday, July 11th, and I'm really getting excited! As I said before, I'm looking forward to finally meeting so many of my online friends in one place. I've got my bags out and ready to pack, my lists are all ready, and my money is starting to burn a hole in my pocket.
Only a couple of LV4E members are headed out today, and the rest of us will trickle into Vegas over the course of the week. I think there are five of us arriving on the 11th, too, so it's not like we're all descending on the city at once; they'll have a chance to get ready for us a little at a time.
Look for lots of reports from the LV4E members over the next couple of weeks. You can read about their adventures and share their excitement here:
http://www.blonde4ever.yuku.com/directory
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Our big LasVegas4Ever Mega Meet takes place next Saturday, July 11th, and I'm really getting excited! As I said before, I'm looking forward to finally meeting so many of my online friends in one place. I've got my bags out and ready to pack, my lists are all ready, and my money is starting to burn a hole in my pocket.
Only a couple of LV4E members are headed out today, and the rest of us will trickle into Vegas over the course of the week. I think there are five of us arriving on the 11th, too, so it's not like we're all descending on the city at once; they'll have a chance to get ready for us a little at a time.
Look for lots of reports from the LV4E members over the next couple of weeks. You can read about their adventures and share their excitement here:
http://www.blonde4ever.yuku.com/directory
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Traveling to Vegas with extended family - a few tips on planning your trip
I wanted to tell you all a little story about one of my more recent trips to Vegas and give you a few tips to help you avoid some of the mistakes I made.
In October of 2008, I took a trip with my mom, two cousins, and all three of my maternal aunts to celebrate some milestone birthdays in our little group: my 40th, one aunt's 65th, and another aunt's 80th. Traveling with six other women and spending three days in Vegas weren't two thoughts that I'd ever thought of putting together before, but there they were.
I was happy to be going, but still had some apprehension. I am the planner of the bunch by nature, and I've been to Vegas many times. I arranged all the air travel, a limousine from the airport to the hotel, reserved the hotel rooms, and set up a couple of buffet dinners for all of us. In addition to that, I was playing tour guide for one of my aunts who'd had a limited view of Vegas previously and needed to be "broken in" properly. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous that something would go wrong, but I shouldn't have worried about any of the planning that I did personally.
What I should have worried about is the personality clashes and personal issues.
So, keep these things in mind if you plan a trip with multiple age groups (or both sexes):
Find out before you leave for the airport if anyone needs a wheelchair or a scooter. It just makes moving around from place to place easier, and you can arrange to have someone get it for you and have it waiting. It's hard to try and think about the possible physical limitations of everyone in a group, but that was an obvious thing that we missed. One aunt who needed assistance didn't want it, and another one who didn't need it was insisting she did.
Seat compatible people together on the airplane. While it's likely that you might fly a low-fare carrier like Southwest that doesn't assign seats, you can still make plans ahead of time to have the talkers sit together, and leave the sleepers or readers alone. No one wants people to talk across them when they're trying to read or sleep, and it's good to work out seating arrangements before you get on the aircraft to make sure that no one's feelings are hurt.
Don't assume that everyone will want to eat the same thing. Now, I didn't exactly assume this, but when it came down to trying to get together for a buffet dinner at Bellagio, I chose a night that had mostly seafood selections and only one chicken selection quite by accident. One of my aunts won't eat anything but well-cooked chicken breast, fruit, and salad, and the other pretty much dislikes all manner of fowl, seafood or sushi - she just likes plain old beef. Needless to say, they weren't happy. So, if you're planning some group meals, make sure you get the likes - and dislikes - of everyone before you set it up. Find out if the restaurant or buffet has special nights for things like steak or sushi before you make the reservation.
Don't assume that everyone will want to eat at the same time. Because of the 40-year age gap between the oldest and the youngest on the trip, some people obviously got up a lot sooner than others. Me, being the Vegas lover that I am, was up really early, anyway, but it was hard for early risers to wait for those who like to sleep in. I personally don't understand "sleeping in" while in Vegas on a short trip, but to each her own. We tried to make plans for breakfast each day, but ended up with some people half-starved while others were yawning their way through the meal. And we found out that one of the aunts doesn't eat breakfast at all, so it was a wasted trip to the restaurant for her each morning.
Put compatible people in the same hotel room. Again, this was something I hadn't experienced before. I am used to traveling with my mom, and we both snore (yes, it's true). One of my aunts does, as well, and she was stuck with one of her widowed sisters who apparently couldn't sleep with any noise. At all. Period. She was miserable and spent the last night in the room with me and my mom and was much happier for it.
Take the time to see how everyone's doing once in awhile. If you're the planner or organizer, check with each of the people and make sure they're comfortable in their room, or they are okay with going to a certain casino or attraction, or just see how they're holding up. If you have a really large group of people in your party, chances are you'll be able to find someone to help you work things out and keep everyone happy.
Find out about medical conditions and/or physical limitations anyone may have. Not everyone needs to know the details, but someone else should be aware of these things. We found out one of my aunts was NOT supposed to eat or drink certain things, like citrus and caffeine, but we didn't find out until after the trip. What did she have with every meal? Orange juice and tea. Both of these wreak havoc with certain medications she was taking, which altered her personality and memory. It certainly explained a lot of her behavior we were confused about. In addition, she didn't take her medication correctly sometimes, and that also affected her behavior. If someone had known and could have checked on her, a lot of problems would have been eliminated.
Make sure you have everyone's cell phone number - or know where they'll be. Because of one of the problems with my aunt's health, she did not hear her cell phone when we called to check on her. In addition, she didn't tell anyone exactly where she'd be, and she was by herself in another casino entirely when we thought she was nearby. We were more than a little concerned when she was almost 45 minutes late for a planned limo ride to Wynn in order to meet some of our local family members for dinner, and three of us spent most of that time walking all over the place trying to find her and repeatedly calling her phone. It was not a good feeling.
Try not to overplan any "tourist" stuff for someone who's never been. As the planner, I wanted to show one of my aunts everything I could about my favorite place on earth, but I knew it was impossible. She's a great walker, a good sport, and a lot of fun to be around, but I made sure to ask her specifically what she'd like to do or see on our little adventures, and it was one of the best decisions I made. It turned out as a really good experience for both of us, and she's looking forward to going back again and finishing her Vegas tour, because she didn't get to see everything she wanted to see before we ran out of time.
Don't take on too much responsibility! Since I was the trip planner, I was double-checking reservations and arrangements, and I made sure to check everyone out of their rooms and print their boarding passes, too. I could have certainly used some help when we got ready to go somewhere each day, but I never asked for help. Lesson learned.
After all that, I must say that I'm glad I did it once, but once is definitely enough for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find thank you notes - with gift cards! - in the mail every day for the next week, from nearly every member of my party. It made me feel good (just not ready to book another trip with all of them).
Done the right way, a trip to Vegas with a large group of people - especially family - can be done right. If you're planning such a trip in the future, good luck!
In October of 2008, I took a trip with my mom, two cousins, and all three of my maternal aunts to celebrate some milestone birthdays in our little group: my 40th, one aunt's 65th, and another aunt's 80th. Traveling with six other women and spending three days in Vegas weren't two thoughts that I'd ever thought of putting together before, but there they were.
I was happy to be going, but still had some apprehension. I am the planner of the bunch by nature, and I've been to Vegas many times. I arranged all the air travel, a limousine from the airport to the hotel, reserved the hotel rooms, and set up a couple of buffet dinners for all of us. In addition to that, I was playing tour guide for one of my aunts who'd had a limited view of Vegas previously and needed to be "broken in" properly. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous that something would go wrong, but I shouldn't have worried about any of the planning that I did personally.
What I should have worried about is the personality clashes and personal issues.
So, keep these things in mind if you plan a trip with multiple age groups (or both sexes):
Find out before you leave for the airport if anyone needs a wheelchair or a scooter. It just makes moving around from place to place easier, and you can arrange to have someone get it for you and have it waiting. It's hard to try and think about the possible physical limitations of everyone in a group, but that was an obvious thing that we missed. One aunt who needed assistance didn't want it, and another one who didn't need it was insisting she did.
Seat compatible people together on the airplane. While it's likely that you might fly a low-fare carrier like Southwest that doesn't assign seats, you can still make plans ahead of time to have the talkers sit together, and leave the sleepers or readers alone. No one wants people to talk across them when they're trying to read or sleep, and it's good to work out seating arrangements before you get on the aircraft to make sure that no one's feelings are hurt.
Don't assume that everyone will want to eat the same thing. Now, I didn't exactly assume this, but when it came down to trying to get together for a buffet dinner at Bellagio, I chose a night that had mostly seafood selections and only one chicken selection quite by accident. One of my aunts won't eat anything but well-cooked chicken breast, fruit, and salad, and the other pretty much dislikes all manner of fowl, seafood or sushi - she just likes plain old beef. Needless to say, they weren't happy. So, if you're planning some group meals, make sure you get the likes - and dislikes - of everyone before you set it up. Find out if the restaurant or buffet has special nights for things like steak or sushi before you make the reservation.
Don't assume that everyone will want to eat at the same time. Because of the 40-year age gap between the oldest and the youngest on the trip, some people obviously got up a lot sooner than others. Me, being the Vegas lover that I am, was up really early, anyway, but it was hard for early risers to wait for those who like to sleep in. I personally don't understand "sleeping in" while in Vegas on a short trip, but to each her own. We tried to make plans for breakfast each day, but ended up with some people half-starved while others were yawning their way through the meal. And we found out that one of the aunts doesn't eat breakfast at all, so it was a wasted trip to the restaurant for her each morning.
Put compatible people in the same hotel room. Again, this was something I hadn't experienced before. I am used to traveling with my mom, and we both snore (yes, it's true). One of my aunts does, as well, and she was stuck with one of her widowed sisters who apparently couldn't sleep with any noise. At all. Period. She was miserable and spent the last night in the room with me and my mom and was much happier for it.
Take the time to see how everyone's doing once in awhile. If you're the planner or organizer, check with each of the people and make sure they're comfortable in their room, or they are okay with going to a certain casino or attraction, or just see how they're holding up. If you have a really large group of people in your party, chances are you'll be able to find someone to help you work things out and keep everyone happy.
Find out about medical conditions and/or physical limitations anyone may have. Not everyone needs to know the details, but someone else should be aware of these things. We found out one of my aunts was NOT supposed to eat or drink certain things, like citrus and caffeine, but we didn't find out until after the trip. What did she have with every meal? Orange juice and tea. Both of these wreak havoc with certain medications she was taking, which altered her personality and memory. It certainly explained a lot of her behavior we were confused about. In addition, she didn't take her medication correctly sometimes, and that also affected her behavior. If someone had known and could have checked on her, a lot of problems would have been eliminated.
Make sure you have everyone's cell phone number - or know where they'll be. Because of one of the problems with my aunt's health, she did not hear her cell phone when we called to check on her. In addition, she didn't tell anyone exactly where she'd be, and she was by herself in another casino entirely when we thought she was nearby. We were more than a little concerned when she was almost 45 minutes late for a planned limo ride to Wynn in order to meet some of our local family members for dinner, and three of us spent most of that time walking all over the place trying to find her and repeatedly calling her phone. It was not a good feeling.
Try not to overplan any "tourist" stuff for someone who's never been. As the planner, I wanted to show one of my aunts everything I could about my favorite place on earth, but I knew it was impossible. She's a great walker, a good sport, and a lot of fun to be around, but I made sure to ask her specifically what she'd like to do or see on our little adventures, and it was one of the best decisions I made. It turned out as a really good experience for both of us, and she's looking forward to going back again and finishing her Vegas tour, because she didn't get to see everything she wanted to see before we ran out of time.
Don't take on too much responsibility! Since I was the trip planner, I was double-checking reservations and arrangements, and I made sure to check everyone out of their rooms and print their boarding passes, too. I could have certainly used some help when we got ready to go somewhere each day, but I never asked for help. Lesson learned.
After all that, I must say that I'm glad I did it once, but once is definitely enough for me. I was pleasantly surprised to find thank you notes - with gift cards! - in the mail every day for the next week, from nearly every member of my party. It made me feel good (just not ready to book another trip with all of them).
Done the right way, a trip to Vegas with a large group of people - especially family - can be done right. If you're planning such a trip in the future, good luck!
Harrah's Flavors Buffet - review
The Flavors Buffet is a great buffet choice for any meal of the day. Located mid-Strip in Harrah's Hotel & Casino, the Flavors Buffet serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as a brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
This buffet offers many choices, and stations for Italian, Southwestern, Brazilian, and traditional American cuisine are presented every day. A wide variety of seafood and sushi selections are also available for the lunch and dinner services. Fresh rolls, soups and salads compliment any meal, and are freshly prepared at each station. A wide selection of desserts is ever-present - even during breakfast hours - and include a delicious selection of homemade sorbets and gelatos that must be tried.
On my most recent visit, I enjoyed a buffet with mainly seafood selections on a Sunday evening. At the risk of sounding like Bubba from the movie Forrest Gump, some of my favorite selections included Cajun Peeled Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Shrimp Salad, Shrimp with Pasta (shrimp with fettuccine noodles, Alfredo sauce, and vegetables), and Grilled Shrimp and Vegetables. They kept the trays refilled constantly, so I never had to wait for something to be refilled, and all the heated selections were very hot and tasty. I like the fact that they provide warmed plates for the hot selections and chilled plates for the cold ones - it's much easier to enjoy a properly plated meal.
For dessert, I enjoyed a layered chocolate cake, fresh watermelon, and a delicious pistachio gelato that I wish I'd had a gallon of. Sodas, juices, tea, and coffee are complimentary with your meal, and I enjoyed a cup of coffee while I people-watched other diners coming and going in the restaurant before I left.
I have only gotten to try their breakfast buffet once so far, and it included some very tasty Eggs Benedict, fresh muffins, perfectly cooked eggs and delicious homemade sausages. I didn't try everything at breakfast, but the wide variety of breakfast foods looked inviting and well presented.
They are also one of the few buffets I've found that has cranberry juice available at any meal, and I always have at least one glass with my meals when it's available.
The buffet is nicely laid out, and there is plenty of room to maneuver between the tables and around the aisles. The buffet area has been remodeled recently, and the colors are very relaxing and make for a comfortable dining experience. My waitress was attentive but not overbearing, sneaking by to take away empty plates or refill my cup without me asking.
Check for coupons to get $5 off the buffet before you go to save a little money. If you're staying at Harrah's, a coupon is included in your checkin packet. Otherwise, they are available from a costumed showgirl right outside the entrance nearest to the Carnaval Court. Even without a coupon, the buffet is a great deal for the selection.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate the Flavors Buffet a solid 8, and hope to be back for another visit soon.
Buffet hours and prices:
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; $14.99
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; $15.99
Dinner: 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.; $21.99
Brunch: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; $20.99
This buffet offers many choices, and stations for Italian, Southwestern, Brazilian, and traditional American cuisine are presented every day. A wide variety of seafood and sushi selections are also available for the lunch and dinner services. Fresh rolls, soups and salads compliment any meal, and are freshly prepared at each station. A wide selection of desserts is ever-present - even during breakfast hours - and include a delicious selection of homemade sorbets and gelatos that must be tried.
On my most recent visit, I enjoyed a buffet with mainly seafood selections on a Sunday evening. At the risk of sounding like Bubba from the movie Forrest Gump, some of my favorite selections included Cajun Peeled Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Shrimp Salad, Shrimp with Pasta (shrimp with fettuccine noodles, Alfredo sauce, and vegetables), and Grilled Shrimp and Vegetables. They kept the trays refilled constantly, so I never had to wait for something to be refilled, and all the heated selections were very hot and tasty. I like the fact that they provide warmed plates for the hot selections and chilled plates for the cold ones - it's much easier to enjoy a properly plated meal.
For dessert, I enjoyed a layered chocolate cake, fresh watermelon, and a delicious pistachio gelato that I wish I'd had a gallon of. Sodas, juices, tea, and coffee are complimentary with your meal, and I enjoyed a cup of coffee while I people-watched other diners coming and going in the restaurant before I left.
I have only gotten to try their breakfast buffet once so far, and it included some very tasty Eggs Benedict, fresh muffins, perfectly cooked eggs and delicious homemade sausages. I didn't try everything at breakfast, but the wide variety of breakfast foods looked inviting and well presented.
They are also one of the few buffets I've found that has cranberry juice available at any meal, and I always have at least one glass with my meals when it's available.
The buffet is nicely laid out, and there is plenty of room to maneuver between the tables and around the aisles. The buffet area has been remodeled recently, and the colors are very relaxing and make for a comfortable dining experience. My waitress was attentive but not overbearing, sneaking by to take away empty plates or refill my cup without me asking.
Check for coupons to get $5 off the buffet before you go to save a little money. If you're staying at Harrah's, a coupon is included in your checkin packet. Otherwise, they are available from a costumed showgirl right outside the entrance nearest to the Carnaval Court. Even without a coupon, the buffet is a great deal for the selection.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate the Flavors Buffet a solid 8, and hope to be back for another visit soon.
Buffet hours and prices:
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; $14.99
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; $15.99
Dinner: 3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.; $21.99
Brunch: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; $20.99
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino - review
 |
| The hotel, from across the street in front of Caesars Palace |
 |
| The Ricky Martin "dealertainer" in action |
 |
| It's a plain room, but it's not bad |
The Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino is located mid-Strip, between Flamingo and Harrah's, and directly across the street from Caesars Palace.
Out of the 20-odd times I've been to Las Vegas, 17 of those trips have seen me staying at Imperial Palace, or "IP" as it's also known. While it's certainly not a 5-star hotel and it doesn't have a great pool, it's certainly a good value for a mid-Strip location and not a hotel that should be considered a "dive" by any means.
Acquired by Harrah's Entertainment (HET) just a few years ago, it was rumored that the IP would be imploded - along with several other HET properties - to make way for a larger property on the Strip. As the unfinished Project City Center behemoth next to Bellagio shows, lbigger is not always better.
Room features: The rooms are pretty small and basic, and they don't have a lot of amenities or special features. They either contain one king or two queen beds, and the bathrooms have either a single or double vanity sink depending on the number of beds in the room. A 27" TV with Nintendo is included in each room, as well as WiFi hookups and a keyboard to use with the television. Room service is offered 24 hours a day.
Casino: The casino offers free gaming lessons, a poker room, slot machines, table games, and live keno. Four bars are located on the casino floor, and cocktail waitresses are plentiful. This is one of the smaller casinos on the Strip, and you can walk in the front door and see almost all the way to the shops in the back of the casino near the elevators. Because it is small and the ceilings are pretty low, the air circulation is not very good and it can get very smoky here late at night. What the casino lacks in size it makes up for in an entertaining atmosphere; the Dealertainers deal blackjack and perform songs from 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. every day, and the craps tables are some of the most crowded and boisterous on the Strip.
Restaurants and dining: Betty's Diner and Cyber Cafe' is located on the casino level past the hotel shops. They offer limited breakfast items, sandwiches, snacks and drinks. The cyber cafe' has free WiFi, but it also offers four laptop stations which can be accessed for a fee. The diner opens at 6:00 a.m. daily.
The Teahouse is located on the 2nd floor and is accessible by elevator or escalator near the Ginza Bar. It is open 24 hours and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For such a small place, the menu offerings are quite extensive, and there's something to satisfy everyone in your party.
Burger Palace is located on the 3rd floor and offers basic fast food selections like burgers, fries, and shakes. It opens at 7:00 a.m. daily.
The Emperor's Buffet is also located on the 3rd floor, but I would not recommend this buffet to anyone. You would do much better by going to The Teahouse, Betty's Diner, or Burger Palace for a quick meal, or head to one of the 5th floor restaurants for more appealing dining options.
Embers is a romantic restaurant located on the 5th floor. They offer steak and seafood options, and their salads and specialty desserts are prepared tableside. It is considered one of the top five most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas, and reservations are recommended by not required. The restaurant opens at 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
Pizza Palace is also located on the 5th floor, and it opens at 11:00 a.m. daily. They offer pizza, pastas, hot and cold sandwiches, and a large salad bar.
Take the elevator or escalator at the front of the casino to access either of the 5th floor restaurants.
Entertainment: Dealertainers - These "dealer entertainers" have their own pit of blackjack tables on the main casino floor. Each dealer is dressed as a different entertainer (Ricky Martin, Dolly Parton, Elvis, etc.), and they regularly get up on their own "stage" to perform or lip sync a few songs. Some of them are pretty good, but some of them are also far-fetched and hard to identify.
The Auto Collection is located on the fifth level of the parking garage and is accessible from the casino floor near the monorail entrance. The collection houses over $100 million worth of cars, some of which are available for sale to the public. Admission is $6, but free passes can be obtained from the Total Rewards desk, any gift shop on the casino level, or in Las Vegas 24/7 magazines.
Imperial Palace Karaoke Club offers a lively karaoke party on the 3rd floor, directly across from the Sports Book. Performances start at 9:00 p.m. nightly.
The Rockhouse Bar and Nightclub is located in the "satellite" area of IP next to the Strip. This is a daiquiri bar and nightclub that charges a small fee, and private tables are not available. The bar and nightclub open at 9:00 p.m. nightly.
The Imperial Luau takes place poolside on Tuesday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. from May through September, weather permitting. Complimentary drinks and an authentic Hawaiian luau accompany a host of Hawaiian dancers. Be aware that the show can be pretty warm during the summer months, so be sure to dress accordingly. Ticket prices start at $49.95 per person.
Other services - 4th floor:
Beauty salon
Business center
Meeting rooms
The spa
Wedding chapel
Other services - 8th floor:
Casino host office
Medical center
Using a scale of 1 to 10, I rate the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino as a 7. Its convenient location, great drink service and cheap table limits make it a good place to stay and play when you're vising Las Vegas on a tight budget. There are more upscale places to stay, but if you're looking for a small, center-Strip hotel with a low price and lots of things to offer, you can't go wrong with IP.
For more details about the casino, hotel, or services, visit their website at http://www.imperialpalace.com/, or call toll-free: 1-800-634-6441 (local: 702-731-3311).
Out of the 20-odd times I've been to Las Vegas, 17 of those trips have seen me staying at Imperial Palace, or "IP" as it's also known. While it's certainly not a 5-star hotel and it doesn't have a great pool, it's certainly a good value for a mid-Strip location and not a hotel that should be considered a "dive" by any means.
Acquired by Harrah's Entertainment (HET) just a few years ago, it was rumored that the IP would be imploded - along with several other HET properties - to make way for a larger property on the Strip. As the unfinished Project City Center behemoth next to Bellagio shows, lbigger is not always better.
Room features: The rooms are pretty small and basic, and they don't have a lot of amenities or special features. They either contain one king or two queen beds, and the bathrooms have either a single or double vanity sink depending on the number of beds in the room. A 27" TV with Nintendo is included in each room, as well as WiFi hookups and a keyboard to use with the television. Room service is offered 24 hours a day.
Casino: The casino offers free gaming lessons, a poker room, slot machines, table games, and live keno. Four bars are located on the casino floor, and cocktail waitresses are plentiful. This is one of the smaller casinos on the Strip, and you can walk in the front door and see almost all the way to the shops in the back of the casino near the elevators. Because it is small and the ceilings are pretty low, the air circulation is not very good and it can get very smoky here late at night. What the casino lacks in size it makes up for in an entertaining atmosphere; the Dealertainers deal blackjack and perform songs from 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. every day, and the craps tables are some of the most crowded and boisterous on the Strip.
Restaurants and dining: Betty's Diner and Cyber Cafe' is located on the casino level past the hotel shops. They offer limited breakfast items, sandwiches, snacks and drinks. The cyber cafe' has free WiFi, but it also offers four laptop stations which can be accessed for a fee. The diner opens at 6:00 a.m. daily.
The Teahouse is located on the 2nd floor and is accessible by elevator or escalator near the Ginza Bar. It is open 24 hours and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For such a small place, the menu offerings are quite extensive, and there's something to satisfy everyone in your party.
Burger Palace is located on the 3rd floor and offers basic fast food selections like burgers, fries, and shakes. It opens at 7:00 a.m. daily.
The Emperor's Buffet is also located on the 3rd floor, but I would not recommend this buffet to anyone. You would do much better by going to The Teahouse, Betty's Diner, or Burger Palace for a quick meal, or head to one of the 5th floor restaurants for more appealing dining options.
Embers is a romantic restaurant located on the 5th floor. They offer steak and seafood options, and their salads and specialty desserts are prepared tableside. It is considered one of the top five most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas, and reservations are recommended by not required. The restaurant opens at 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
Pizza Palace is also located on the 5th floor, and it opens at 11:00 a.m. daily. They offer pizza, pastas, hot and cold sandwiches, and a large salad bar.
Take the elevator or escalator at the front of the casino to access either of the 5th floor restaurants.
Entertainment: Dealertainers - These "dealer entertainers" have their own pit of blackjack tables on the main casino floor. Each dealer is dressed as a different entertainer (Ricky Martin, Dolly Parton, Elvis, etc.), and they regularly get up on their own "stage" to perform or lip sync a few songs. Some of them are pretty good, but some of them are also far-fetched and hard to identify.
The Auto Collection is located on the fifth level of the parking garage and is accessible from the casino floor near the monorail entrance. The collection houses over $100 million worth of cars, some of which are available for sale to the public. Admission is $6, but free passes can be obtained from the Total Rewards desk, any gift shop on the casino level, or in Las Vegas 24/7 magazines.
Imperial Palace Karaoke Club offers a lively karaoke party on the 3rd floor, directly across from the Sports Book. Performances start at 9:00 p.m. nightly.
The Rockhouse Bar and Nightclub is located in the "satellite" area of IP next to the Strip. This is a daiquiri bar and nightclub that charges a small fee, and private tables are not available. The bar and nightclub open at 9:00 p.m. nightly.
The Imperial Luau takes place poolside on Tuesday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. from May through September, weather permitting. Complimentary drinks and an authentic Hawaiian luau accompany a host of Hawaiian dancers. Be aware that the show can be pretty warm during the summer months, so be sure to dress accordingly. Ticket prices start at $49.95 per person.
Other services - 4th floor:
Beauty salon
Business center
Meeting rooms
The spa
Wedding chapel
Other services - 8th floor:
Casino host office
Medical center
Using a scale of 1 to 10, I rate the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino as a 7. Its convenient location, great drink service and cheap table limits make it a good place to stay and play when you're vising Las Vegas on a tight budget. There are more upscale places to stay, but if you're looking for a small, center-Strip hotel with a low price and lots of things to offer, you can't go wrong with IP.
For more details about the casino, hotel, or services, visit their website at http://www.imperialpalace.com/, or call toll-free: 1-800-634-6441 (local: 702-731-3311).
Update December 21, 2009: The Teahouse at Imperial Palace has been closed and replaced by Hash House A Go-Go. HHAGG already has one location in Las Vegas, and my understanding is that the portions are very large, the prices are reasonable and the food is very good. I'm looking forward to trying it out on one of my next trips.
Imperial Palace Classic Auto Collection - Review
Imperial Palace's Classic Auto Collection resides on the 5th level of the parking garage at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino. It is accessible via elevator from the casino level near the monorail entrance.
The collection contains over 100 million dollars' worth of cars including a rare Astin Marten, a mint-condition '72 Stingray Corvette with only 200 miles on it, the Starsky & Hutch movie car, and approximately 5 Rolls Royce Phantoms just to name a few.
Also in the collection is talk show legend Johnny Carson's childhood car. His parents sold the car when he was still a young boy, but he managed to find it again years later and repurchased it for his own private collection. The car is currently on loan to the IP Auto Collection by Johnny Carson's estate.
The autos are displayed in three large, air-conditioned rooms, and the whole area is well lit with plenty of space between each display and between the aisles. Each has a placard describing the car and listing some of the interesting facts about it, and they also advise if that particular car is for sale or not. The sale price - or the estimated value - is there for everyone to see, and there are a couple of cars listed as "priceless". Many of the autos in the collection are one-of-a-kind, or one of only a handful left in existence, and it's amazing to see so many cars in such fantastic condition in one place.
If you are so inclined and wish to purchase one of the cars for sale, a sales office is also located within the auto collection for your convenience. Prices of some of the cars range from $12,500 for a 1984 Corvette hard top to $5 million for one of the Rolls Royce Phantoms.
It's a good afternoon diversion for car enthusiasts. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate the auto collection as a solid 8. If you're not a car enthusiast, skip it, because there's not much else on the 5th floor of the parking garage besides the collection and its gift shop.
Admission is $6, but you can get a free pass from the Total Rewards desk in the casino, from a cashier at any shop on the casino level, and in most Las Vegas magazines like Vegas 24/7. The collection is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
The collection contains over 100 million dollars' worth of cars including a rare Astin Marten, a mint-condition '72 Stingray Corvette with only 200 miles on it, the Starsky & Hutch movie car, and approximately 5 Rolls Royce Phantoms just to name a few.
Also in the collection is talk show legend Johnny Carson's childhood car. His parents sold the car when he was still a young boy, but he managed to find it again years later and repurchased it for his own private collection. The car is currently on loan to the IP Auto Collection by Johnny Carson's estate.
The autos are displayed in three large, air-conditioned rooms, and the whole area is well lit with plenty of space between each display and between the aisles. Each has a placard describing the car and listing some of the interesting facts about it, and they also advise if that particular car is for sale or not. The sale price - or the estimated value - is there for everyone to see, and there are a couple of cars listed as "priceless". Many of the autos in the collection are one-of-a-kind, or one of only a handful left in existence, and it's amazing to see so many cars in such fantastic condition in one place.
If you are so inclined and wish to purchase one of the cars for sale, a sales office is also located within the auto collection for your convenience. Prices of some of the cars range from $12,500 for a 1984 Corvette hard top to $5 million for one of the Rolls Royce Phantoms.
It's a good afternoon diversion for car enthusiasts. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate the auto collection as a solid 8. If you're not a car enthusiast, skip it, because there's not much else on the 5th floor of the parking garage besides the collection and its gift shop.
Admission is $6, but you can get a free pass from the Total Rewards desk in the casino, from a cashier at any shop on the casino level, and in most Las Vegas magazines like Vegas 24/7. The collection is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tips on tipping - some basic info for tipping in hotels and casinos
In this posting, I hope to give you an outline of tipping basics for some of the service people you may encounter day-to-day in Las Vegas hotels and casinos.
It may seem like everyone in Vegas has their hand out and expects a tip, and it's probably more true than you think; the vast majority of Las Vegas is involved in the service industry in some way, and a lot of them are employed with the expectation that at least some part of their income will come from tips.
That being said, a tip is a thank you for good service, and no one should expect to receive a tip if they A) don't perform a service, B) don't present a good attitude, or C) don't deliver what you're expecting. So, let's get on with it, shall we?
Front desk clerk - Lots of people try "the $20 trick" - i.e., asking nicely for an 'upgrade' and placing a $20 bill between your ID and credit card when presenting it to the front desk clerk who's assigning your hotel room. If there are rooms available and the clerk is able to put you into one that would be considered an upgrade from what you've reserved, that $20 may disappear when you get your ID and credit card back. It doesn't always work, but you never know if you don't ask. You could always try asking for that upgrade before presenting the $20 because you might really be able to get a free upgrade...
Bellman/bell captain - These nice men and women have to lug your suitcases everywhere to store them while you're waiting to get into your room or waiting to leave for the airport. A flat tip of $1-$2 per bag is sufficient when they deliver them to your room or you retrieve them from storage. Tipping at both times is appropriate.
Doorman (hails taxis and opens doors) - A $1 tip is a good standard. If they put luggage into a taxi for you, another $1-$2 is appropriate. If you have a large party and are trying to fit and/or configure your people into multiple taxis or a limo, a $5 tip is not outrageous.
Shuttle drivers (courtesy shuttles) - Shuttles between certain hotels and casinos are provided free of charge, but you should tip the drivers $1 per person if they've been especially nice and pleasant on the trip.
Limo drivers - A tip of 15-20% is appreciated by the driver, depending on the level of service provided. If the driver stops at the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign or any other location, you should certainly make sure you tip at least 20% of the total cost.
Valet parking attendants - A tip of $1-$2 each time the attendant takes or brings your car is appropriate and appreciated.
Maid service/house keeping - Tip daily if you ask for/receive additional towels, extra amenities, extra blankets or pillows, or if you make any other special requests. $2-$3 per day is a good baseline for a standard Las Vegas hotel room, but you should certainly up that if you're staying in a suite or an upgraded room.
Room service - Just like waiters and waitresses in restaurants, 15-20% of the bill is appropriate, depending on the service. Be sure to ask when you place your order, because some hotels add an automatic gratuity to the bill for room service orders.
Restaurant seating hostess/host or maitre'd - If you are eating at a nice restaurant and the seating hostess has done an exceptionally attentive job and made you feel special, welcome and comfortable - or gotten you some primo seating - a tip of $5-$10 (or even $10-$20 depending on the menu prices and service) is not unheard of. Otherwise, tipping the seating hostess is not required or expected.
Showroom maitre'd and ushers - If you're attending a show with table seating, you will more than likely encounter one of these when you enter the showroom. If you have pre-assigned seating, a $5 tip (per person or couple, depending on the price of the show/dinner tickets) is nice. If you are attending a show where a nice tip will get you a really, really good seat up front or in a much-coveted booth, $10-$20 per person or couple will do nicely to get you moved to a much better seat or viewing area.
Bartenders - Whether you're gambling or not, bartenders should be tipped if you're sitting at the bar and drinking. Tipping $1-$2 for each drink is a good start. If you are ordering specialty drinks or top-shelf liquor, tipping more per drink is appropriate.
Slot attendants and floor personnel - These ladies and gentlemen are getting rarer every day. With the introduction of TITO, they are hardly ever needed to make change or get coins for the machines, but they are still around when jackpots are paid. When they DO come to pay out a jackpot, a tip to both the slot attendant and floor supervisor is not out of the ordinary and is actually kind of expected. Depending on the amount of your jackpot, a tip of $5-$20 is a good start. If you win a jackpot of $1,000 or more, doubling that is not out of the question; after all, they ARE handing you your winnings! If you hit a jackpot of $5,000 or more, a tip of at least $50-$100 each would be appropriate.
Dealers - Basing a tip on your rate of play is a good place to start. For example, if you're playing blackjack, you've been winning fairly regularly, and you want to reward the dealer, ask them if they'd like to receive a tip directly (which you place on the table, away from your bet but not into the dealer's hand), or if they would prefer you place a bet for them. They will instruct you on where the bet should be placed if they choose that option. I use the rule of a $1 tip for every $5 I'm betting, so that's $2 for a $10 bet. Tip as often as you feel is appropriate. If I'm winning, I tip more frequently than if I'm losing.
Keno runners - If you're playing for a long time, tip $1 occasionally...even if you're not winning.
Spa attendants - Depending on the type and price of the services you receive, a tip of $10-$20 is not unusual for each attendant who handles your treatments. That's $10 for the manicurist, $10 for the attendant who did your facial, $10-$20 for the masseuse, etc.
And last but certainly not least...
Cocktail waitresses - Of all the people on this list, these ladies are the most deserving of the tips, in my opinion. Even though the drinks are "free", cocktail waitresses run themselves ragged getting drinks for all types of folks everywhere, and tips are an important part of their income. If you DON'T tip a cocktail waitress when you order your first drink, chances are you'll never see her again (or very, very infrequently). The general rule is $1 per drink minimum, but I would raise that if you are asking for specialty drinks or if you'd like to see her more often with a fresh drink. If you are playing a penny slot and playing only 9 lines at a penny apiece, please don't insult her by giving her a dime or quarter. Please.
My husband's tipping strategy applies to his favorite game: blackjack. He likes certain beers in the bottle only, so he tips the cocktail waitress $5 on the first round, then another $2 each time she returns. It pretty much guarantees him a quick beer every time.
For another good source of information regarding cocktail waitresses, how to order drinks, and a really good blog written by a real Vegas cocktail waitress, go to http://www.cocktaildoll.com/ for Cocktail Dollie's interesting and very entertaining web page.
That's it! A little bit of information to help you try and navigate the tipping world in Las Vegas. While it's in no way a comprehensive list of the people you might be tipping, hopefully it'll help you when you're trying to make a decision on who to tip and how much you should give.
It may seem like everyone in Vegas has their hand out and expects a tip, and it's probably more true than you think; the vast majority of Las Vegas is involved in the service industry in some way, and a lot of them are employed with the expectation that at least some part of their income will come from tips.
That being said, a tip is a thank you for good service, and no one should expect to receive a tip if they A) don't perform a service, B) don't present a good attitude, or C) don't deliver what you're expecting. So, let's get on with it, shall we?
Front desk clerk - Lots of people try "the $20 trick" - i.e., asking nicely for an 'upgrade' and placing a $20 bill between your ID and credit card when presenting it to the front desk clerk who's assigning your hotel room. If there are rooms available and the clerk is able to put you into one that would be considered an upgrade from what you've reserved, that $20 may disappear when you get your ID and credit card back. It doesn't always work, but you never know if you don't ask. You could always try asking for that upgrade before presenting the $20 because you might really be able to get a free upgrade...
Bellman/bell captain - These nice men and women have to lug your suitcases everywhere to store them while you're waiting to get into your room or waiting to leave for the airport. A flat tip of $1-$2 per bag is sufficient when they deliver them to your room or you retrieve them from storage. Tipping at both times is appropriate.
Doorman (hails taxis and opens doors) - A $1 tip is a good standard. If they put luggage into a taxi for you, another $1-$2 is appropriate. If you have a large party and are trying to fit and/or configure your people into multiple taxis or a limo, a $5 tip is not outrageous.
Shuttle drivers (courtesy shuttles) - Shuttles between certain hotels and casinos are provided free of charge, but you should tip the drivers $1 per person if they've been especially nice and pleasant on the trip.
Limo drivers - A tip of 15-20% is appreciated by the driver, depending on the level of service provided. If the driver stops at the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign or any other location, you should certainly make sure you tip at least 20% of the total cost.
Valet parking attendants - A tip of $1-$2 each time the attendant takes or brings your car is appropriate and appreciated.
Maid service/house keeping - Tip daily if you ask for/receive additional towels, extra amenities, extra blankets or pillows, or if you make any other special requests. $2-$3 per day is a good baseline for a standard Las Vegas hotel room, but you should certainly up that if you're staying in a suite or an upgraded room.
Room service - Just like waiters and waitresses in restaurants, 15-20% of the bill is appropriate, depending on the service. Be sure to ask when you place your order, because some hotels add an automatic gratuity to the bill for room service orders.
Restaurant seating hostess/host or maitre'd - If you are eating at a nice restaurant and the seating hostess has done an exceptionally attentive job and made you feel special, welcome and comfortable - or gotten you some primo seating - a tip of $5-$10 (or even $10-$20 depending on the menu prices and service) is not unheard of. Otherwise, tipping the seating hostess is not required or expected.
Showroom maitre'd and ushers - If you're attending a show with table seating, you will more than likely encounter one of these when you enter the showroom. If you have pre-assigned seating, a $5 tip (per person or couple, depending on the price of the show/dinner tickets) is nice. If you are attending a show where a nice tip will get you a really, really good seat up front or in a much-coveted booth, $10-$20 per person or couple will do nicely to get you moved to a much better seat or viewing area.
Bartenders - Whether you're gambling or not, bartenders should be tipped if you're sitting at the bar and drinking. Tipping $1-$2 for each drink is a good start. If you are ordering specialty drinks or top-shelf liquor, tipping more per drink is appropriate.
Slot attendants and floor personnel - These ladies and gentlemen are getting rarer every day. With the introduction of TITO, they are hardly ever needed to make change or get coins for the machines, but they are still around when jackpots are paid. When they DO come to pay out a jackpot, a tip to both the slot attendant and floor supervisor is not out of the ordinary and is actually kind of expected. Depending on the amount of your jackpot, a tip of $5-$20 is a good start. If you win a jackpot of $1,000 or more, doubling that is not out of the question; after all, they ARE handing you your winnings! If you hit a jackpot of $5,000 or more, a tip of at least $50-$100 each would be appropriate.
Dealers - Basing a tip on your rate of play is a good place to start. For example, if you're playing blackjack, you've been winning fairly regularly, and you want to reward the dealer, ask them if they'd like to receive a tip directly (which you place on the table, away from your bet but not into the dealer's hand), or if they would prefer you place a bet for them. They will instruct you on where the bet should be placed if they choose that option. I use the rule of a $1 tip for every $5 I'm betting, so that's $2 for a $10 bet. Tip as often as you feel is appropriate. If I'm winning, I tip more frequently than if I'm losing.
Keno runners - If you're playing for a long time, tip $1 occasionally...even if you're not winning.
Spa attendants - Depending on the type and price of the services you receive, a tip of $10-$20 is not unusual for each attendant who handles your treatments. That's $10 for the manicurist, $10 for the attendant who did your facial, $10-$20 for the masseuse, etc.
And last but certainly not least...
Cocktail waitresses - Of all the people on this list, these ladies are the most deserving of the tips, in my opinion. Even though the drinks are "free", cocktail waitresses run themselves ragged getting drinks for all types of folks everywhere, and tips are an important part of their income. If you DON'T tip a cocktail waitress when you order your first drink, chances are you'll never see her again (or very, very infrequently). The general rule is $1 per drink minimum, but I would raise that if you are asking for specialty drinks or if you'd like to see her more often with a fresh drink. If you are playing a penny slot and playing only 9 lines at a penny apiece, please don't insult her by giving her a dime or quarter. Please.
My husband's tipping strategy applies to his favorite game: blackjack. He likes certain beers in the bottle only, so he tips the cocktail waitress $5 on the first round, then another $2 each time she returns. It pretty much guarantees him a quick beer every time.
For another good source of information regarding cocktail waitresses, how to order drinks, and a really good blog written by a real Vegas cocktail waitress, go to http://www.cocktaildoll.com/ for Cocktail Dollie's interesting and very entertaining web page.
That's it! A little bit of information to help you try and navigate the tipping world in Las Vegas. While it's in no way a comprehensive list of the people you might be tipping, hopefully it'll help you when you're trying to make a decision on who to tip and how much you should give.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)