Please ADD your own Las Vegas Trip Report. Date of Trip: March 09, 2006 to March 14, 2006 Hotel Stayed At: Bally's Report by: Steve <slewis1952@aol.com> From: Atlanta

Well it was Vegas trip #7 for our group of 6 basketball experts. The flight out of Atlanta was marred by Air Force 1 leaving Hartsfield International at the same time we were due to leave. That killed 30 minutes but it was interesting to watch. Got into Vegas at 8:30 pm and the check-in desk for Bally's was having trouble at the airport. We got a very quick cab ride to the hotel and checked in in about 5 minutes. It was also NASCAR race weekend in Las Vegas and it looked like a good ole boys convention in the city. Along with conference championships, it was a full trip for us.

Let me give you an educated synopsis of the trip---

Ballys hotel was excellent. The room is very nice. When I called to fix the heater in the room (outside temperature was 34) they came in 5 minutes. The coffee shop food was good, the Big Kitchen Buffet for breakfast was not good nor bad... just average. The Italian estaurant al Dente was a diamond in the rough. I had chicken parmesan which was spectacular. The others had scampis and veal which was very good. This place is worth every penny.

The gambling at Ballys was excellent. Table levels were $10-$15 on blackjack and the same on craps. Hit 4- 4 of a kinds in video poker on the $.25 machines. Enjoyed the sports book but the results were not so good. Like to access to the monorail out of the mall area.

Aladdin- ate here at the buffet and still feel its Vegas' best. Has gotten pricey at $24.95. They are turining the hotel into a Planet Hollywood casino so there is a lot of construction.

Hooters Casino- the newest place in town. Formerly the old San Remo next to the Trop. Small, loud, beach-type casino with Hooters girls even dealing some of the tables. Hard to move around. Guys greatly outnumbered girls in this place. Ok, I saw it and that was that.

Caesars- great sports book and same Ceasars as always. Shops at the Forum Shops are still a nice diversion. Celine and Elton were on vacation.

Wynn's- no human being could spend as much as Steve Wynn spent on this place. Spectacular hotel and huge casino. Sports book was like sitting in an old English gentleman's club. Shops galore with restaurants overlooking lagoon and waterfall. If I could afford this place, I'd stay there!!

Casino Royale- little casino opposite Caesars. Fun place to gamble. Has midget in Irish costume who got onto bar and gave all the ladies free shots. Lots of kids but a lot of fun to be in. Never seen a craps table with only two table dealers until I came here.

Monte Carlo- 6 of us ate at Blackstones (steaks). This was my second visit. I still say its the best steakhouse in Las Vegas. Two strip steaks, two drinks, two appetizers, and two side dishes ran just over $110 which was not bad. Two other members of our party who were there for the first time said it was the best steak they have ever eaten. Meat is huge. Drinks were a little weak. Salads were out of this world (chopped salad and caesar salad were excellent),and waiter (french name I cannot remember) was top-gun. This is the place to eat.

Otherwise it was a fun trip for 6 guys to show that we know nothing about gambling on basketball games. Trip back to Atlanta was fast, easy, and ON TIME!! Sorry if this was too long.
Steve <slewis1952@aol.com> - Atlanta    2908

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