Trip Report 1/23-1/27

We just got back a few days ago from our first trip to Las Vegas. We are not big gamblers, but like to spend some time at slots/video poker.

We arrived Tuesday night, 9 pm Vegas time and checked into our hotel. We stayed at the brand new Marriott Grand Chateau, a timeshare hotel that doesn%26#39;t have a casino. My husband%26#39;s family owns a timeshare and traded a week for us, which is how we were able to stay there. It is in a great location, across Harmon Ave. from the Desert Passage Mall at the Aladdin. We had a king size bed, large jacuzzi tub and separate shower, a full size kitchen, and a flat-screen tv. The accomodations were beautiful and although the hotel is undergoing construction, we heard very little noise.

After we arrived, we were wired but still too tired to want to go out, so we bought a 6 pack of Budweiser from the hotel store ($8, but still cheaper than going out) and drank it and watched a movie.

The next morning we walked to Ellis Island for breakfast. Breakfast was $8 plus tip, and the food was pretty good! Afterwards, we had a beer and played video poker in the casino. We walked the long way back and saw some of the strip, and then went back to the hotel for a nap.

After the nap, we were ready to see more of Vegas. We started wandering down the strip and eventually stopped at O%26#39;Shea%26#39;s, where they have an 18 hour happy hour with $1 draft beers. The cups are small, but it%26#39;s still a good deal. We played a little more video poker, watched some others play roulette, and then sat near the bar drinking for a while. O%26#39;Shea%26#39;s has a great atmosphere and a fun crowd.

For dinner that night we ate at Hugo%26#39;s Cellar. I had the cellar cut prime rib (the small one) and it was almost as big as my plate. My husband had the t-bone steak. Our bill, with a bottle of wine, was about $115 plus tip. The food was excellent, and we had enough prime rib over to eat for leftovers on Friday night (we came to Vegas on a budget. Besides, who could waste good prime rib?) Dinner came with bread, salad, made tableside, and chocolate dipped fruit at the end.

The next morning we got up and wandered the other way down the strip. We ate breakfast at a restaurant in the Tropicana, which was good but overpriced- $30 for an omelette, french toast, 1 juice, and 1 coffee. Afterwards we wandered into the M%26amp;M and Coca-Cola stores, and then back to the hotel for a nap.

That afternoon, we headed back to O%26#39;Shea%26#39;s for some drinks and a little video poker. After playing for an hour or so, we recovered about half the cost of that day%26#39;s drinking/gambling). We were buzzed though, so it all evens out...:-)

We ate dinner at Oyster Bay in the Desert Passage mall. I had the fried sole and husband had some kind of chicken; the bill was about $40 and we didn%26#39;t have alcohol. The food was pretty good, but I don%26#39;t know if I%26#39;d go back. It might%26#39;ve been more fun if we had the time to sit there and have some wine with dinner, but we were in a hurry to get back to the hotel and change for the evening. That night we went out to see the Rat Pack Show at the Greek Isles hotel/casino. The Greek Isles is getting a little run down, but we had a good time. We were one of the youngest people there, but we got to meet the cast after.

The next morning we went back to Ellis Island for a cheap breakfast and then went into the bar to try their $1, 20 oz microbrews. It was a bit of a stretch drinking that early in the morning but we managed it. How could we turn down microbrew that cheap?

After another nap, we headed out to explore the strip. We wandered into Caesar%26#39;s Palace and the Bellagio, where my husband won $20 at video poker. That night we saw the Price is Right show at Bally%26#39;s. We didn%26#39;t win anything, but someone won a cruise, and they played a lot of the classic games, like Plinko. Afterwards, we played video poker for about 3 hours at the Aladdin. We actually left with more money than we came with and were a little buzzed, so things worked out.

The next morning, we had breakfast at the Cheeseburger Las Vegas in the Dessert Passage. I had a cheeseburger that was wonderful, and husband had a chili omelette. The bill was about $25. After that, we checked out and headed to the airport for our flight home. Our flight to Baltimore was overbooked so we volunteered to take a different one and got almost $600 in travel vouchers from Southwest airlines!!

After that we were pretty happy and had a little more time to kill before our flight so I sat down for one last game of video poker. I stuck $4 in the machine and played for about 5 minutes, and then I got 4 Aces!! I cashed out and pocketed my $42.50!! We celebrated with a round of margaritas at the Cuervo Tequileria in the aiport. Some of the best margaritas I%26#39;ve ever had, and the service was suprisingly good given how busy it was at that time.

All in all, we had a great time in Vegas...I%26#39;m looking forward to planning our next trip! We liked the general location we were in, so we might consider staying at the Aladdin or Bally%26#39;s.

Trip Report 1/23-1/27

Sounds like a great time. thanks for sharing .

Trip Report 1/23-1/27

Good TR you spent a lot on breakfast i see,but as long as you enjoyed yourself thats what counts.

Nice report...my, you guys nap a lot! I am hoping for some ';down time'; on my trip next month, but I doubt it will happen!!!!

Thanks for the trip report. Sounds like you did exactly what you wanted. Cost: $$Priceless.

'; The Greek Isles is getting a little run down';

You win the %26#39;understatement%26#39; of the month award!

Glad you had fun. You seem like a ';glass is half full'; type of person!

Thanks for the TR. Sounds like a lot of fun. Can%26#39;t wait for our trip in 26 days!!

Nap? That is something I do not do in Vegas no matter how tired I am. Way too much to see and do. My DH and I didn%26#39;t sleep 8 hours over the course of our 6 day trip in January. When we came home.........then we passed out.

i like your report. it has a certain style to it. and lots of honesty!

Great post.

We own at Marriott Grand Chateau and it is a great timeshare.

Why stay at a casino if your inlaws can get you a condo?

Wow. I never have time to nap. Good for you guys to take a break!

So funny about the naps, as I usually need to take one in the late afternoon/early evening while in Vegas. This allows me to stay up late!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My husband thinks I am the only one who naps in Vegas.

Glad you had fun, and good job on the Southwest travel vouchers!!!!!