Please ADD your own Las Vegas Trip Report. Date of Trip: July 28, 2008 to August 01, 2008 Hotel Stayed At: California and Paris Report by: LKinWI <> From: WI

Flew with a friend on Allegiant out of Duluth, MN for four nights. We've been going to vegas for over 20 years. Stayed at two places where I had never stayed before. The first two nights were at the California. I was in the tower nearest the check-in and was pleasantly surprised by the room. Small, but very clean with a nice decor. The bathroom set up is the same as LV Club and Plaza. Small bathroom with sink and closet just outside. There was also a refrigerator and flat screen TV in the room.(By the way, we took a cab from the airport and got long-hauled again. We always forget to say something until we're already inside the tunnel)

We used our POV coupon book for Roberta's at the El Cortez that evening. Both of us had the lobster and it was very good. We will definitely return to Roberta's. If you want to dine there, I would recommend reservations, because we were there at 6:00 on a Mon. and there was a waiting list.

After dinner, we walked to Main St. Station for some VP. Friend got A's with a kicker(DDB)for 500 at the bar. I moved down a few machines and was dealt JQKA of clubs. I muttered yeah right to myself and up popped the 10 for 1023. I was off to a great start. Just played at MSS and Cal for the rest of the evening pretty much holding my own.

Day two was a losing day. Took the shuttle to Sam's Town. Used our POV for the breakfast buffet. It was okay for less than 3 dollars per person. I enjoyed the ride out to Sam's, but didn't particulary like the casino. Can't say why, just didn't like the vibe. Took the shuttle bus back downtown. We were going to have dinner at Binions Ranch Steakhouse and see the Rat Pack is Back this evening. Had the small cut prime rib at Binion's and it was huge. Friend had the petite filet. Both meals were okay, but we liked Roberta's better. The Plaza is accepting POV coupons for The Rat Pack show, so we had 2 for 1 tickets. It was a good show for 32 dollars, but neither of us thought that it would be worth full price.

Day 3- Breakfast buffet at Freemont and move to Paris. Friend was staying at the Freemont and got a buffet comp for us. The buffet was good as usual. We got rooms at Paris right away in the morning. I was on the 15th floor and friend was on the 16th. View was the top of the Miracle Mile mall, but the room was nice. I liked the separate shower and the make-up mirror in the bathroom. I didn't like the position of the snack bar fridge. I was paranoid that I was going to bump into it in the middle of the night and get charged for a bunch of overpriced crap. We played a little at Paris and then took a cab to the Palm's. I lost about 300 on various VP machines until I finally decided to have a margarita at the bar by the Blue Agave/Gardunos. Had two tasty margaritas and hit 4's with a kicker on DDB, 4's without a kicker and A's without a kicker. cashed out for 400.

Ate at Gardunos using the POV coupon. We usually like their fajitas, but they weren't as good this time. The Palms also had a July prize giveaway. You are assigned a number of points depending on how much you play that day. There is also a list of about 8-10 prizes with a point amount. You can get any combination of prizes with your points, but can't get two of the same thing. I wanted the blender set, but they were out, so I settled for the rolling cooler, the Ipod carrying case and the CD wallet. My friend got the robe and beach towel. Played at Paris for the rest of the evening and lost my Palm's winnings.

Day 4 We began with the Paris breakfast buffet. It's still our favorite. Played a little at Flamingo and Harrah's. Got 4 deuces at Harrah's for 250. Walked down to Venetian and Palazzo. I liked the Palazzo. I can't say why, but it had a good vibe for me. I pretty much held my own with VP, won a little, lost a little but had a good time there. Met my friend at the LaScena Bar at Venetian and had a very good cosmo.

Walked over to Flamingo for the dinner buffet. The crab legs were cold, but had good flavor. The desserts were also good. I enjoyed the bananas foster. Service was poor. My coffee was not refilled and our empty plates sat on our table. We didn't hate the buffet, but weren't impressed either. Spent the rest of the evening at Paris and Bally's. Lost, lost, lost. Finally had to dip into my traveler's checks.

Went to bed at 1 a.m. and up at 4 a.m. for an early flight. This is the only thing that I hate about Allegiant out of Duluth. I wish that the flight home was later, but the price and convenience outweigh the early flight. Had an uneventful flight home.

All in all, I had a great time. I pretty much played on my first day winnings and came home with most of my traveler's checks.






LKinWI <> - WI    4301

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