Background to this trip is:-
We didn’t intend to have 2 trips to Las Vegas this year and
booked our May 09 trip some time last year. Then our son, Ross, decided that he
had enjoyed Las Vegas last year so much for his 21st birthday, that he wanted
to go back with his friend from school. Jim and I swithered about whether to
let them make the trip by themselves or go back with them. We just couldn’t
resist an extra trip! After many quotes from Expedia we found a trip for 2
weeks to the Stratosphere, which wouldn’t break the bank – it was £500 (about
$800) per person which included flights from Edinburgh via Newark with
Continental. So this trip included myself, my husband, Jim, Ross our son and
Scott his friend from when they started school at 5 years old together.
LAS VEGAS 17 SEPTEMBER – 2 OCTOBER 2009
Thurs 17 Sept
Checked in for our 12.15pm flight and before we knew it we’d
taken off at 12.05pm and were bound for Newark. There were 40 films to choose
from on the interactive seat back entertainment system, so I chose Easy Virtue,
State of Play and The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. You could also play games and
listen to music and play roulette, poker and slots. We were served a quick
snack of a soft drink and pretzels before our main meal of either chicken
filled with cheese or pot roast beef. We were also served a snack of cheese and
ham roll with crisps and a chocolate bar later on just before we landed. We
arrived at Terminal B and cleared customs. We tried to re-check our bags but
the conveyor belt had malfunctioned so we had to take our luggage to Terminal C
and eventually found someone to hand it into and he put the cases on his
trolley. That’s probably the last we’ll see of them! We went through a long
line at security and made our way to Gate 95. After sitting there for an hour
or so they changed our departure gate to 83 so we had to move again. Once on
board our second flight we discovered that we had to pay $6 by credit or debit
card if we wanted to access the seat back entertainment, so that meant no films
to watch on this leg of the journey. We were served a hot turkey dog with salad
and mini kitkat. We all read a bit and slept a bit until it was time to land in
Las Vegas. We arrived about half an hour early and amazingly our luggage
arrived too! We walked out just in time to catch a 108 bus to the Stratosphere.
We were checked in by 10.15pm and are staying one night in a room on the 5th
floor and changing tomorrow to a room on the 21st floor. We freshened up and
headed down to the casino for a wee shot on the slots. Stayed up till 1am so
that means we’ve been awake for about 26 hours. (Total loss $20)
Fri 18 Sept
Awoke very early and tried to get back to sleep. Eventually
got up at 7am and went to McD’s to collect breakfast for the boys and
ourselves. We then went to explore the pool area – very nice.
Met up with R & S at the Sports Book and set off for the Sahara. S joined the players club and R, J and I had a free slot pull. R was lucky enough to win $20 free play, which he turned into $15 cash. We all had a wee shot on the slots and R & S turned $20 into $50 on Reel ‘Em In. Then it was on to the Hilton where we booked tickets for Barry Manilow for our neighbours who are coming to LV in November. We then caught the 108 to Flamingo and the 202 to the Bellagio. We went in to look at the conservatory but it was in the middle of being changed for the Autumn so we took a couple of photos and then caught the 202 to the Gold Coast where we bought our usual purchase of a litre and three quarters of vodka in their gift shop. We then took the 202 to Swenson and then the 108 back to the Stratosphere. We changed rooms and are now in the Premier Tower on the 21st floor with a beautiful view of the mountains and Downtown.
We unpacked, had showers and got ready to go to the Sahara buffet. After eating we tried our hand at the free slot tournament but unfortunately didn’t score over 6,000. Had a quick play on the slots before walking down the Strip to Circus Circus to show S around as he hasn’t seen it before. Then we crossed over to the Riviera and had a rest in the Sports Book. After a quick look round we made our way back to the Stratosphere via the CVS to pick up some tonic and pepsi. Had a couple of drinks in our room before going down to play the slots. (Total loss $30)
Met up with R & S at the Sports Book and set off for the Sahara. S joined the players club and R, J and I had a free slot pull. R was lucky enough to win $20 free play, which he turned into $15 cash. We all had a wee shot on the slots and R & S turned $20 into $50 on Reel ‘Em In. Then it was on to the Hilton where we booked tickets for Barry Manilow for our neighbours who are coming to LV in November. We then caught the 108 to Flamingo and the 202 to the Bellagio. We went in to look at the conservatory but it was in the middle of being changed for the Autumn so we took a couple of photos and then caught the 202 to the Gold Coast where we bought our usual purchase of a litre and three quarters of vodka in their gift shop. We then took the 202 to Swenson and then the 108 back to the Stratosphere. We changed rooms and are now in the Premier Tower on the 21st floor with a beautiful view of the mountains and Downtown.
We unpacked, had showers and got ready to go to the Sahara buffet. After eating we tried our hand at the free slot tournament but unfortunately didn’t score over 6,000. Had a quick play on the slots before walking down the Strip to Circus Circus to show S around as he hasn’t seen it before. Then we crossed over to the Riviera and had a rest in the Sports Book. After a quick look round we made our way back to the Stratosphere via the CVS to pick up some tonic and pepsi. Had a couple of drinks in our room before going down to play the slots. (Total loss $30)
Sat 19 Sept
Overslept and missed breakfast at McD’s so had to settle for
a cheeseburger instead. Went to the pool for an hour and then went for showers
and to relax in the room. Before dinner we went to the internet café for half
an hour and then played the free slot tournament in the Sahara. Jim managed to
score over 6,000 and had to return at 9pm to see if he was one of the top 6
scorers of the day. We then went Downtown and used a 2 for 1 coupon for the MSS
buffet. We played slots for a little while there before watching the 8pm light
show. Jim caught the bus back to the Sahara whilst R, S and I went to the
Golden Nugget to see the Tank and the biggest Golden Nugget in the World. We
then watched the 9pm American Pie light show before R & S had their photos
taken with $1,000,000 in Binions. We played slots till their photos were ready
and met Jim back from the Sahara (no he wasn’t in the top 6 scorers
unfortunately). We watched the 10pm Queen light show and then visited the
Plaza. R & S watched the 11pm Kiss over LV light show and then we met up
and went along to the California. We made it back just in time to see the
midnight light show before catching the 108 bus back to the Stratosphere. R and
S went straight up to their room and J & I played slots for half an hour. (
MSS +$10, Binions +$8, Plaza + $20, California +$10, Stratosphere - $20 Total Profit $28)
Sun 20 Sept
Had breakfast in our room from McD’s and sat at the pool for
an hour. Took the 116 bus down to the Fashion Show Mall and had a look round
the shops. Then it was over to Encore where S joined the Red Card Club and
turned $10 free play into $11 cash. We then walked through to the Wynn and had
a look at the Ferrari gift shop and the Lake of Dreams. We took the walkway
over to the Palazzo where R & S joined the players club with a $15 free
play coupon from the ACG. R turned his into $8 and S turned his into $18. We
then had a quick look round the Palazzo
before catching the 116 to Flamingo, changing onto a 202 to the Eastside Cannery. R & S joined the players club and Jim and I swiped our players cards in the Sept giveaway and Jim won a t-shirt and I won $5 off any outlet. We went straight to the buffet as there was a big queue forming. R & S used a 2 for 1 coupon for joining the players club and Jim and I used one of them too plus the $5 off any outlet that I won so our buffet came to the grand total of $5.39 for the 2 of us – what a bargain! R & S’s buffet came to $10.80 – another bargain.
After the buffet the boys played their $5 free play and we then walked over to Walmart. After a quick look round we crossed back over to Sam’s Town just in time to see the 8pm Mystic Falls Show. S then joined the players club with a $10 free play coupon from the magazine in our bedroom and turned it into $8 cash. We caught the 9pm shuttle bus to the Riviera and who should we meet on the bus but a couple of ladies from the casino in Edinburgh – what a small world! We walked back up to the Stratosphere stopping off at the CVS for tonic water. We saw an open topped bus with an Elvis look-a-like up top – only in Vegas!
We had a drink in the room before spending a couple of hours in the casino (total loss $31)
before catching the 116 to Flamingo, changing onto a 202 to the Eastside Cannery. R & S joined the players club and Jim and I swiped our players cards in the Sept giveaway and Jim won a t-shirt and I won $5 off any outlet. We went straight to the buffet as there was a big queue forming. R & S used a 2 for 1 coupon for joining the players club and Jim and I used one of them too plus the $5 off any outlet that I won so our buffet came to the grand total of $5.39 for the 2 of us – what a bargain! R & S’s buffet came to $10.80 – another bargain.
After the buffet the boys played their $5 free play and we then walked over to Walmart. After a quick look round we crossed back over to Sam’s Town just in time to see the 8pm Mystic Falls Show. S then joined the players club with a $10 free play coupon from the magazine in our bedroom and turned it into $8 cash. We caught the 9pm shuttle bus to the Riviera and who should we meet on the bus but a couple of ladies from the casino in Edinburgh – what a small world! We walked back up to the Stratosphere stopping off at the CVS for tonic water. We saw an open topped bus with an Elvis look-a-like up top – only in Vegas!
We had a drink in the room before spending a couple of hours in the casino (total loss $31)
Mon 21 Sept
Had breakfast and spent some time at the pool. Went to the
Premier Shopping Outlets in the afternoon and then Downtown at night for the
Fremont Hotel buffet (2 for 1 coupon). Had a game of bingo in the Plaza (no
luck) and walked along to the El Cortez for R & S to use the $10 free play
coupons from the ACG. Walked back along to Fremont Street and watched the 9pm
and 10pm light shows with a little gambling in between. Caught the 10.20pm 108
bus back to the Stratosphere and went up to the top of the Tower at 11.30pm.
What a spectacular view from the top and amazing to see the thrill rides close
up. We gambled a bit when we came back down before going to bed. (Plaza - $7,
Fremont + $18, Stratosphere - $31 Total loss $20)
Tues 22 Sept
Had a late breakfast at McD’s before catching the 116 bus to
the Palazzo. We had a look round the new Sports Bar before walking through to
the Venetian. We watched some entertainers in St Mark’s Square and then visited
the shop where Michael Jackson bought a load of stuff. We exited past the Madam
Tussauds and walked round to Harrah’s to book tickets for the Mac King show,
with coupons from the ACG, which worked out at $13 each. We then went to the
Imperial Palace via the courtyard and we were just in time for the 2pm show and
listened to the look-a-likes of Gwen Stefani, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder and Toby
Keith. We then went back to Harrah’s and joined the queue to get into the show.
Even although Jim and I had seen the show twice before we still thoroughly
enjoyed it. For my free drink I had a Mudslide on the Rocks and I’m sure he
must have poured about half a bottle of Bailey’s into it – it was very strong.
We visited O’Sheas briefly after the show and then caught the Sam’s Town
shuttle from Harrah’s to the Riviera. We walked up to the Sahara and registered
for the free slot tournament and had our free slot pull. S won $5 of free play.
R scored 8807 on the slot tournament so had a good chance of being in the top 6
players and winning some prize money. R & S went to the Sahara buffet and
Jim & I came back to the Stratosphere and had a carry out McD’s in our
room. Jim went along with R & S to the Sahara to find out if R had won any
money from the free slot tournament and amazingly he came 2nd and won $100. We
all spent the night playing slots in the Stratosphere. (Total loss $49)
Wed 23 Sept
Had breakfast in our room then phoned home and went to the
pool. Had a trip up to the top of the Tower again and sat in the Observation
Deck for ages chatting to 2 couples from the UK.
Relaxed in our room as we are having a rest day today, then went to the Sahara for our free slot pull and tournament. I managed to score 7335 and was told to come back at 9pm to see if I was one of the top 6 players of the day. We then went to the Sahara buffet and then spent an hour on the internet. We returned at 9pm and amazingly I came 4th top and won $50.
We then walked back to the Stratosphere and played slots till 2.30am. (Sahara -$12, Stratosphere - $20 Total loss $32)
Relaxed in our room as we are having a rest day today, then went to the Sahara for our free slot pull and tournament. I managed to score 7335 and was told to come back at 9pm to see if I was one of the top 6 players of the day. We then went to the Sahara buffet and then spent an hour on the internet. We returned at 9pm and amazingly I came 4th top and won $50.
We then walked back to the Stratosphere and played slots till 2.30am. (Sahara -$12, Stratosphere - $20 Total loss $32)
Thurs 24 Sept
Had breakfast in our room then spent some time at the pool.
Caught the 108 bus to Flamingo and then the 202 to the Strip. Walked through
Caesars Palace and into the Forum Shops in time to see the Atlantis animatronic
show.
After it was finished we came across a free tour of underneath the aquarium and the Atlantis Show. It took about half an hour and was very interesting.
We then exited onto the Strip and walked round to catch the 202 to the Palms where S signed up and turned $10 free play into $13 cash. We then walked over to the Gold Coast and went for their buffet with 2 for 1 ACG coupons. Then it was over to the Rio to see the Masquerade in the Sky. We caught the 202 to Koval and then after a quick look round Ellis Island it was onto a 116 and then a short walk back to the Stratosphere. Played slots from 10.45pm till 1.15am and wonders will never cease – we were in profit at the end of the night (Total profit $30)
After it was finished we came across a free tour of underneath the aquarium and the Atlantis Show. It took about half an hour and was very interesting.
We then exited onto the Strip and walked round to catch the 202 to the Palms where S signed up and turned $10 free play into $13 cash. We then walked over to the Gold Coast and went for their buffet with 2 for 1 ACG coupons. Then it was over to the Rio to see the Masquerade in the Sky. We caught the 202 to Koval and then after a quick look round Ellis Island it was onto a 116 and then a short walk back to the Stratosphere. Played slots from 10.45pm till 1.15am and wonders will never cease – we were in profit at the end of the night (Total profit $30)
Fri 25 Sept
Had a late brunch in McD’s then caught the 204 to the Palace
Station for a look round and lost $20 on the slots. Went back the the
Stratosphere and spent some time at the pool. Met up with the boys at the
Sahara at 3.15pm for our free slot pull – no luck. We then caught the Sam’s
Town shuttle at the Riviera and walked over to the Eastside Cannery for their
buffet (2 for 1 coupons again). In a million to one coincidence we met the same
couple in the queue for the buffet that we met in May! They are from New
Hampshire and have a condo in Las Vegas which they visit regularly. We chatted
to them after the buffet and kidded on that we would see them the next time we
were in Vegas. We then took part in a free slot tournament (no luck) and then played
the slots. We stayed for their $1.5 million cash giveaway but unfortunately our
names were not picked by the computer. Walked over to Walmart for shopping then
back to Sam’s Town to catch the shuttle bus back to the Riviera. Walked back to
the Stratosphere via the Kmart garage to pick up some Miller Lite. Played slots
till after 1.30am. (Palace Station -$20, Eastside Cannery +$17,
Stratosphere $0, Total loss $3)
Sat 26 Sept
Had breakfast in our room and then relaxed until we met up
with the boys and caught the 108 to Flamingo. We walked up to the Strip calling
in at the Tuscany Suites and made our way to the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat.
Then it was on to the Imperial Palace Auto Collection.
We left the boys in the gift shop and arranged to meet up with them at the Bellagio Conservatory. Jim and I went to meet up with kodidog and can2do from the LasVegas4ever website at Sully’s Bar in Ballys.
We chatted for a while and took some photos for the website and then met up with the boys again. We watched a fountain show after we’d walked round the conservatory
and then made our way up to O’Sheas for a meal at Burger King. We then walked up the Strip to the Fashion Show Mall and caught the 116 back to the Sahara Hotel. We all took part in the free slot tournament but none of us scored over 6,000. Then we had our free slot pull and R won $5 free play which he turned into $5 cash. We then walked back to the Stratosphere and spent the night playing slots. R & S decided early on – about 11.10pm – to call it a night after S had pressed the max bet button on the Monopoly slot by mistake. By some fluke he hit the bonus round and they won $36! Then they must have changed their minds and came back down from their room and decided to go on Xscream at the top of the Tower. Also someone gave them tickets for the Big Shot so they went on that as well. They came and found us in the casino at about 1am to tell us and show us their photos. Jim and I were totally stunned. (Total loss $32)
We left the boys in the gift shop and arranged to meet up with them at the Bellagio Conservatory. Jim and I went to meet up with kodidog and can2do from the LasVegas4ever website at Sully’s Bar in Ballys.
We chatted for a while and took some photos for the website and then met up with the boys again. We watched a fountain show after we’d walked round the conservatory
and then made our way up to O’Sheas for a meal at Burger King. We then walked up the Strip to the Fashion Show Mall and caught the 116 back to the Sahara Hotel. We all took part in the free slot tournament but none of us scored over 6,000. Then we had our free slot pull and R won $5 free play which he turned into $5 cash. We then walked back to the Stratosphere and spent the night playing slots. R & S decided early on – about 11.10pm – to call it a night after S had pressed the max bet button on the Monopoly slot by mistake. By some fluke he hit the bonus round and they won $36! Then they must have changed their minds and came back down from their room and decided to go on Xscream at the top of the Tower. Also someone gave them tickets for the Big Shot so they went on that as well. They came and found us in the casino at about 1am to tell us and show us their photos. Jim and I were totally stunned. (Total loss $32)
Sun 27 Sept
Had a very late brunch in our room before catching the 116
to the LV welcome sign.
Then we walked to Mandalay Bay, then took the tram to
the Luxor and then walked through to Excalibur. After a quick look round NYNY
it was on to the Monte Carlo then past City Center and over the road to Planet
Hollywood. Saw the fountain show in the Miracle Mile Shops and then walked to
the MGM. Jim R and S went over to the Tropicana and Hooters whilst I chilled
out in the Sports Book in the MGM. When they arrived back we took the monorail
back up to the Sahara and went to their buffet. Played slots in the
Stratosphere for about 4 hours (Total loss $19)
Mon 28 Sept
Had breakfast in our room and then spent some time at the
pool. We met up with R & S at the top of the Tower and filmed them on the
Insanity Ride.
We then had showers and got ready to go out. Caught the 108 to
the Hard Rock Hotel and used 2 x $10 free play coupons from the ACG. R & S
made $2 from theirs and Jim and I made $6 from ours. We then walked along to
Terribles and S signed up to the Players Club using a $5 free play ACG coupon.
He turned that into $16 and also received a baseball cap for signing up. We
then caught the 202 to the Gold Coast for their buffet. Walked over to the Rio
for S to sign up to the Players Club. We then caught the 202 to Swenson and
changed to the 108 to go Downtown. Bought some souveniers and then went to the
California to play their slots. We caught the 10.25pm bus back to the
Stratosphere and played more slots. (Gold Coast -$10, Rio -$5, California -$15,
Stratosphere -$39 Total loss $69)
Tues 29 Sept
Got up very late and had lunch in McD’s. Jim and I then went
to Planet Hollywood to book tickets to the Mentalist with coupons printed from
the internet. Caught the bus back to the Sahara and had an hour on the internet
before going for the free slot pull and tournament. We then had our dinner in
the nearby McD’s before catching the bus to see the show. R & S did a later
slot tournament and R scored over 8000 so he has a good chance of winning more
money. He explained that he was going to a show and as long as he gets back to
the Sahara before 11pm he can still claim his prize. The show was quite
entertaining and we didn’t have a clue how he knew all the facts about members
of the audience.
We caught the 202 and the 108 back to the Stratosphere. R & S got off at the Sahara and he was very lucky again to come 2nd with a prize of $100 again. We played slots till very late and broke even for a change. (Total NIL)
We caught the 202 and the 108 back to the Stratosphere. R & S got off at the Sahara and he was very lucky again to come 2nd with a prize of $100 again. We played slots till very late and broke even for a change. (Total NIL)
Wed 30 Sept
Had a very late breakfast in McD’s. Then Jim watched the
Manchester United soccer match in the Sports Book and I went to the pool to
read my book. After showers and some case packing we met up with the boys at
the Sahara for the free slot tournament and then the buffet. We caught the 108
and then the 202 to the Strip and queued to go up the Eiffel Tower.
We watched one fountain show from the top before heading up to watch the Sirens of TI show. Then we walked back to the Mirage to see the new volcano erupt – not much difference from the old version.
We then went inside the Mirage to see the Beatles area
and then walked back through TI to catch the 116 bus back to our hotel. Played slots till far too late (Total loss $20)
We watched one fountain show from the top before heading up to watch the Sirens of TI show. Then we walked back to the Mirage to see the new volcano erupt – not much difference from the old version.
We then went inside the Mirage to see the Beatles area
and then walked back through TI to catch the 116 bus back to our hotel. Played slots till far too late (Total loss $20)
Thurs 1 Oct
Got up at 7am and Jim went to the internet café to check in
for our flight. Had a quick breakfast in McD’s and caught the 9.10am bus to the
airport. Had no problems checking in and our flight took off 15 minutes late
but arrived half an hour early.
We were served a cheeseburger with salad and the film that was showing was I Hate Valentine’s Day. Walked the short distance to our next departure gate and had a 3 hour wait for our next flight. We took off slightly early and Jim and I watched My Sister’s Keeper. We were served chicken and pasta or meatballs and pasta for dinner and fresh fruit and a croissant for breakfast. We arrived an hour early into Edinburgh and were met with drizzle – typical Scottish weather!
We were served a cheeseburger with salad and the film that was showing was I Hate Valentine’s Day. Walked the short distance to our next departure gate and had a 3 hour wait for our next flight. We took off slightly early and Jim and I watched My Sister’s Keeper. We were served chicken and pasta or meatballs and pasta for dinner and fresh fruit and a croissant for breakfast. We arrived an hour early into Edinburgh and were met with drizzle – typical Scottish weather!
Well that’s it all over until next year. (hopefully)
Total loss on slots was $267, which works out at $19 per
night, which isn’t too bad I feel, but I did win $50 in the free Sahara slot
tournament. The boys stuck to their favourite Monopoly slot (don’t know how
much they lost) but we played a variety including Dean Martin, Survivor, Red
Rooster, Sirens, Alien, Hexbreaker, Da Vinci Diamonds and many more.
Brought back quite a lot of dollars, which will come in very
handy for next year.
The Stratosphere is probably the best hotel we’ve stayed at
in Las Vegas. (The others that we’ve stayed at over the years are Palace
Station, Circus Circus, Sahara, Hilton, Excalibur, Riviera and Imperial
Palace.) Their beds are very, very comfortable and the pool area is lovely.
Only criticism I would make is that the music at the pool is too loud and it
was a long walk to the pool.
Thanks to 2westie for posting up the coupons for the
Mentalist. After tax & fees were added on it came to $15 each, which was a
real bargain.