made of kent

oh I see, it just a good excuse to be away? I get that! gambling worries me, limits ect my DH was at foxwood for a conference and he felt alot of people where gambling to pay the rent! that's why I asked the question, for me to it will be an excape from the children and spend some time with hubby, but I have been saving so we can actually try it out!!! without worry about the morgage

Englishtart

Whenever we go to a casino, we take with us 'only' the amount we can afford to lose, I love the slots and when we were in CO we would go to Blackhawk every Friday night, we started out with $300 on our first trip, believe it or not, we used 'their' money pretty much every weekend after that, sometimes we would leave with over $1k. We did lose a few times, but I think after 12 months, we were pretty much even

We are going to Vegas in a couple of weeks, we will be there 3 nights, and we plan on doing much more there than just the casino, but we will be sure to have nothing else (debit cards etc) on us, when we go, except the cash we can afford to lose. Once that is gone, it's gone and we don't spend any more than that

Vicky88

I always set myself a budget. I take that amount expecting to lose it and if it works out otherwise I am happy.

Anyone who is silly enough to be gambling their rent or mortgage money in Vegas need help really quickly as we all know that the chances of being the one that hits the jackpot is slim.

Vegas for me was about much more than gambling. It was the laughs I had with my friends. We spent all day Saturday shopping, not buying much but we did shop. Had a nice dinner and enjoyed dancing in the bar.

So gambling can be a big or little part of Vegas as you want it to be.

MandyNi

I've been to Vegas three times now and haven't gambled more than say $10 to $15 a night. So for me it's not about that at all. I tend to just change a $10 into cents and go for the cheap slots, just a bit of fun and entertainment and of course you still get the free drinks while you play!

I prefer people watching, going around the hotels until I find some good live music - which doesn't usually take long, and of course the shopping, even if it is just window shopping is great. I've been lucky to go and see a couple of the Cirque du Soleil shows and with some lucky timing Aretha Franklin. If you're there for a sunday, the gospel brunch at the House of Blues is great craic and lots of the usual brunch fare. A trip down to Freemont Street to watch the music and light show, watching the Bellagio fountains, the Sirens of Tresure Island well I never fail to find enough to enjoy!

made of kent

thanks for the advice, I have seen there is a lot of entertainment at casinos here, as I said before I am a high roller in Margate slots, glad to see I will maybe able to do that? here! the reason I asked was years ago I had a lovely friend whos girlfriend worked in a casino in Margate and she looked so tacky in her uniform in a pub at 10.30pm but she said "its the lights in the casino they make us look good" and she told me every thing was designed to make you spend money, lack of windows, free food, free booze, disorienting paln so its hard to find exits ect, so thanks you have confirmed my feelings

Ash UK/US

Do they really give you free drinks in the casions or is that just a myth?

Kaffy Mintcake

Yes, oftentimes if they see you playing (i.e at slots or tables) they will ask if you'd like a drink. The drinks are free, but you should tip in those cirumstances.

Vicky88

Be warned the drinks seemed to be few and far between last weekend. Seems as if there are not that many cocktail waitresses making the rounds and those that were all seemed to be suffering from massive bouts of PMT.

I always tip them a buck or two, I find it particularly bad form of those who take the drink and give nothing as I believe these waitresses survive on tips. Also be prepared for very poor quality cocktails or wine. I had margaritas, they certainly didn't skimp on the tequila but on a scale of 1 to 10 it would only be worthy of a 4.

Ash UK/US

We booked yesterday... got a deal for Harrah, anyone stayed there? I understand it is on one of the monorail stops and it was just refurbished last year.

Seems like I got a good deal. $380 for 4 nights with airfare and taxes.

Kaffy Mintcake

With airfare and taxes?!?!? I'd say that was a good rate for the room alone. Good job and have a great time!

Englishtart

Hey Ash, yes, you got a good deal, we popped into Harrah's while we were there last week, nice hotel, clean and the updates looked good.
We had a fantastic trip, did the touristy stuff, hoover dam and a trip to the atomic bomb museum, very interesting and close to the strip.
The buffet at the Paris was the best, but was over $20 each, Mandalay bay has a nice breakfast buffet and a great 'shark experience $17 but well worth it! Still cheap food available, but hard to find.
We came home $50 ahead on gambling money, so happy with that, we spent most of our time in Bally's casino, fantastic hotel/casino (connected to the Paris) still free drinks if playing, but the waitresses are pretty slow, we averaged about 3 drinks in a 2 hour time frame! If you buy your own from the bars, expect to pay $16+ for two rum/cokes.

All in all, a great trip, would highly recommend it for a short break, I wish we had booked for longer, but we are already planning another trip there next March, hopefully the weather will be cooler, they had their hottest May ever while we were there!

We had a lovely surprise when we arrived, the MIL had called the hotel, she gave them this spiel about it being our 22nd Anniv' and hubby just coming home from being deployed, our first trip back to Vegas in 18 yrs etc, etc. When we got to our room, we had been upgraded to a Suite! Absolutely gorgeous! Huge room, separate lounge area, huge jacuzzi tub in the room and a great view of the Bellagio water show from our balcony! Will post pics as soon as I get them downloaded

Got 7 days left with hubby before he leaves again, so will pop back as and when time allows

Ash UK/US

Yes $380 per person including Airfare and taxes... only thing not included is the baggage fee... $15.

Ash UK/US

We could have stayed at Bally's for $20 more person... however quite a few reviews said it age was really starting to show and the room were starting to get shabby. As Harrah was just refurished, is center strip and on the monorail I went with that.

Vicky88

You know I think you have a good deal - I tend the room itself tends to be irrelevant, as we found we really only slept there and showered and besides that we were in our rooms very little. I think the important thing is, wherever you stay, when you check in make sure your room is not by the elevator nor near the ice machine. I think staying anywhere that is on the monorail bonus is a good idea as it makes it so easy getting around.

We walked thru Harrah's a few times as that was the stop we used to get off/on the monorail. It looked nice and clean, though don't know about the rooms. Remember to sign up for their club so you can get the free gambling money.

A couple of tips I have received for eating/drinking. Apparently the best steak dinner in town is at "Ellis Island" which is a 10-15 min walk off the main strip. It's not on the menu so ask for the $7 steak dinner which is a real bargain. Casino Royale has $1 beers and frozen margarita's/daquiris. Not sure if either of these places are up your alley, however someone advised me next time to take advantage of these deals.

Have a fantastic time.

Englishtart - did you manage to make a stop at the pastry shop in the Bellagio for a yummy afternoon tea?

Ash UK/US

Is the sign up free? exactly what are you signing up for?... free sounds great but these things usually turn out not to be free!

We booked with North West Airlines Vacations. I searched all the usuals Orbitz, Expedia, Hotwire, Priceline etc, I even called travel agents none of the were as cheap as NWA.

Back in the day when it was a bad night out if I came home sober, we always hit the bars/pubs with the cheap drinks first. $1 beers and daquiris can't be a bad thing for a girls weekend away!