It was back to Harrah's for their buffet to use our 2-for-1 coupon. Since Las Vegas is two hours behind Chicago time-wise, a 3:30pm buffet was equivalent to our semi-normal 5:30pm dinner time. This is definitely the best deal, going late in the afternoon and eating for a few hours. Again, there is so much to choose from andshort lines at that time. I can guarantee that you'll find on the buffet that you like.

Every buffet we looked at had: Sushi stations; carving stations; Italian; Mexican; Chinese; Japanese; Fruit; Seafood; different salads and huge selections of desserts. I pigged out...again...a little more choosy this time...on my favorite Sushi, Mexican, Beef, Chinese and Seafood. At 4:00pm, most Hotel buffets add crab legs and steak to the line-up. The crab legs aren't Alaskan King Crab Legs by any stretch of the imagination but it you like Crab Legs...go for it.

Continue reading "Harrah's Buffet and Marriott Time-share" »

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Part of the fun was walking into every deluxe hotel (and some not so deluxe) on the Strip and eyeing the buffets, Christmas decorations and people. I've heard the catchphrase..."what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"...but we primarily saw families with children, and couples walking around. And it seemed as if most of the people were either speaking Spanish, Chinese or Japanese. Lots and lots of foreign visitors and each one talking photos.

In the late '70's and early '80's, the Riviera Hotel was our home-away-from-home and we even attended a wedding at the Candlelight Chapel across the street from the Riviera. This is what the Candlelight Chapel looks like now with graffiti all over it...and the Riviera had added on so many times that it was unrecognizable...

Continue reading "Caesar's Palace, The Venetian and Bellagio" »

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A person could subsidize their Las Vegas stay just by visiting Time-shares (and probably, some do). It was impossible to walk through any Hotel, on or off the Strip, without someone offering shows, meals and cash for spending 1-2 hours listening to a pitch on time-shares.

The Las Vegas Strip was filled with Condos being built, time-share buildings, older Casinos and Hotels being imploded (the Stardust is the next to go in January, 2007) and construction cranes everywhere. I would think that construction is "the business" to be in if you don't own a Casino. Vegas residents told us..."if you want to work, there's a job to be had"...

Tip #3: If you decide to visit a timeshare, bring I.D. We committed to a spiel and, silly me, had left I.D. back in the Monte Carlo safe. No I.D., no money...and we had negotiated for $100 for a two-hour pitch.

Continue reading "Las Vegas Time-shares and The Monte Carlo Buffet" »

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Tip #2: Everyone in Las Vegas walks around in blue jeans. It isn't necessary to bring lots of clothes unless you want to get dressed up.

We headed to the Rio Hotel for their Carnival Buffet given raves by all we know, and hyped as Las Vegas' best buffet. In the 29 years of visiting Las Vegas, we've always avoided buffets because:

a. Hate to wait in line.
b. Like to sit at a table and be served.
c. Buffets had a reputation for inferior food.

Perhaps that was true at one time but not now! How wrong could two people be... Every hotel has daily buffets for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The Rio Carnival Lunch Buffet is served from 11:00am to 3:30pm, $15.99 and we had a $5 off per person coupon. The Dinner Buffet runs from 3:30-10:00pm and no one is going to think twice if you want to sit and eat from 11:00am to 10:00pm.

Continue reading "Buffets in Las Vegas" »

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I am the first person to shoot off nasty e-mails to United complaining about their service, planes and personnel but TED was a unexpected pleasure. Pleasant flight attendants and a good flight. It was very cold in Las Vegas when we arrived (think upper 20's) but sunny with blue skies and we didn't come to sit by the swimming pool. If basking and 120 degree temperatures don't suit you, visit when it's cooler.) Many others have said this before me...there is no other city in the world even close to Las Vegas in impact. Where else do you arrive at an airport and see rows of slot machines? ...View image...

You won't do this...we did...walked from McCarran Airport to The Monte Carlo Hotel since our only luggage was two little backpacks. There is sidewalk all the way. Remember, our trip was not about fancy dining or shows. It's only about 2+ miles and we are great walkers. This wasn't a money-saving issue...you can take a shuttle to any hotel on the Strip for around $5/person and there is also public transportation. It just felt great to get outside and walk...and so interesting approaching the Strip on foot...past the MGM Grand, New York-New York, and Paris Hotels...each and every one unique. ...View image...

Continue reading "Arriving In Las Vegas" »

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When our adult children visit Las Vegas, they stay at Bellago, The Venetian, Caesars Palace spending up to and over $200 a night. They also eat at Spago, see multiple shows and gamble.

ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I visit Las Vegas looking for the least expensive (decent) hotel we can find and food bargains. I don't gamble at all (absolutely detest losing even one dollar) and ex-Marine risks very little. In his younger days, ex-Marine was one of those people whose gambling loses helped build Las Vegas into what it is today and no longer wants to contribute to its success! Not that Vegas needs him! They have a 60 BILLION DOLLAR complex going up over the next 10 years between Monte Carlo and Bellagio with, I think, 15 casinos and condos.

It's been over five years since our last visit. Time for an impromptu two-day trip to see the changes, have some fun and spend as little as humanly possible.

Continue reading "Enjoying Las Vegas On Very Little Money" »

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