This is so delayed it is not even funny. I hope I can recall some details from the trip. Sigh. Someday I'll be on the ball!
We arrived at the airport and got thru security with tons of time to spare. We started with beverages at the newish Stone Arch in the main airport mall area. This pretzel was excellent.
Next, we got lobster rolls at Smack Shack's new airport outpost. It is basically quick service counter ordering, but the lobster rolls were excellent, though it was an arm and leg, it was tasty and really hit the spot. Our flight was uneventful and we grabbed Lyft at the LAS airport and headed for the Palazzo. I used points from my IHG credit card for this stay, making it an excellent value, in my opinion as the Friday and Saturday were not cheap, around $300 I think. The room was amazing and I'd stay here again, especially on points.
All rooms at Venetian/Palazzo are suites, this is the sitting area.
couple steps up to the sleeping area
bathroom
hallway
After settling into the room, we went down to the casino and played a few slots. We went to the Dorsey for a cocktail, they were excellent, if a bit expensive, but that was expected. I had the Coney Island Express and John had some sort of a gimlet.
Since the table games at the Venetian are high limits and crappy payouts and rules, we went over to T.I. for some cheap blackjack. I think we played $10, but I think $5 was available but full. I think we called it a night around 1 or 2am.
Friday morning we went to Grand Lux Cafe in the Palazzo for breakfast. We were seated quickly and our server was great. The food was very good as well. We'd go back for sure.
The sourdough toast was excellent quality. I know we over-analyze this, but it is a valid concern for us. It is difficult to find good sourdough bread in Minnesota.
After breakfast we went to the pool for a few hours. The pool area is quite spacious with comfortable chairs with pads and multiple pools and seating areas to select from.
Refillable ball o' booze from the pool bar. Drinks were overpriced as usual, but quite good.
atrium area
After the pool, we showed up and headed to Yardbird for a late lunch. The blackberry bourbon drink is excellent.
John had the chicken sandwich with fries.
I had the blue plate special, which was their amazing fried chicken with a biscuit and some watermelon. The hot sauce served on the side is just the right amount of spicy and sweet.
We headed over to Ellis Island to meet my friend Deanna and her husband. We have been trading Vegas coupons for quite a few years now, it just so happened a couple days of our trips overlapped, and it was great fun to meet her and discuss our favorite places (Vegas and Puerto Vallarta), while enjoying the 3 rounds of free tap beer courtesy of the Las Vegas Advisor coupons, of course!
Next, we headed downtown and played some blackjack at the Golden Gate. A friend of mine from high school was also in Vegas, so we met at Nacho Daddy for a drink. It was fun to see her for a bit and catch up as I don't think we had seen each other since high school and it turns out we both work a block apart in downtown Minneapolis.
I had the enchilada nachos and they were OK. The chips were already getting soggy by the time they got to me.
Wings at Nacho Daddy were not great, would not order again.
We grabbed a Lyft ride at The D and had a rather long wait for a driver as traffic was terrible and it was also First Friday. Might be something to avoid in the future.
Saturday morning we went to Mon Ami Gabi for breakfast. We had a few Total Rewards comps to use from the Social Rewards and I had some Lettuce Entertain You award club points.
The food and service were excellent as always. It was busy, but we chose to sit inside in order to avoid a long wait for a patio table. Immediate seating inside. Go figure.
We went back to the Palazzo and sat by the pool for awhile. It was OK at first, but got really windy, so we didn't stay super long.
Sinatra Smash and snacks at Parasol Down at Wynn. One benefit of paying an arm and a leg for drinks is the bar snacks that are provided at high end places!
Pic of Popeye at the Wynn. It was Derby Day for the Kentucky Derby, so we tried to find the sports book at the Wynn and or Encore. Turns out they were both under construction and closed, but they had temporary areas set up on the casino floor. We managed to find a spot to sit at the bar in the Lobby Bar and Cafe. They had Sinatra Smashes there too! yay!
We ordered a couple snacks after the derby. Fish tacos for John.
Beef sliders for me.
Palazzo exterior
We took Lyft down to Aria and then walked over to Crystals for dinner at Mastro's Ocean Club. We've both been interested in trying it and I had a Landry's gift card I'd gotten a deal on, so that helped bring the price down a bit.
Dream berry martini
Mastro margarita
crab cake appetizer
Scallops for me
garlic mashed potatoes
Alaskan halibut for John
The restaurant is in, what they call, the nest. The vanilla smell in Crystals really bothered our allergies. I was miserable by the end of the meal. The food was OK, but for the price, I think it should have been a lot better. My scallops did not have any sear on them whatsoever and they were way too salty. Not sure we would return. Too many other choices in Vegas.
We played some video poker at Cosmo after dinner at Bond Bar. John did OK. I did not. We played a few other slots as well.
Side note, our room key quit working, so when we got back to our room we had to go all the way back down to the front lobby to get the key reprogrammed. This happened every day we were at Palazzo. they said they linked the reservations, but unfortunately it did not work at all. I complained and we did get the resort fees waived for our entire stay at least.
Sunday morning we took Lyft to the Cosmo to have breakfast at Wicked Spoon buffet. We had a BOGO coupon from Las Vegas Advisor. So we went to the Identity desk and headed up to the buffet. As we were walking down the long hallway on the buffet level, I slipped in something. I look down and to my horror realized I had just stepped in DOG POOP. INDOORS. IN THE COSMO. Are you kidding me. I went to the restroom to wash the poo off of my shoe. SO GROSS!!! John said the bad dog owner (no bad dogs, just bad dog owners) came back to pick up the poo while I was cleaning my shoe. TOO LATE PAL!!!
Anyway, we eventually got some breakfast and it was quite good. The line took awhile.
Few dessert selections....
We headed back to Palazzo, packed up the room and headed downtown to the Golden Nugget. Our room was in the Rush Tower and I forgot to take photos of it. It was the standard Rush room we have had before. Quite nice and spacious as usual, These rooms are in much better condition that the more recently renovated Gold Tower even though they are almost 10 years old already. Point is, I think the Rush Tower is worth it.
We went on a bit of a coupon run, using free slot play coupons at El Cortez, Four Queens and Binions. No wins to note that I can recall. We went to Main Street and settled in at the Boar's Head bar. I was still feeling a bit melancholy about the crappy day I'd been having.
And then I got this after playing for just a short time. YES!! I GOT MY FIRST ROYAL FLUSH EVER!!! AMAZING!!! I was so excited! The machine locked up and they come out and pay you in cash. I was telling anyone and everyone who would listen about it. I also made sure to add the dog poo story in for good measure. Because dog poop is good luck! Who knew!?
Some comp cookies and Fiji water the front desk agent at the Golden Nugget sent up for us.
Feeling flush, we decide to have dinner at Binion's Steakhouse. We had intended to try it for some time. Nice view from up there of Fremont east.
Night view
The food, drinks and service at Binion's Steakhouse were all excellent. I would highly recommend giving it a try. It is a very classic Vegas atmosphere.
Monday morning we had breakfast at the D Grill. John had a food comp form the Golden Gate, so we used it there because the beloved restaurant to the Golden Gate had closed and has not yet been replaced.
The sourdough toast was rather burnt. Not cool. Not sure we will rush back. It is average at best.
We spent most of the day playing downtown and using LVA and ACG coupons. We went to Golden Gate, Plaza, The D, Downtown Grand and Golden Nugget. We had a few wins on Quick Hits, Tiki Torch and the Hangover. Not bad since a bunch of it was on free play coupons. We also had lunch at American Coney at the D.
John hit seven Quick Hits for a nice win, ended up being $226!
We hit Chart House at the Golden Nugget for happy hour. We had a few happy hour snacks that I forgot to take photos of. I guess I was starving. We had the ahi nachos, firecracker shrimp and fish tacos.
Next, we went to Harrah's and then the Mirage. We used a MyVegas comp for BOGO drinks at the Center Bar.
The bartender was excellent and lit my drink on fire. I can't resist that kind of thing
We both managed to snag MyVegas rewards for free admission to Beatles Love at Mirage. The show was excellent and I thought was a bit more upbeat than the previous version we had seen a few years back. I would not want to go every time, but it was not boring to see it again.
Tuesday we had breakfast at Magnolia's at Four Queens. We have eaten there enough times on past trips, so you get the idea. It was good as always. We headed back to the Golden Nugget, packed up and grabbed Lyft to the airport. Our flight home was good.
Boy, this was an exciting trip! I got a royal and probably had my winningest trip ever! One to remember for sure! Next time, it is John's turn to get a royal!
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