Having nothing particular to write about today, I thought I would just start a walk across Las Vegas and give my random thoughts on the hotel/casinos I've been to. I've spent a lot of time in some, barely any time in others, so I'll just throw out the things I liked or didn't like and general impressions. I'll also note what player's card is used in each different place.Just for structural purposes, I'll go five hotels at a time, starting on the south end of the strip and generally working north.
1. Hooters - (Owl Rewards) - I've actually stayed here twice. It's very cheap, and has a decent location. But yes, you get what you pay for. Rooms are standard and a bit run down. Pool is OK, a bit small, but the pool bar is a fun place. Actually, all of the bars are fun. As you would expect, the place is downscale, casual, and unpretentious. Never ate at the actual Hooters restaurant on site, but I've had a couple of good breakfasts at the Mad Onion restaurant there. Nice cheap crap tables. The place has new owners, if someone were to drop a bunch of money to update the place, it would be a good budget option. I might go hang out there again, but I think I'm done with staying there.
2. Tropicana - (Trop Plus Players Club) - A few years back, new owners put a lot of money into fixing this place up, and boy did they do a fabulous job. The theme is "South Beach", but I've never been to South Beach so I don't know if it works or not. I like the casino, it's bright and fun. The cafe by the pool is good, prices are a bit steep but portions are huge. People seem to love the pool, I've never been to it, but it seems like a hip party pool where the beautiful people hang out. Thus, it's not a place for me. Overall, a pretty fun place. Good cocktail service. I actually wanted to stay here when I went out this summer, but couldn't get a good enough price.
3. Excalibur - (MLife) - An MGM property. Originally built to attract families, now has go-go dancers and a male stripper show. I ate dinner at the buffet once, was no terrible, but not very good either. A lot of kids walking around, which annoys me a bit. I found a 5 dollar craps table here once with some great dealers and had a very good time. If I go back here, it will only be because of the memories of the good times I had at the craps table. Free tram to the Luxor and Mandalay Bay.
4. Luxor - (MLife) - Another themed property owned by MGM. Alas, once you get inside, it's damn hard to find any evidence of that theme, making the coolest building in Vegas from the outside remarkably generic on the inside. This was actually the first place I ever stayed in Vegas, but I really can't think of anything there that would bring me back. Not that it's a bad place so much, but.........uninteresting. Free tram to Mandalay Bay and Excalibur.
5. Mandalay Bay - (MLife) - The classiest place on the south strip. I love their breakfast buffet. Once I was wolfing down my third plate there (I like to get my money's worth) and the Miss Universe contestants came in. 8:00 in the morning, they were wearing high heels and the sashes. Boy, those girls sure loved that omelet bar.
This place is a bit too hipster for me to spend too much time in, but I like the Ri Ra Irish pub, when I was there last there was a great Irish band from NY playing. The Burger Bar gets great reviews, I might make it there someday, I've tried before but the line is always out the door. People on the Tripadvisor forum consistently say this is a great pool to bring your kids to. Which makes me not want to visit the pool.
Whenever I'm there, there seems to be a big convention of some kind. Overall, this is an awesome property, but a bit too upscale for a simple man like me.
Well there's numbers 1-5. When I'm inspired to do 6-10, I'll keep moving up the strip.
Thanks for reading, and have a nice day.
