Its been a whole year since I wrote a report...this is gonna be a long one (sat-wed) so please don't reply until I say the end. Gene & I left Richmond on a 6:15am flight...arrived in Charlotte NC at 7:20am...left Charlotte NC at 8:25am..flew 1st class...had a nice breakfast swiss cheese omelet, fresh fruit, sausage, croussaint & blueberry muffins....and a nice bottle of chardonnay. After breakfast we decided to take a nap..woke up had a few more glasses of chardonnay (what the heck we're on our way to las vegas!!!)....arrive at 10:20am....pick up our bags...hop the shuttle and arrive at the lovely Bellagio at around 11:15am.....we went to the invited guest area to check in.....our room wasn't ready....the girl apologized and gave us 4 drink coupons....our host stopped by and gave us our VIP card and told us she would check on us later....the girl at the check in area asked us if we wanted an upgrade to a 1000 sq. ft room...for $50 per night we said sure....so we took our drink tickets & off to Allegro's lounge...had a few glasses of Ferrari-Cranno chardonnay ($12 per glass). Back to the check in area..the room still wasn't ready.....more drink tickets (this time 6)...we decided to use our lin pass and go for lunch at Cafe Bellagio....nice lunch...back to check in area...our room still wasn't ready so she decided to check us in to another room for an hour or so and them move us.....we said ok....the room she checked us into wasn't even cleaned from the people who had used it before......so back to the front desk....guess what...our girl is gone...there are no notes in the computer..and the person we are dealing with can do nothing for us.....we ask to speak to a supervisor....who is apologetic, but says she can't do anything for us...we get hot...the hotter we get the room rate starts to decrease...and decrease and decrease...although shw would not give us the 1000 sq ft room she did give us a deluxe room on the 28th floor overlooking the fountains & Paris-our room was practically in the middle of the hotel. It was beautiful...oh the room rate for sat & sun was brought down to $49, not bad..and by the time our check in was completed we had accumulated 16 drink tickets. After we settled in we decided to explore the hotel a bit....it is so pretty. Back to our room to change for dinner...but first we had to make a trip to MGM to pick up our tickets to Tom Jones. We met up with our friends in the lobby and then off to Smith & Wollensky for dinner (6pm reservations). Thanks to info from you folks, we knew that the pportions were HUGE so we split the lobster cocktail (1lb lobster with a ginger, lime, mayo-mustard sauce)for our main course we split the prime rib-this was a 30 oz. piece of meat-our side dish was hash browns. The other couple started with the S&W house salad-the main dish was a T-bone which they split-their side mashed potatoes. We were stuffed so we decided against dessert but did have coffee. Well our waiter surprised us & brought over a HUGE piece of chocolate cake (more than enough for 4) in honor of Gene's B'day. When I made the reservation I had told them it was his B-day. After dinner we asked for a tour of the restaurant....what an experience. After the tour we walked back over to the MGM to see Tom Jones. This is our second time seeing Tom-he is a wonderful performer with a great voice and stage presence. Last year 2 ladies threw panties on the stage.....this year there must have been at least 15 pairs. After the show we were thrown into a crazy scene. The Mike Tyso fight had let out about 30 -45 minutes prior-the crowd was not pleased with the outcome....there was security everywhere.....we were a bit nervous I've never seen a crowd like this...we hightailed it out of MGM-hopped a taxi.....back to Bellagio.......nice ,calm...and oh so civilized....we gambled a bit ...we were up about $50 for the day....its 2am we have now been up 26hours...time to sleep. So ends day one. I'll continue this report in the replies.

Day 2 begins........ Up at around 9am...and out of the room by 10am...we walk over to Paris.....what a pretty hotel. It reminded us of NY NY....with a french flair. We had breafast at a cafe with a pre-fix menu. Eggs, sausage, fruit, potatoes, pastries & croussaints, coffee & juice for $9.95 per person-lovely breakfast now off to gamble..lost about $100......back to Bellagio & off to the pool. The pool is one of the focal points at Bellagio....several pools separated by walkways, rose bushes & fountains....it was perfectly maintained and picture perfect. Back to the room Gene opened a nice bottle of wine watched the fountain show from out room (the fountains start at 3pm on the weekends) got dressed & met our friends for the Bellagio buffet....we love our line passes....there must have been 50-75 people waiting on line at 4:30....we lust walk to the front of the line-flash our pass and are shown to a table immediately. After stuffing ourselves with seafoods, pork, ribs, turkey, lamb, prime ribs, pasta....and so much more...followed by a strawberry tart & chocolate mousse we left our friends ..hopped a cab over to the DI to see the Rat Pack is Back-what a great great show I'm am grateful to one & all for telling me this was a MUST SEE show...I have to rank it as one of my all time favorite LV shows. After the Rat Pack we hop a cab back to Bellagio...meet up with our friends....invite them back to our room to see the Fountain show-the view from our room is unbelievable. At around 10pm we head downstairs to see the "O" show...We loved it. Last year we had the opportunity to see Mystere and enjoyed it. Now seeing both shows- I'd have to say I like "O" better. The music, costumes, special effects were outstanding. We'll its now about 12:15am our friends decide to head back to MGM and we're off to the casino at Bellagio. Inyears past we have always had some luck with the VP machines.....this time they were eatting our $$$$ and laughing at us....I found a stampede slot machine which like me a bit..I was up about $75 and Gene was down about $200. Its nearing 1:30am so we decided to head back to our room. I started to pack our stuff. Tomorrow we're moving to the Venetian....
Day 3......up at around 8:30am finished packing.....sent our bags down....off to the casino to gamble a bit more...Gene finds a pinball slot machine that he likes a lot.....I head back to my stampede machine..the pinball machine pays off for Gene....the stampede machine is laughing at me...we decide to check our slot points at Club Bellagio.....we really don't have much...so we head back to the machines....the slot services person reccomends the Blazing 7's machine....sure enough the points start racking up.....and we're winning some $$$$. After satisfying club services we check out....know that we have a buffet for 2 waiting for us next time. Well off to Venetian.....get over to Venetian around 12:15pm...room not ready....we ask for drink coupons....they say they don't do that...so we wander around the casino play a little bit & check back with the Invited guest area around 2:30 nothing yet....3:00 nothing yet...we are getting angry....they are willing to give us a smoking room...we didn't wait 3 1/2 hrs for a smoking room....they start apologizing...but we still have to wait for a non smoking room....we agree to wait...the check in person a $50 in suite dining credit....we say we'll take it but we're not happy about the way we have been treated (Our host is off-so there's really no one to talk to ). Well we finally get into our room and call for our bags....our bags arrive but the air conditioner is not working we call the front desk....and wait for the electrician to come...we tell them this is crazy....they put us in touch with the hotel manager who says he's sorry for the way we're been treated thus far and he will move us immediately....but he wanted to check to room personaly to make sure everything was ok. Well they move us everthing appears to be ok...they forget to bring us our room keys so the bellhop says he will bring them right up......as I begin to unpack I find a drawer full of clothes from the previous guest. I get furious Gene gets on the phone to the manager they send someone to clean the drawer......a $50 meal credit to Delmonico's....Although our day didn't start off the best and we endured 5 hours of frustration with the staff of Venetian we put our best foot forward got changed and headed down to Delmonico's....we were treated like royalty...a beautiful table 3 wait staff a perfect dinner which started with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes....they were the best we've ever had they were fried perfectly sprinkled with cheese in a roumalade sauce. Gene had a 14 oz filet minion and I had shrimp with crab meat top with potato sticks......we enjoyed talking to the sommelier who was friendly and so knowledgable about wines. Dinner was served without rush service was immeciable. Dinner ran us $120 plus the $50 that the hotel picked up. Gene & I have had dinners in many great restauants throughout the US..Delmonico's is #1 in our estimation. After dinner we meet Jeff & Sarah in the lobby....we bring them up to see our room- which is a lovely room. They enjoy a glass of wine and the view.....across the way you can see the battleship fight at Treasure Island. Gene & I change in to jeans and the 4 of us head downtown to expience the Freemont experience....we like the light show...the casinos are interesting....do the people ever leave their stools....they sure smell like they don't....well we hop a cab to the Mirage....lost a bit a $$$$ and at around 12am we leave our friends and head back to the Venetian.....gamble a bit win and lose a bit....head back to the room around 1:30am......we pass out.....and so ends day 3.
Day 4.......Wake up at around 9:30am decide to us a in suite credit have breakfast delivered to the room...pancakes & french toast. It was a nice meal and a good way to start the day. Shower & dress and head to Madame Trussaud's wax museum.....we had a ball...it was so much fun taking pictures with the stars. After the museum we headed back to the casino to gamble.....we won about $50 in this session. Afterwars we headed to the pool....although it is a beautiful pool it dims in comparison to Bellagio's pools. After the pool we were supposed to meet Jeff & Sarah for dinner. It turns out Jeff is hungry & wants to wait till later. I explain to Sarah we had breakfast early and were really looking forward to an early dinner. We decide to have dinner at Il Fornaio at NY NY-we started with fried calimari-which was the best calimari we've ever eaten (Gene & I grew up in NY so we've can do a pretty good comparison when it comes to italian food) for our main course Gene had pizza (prepared in a wood burning oven) and I had ravioli stuffed with chicken and ricotta cheese. We each had a glass of pinot grigio wine. The cost of our dinner with tip was $50. We met up with our friend at the Luxor ...our last show of this trip is Bill Acosta....although the show was good.....we couldn't help but compare him to Danny Gans. The only better about Bill Acosta's show is the ticket price. Danny Gans is a master of impressions we did enjoy Bill's rendition of the 12 nights of christmas. Well its tuesday night our last night so after the show we head over to Mandalay Bay what a nice hotel......it smells wonderful inside almost like coconut.....had a couple of drinks......gambled a bit.....said our goodbyes to our friends.....and head back to the Venetian. Gamble for a few hrs....we're up about $200 for the day....its 2am and time to head back to the room.
Wednesday morning......we're up by 8:30am and finished packing by 10am......head to the casino for our last session ....won/then lost a bit.....Grab a bagel & coffee then off to the airport. Overall our stay was wonderful at the Venetian what started off rocky turned in to a lovely time. Our trip home....flew 1ST class was uneventful landed in Richmond at 10 pm and home at 11pm. This morning when we woke up we started talking about planning our next trip. This was our 5th trip to Las Vegas with each trip we learn a little bit more and our love affair with Las Vegas continues to grow. Our new favorite hotel is Bellagio and our new favorite restaurant is Delmonico's our 3 favorite shows are Danny Gans, "O" and the Rat Pack is Back.
The end

Wow, sounds like a great trip with the exception of check in difficulties. Sounds like Bellagio feels if you drink enough, you won't mind as much. Good idea. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Enjoyed your trip report! Sounds like you had a great time, with the exception of problems getting your rooms. I also start planning the next trip as soon as I return from one. Fun, isn't it?

Carrie, your trip sounds great -- just the kind of things I like to do in Vegas: see good shows, enjoy delicious meals, gamble, all the fun things. I wish that Rat Pack show would hang around for a while, as it is something I'd really like to see. When I was there last month, we were there on Wed. and Thurs. nights and it was sold out. O was dark so we couldn't see that one either. On a previous trip in June, we did see Tom Jones and really got a kick out of it. Lingerie count was 2 bras and 1 panty.

Thanks Doug, Gregg & Gail- With each trip to Las Vegas we learn a little bit more...do a little bit more....and continue to add an extra day onto the trip. Gene says next time we should stay 5 nights instead of 4. I'm not sure if we'll split hotels again...I guess we'll have to see what offers we get. We really got a sweet deal having both nights comped at the Venetian and then with our check in problems at the Bellagio our rates got slashed to practically nothing for the 2 nights there. I loved the service, atmosphere and just about everything over at the Bellagio so I'm hoping they do right by us on our next trip.

Carrie,

Thanks for the trip report. The start that you had at the Bellagio can dampen a trip but it didn't seem to affect yours. We had a similar experience in July and didn't get a room until 1:30 A.M. They upgraded us but no discount. We really loved the Conservatory at Bellagios. You are like the rest of us, as you are already planning your next trip.

[This message has been edited by Fred (edited October 31, 1999).]

Carrie,
Sounds like you had a terrific time in LV. We used to start planning our next Las vegas vacation on the flight home from Vegas. Now I always like to have atleast one trip planed before we leave on the current trip. That way I know I'm coming back soon! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Ok, between Marc and now you, you've convinced us to try Delmonico's. A couple of quick questions first. Was getting reservations difficult? I beleive both Marc & your report was during a Venetian stay? While I'm sure reservations are needed, what kind of advance time would a non-hotel guest need? (your best guess)

Thanks for the GREAT report. I'm glad everything worked out in the end with the hotel rooms.


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Hi Lee-PA
You won't be sorry......Delmonico's was fantastic. I'd definitely make reservations. my best guess would be one month prior to your visit.

Lee

I went to Delmonico's for lunch during the week and just walked right in. No reservation. I'm sure you need them on the weekends but if you are going during the week, you have plenty of time to make it when you get there. I was not staying at the Venetian either. There were not many people there for lunch (around 12:30ish) for some reason. I believe it was on a Tuesday. If you have money, they will find a table for you :-) You will love the food as well as the treatment.

Carrie,
A month? Well then I won't be eating there this trip, for dinner. Got 19 days before take-off! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

YSS,
I think I'll try your idea and go for lunch on an odd day. That's how we got started with the Palm. A quick lunch, and we where hooked on the place, big time. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Carrie & YSS, Thanks for your replies. This place has moved to the top of the "to try" list on our Nov. trip!



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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Carrie: Even with the room hassle, lucky you to get a room facing the fountains at Bellagio. Both times I

Hi Veronica-
Thanks for the reply- Smith & Wollensky was a wonderful restaurant.....but I've got to thank the members of talkvegas who told me a while ago that the portions were huge....if it wasn't for the input on this board I think my opinion of the restaurant would have been different a 30 oz. prime rib is huge....and even though my husband is a big meat lover there would not have been any way he would have been able to have the appetizer and finish the prime rib. We really had a great time with the waiter asking him how people are able to eat that much at one sitting...he smiled and laughed!!!