Please ADD your own Las Vegas Trip Report. Date of Trip: February 11, 2008 to February 15, 2008 Hotel Stayed At: Bally's, Fitzgeralds Report by: p_jay2001 <p_jay2001@yahoo.com> From: Eastern Iowa

I have just returned from a four night solo trip, Feb. 11-15, 2008. Due to a major project beginning at work, I won't be able to take a vacation for three or four months, so my wife suggested I take a trip to Las Vegas before it got started. I always do as my wife suggests!

Flight:
$238 RT from Moline, IL via AirTran. Delayed one hour leaving Moline due to a frozen water tank for the rest rooms (0 degrees F at time of departure). Made up about one half hour in the air, arrived at about 2:30 PM. The luggage was arriving at the carrousel by the tine I got there. Return flight was on time and uneventful.

Car Rental:
Rates were high this week. Best rate was at Payless, but I went with Dollar due to past good service. No line for the bus to the Rental Center. Went right to the Dollar Express kiosk, got my papers and went to the car. The return on Friday took a few minutes, they were very busy.

While Dollar's service was as good as always, I was not happy with the car. I reserved a compact since I was solo to save a few bucks. I didn't realize the compact Dodge Calibers were stripped down models! No power window, no power or remote door locks, no remote mirrors, and no cruise control. The manual door locks were the biggest inconvenience, I am not used to having to manually locking the doors when I get out, and was constantly going back to the car to lock the doors after I got out. The lack of even manual remote mirrors is strange in a rental car. I had to get out, adjust the right mirror, then get back in take a look, then go back and adjust it again. But the lack of cruise control surprised me the most. I always take a few day trips out of the city, and really missed the cruise control. I would not buy such a stripped down model, and did not enjoy driving this car. I guess I should have paid more attention to the car description on Dollar's web site!

Hotels:
The first two nights were comped at Ballys from a mail offer. I was given a "Grand" suite in the south tower. The room was large, with a large raised bathroom area. Two sinks and closets, a sunken soaking tub (not jetted), toilet in a small room, bidet in another small room. The room had obviously not been redecorated in many years, but was clean and comfortable. Well worth $0!

The second two nights were at Fitzgeralds, also comped by a mail offer. I was given a corner room on the 18th floor. If you have stayed at Fitzgeralds in the last ten years, you would find the room familiar. They have not been updated, but the room was very clean and quiet, with only a few wear spots on the dresser to reveal it's age. I found no mildew in the shower as I have read in some other reports. The AC/heater unit was new, and was much quieter than the old ones. If I was paying, I would probably opt for the updated rooms at the Four Queens, but this room was well worth $0.

Food:
I keep the food simple when I am in Las Vegas solo, mostly buffets and fast food.

Imperial Palace Buffet, dinner. I can hear you all gasping in horror, but I survived. After arriving Monday, and getting settled at Ballys, I needed to eat. Went to the IP buffet at about 4:30 PM, because I knew there would be no line, and it would be relatively inexpensive. Made a nice salad, and then tried the carved roast beef. Good flavor, but tougher than it looked. The baked sea bass was very good, tender and flaky, with a tangy seasoning. They also had a beef stew that was very good. I have tried all the "worst" buffets in the last few years, and with one exception, I have found you can always find something good to eat among all the choices (the exception was the Circus Circus breakfast buffet, just as bad as everyone says).

Harrah’s Buffet, breakfast. With the $5 off coupon given at check-in at Ballys, about $11. Highlights were the made to order omelet, and the carved ham. Lots of choices, good service, well worth it.

Silverton Buffet, lunch. About $5 with the 50% off coupon in the LVA POV. Nice room, good service, plenty of choices, and good food, well worth it. They also had a very good beef stew, seems to be popular in Las Vegas buffets!

ESPN Zone, NYNY, dinner. Cheeseburger, salad, and a beer. About $20 with tip. Food was okay, liked the atmosphere, watching all the basketball games.

Green Valley Ranch Buffet, lunch. $6 with POV 50% off coupon. Good meal, best no sugar added dessert of the trip, the chocolate cake was very rich and flavorful. I am a type 2 diabetic, and I know that when you look at the carbs and alcohol sugars, even the "no sugar added" desserts are not that good for you, but I watch my diet all year at home, and like to splurge a little in Las Vegas.

Four Queens Cafe, breakfast. Had the $4.99 breakfast special with a players card. Ham and eggs, good food, great price. Best of all is sitting in a booth looking out over the casino floor while eating. Great Las Vegas atmosphere.

Gold Coast Buffet, lunch. Again about $6 with the POV coupon. Not bad for the price, but not very memorable either. I thought the buffet at the IP was better.

Fremont Buffet, breakfast. About $8, didn't have any coupons. Good breakfast, another made to order omelet. The room is very dark, and need an update. Still a good option when downtown, though.

California Cafe, dinner. Had the $799 prime rib special, a tradition when in Las Vegas. Still a great meal, and great value. They even serve a dinner roll with the meal now!

Golden Gate Diner, late dinner. Had the porterhouse steak, came with salad, potato, and vegetable. Good meal, old-fashioned diner atmosphere is great, and sitting at the counter, watching the cooks and waitresses is entertainment in itself.

Fitzgerald’s Buffet, lunch. About $6 with POV 50% off coupon. The food was okay, but there is a limited selection since it is a small buffet, and many of the choices were BBQ, which I am not fond of, so I was disappointed. Roast beef was passable, and the baked swordfish was okay. The beef stew here tasted okay, but the meat was pretty fatty. No “no sugar added” desserts available.

Red Rock Resort Buffet, lunch. $11, forgot the POV coupon was only good Sunday through Friday, so I could not use it. The food was mediocre at best, I remember it being much better a year ago. Lots of choices though.

All other meals and snacks were fast food.

Gaming:
I had small wins at two BJ sessions at the Four Queens, other than that the slots were not kind. Spent a lot of money with little return, or action. Played mostly the penny video slots. Some of these games are supposed to have something called “bonus rounds”, but you couldn’t prove it by me! Guess I paid for my “free” rooms!

Other:
Took rides to Primm, Red Rock Canyon, and Hoover Dam to get away from the slot machines for a while. These rides would have been more enjoyable if I was not driving the Dodge POS from Dollar.

Great weather the whole visit, except for Wednesday evening, when a windstorm hit with 60 MPH+ winds hit. Low seventies Monday through Wednesday for high temps, about fifty Thursday, very comfortable for me without a jacket most of the time.

Had a quick breakfast at the Burger King inside O’shea’s one morning. Stood in line behind three “working” ladies in spandex hot pants and short short skirts. Only in Las Vegas!

The MAGIC convention was in town, but it didn’t seem very crowded except for Thursday night, Valentines Day.

Summary:
A fun, if not very profitable vacation, but as always, it seemed to be over too quick. Back to work Monday, with no prospect for a return until at least fall. Let me know if you have any questions, I’ll try to answer as best I can.

p_jay2001
p_jay2001 <p_jay2001@yahoo.com> - Eastern Iowa    4166

---