This trip to Vegas was different in a lot of ways. First, I went with a friend from Texas who visits me once a year in AZ. Our past trips have been to Spa Resorts with relaxation being the key ingredient. We both have stressful jobs and we look forward to this annual get-away.

But, this year I talked her into going to Vegas. She was reluctant at first, but when I told her they have great spas in Vegas, she was willing to give it a try. She had only been one other time (which was over five years ago) to Vegas and spent most of her days in the malls while her husband gambled.

We arrived on Wedn., 5-17. I had recently joined the Budget Fast Break club. This was the first time I had used it. We only had to board the Budget bus where they took us directly to our car. This was so easy! We were in a category 3 and when I told him I had a 2-car upgrade, he took us to the 5 category and told us to "pick one out". We hopped in a 2000 Maxima and drove off. All we had to show for rental was a mirror hanger that stayed in the glove box. I liked this service even though I was hoping a 5 category was a jaguar.

We stayed at Caesars. The place was packed! I was hoping for a room in the new tower, but we were lucky to get what we got which was the Forum with an upgraded room. When I told the desk clerk how much I hated the block walls covering the windows, she told me they were in process of removing them. That will be a plus!

We were lucky enough to go check out the free offer I got in the mail for Smokey Joe's Cafe. The only night playing was for Wedn. so I'm glad I didn't wait until the next day or we would've missed it all. I think Gladys Knight is returning later in June. It was a great show! The seats were excellent and at zero cost, how could we not like it?

Spa reservations were made for Thursday AM. I couldn't believe I was partaking in a SPA in Vegas, but I pretended I was somewhere else and much to my surprise, I really liked it! In fact, we liked it so much, we did it again on Friday! The massages, facials, pedicures and everything else that goes along with the spa experience was really relaxing. The only drawback, was that we were so relaxed, we couldn't stay up past midnight. Money saved I think.

We did all the touristy things and it's always fun to take someone new to town and show them the sights. We visited the Venetian and strolled thru the shops, saw the parade at the Rio, Pirate Show, Paris, Bellagio, NY NY and went downtown to Freemont. Now, the Freemont experience was a little more than an experience on Friday night. They were having some old rock and roll groups performing and it was great. Freddy Canon was in town and he was still just as good as he was in the 60's...just older. Remember Palisade's Park?? However, the crowd downtown was a little frightening. I think every homeless person in Vegas was there. I'm talking about those that looked like they hadn't bathed in years, poor dental care (actually, no teeth) and those whose brains have been fried with acid. One guy kept shooting "pretend" arrows in the sky. When one of those "pretend" arrows came close to my friend and the shooter walked over to "retrieve" it, we left.

We did get in some gambling. An Elvis slot machine gave us $100. We still don't know how that happened. Played a little craps, little blackjack, quite a bit of video poker, and my friend just knew her last $20 was going to win a PT Cruiser at NY NY. She's still in "training" and I have not certified her yet for official gambling. Maybe next year.

We left Saturday afternoon. As we headed out to get the car, we saw dozens and dozens of people at the entrance of Caesars. As we got closer, there was a big deal going on that we couldn't quite make out what was happening. TV cameras, show girls, pomp music, Caesar and Cleopatra, the whole nine yards. A big limo was parked in front and we heard a booming voiced announcer welcoming someone important. The crowds were so thick we couldn't make out who it was, but the bellman told us it was a TV star from Japan equal to our David Letterman. He was vacationing in Vegas, they were taping his every move and would be airing a special in Japan about his Las Vegas vacation. I was hoping to see Kevin Costner!

The trip back to Phoenix was smooth and my friend left the next day. I'll wait a while before I call her and see when our next trip to Vegas might be. I'm going to have to send her some instructional craps CD's before next year.

Jan, nice report! Sounds like you had a lot of fun. How expensive were the spa treatments? I have always wanted to try it but have assumed it is really expensive.

Cathy in Boston (remembering Freddy Cannon!)

Jan,

Thanks for the trip report. Beth keeps talking about a massage and spa when we go to Vegas. Sometimes I think it would be wiser for me to send her to one than having her watch over me while I am playing video poker. It also might be less expensive.

Showing newcomers the sights in LV has always been very enjoyable for us. However, Las Vegas is not the place for a newcomer to learn the strategies of gambling. WHAT STRATEGIES!!!

If you ever get the opportunity, meet with some of the other people on this board.

Caesars Spa was a little more than we're used to paying, but the service was excellent. Massages were $95 (10 minutes at the crap table), Facials $65 (5 minutes at video poker), Pedicures $45 (couple of hands of blackjack). They also served fresh fruit, any kind of juice you want, mixed nuts and we got to wear those cute robes and slippers for a couple of hours! Can't do that in the casino. And, you can use the sauna, jacuzzi, gym, etc. until 8PM that night.

Jan,

Great report! I love doing the spa thing w/my girlfriends and your report has convinced me that we'll have to go to LV instead of CA on the next trip! Besides, it gives me the chance to do a little gambling! Woo-hooo!

Nice trip report, sounds like you had a great time.

Jan, I always enjoy taking a newcomer around Las Vegas. It's a double pleasure of sharing some things that I enjoy and of learning something from their perspective since no two people seem exactly the same thing.

Thanks for the info on the Budget Fast Break Club. I used to rent from Budget, but I could be the only person in line at their counter, and it would still take 20-30 minutes to get out of there.

Jan - you just reminded me of one of those creatures downtown - I was with 2 ppl who wanted the shrimp cocktail at Golden Gate (I declined). While I was sitting at the small table waiting for them to go through the line, one of these street people was sitting at another table beside me with a cup of coffee and he was having a conversation with the chair adjacent to him. What really creeped me out is that he wasn't in a very jolly mood at the time and I didn't know what he was gonna do. I was hoping he would not get a hold of any of the knives behind him. He didn't seem to bother anyone else - no one probably even noticed.

Thanks for the enjoyable report.

good luck next time

MJ in NY

Jan,
Thanks for the great trip report. You took a differnt type of LV vacation and it sure sounded like you had a great time doing it too!
I noticed you didn't mention any amount of shopping....is your friend over that? LOL
Again, thanks for typing it all up for us.
Lee-PA

Hi Jan. Thanks for the report. I have a comp for the spa at Caesars and my wife is looking forward to using it next week. She will be glad to know that it is a good spa.
There should have been security downtown to make sure the tourists aren't bothered. It is a touchy subject because you can't discriminate against someone because they are poor and mentally challenged. And they have a right to be at a public event just like everyone else. But there should be security present to give you that "safe feeling" and keep things under control.
Freddy Boom Boom Cannon Huh! I remember Palisades Park. Guess we are dating ourselves<G>
Right now for our July trip we have reservations for Smokey Robinson at Caesars, Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell at DI and Blood Sweat and Tears will be downtown like Freddy Cannon was. That will be an "oldies" trip.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John, I agree everyone has a right to attend public events regardless of mental capacity. However, with all of the everyday crime you just never know when someone with a screw already too loose is going to snap. We certainly didn't want those "pretend arrows" coming too close to us. (G) Two females traveling alone can't be too cautious. We even worried about parking in the GN garage and walking back by ourselves. We just knew Robin Hood was lurking between cars somewhere.

Sounds like a great line-up for when you're going to be there. Blood, Sweat and Tears should be great. The other group downtown when we were there I can't remember their names but they sang "Apple, Peaches" Pumpkin Pie". Do you know who they were? I've racked my brain trying to remember! Anyone?

How about Jay and the Techniques! The also did Keep the Ball Rolling. You've stumbled upon the one thing I know about, oldies!<G>

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Thank you, John! That's exactly who it was. I know "oldies" too, can sing them all, but the group names throw me. Now I can sleep better....(G)

Jan,

For security, if you don't prefer to carry a container of pepper spray, consider a loud coaches whistle. It doesn't take up much room and might be afer than carrying a gun.

Fred

Good idea, Fred! I never think to carry anything with me when I travel alone or with another female. I go to Vegas probably 3X a year with various women friends who come to visit.

I'll remember this next time. Only thing, is I'd probably choke on the whistle, spray myself in the face with pepper or wet my pants whichever comes first....(G)