Trip Report 5/15-5/18

Arrived in LV on Sun. @ 6 pm - about 1 1/2 hrs late on AA from O%26#39;Hare. Waited in the taxi line about 1/2 hr for our ride to Hard Rock. Check in was effortless. We had prepaid our room for $95/nt through Expedia and I had verified my reservation 2x before going. The room was what I had reserved and was more or less what I expected. It was larger than a standard room, had a nice large plasma TV, and a chaise lounge. The bed and pillows were very comfy. The bathroom is a little on the small side and the shower head is very low - anyone taller than 5%26#39;8'; will have to duck. The only bad thing about the room was the bathroom lighting. It was horrible and very difficult to see to put on makeup. I thought it was me w/tired eyes, but my friend confirmed that she had trouble seeing in the bathroom too.

First evening we took a taxi to Rosemary%26#39;s - price was $29 one way without tip. A bit steeper than we expected. All 6 of us had the prix fixe dinner. The blue cheese lettuce wedge was very good as was my NY strip w/gorgonzola. The coconut bread pudding w/white chocolate gelato was also very good. The rest of our party had salmon, and seared ahi tuna. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. The service was excellent and the wine steward very knowledgable. After dinner we caught a ride w/my brother in law back to HRH for a little gambling.

The casino at HRH is really nice. It is very small and there were plenty of $5 table games. We had a lot of fun w/the dealers who seem to be a little more laid back than dealers at other casinos. I didn%26#39;t have a whole lot of luck, but I did have fun. Also, the casino plays great music. A nice variety that sure beats the heck out of annoying slot bells and whistles.

The next day we checked out the Wynn. It looks a lot like the Bellagio and feels similar. I like the Bellagio better, but it sure was cool to see a golf course on the strip. We did not play here as it was too rich for my blood. We then headed over to the Fashion Showplace Mall. I had not been here since they renovated. Very nice shops. Had lunch at Maggianos and it was what we expected. That evening we had dinner at Venezia Tower @ Bouchon. This is a French Bistro by Thomas Keller of French Laundry(Napa) fame. It was excellent. Great service, great food. The guys had lamb shank, I had the roasted chicken and my friend the roast pork. The portions were plentiful and the waiter was very knowledgeable about wine. Dinner for 4 w/ 1 2/3 bottles of wine - $400. Aargh. A lot of money - take out the wine and the dinner was $250. We left there and taxied to MGM. We had drinks in centrifuge? a bar at the far end of the hotel. The bartenders and waitresses periodically get on the bar and do a choreographed dance. Bizarre, but in a good way. Music and drinks were good here. We headed to see KA. This is a very cool Cirque production. I will say though that the $125 seats are not necessary. you actually get a better view from the second tier seats. Went back to HRH and gambled a little more.

Last day hubby and I walked to Paris and tried the breakfast buffet. It was very good. Great made to order omelettes and fruit crepes. Decadent croissants too. $12.95/pp for breakfast. I would definitely go back for the buffet. Returned to HRH and went to the pool. Not terribly impressed but was happy that previous comments about everyone at that pool being beautiful were false -at least on that day. Waitresses were quick and efficient. Gambled some more and had dinner at brother in law%26#39;s house in Henderson (cheapest mealof the trip:). Returned toHRH and gambled for 3 hours at Let it Ride on the same $100. Didn%26#39;t win big, but didn%26#39;t lose much either.

Checkout was very quick. $5 a day resort fee is rather bogus. We didn%26#39;t ever use the hotel shuttle because they neglected to tell us about it. We probably spent $100 on taxis over 3 days. Oh well. I would definitely stay at HRH again or if not stay then definitely gamble there. This was the first trip to LV in 12 yrs where I wished I had another day. Oh, maybe next time.

Trip Report 5/15-5/18

Great trip report. Good food and a party too. I didn%26#39;t know about a shuttle either.

Trip Report 5/15-5/18

Hard Rock shuttle leaves from the restaurant, not the hotel, just an FYI...

Great trip report thanks for the info leaving today was planning on breakfast at the Paris buffet tommorow nice to know it is really good :)