Hi Gang,
I have never stayed there, only visited there in January as a brunch guest of a casino host. I wasn't all that thrilled about the place, but as I have been offered some RFB comps by the Executive Casino Director I met here in Houston at the World Champion BBQ Cookoff and as free is very good, I need some info please.

How are the rooms and are there certain ones that are better than others? Has anyone upgraded to suites? If so, please elaborate.

Also restaurant information there please.

Marc, You're right...Free is always good,
as opposed to the alternative. Can't comment about the Hard Rock accommodations,
since it's not a place I would be inclined to
visit.

Dick - So. Calif.

Marc,

I like the Hard Rock. Think I've stayed there 3 times. Ask for a room facing the pool. One very unique thing about their rooms, they have frecnh doors that open to the outside. Great if you're poolside.

Only place I've eaten there is Lucky's coffee shop. It's OK. They have some decent late night/early morning specials. Pancakes are pretty good.

------------------
Jeff, Gambling Moderator
jeff@talkvegas.com

Hi Marc,

The Hard Rock is one of my favorite hotel/casinos in Las Vegas. They have a great pool area, good VP games, great Spa, terrific music, usually great cocktail service and servers, 6 great places for food(Do NOT go to the actual cafe located outside the hotel/casino, the food is terrible there), very tasteful rooms and a very kewl nightclub, Baby's. There's not much more you can ask for IMHO.

Randyc,
If you don't mind me asking what approximate age group do you fall into please.

Marc, I would fall in the 42-43 age group! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Great!
I am 45, so I value your assessment of the property. I am an old rock and roller so I should be ok there. I was afraid you might be young 20's and then we would probably have a different view of things. Thanks for the reply.

Marc,
I fall into the age group kind of between you and Randy and I agree with Randy's assessment. When they first opened, they kept the music a little too loud. They've toned it down to a real good level.

I don't know if you're looking for a place to gamble, or stay, or hang out and have a few drinks. One interesting thing about the Hard Rock is that things don't seem to get hopping till well after 10 PM. This is true for most opf the Vegas clubs but not the bars and casinos so much.



------------------
Jeff, Gambling Moderator
jeff@talkvegas.com

Jeff,
I guess a little of all three. I didn't do well on the slots there when I was just killing time before a meeting, and the casino seemed small and the tables were full, so no Blackjack.

I am guessing this place will be jammed on the weekend. I was there on a Sunday and because of the size of the casino, it appeared pretty crowded. NASCAR may present it's own set of problems as well, I don't know.

Are some rooms better than others does anyone know. I am guessing comped rooms are in the older section, but I may be able to upgrade with a tip, whaddya think?

I'm staying at the Hard Rock for 1 night, Feb. 23rd. I'll request a room in the new section to see how it compares with the older section. I suspect they'll be pretty close to the same thing. I haven't seen or heard about how any suites are.

The BJ leaves a little to be desired as they hit soft 17 and do not offer surrender.

I'm rarely there on weekend nights but I do know it can get quite crowded as I tried and gave up visiting last Saturday night.

On the other hand I sat 3 machines down from Drew Carey at the Sportsbook bar for a couple of hours one day. That doesn't happen most other places!

M2C (My 2 Cents)

I've never stayed here, so I can't comment on the rooms. I do however like the casino, but not the BJ tables. I like the way the casino looks, with all the little specilty stuff they did in the decorating of the place. The music is nice, although Sandy (my sister) thinks it's too loud. I told her, if it's too loud your too old, and she just gave me a dirty look! LOL
I also like the...ah...seanery <sp>. Oink oink! And the bar glasses, nothing like a big rocks glass in your hand at a fine wood bar. My age? 40 <g>


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

Well, this old lady has stayed at the HR a couple of times and it's always been in the older section - probably as someone mentioned - because it was always on a comp.
I usually do not do the bribe thing at the front desk to get an upgrade. I'd rather put that twenty in a VP machine.

The food at the pink taco is a little step up from good. I would not say it's excellent. Mr. Lucky's coffee shop is, well, it's a coffee shop - and it is pretty good for a coffee shop.

The waitress service in the casino is always excellent and the workers in this place in general are mostly in the 21-25 year range. Of course, you probably will come across a flake or two at either the front desk or the gift shop, but the overall staff is very friendly and very accommodating.

The VP selection is also pretty good with the 10/7 vp bar to your left as you enter the casino - can't miss it.

I was invited back again for my April trip, however, I simply couldn't turn down a comp two night stay from The Venetian.

Good Luck

MJ in NY
T-51!!!
P.s. The music isn't too loud for this 43 year old. Yes, it used to be VERY loud.

Marc:

You mentioned being invited to a brunch given by a casino host.

As I'm also invited to one at the HR, can you tell me how it was?

Thanks.

Susan

Susan,
It was really pretty good. They had the meet in Mortini's there. They had a fairly good selection of menu items. I had an omelette and some fruit, but I noticed it appeared they had roast beef and roast turkey as well. Service was good.

I didn't get to meet too many folks from the VivaVegas group. Everyone seemed to be in little groups talking. I did meet Jean Scott(The Frugal Gambler), she was very nice.

I had been in LV for 4 days by that point, so I was a little punchy and not too gregarious, so I am sure if I had made more of an effort I could have met more nice people from the group.

Slot Host Mickey was great. You will have a good time.

T-16 hours

Well, I am back. Had a great time at the Hard Rock. Switched from the old tower to the new and it was better. Staff was great. Forget Pink Taco.

I met my girl's cousin and husband there. He is a full time professional gambler. I saw Las Vegas from a completely new perspective, even after going out there over 25 years I never saw it at this level. Very high dollar Pai-Gow and BlackJack. He is really strong at the Hard Rock. They comped us a meal at Mortini's for 12 that ran about $950. Very good food there by the way. Highly recommend it.

Comped Joe Walsh tickets. Joe was KILLER by the way.

Then he put Tammy and I up over at the NYNY in a 1,300 sq. ft. Jacuzzi suite on NASCAR and a 2 fight weekend at the last minute. It was very cool walking around with this guy as they couldn't do enough for you. Even when I wasn't with him, the casino staff was asking how I was doing and if I needed anything. Very Cool....

However, there is a small drawback at the Hard Rock. On Sunday night, there was some sort of snowboarding group there, I swear it looked like the high school just got off the bus. They were having to card every person that sat at my table. NONE knew how to play Blackjack or Poker. Not even a little! Guess who was getting the winning hands? Anyway, lots of testerone showing off by yelling across the casino, not cool. I left.

Daytime play was really good. The day I left I was playing Pai-Gow with "Mini-Me" from Austin Powers. Turns out he is a fellow Texan. Fun guy to play cards with. He was getting hounded for autographs though while trying to play. "Have you met Madonna" seemed to be the prevailing question(Rolling eyes). Poor guy has about $500 out on a bet and some nimrod is asking about Madonna.

All in all I would stay there again. I liked the music for the most part and the fact they now know me very well, I am sure I will return. I also liked the short walks to the room and the pool area was just opening so there were some lovely things to see there as well.

Hope I didn't violate rules here, seems more like a trip report, huh?

[This message has been edited by Marc (edited March 09, 2000).]

Marc,

Thanks for the Hard Rock info. I know what you mean about hanging out with a high roller, I've gone into casinos with Veronica and John and they get the same treatment!

jm

Marc: Don't listen to the Senator. He's the one who drives a Cadillac when in Vegas.

As for your post equalling an official trip report, you are on shaky ground--we'll let it slide this time though <g>.

Tell us about your negative comment on Pink Taco. Inquiring minds want to know!

Hmmmmm.....guess my old memory is failing... I remember getting a ride in a red Cadillac with yellow racing strips, but I'd swear it wasn't the Senator that was driving<vbg>.

Marc:

Sounds like you had a great visit to Vegas. I enjoyed reading your post. It must have been really interesting to be associated with your high roller friend and all the benefits. Hopefully casino staff will remember you next time, that could be very beneficial. (g)

Susan

Susan,
The funny thing is you don't associate him with a high roller. I usually think of a high roller as alot of flash you know, but this fellow is very low key. Dresses very casual. You wouldn't know he had a lot of money until the buy in. Very understated bets as well, by that I mean you will not notice what his bet is until they pay him, then you see them asking if he wants to color up.

As for the Pink Taco, the service was very poor and I felt like the food was just ok. I guess I am a little spoiled on Mexican food being from Texas, but this stuff was just, I don't know, average.