Left Boston on American (TWA tickets)early Sunday a.m. Could not believe the long line out the door at Logan for check in. Fortunately, the TWA tickets had a special line which was much smaller. Onto security and another lo-o-ong line. An agent came along at one point and took us out to the front of the line since time was getting late. Plane left early and arrived in LVA early by about 20 minutes. Luggage pick up was quick and off to National for our full size car.

This was the first time I had used National in a while and I will not use them again. Had coupons for discount but they would not let me use them. They said I had to tell them about the coupons when I made the reservation. I use these coupons with Avis all the time with no problem. Anyway, out to the lot marked Full size. Don't believe it, there were two Chevy Luminas and about ten Chevy Malibus. The Malibu is not a full size car no matter how you look at it. One of the Luminas was very dirty. It looked like someone had gone four wheeling with it and never washed it. The other was not real clean but we took it anyway. As it turned out, the car ran very well. We were satisfied with the car but the employees had a very blasse attitude.

Check into MSS for three nights. Room faced the highway-RR tracks and was somewhat noisy but not bad. Room was free so for free you can put up with more. We really like MSS and will stay there anytime. The rooms are very clean, free safes in room and as many of you know, the buffet(we had it 3 times) and brewpub provide excellent quality and value. The location is great, too. We like downtown very much because we can casino hop so easily and there are so many quality places to eat all within a short walking distance.

The first night we ate at Bay City Diner in the Golden Gate. Pretty good food, very reasonable especially after using the coupon from Casino Player (two for one).

Christmas eve we had dinner reservations for 9 people at the Redwood Grill in the California Hotel. We had a very nice dinner in spite of the fact that our waiter (Jose) had quite an attitude in the beginning. After a little talking to and b*&# busting he changed his attitude and we really enjoyed it. I was footing the bill as a Christmas present to the group and was very surprised to pay less than $300. That included 3 bottles of wine, a number of drinks and the 17% tip. I would recommend this place. The Pasta Pirate next door is just as good and slightly less expensive. By the way, the matre d at the Redwood was excellent, a real gentleman.

We drove down to Hoover Dam on Christmas day. There were no tours and the place was packed. Christmas in Las Vegas is nothing special. I think if we do it again next year, we will leave home on Christmas afternoon. Thats how we did it last year.

In the 3 days downtown I played some VP (hit four deuces once)and quite a bit of Blackjack. Overall it was a losing proposition.
Wednesday we moved the the Aladdin. I was not crazy about staying there but our daughter had never stayed on the strip and the price was right ($49 per night and $59 on Friday. There was a long check in line at 11 a.m but it moved fast. I had $20 ready for the upgrade trick but it was not visible. I asked the girl about an upgrade and before I could show her the money she said she would check with her boss. Sure enough, we got the upgrade on both rooms and I still had not shown her the $20. After the paper work was finished, I thanked her and gave her the $20 tip. She was genuinely pleased. I know she was not expecting anything. She just thought she was doing me a favor.

The rooms were the Resort Rooms, a step up from the Deluxe rooms and very nice with a view overlooking the pool and facing south on the strip. We had friends staying in the hotel at the same time. They had the deluxe rooms and were impressed with the difference. The only negative thing about the Aladdin is that to get from your room to the parking lot you need your hiking boots. Its a real long walk through the shops and the casino. Other than that, we enjoyed the hotel very much. My son did very well playing craps and played for a long time so we expect to see some good offers come his way. For me, as was the case downtown, I pretty much lost every time I gambled but never very much.

My favorite strip hotel is still the Barbary Coast with its great location, generous VP and nice rooms.

Friday my wife and I took a ride to the Cricus Circus area. That is were we had stayed on our first trip to Vegas about 3 years ago. It really was a CIRCUS. It was very busy, one of the busiest casinos we had seen and the children were all over the place. I don't remember it being like that before but it might have been because before was our first trip and we didn't know any better.

We also spent some time at the Sahara. If you like low limits, this is the place for you. They have many $1 blackjack tables and $1 craps with 5x odds. Its a great place to learn different games and if you play balckjack there you will see that many of the customers are learning. I saw one guy split a pair of kings with the dealer having a nine showing. Yikes!! There are so many tables though that you can find many decent players.

Thursday night we had dinner at the Venitian. Thats the Italian restaurant on West Sahara that some have talked about on the board. The food was excellent and very reasonable and the service was the best I have ever had. The gentelman who waited on us was truly a professional. If you really want a bargain, go to the Venitian for lunch. You will not believe how low the prices are at lunch time and the food is fantastic.

Friday we spent the day in Death Valley (via 95). This is a very worthwhile trip. We stopped at Rhyolite to see the glass bottle house and the old town. Clint was the tour guide for the day and he was full of interesting information as well as some very obvious B.S. stories. He showed us a rock called the "Sex Rock." If you ever get out there, ask him about it.

From Rhyolite we went to Scotties Castle. WE did not take the tour because they were booked up but I wish we had. The place was very interesting. We returned to Las Vagas via Parrumph. The ride was interesting and we did see the female Coyote near the ranger station. One of our friends who is familiar with the area told us about it and he was right. The coyote walks down the middle of the road so you will see it and stop. She is looking for food but the rangers will give you a citation if you feed her. It also could be very dangerous.

I don't know why anyone would not want to have a car in Las Vegas. I think it is so easy to get around by using the roads that parallel the strip. Travelling the strip is insane as well as very time consuming.

We didn't get to see any shows. Next time we will book the shows before we leave home then plan the rest of the time around the shows.

Saturday came way to fast. Our flights home were good and on time and I can't wait to go back.

ToM

P.s. Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions and tips.

Tom,

Thanks for the trip. It sounds like it could have been one of my reports. I like staying at MSS. Also enjoy the Redwood or Pasta Pirate on almost every trip. I did your exact loop to Rhyolite and Death Valley just a few weeks ago on a Harley. I think it was my 4th trip to Rhyolite and 2nd returning thru Death Valley.

Did your upgraded room have a whirlpool tub?

Tom, Great report!
I haven't been able to talk my wife into a Christmas LV trip, but after reading your report....it sounds like a great time! Not to mention the prices of those strip hotels! <S>

National Car rental in LV is becoming a big disapointment. The Emerald Club is not what it used to be. This may or may not have something to do with the current money problems the company is having. I've never used a coupon when renting from National, so I am not familiar with the policy they have. But it sounds like it stinks! I have a full size emerald club rental for my next trip, but if it doesn't pan out, for a couple of bucks more, I'll have a Hertz car waiting across the street. Sorry to hear things have not gotten better since my last visit in November!

I like MSS & the Aladdin. However there are a few things that drive me crazy with the Aladdin, like the parking & Valet. No decent VP to speak of, and all the shoe BJ games.

Not much of a sight see-er myself, I just enjoy watching the natural sights of people passing by, rather then places! <S> Your round robin sighteeing sounded like you really enjoyed it. If I'm in Vegas and away from the games too long I get itchy! LOL

Thanks for the GREAT report. My next trip seems so far away, and these gems are what gets me through till next time!
So when is your next trip.....got one planned yet? <S>

Senatorjim,

I took the Death Valley trip on your advice. You had mentioned it some time ago and it had been on my list of things to do. This was the right time. Our Aladdin room did not have a jacuzzi, just a large soaking tub. We've had a Jacuzzi here at home and never use it. I could take two trips to Las Vegas for the money I paid for it. <G>

Lee, our next trip should be around the end of June. We can be somewhat flexible on this one so if some of you are getting together around July 4 we would love to see everyone. Besides, I still owe you a drink.

Next time we may go to the Grand Canyon. I heard that you can go to an Indian Reservation that saves a lot of time and yet still see the beauty and grandure of the canyon. One way, I heard it is around 3 1/2 hours.

I forgot to wish everyone a Happy and peaceful New Year.

Tom

Tom,
I got one of those oversized heart shaped whirlpool tubs in my house that never gets used too. Join the club Tom! LOL

We are looking at June 28/29 arriving and departing sometime after the 4th of July. So yes there is a good chance our paths will cross! I have no flights yet, but those are my rough dates.

Tom,

Great report! Sorry you had a negative at the National Auto. We usually use them because of the fast service and the ability to choose one's own car. So far we haven't had the problems that present themselves at the other companies. We haven't used coupons because you have to go to the counter to present them and part of the beauty of National is bypassing the counter with the Emerald Club.

MSS is probably my favorite LV place. Homey and simple, yet clean and a lot of fun. Their VP is as good as any in LV. The staff is nice too. And their buffett is tops as you reported. We like the Redwood very much. Your $300 dinner for nine was really a bargain wasn't it?

Thanks for the report, Tom.

Bob

Tom:

Read with interest your trip report, especially since you stayed for a few nights downtown. We will be staying downtown (GN) for the first time in Feb. We have visited downtown many times, but never stayed there in 20 plus years of visiting Vegas, so decided to spend a couple nights there next time.

If there are any restaurants that we should be sure to visit for lunch or dinner, please tell me. Doesn't have to be ritzy, just really good food. Also, if any of the casino's have any really good specials you know about, please let me know.

Thanks for taking the time to share your report.

Susan,

GN is the class of Downtown and I'm sure you will enjoy it. I've never stayed there but it is right in the heart of the action.

I think you should start a topic about things to do and places to eat Downtown. Personally, I have enjoyed the Redwood grill and Pasta Pirate (not necessarily Italian food) both in the California Hotel and the Second Street Grill in the Fremont. These are qualtiy restaurants with very good food, nice atmosphere and very reasonable prices.

For something quick or a light lunch I have gone to the Bay City Diner in the Golden Gate and the snack bar at Binions. Someone here had suggested the Chili at Binions and it is good. They were offering Beef Stew this time and it was full of meat. Of course the Golden Gate is famous for the $.99 cent shrimp cocktail. Its a novelty but what makes it so special to me is the piano player who is right there. Its a great take.

We have stayed at MSS many times but have only had the breakfast buffet there. My wife wants oatmeal in the morning and fresh fruit and they have it. I like the omlet station. The guy that makes the omlets is a character and he does a nice job. We have also had a few light meals in the MSS brew pub and they are always good. They have great beer, too.

If you post a new topic I'm sure you will get some more information that we all can use.

I do highly reccommend the Venetian on West Sahara if you want something Italian. As I stated in the report, lunch prices are really inexpensive.

I bet you will like Downtown.

Tom

I had to laugh at your comment about the MSS rooms ...I feel the same way about Sam's Town (ie, it may not be fancy but free counts!). Your comment on the Aladdin saved me some walking ...LOL, why do I like to walk for exercise but hate to walk a long way from a parking lot/elevator in Las Vegas?

Congrats on the deuces ...I love to hear about people hitting deuces. I'm playing catch-up on trip reports, and this was a great start ...thanks!

P.S. - I think you & Lee should organize a meet for July.