LAS VEGAS

November 18, 2007

By Cindy Kirchner

Thursday Nov. 15

My friend, Megan, and I left for Appleton around 5pm. She had a coupon for a free night at the La Quinta. I found out from Becky that there was not a La Quinta in Green Bay and got both numbers for the two in Appleton. Called the number on the coupon and we got a room held for us at the La Quinta Inn & Suites. Requested a room with two queen beds, as she confirmed it she stated one king and realized that was wrong. She supposedly took care of it but after we got there, checked in, and went to the room, it only had one king bed. We decided just to keep it, as there was a sofa bed. I didn’t think the sheets on this were clean since I noticed some crumbs and hair… so I did get a clean set from the front desk and changed the bedding. The room was nice and other than the sofa bed sheets, clean.

Friday Nov. 16

Our flight was at 12:45pm, so we had plenty of time to get to the Green Bay airport, as we were only a half an hour away. We arrived at the airport to check in at 10:40am, the agent was friendly and had sense of humor. We had some time before the flight and since there was no food beyond security we ate at the restaurant before going upstairs to the gates. The food and service were great here. You could have breakfast, lunch, or dinner any time of the day. We both had breakfast and it hit the spot. Going through security was quick and easy. The flight was on time. Since I had seats assigned at the time of booking we were (along with many others) “priority” and got to board after passengers who needed any extra assistance. We were in seats 9A and 9C; there is no 9B. Allegiant flights offer drinks and snacks for a small price. I did not buy anything since we had a good breakfast. Instead I tried to sleep, that worked for about an hour then I switched to reading my magazines. I have only flown a few times so I still get a little nervous during take offs and landings. Flying into Vegas was very exciting; I didn’t realize how close the airport was to everything. This was my first time to Las Vegas and it was so neat to see all the hotels laid out before me like the map I had been studying for the past week. The flight arrived a couple minutes early. We made our way to baggage claim and didn’t have to wait too long for our suitcases. We noticed the line for security was extremely long and hoped that was not in our future for Sunday morning.

Once outside we found the station for the airport shuttles. We bought our round trip tickets right away and were advised to call 24 hours before pick up to confirm a spot. It was $6 per way. The shuttle ride was short; our first stop was the MGM Grand. I was very impressed pulling up at this location. It was very GRAND I guess you could say. After this we were next. We were staying at the Monte Carlo. The shuttle did not take us up to the main entrance but instead around back. Right next to the hotel was a huge construction site. We entered in the side door right into the main lobby. There was a very small line to check in. The lobby was very beautiful decorated in light colors and had a luxurious feel. We checked in and got our room which was on the 26th floor, room 124. We found the elevators and found our room. The view we had was of the construction so I was worried at first that there would be a lot of noise but there was not during our stay. Besides for the construction we had a nice view. I could see the Palms and the Rio. The Rio was amazing to look at during nighttime. We also had a partial view of the fountains at the Bellagio. We got situated in the room. It also had a very luxurious feeling; all dark wood and cream bedding. We had two queen beds; the room had a nightstand and TV cabinet and a desk. The entrance where the closet was was very dark and the light did not help much. I wasn’t too impressed with the bathroom as the faucet in the bathtub was loose and the light switch plate was cracked.

After checking out the room we decided to go check out the rest of the hotel. We went back down to the casino and walked around checking out all the games. My friend, Megan had been to Las Vegas once before but while in high school so she didn’t get to gamble. I have been to a casino once before so this was a new experience for me also. We played some of the one-cent slots – after I realized I couldn’t actually put pennies into the machine…. ?

We left the Monte Carlo and checked out the outside of it. It was beautiful with all the white statues and the water fountain. We headed towards New York New York. I really like this hotel. I have never been to New York and have always wanted to go. I loved the outside and how you can walk across the “Brooklyn Bridge” and how the hotel is set up to look like the New York skyline. We walked along the “streets” inside where there was food and shops. We got by Coyote Ugly and bought the big yardstick drink for 15.00 each I thought this was a little too much but did it anyway. You could get refills for 9.00 after that but we never made it back there. From there we left and got on the outside escalator to cross the road to the Excalibur.

I think one of my favorite things about Vegas is the outside escalators and moving walkways. There is SO much walking to do that every bit helps, plus you don’t have to wait for traffic.

This hotel was very exiting to enter. We were on a moving walkway that took us all the way into the casino. All we had to do was take in the sites. Growing up on Disney movies I felt like I was in my own fairly land entering the castle. I noticed that right in the casino area is the entrance to an arcade area that is downstairs. I thought this would be great if traveling to children.

After this hotel we left and walked the street towards the Luxor. I loved this hotel also. I loved the moving lights along the edges and the huge light beam on top. We walked up the stairs to the tram station and got a better (and impressive) view of the hotel. We got on the tram pretty much just to check it out. We went back to the Excalibur and got off there. We decided to go and check out the MGM Grand. This hotel really sticks out in my mind. It just so large and had the green glow to it. The huge golden lion helps of course. We entered the casino and looked around, we checked out the Lions Habitat. They were sleeping on top of the see through top as we walked it. They were so huge it made me sad and rather upset that they were stuck in this small area, with a recorded roar that kept going off and bright lights of the casino on 24/7 with everyone gawking at them….including me. As I look at their website MGM also owns an 8.5 acre ranch 12 miles away from the resort where the lions are kept. Feeling better about that I can move on…

Here we decided to try our luck at the slots. Again, the penny machines, but with a change to win a Viper! No luck at the viper so we walked around the casino and checked it out. While passing the nightclub Tabu we were handed a free pass to get in that night. It was around 8:30pm and Tabu didn’t open until 10pm. So we continued our adventure.

We left the MGM and walked out on the street looking for some food. Right after the hotel is the La Cantina. Mexican food sounded very good so we walked up and got a table. After checking out the menu we ordered some drinks and our food. I got the Enchilada Suiza Pinto Beans dinner for $11.95 and a frozen margarita for $8.95. While waiting there was a guy who would come up to the table and do card tricks. I think this is a great idea. There weren’t many people there and our wait wasn’t long but having entertainment helped and was a nice extra touch! The food was just as good as the magic tricks.

After this we decided to go back to the room and relax for a bit. We figured we would check out Tabu since we wouldn’t have to pay a cover. I was a little worried I wouldn’t be let in since the pass did state there was a dress code and I was wearing flip-flops; but no fear they let us right in after a short wait in line. The club was dark; you walked in and could either go up a few steps to a higher level or continue around the bar to where there were VIP sections in the middle of the dance area. On the upper level were red couches pushed into inlets along the wall. Here the bar came up to your thighs so you had to bend down to hear the bartenders. On the other side, pass the three VIP sections, there was another area up a few steps with another bar and more couches. The décor was very contemporary with straight clean lines. There were girls that worked there dancing around. Everyone was having a fun time. I didn’t really understand the dance floor as there really wasn’t one; just the area around the three VIP sections (two low couches and a big square table in the middle). People dance around these and on the tables.

We stayed here for a little while. Talked to one of the bartenders who was from Milwaukee. The workers were all friendly. We had a couple drinks (a bud light was around $9.00) and people watched. I’m not much of a nightclub girl unless I’m really in the mood. We decided to head out and maybe check out the inside of the Luxor since we didn’t do that earlier.

We left and crossed the street to the Luxor. I was impressed with the inside. I don’t know what I was expecting but I didn’t think it was going to be such an open area. We just walked around a bit.

We were both pretty tired as it was after 1am at this time. We made our way back to the hotel and picked up some snacks at one of the shops by the lobby. Back in the room we relaxed and enjoyed our beef jerky and water. On TV they were showing a program about the new City Center going up by our hotel. I couldn’t stay awake for the whole thing, but WOW, this is going to be quite the addition to the Las Vegas strip. If you haven’t already, check this site out ? http://www.citycenter.com/default.aspx

Here’s a little blip-it from the website:

From the website, Vision statement:
It began two years ago as the vision of a handful of individuals and a company willing to do what it would take to create something never seen or experienced before. To give form to its vision, MGM MIRAGE selected the best urban planners and eight acclaimed architects to create and define 1,200 feet of frontage on the Las Vegas Strip, one of the most visited locations on earth.

From the website, article from M magazine - Owning a Piece of the Strip:
CityCenter will be an international destination for entertainment, dining, nightlife, retail, art, and design. It will feature a 60-story resort casino designed to set a new standard, a
retail and entertainment district showcasing the world’s most sought-after brands, public
spaces and amenities enhanced by a $60 million public arts program, two boutique
hotels with residential properties, a luxurious condo hotel, and a pair of residential high-rises.

More from, Owning a Piece of the Strip (and my favorite part!):
CityCenter aims to be the first project in Nevada – and by far the largest anywhere – to receive LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification is a benchmark for building performance in the areas of human and environmental health. It will factor in CityCenter’s site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Saturday, Nov. 17th

Since we went to bed so late we did not get up until about 10am. We went down to try out the buffet at the hotel. We got two free buffets with our room. It was fantastic!! There was no line so we got a table right away and close to the food, which was nice since it was a big seating area cut down in small section and we didn’t have to maneuver with our plates. I selected some excellent choices before I saw the salad area. The salad layout had everything you could think of. I didn’t even check out the dessert area because I could not eat anything else.

We wanted to get downtown sometime that day if we could. But first I wanted to see as many of the hotels on the strip as possible. So off we went out of the Monte Carlo and towards the Bellagio. We just missed the end of the water show; we continued along and figured we would see it when we came out. I loved the lobby of the Bellagio the most of any of the hotels we went into. The huge glass art flowers on the ceiling were amazing. It brought so much color to that area and was very unique. Glass art seemed to keep popping up at the Bellagio. Behind the check-in counter was a huge area decorated with flowers and plants. The marble floor titles were very classy. We checked out the Conservatory, with the dancing waters and beautiful plant displays. We walked all around the Bellagio. We looked in all the shops. I fell in love with a pair of $ 360.00 sunglasses at Gucci. Two of my favorite places in the Bellagio was the chocolate store that had the biggest chocolate fountain with 2 tons of milk, dark, and white chocolate flowing through it, it’s pumped to the top and spills down one glass tray to another one and so on until it gets to the bottom and again is pumped back up to the top. The smell in this whole area was like brownies were being baked. Very inviting! The next was the bar Sensi just because as you went past this bar it was separated from the hall by a half wall that was like a reflecting pool. Water spilled over and ran down the sides of the wall. This hotel had many great looking restaurants.

Hmmmm, chocolate…

We left the Bellagio and continued on our way to the Caesars Palace. I wasn’t quite sure where we were because I could not see the street anymore. We were in a front area before entering the hotel. Caesars Palace is a huge hotel; we were in this one the longest. By the time we got out on the other side almost 3 hours had passed. I was impressed with the casino chandeliers in the first casino area. All the Roman elements that went into this hotel are amazing. The marble status and all the fountains almost had me feeling like I was in Rome. We walked all around checking out the shops that seemed never to end; it felt like being in a mall in certain areas. The Forums Shop area of the hotel had many delights! The curved escalator, the fish tank is a must to check out, and the beautiful ceiling painted like the sky, were some of my favorite things. We also went into the pool area just to check it out. I was surprised how many people were hanging out relaxing here. And it’s definitely a place to do just that!

After we made it out of this hotel we continued past the Mirage and TI. I saw the Venetian across the street and noticed Madame Tussauds wax museum. I remember this from Sara’s FAM report and decided to check it out. We never went into the actually hotel but I still got a good feel of it. We had 2 $4.00 off coupons from a magazine in the hotel room so we both paid $ 20.00 each. I was not disappointed! There were many wax figures from actors, athletes, and politician. There was also a “hunted house” were they took you through in groups. My group was full of chickens! We had to go through with our hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you. There was a little boy in our group who ended up in tears, it really wasn’t that scary but all the adults panicking didn’t help…

As we left we walking around the exterior area of the Venetian and made our way to the Wynn. I wasn’t sure I could walk any further and we decided we would find a place to get a drink and rest. The Wynn had the most beautiful chandleries that I had seen so far. We entered by the big water falls in front and along this hall the chandleries were most like my taste. Getting toward the casino where you can look down toward two of their restaurants and see the water falls out that big window were people were dinning is as far as I could make it. Here the chandleries were bright and fun. We saw the inviting casino bar and stopped here! Here we ordered a drink and snacked on their complimentary chips and mixed nuts. The drinks were very expensive here. I paid $ 14.00 for a martini. But at the time I would have paid just that to sit down! So we sipped on our pricy beverages and people watched. The décor was really fun with bright floral design at this hotel.

After our rest was up (and since we were not going to order another drink for $14.00) we got up and walked some more through the hotel’s casino. We were both exhausted from walking all day and thought it best if we made it back to the hotel as we had an early flight the next day.

We walked back to our hotel and ended up stopping at Casino Royale. I really liked this small casino. It was just smaller and the staff was really friendly. We sat down at the Wheel-of-Fortune table and were offered drinks right away. This was the only place where we were offered another drink also. We checked out the craps table and the whole table was trying to teach us the game. We played a little but I didn’t have any luck and just watched. We then took our chance with blackjack and learned the game. I did not do well but my friend did.

We made it back to the hotel and went to bed so we could get up early for our flight.

Sunday, Nov. 18th

Our flight was for 6:45am and we got up at a quarter to 4. We packed and checked out of the hotel. Check out went longer than expected because they had our buffet charged to our room. I had the reservation printed out that stated two free buffets came with the room and once it was figured out we were on our way. Shuttle was on time and we had a few stops before we got to the airport. There was a long line for Allegiant Air outside by the check in area. We could see that inside there was no line at all and went there instead. Check in was no problem and security was not too long either. Our flight home was full of people sleeping; the flight attendant even said they enjoyed watching us sleep! ?

We landed back in Green Bay. It took a long time for our flight to get our luggage. Finally it came and we made our way to our car. Parking came to 15.00 for the two days.

This was a great (and short) trip. I feel I learned a lot about Vegas and saw many things. I can’t wait to go again and explore more! Thank you Marathon Travel and AIG Travel Guard for sending me on a great Las Vegas FAM!!

Cindy Kirchner