Back from another trip to Las Vegas. I arrived Monday October 5, and departed on the afternoon of Saturday October 10. I stayed again at the Palazzo for all five nights. Nice to keep getting the comped rooms there!

The Good. The weather was fantastic, sunny and warm everyday. Very different from the cold and rainy days in Pittsburgh. Room was very nice as always. Also had my room comped to a room with a view. Right on the corner by TI and the Wynn. Had a perfect view of the Sirens of TI pirate battle show. The food at the Grand Lux restaurant at the Palazzo was very good. Try the Zen Noodle soup when you are there. Excellent!! Best slot this trip was the Alfruddy Hitchcock slots at the Bellagio. Hit for $500.00 on first spin in the bonus round. The MGM Dollar Lion slots payed out a little this time.

The Bad. The slots and video poker were not paying out much this visit. Nothing at all on video poker. Tried the new Jaws and Star Wars slots. Just ate all my money! Even my old favorites like Cleopatra and White Orchid were nothing but losers. Starting to tire of the Bellagio buffet. The desserts there and not very good. Starting to think the PH buffet is better, best chocolate pie, mmmm!!!

The beautiful. Carmen Electra!!!! Carmen was performing with the lovely ladies of the Crazy Horse Paris show at the MGM. Carmen is beautiful!!! My seat was about ten feet from the stage, very nice view!! The show was very good. Lovely ladies, yes topless, singing, dancing, music and the Scott Brothers vaudeville act. I do recommend the show!!

Another good Vegas vacation. Always alert to go back!!!

With the sale of the Treasure Island from MGM now final, the TI is undergoing some changes. Hopefully with the new management the changes will be for the good. For now the Sirens's show is still the same. I did prefer the old pirate battle better. The club's, shows, and restaurants will all be under review to see where improvemsnts can be made.

The casino at TI is large with good vareity of slots and table games. Sometimes I have some good luck there. Which is always good. The rates now are down for the summer so take advantage of the new TI and have fun and exciting summer!

TI Direct Advantage Offer - Book Early and Save up to 30%! Promo Code: DIRECTTI (15% for advanced bookings between 7-30 days, 20% for advanced bookings between 31-60 days, 25% for advanced bookings between 61-90 days, 30% for advanced bookings more than 90 days)

Room Remodel

Back from another vacation in Las Vegas. Stayed at the Mirage Hotel, this was my second time to stay there. Arrived in Vegas a little after 8pm and made it out of the airport in good time. I had made reservations with ODS(On Demand Sedan & Limo) for airport shuttle to the Mirage. But I was met by one of their limo drivers. Cost me over $60.00 for the limo ride. So don't use the ODS website until they have it working properly. The limo driver called the office to report what happened. So hopefully they are working on this. But the ride in the limo to the hotel was good.

Arrived at the Mirage just before 9pm. Used the invited guest check in line. No waiting, I was the only person checking in. Room was alert and off I went. The first time I stayed here I was in a deluxe tower room. This trip I used an e-mail offer from the Mirage for a petite suite room. The suite was very nice and spacious. One bed, but two bathrooms. One bath just had a shower, the other bath had a spa tub. Had two large screen flat panel tv's. Of course the over priced mini bar, but this suite did have a small fridge. Used the fridge, that was nice.
The suite is located on the 24th floor. Used the elevators that is just dedicated to the 24th and 25th floors. Not much wait and speedy.

I like the Mirage casino. Large, good variety of slots and table games. But in many areas the slots are cramped. Not much space to walk between. Many old favorite slots and always new slots to try. Not much luck this time in the casino at the Mirage.

I did east at the BLT Burger restaurant again. Also at the Cravings Buffet and the Carnegie Deli for dessert. Thirteen dollars for a hamburger at BLT. I had the Tex-Mex burger, very good. But still a bit pricey for a hamburger. The buffet at Cravings was about the same as all the other times I have been there. Good quality and variety of food. Just had some pie at the Carnegie Deli. It was just ok. I did not think it was anything special. But the deli is always crowded and it is open 24 hours.

The Mirage is still doing some renovations to the front area of the casino and where the white tiger den area used to be. They have a new rum bar in there with seating also outside by the walkway. They were working on the volcano, so did not see if has improved any since my last visit.

I do highly recommend the Mirage as an excellent hotel to visit. Very nice rooms, good restaurants, always a busy casino. The entertainment there and shopping are more ways to spend your time. Or relax at the pool and chill out.

Make sure to visit and spend some time at the Mirage on your next trip to Las Vegas!

Spring is right acircular the corner! Take a peek at these early spring deals from some of your favorite Las Vegas hotels. These deals are only acircular for a couple weeks, so make your reservations rapid to save yourself some cash!

Excalibur "Sooner is Better!" Rates from $27/nt. *THE SOONER YOU BOOK AT EXCALIBUR, THE MORE YOU WILL SAVE (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Feb 20 - Sep 10, 2009. Promo Code: XKDLS (Exp 3/4/09)


Excalibur "Family Package!" Rates from $56/nt (2nt Min). *Offer includes: 2-FOR-1 tickets for Tournament of Kings dinner show, 2-FOR-1 tickets to Adventuredome at Circus-Circus, 2-FOR-1 tickets to our Magic Motion 4-D movie ride, 10 Free Play passes at the Fantasy Faire midway, 20% Off Titanic, The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor, 20% off Bodies..The Exhibition at Luxor, and Buy one, get the second admission for 50% to Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Feb 20 - Nov 30, 2009. Promo Code: XFAMBL (Exp 3/4/09)

MGM Grand Las Vegas "Drop Everything!" Rates from $52/nt. *Experience the comfort and excitement of MGM Grand, the resort that delivers Maximum Vegas, plus $25 upgrade per night to Bungalow Suite, $30 upgrade per night to Celebrity Spa Suite (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Feb 20 - Sep 8, 2009. Promo Code: INB253 (Exp 3/4/09)

New York New York "Your Best Rate" Rates from $52/nt (2nt Min). *Book NOW thcoarse December 2009 and receive up to 30% off each night you stay in one of our gorgeous rooms (*See site for additional details and restrictions). Feb 20 - Dec 31, 2009. Promo Code: BRGPRZ (Exp 3/5/09)


Book now, save and have fun!!!

Last week, February 10--12, I tried my first slot tournament. It was at the Venetian Hotel. The total prize package was $25,000.00, with first place winning $7,500.00. I did not have the good luck fortunate enough to win first place or any consolation prizes. But the tournament was fun, and it did not take too much time.

The tournament ran in three playing sessions. One session on Wednesday morning, then again in the afternoon. The final session was Thursday morning. Each session you had ten minutes to sit at your slot machine and attempt to earn as many points as you could get. Then total of your three sessions determined your final score and rank.

I finished about 1,000 points brief of the cutoff line for the final payouts. But it is all luck. Being at the right machine at the right time.

But the tournament was well worth it. The Venetian comped my three nights at the hotel. My option to stay at either the Venetian or Palazzo. I chose the Venetian because I paid for an extra night and the Venetian was a little less. The suites at both are very similar, just the Palazzo is newer.

I think I will attempt do to use more of the slot tournament offers I receive. It did not take up very much of my time. Your room is comped for the days of the tournament, and you have a chance to win money without putting any money in the machine!

If you have not participated in a slot tournament yet, give it a try.

Have fun and good luck!!!

Are ya alert for a party? Check out these offers from MGM for the Luxor, Excalibur and NYNY. These offers expire October 15, so act rapid if you want to join the block Party!!!

I have only stayed at Luxor twice, both times in the Pyramid. I enjoyed my visits there. And it is now quite different from when I stayed there. The major renovations are complete, the new bars and clubs are open. Stop in and take a look.

The NYNY and Excalibur have also added new clubs and restaurants. The NYNY has done major renovations down on the casino floor and shopping areas. And it is easy to walk between all three casions. So make your reservations today, save a little money and have fun at the block party!!!


Luxor "BLOCK PARTY OFFER" Rates from $59/nt. *Plus, --AT THE LUXOR: 50% off Fantasy Ticket, 25% of Carrot Top Ticket, Free appetizer at CatHouse or Company American Bistro with the purchase of any entrée, and VIP admission to LAX -- AT THE EXCALIBUR: 50% off show tickets at Tournament of Kings, Louie Anderson or Thunder from Down Under, Free appetizer at Dick’s Last Resort with the purchase of any entrée, and $10 in free Midway games with purchase of 10 games. -- AT THE NEW YORK NEW YORK: 25% off Zumanity Ticket, 2 for 1 Breakrapid at Il Fornaio, VIP admission to ROK Vegas, and VIP admission to Coyote Ugly. (*See site for details and restrictions) Oct 1, 2008 - Jan 31, 2009. Promo Code: PBLOCK (Exp 10/15/08)

Excalibur "Block Party!" Rates from $41/nt *Plus -- AT EXCALIBUR: 50% off show tickets at Tournament of Kings, Louie Anderson and Thunder from Down Under, Free appetizer at Dick's Last Resort with the purchase of any entree, and $10 in free Midway games with the purchase of 10 games. -- AT THE LUXOR:50% off Fantasy, Free appetizer at CatHouse with the purchase of any entree, and VIP admission to LAX. -- AT NEW YORK NEW YORK: 25% off Zumanity, 2-for-1 breakrapid at Il Fornaio, and VIP admission to ROK Vegas. (*see site for details and restrictions) Oct 1, 2008 - Jan 31, 2009. Promo Code: XBLOCK (Exp 10/16/08)



NYNY "Block Party Offer" Rates from $65/nt. *Plus, -- AT THE NEW YORK - NEW YORK: 25% off Zumanity Ticket, 2 for 1 Breakrapid at Il Fornaio, VIP admission to ROK Vegas, and VIP admission to Coyote Ugly. -- AT THE LUXOR: 50% off Fantasy Ticket, • 25% off Carrot Top Ticket, Free appetizer at CatHouse or Company American Bistro with the purchase of any entrée, and VIP admission to LAX. -- AT THE EXCALIBUR: 50% off show tickets at Tournament of Kings, Louie Anderson or Thunder from Down Under, Free appetizer at Dick’s Last Resort with the purchase of any entrée, and $10 in free Midway games with purchase of 10 games. (*See site for additional details and restrictions) Oct 1 - Dec 24, 2008. Promo Code: BLOCKEB (Exp 10/15/08)

Back from my most recent vacation in Las Vegas, September 20--27. I stayed three nights at the Flamingo and four nights at the Palazzo. Flight was no problem. I used the airport shuttle bus to the Flamingo. I think a good discount at $6.00 a ticket. Check in was fine. Had a room available for me at 11am. The room at the Flamingo was the basic deluxe room. Strip view right across from Caesars Palace. Good enough for sleeping and storing my luggage.

I don't eat my meals at the Flamingo. Usually go to Bellagio, Mirage, Planet Hollywood or Paris to dine. The gambling at the Flamingo was ok. Not too much in the loss column and did get some good play on the slots. Casino was crowded every night. Nice to stroll and relax in the Flamingo gardens and view the pink flamingos!

Tuesday took the taxi down to the Palazzo. My third visit too the Palazzo this year. They also had a room available at check in. I was checked in and unpacked again by 11am. Up on the 21st floor and the end of the hall. But the walk was not too bad. Had a good view of the Mirage volcano, unfortunatly it is still being renovated.

Went to the Bellagio Tuesday for some slot play. Usually have some good luck there. Did hit on the Bonus Frenzy slot for $1,000.00 hit. That was a big help in making up for some losses! I like the new dollar Deal or No Deal slots. Played at Bellagio, Planet Hollywood, Mirage and Venetian. A little luck, nothing great.

Thursday night playing at the Palazzo i hit my largest jackpot so far. I was playing a dollar triple double bonus video poker machine. Put in $100.00, on fourth hand I was dealt three aces! Kept them and hoped for the fourth!! I got it!! And a four for the kicker card!!! A nice payout of $4000.00!!! Made my night and trip!!!


Bellagio, Venetian and Palazzo were good to me on this trip!!! Not much good from Caesars, not done well there lately. So this was a very fun trip, always better when you go home with extra money!!!! I highly reccomend you visit the Palazzo. Great place to stay and the casino has a nice layout. Time to start thinking about that next trip!!!

The college football season has started. The NFL season starts this weekend with a full slate of games Sunday and a double header on Monday night. The NY Giants started early on Thursdays with a win over the Washington Redskins.

Football weekends are very popular and busy in Las Vegas. So expect to find the bargains hard to find during the season. Many people fly in to Vegas so they can place bets on the games. The sports books are a fun place to be if your a football fan. Always a crowd to watch the games on the big screens, and cheer on their favorite team. and to cheer hopefully for a winning outcome on the game and their wager!

My favorite sports books are at Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Venetian and the MGM. The sports book at the LV Hilton is also very large and popular. A place like Bill's Gamblin Hall is a good place to go if the other sports books are crowded and your brief on time to place your bet.

Bet on one game, a parlay, a future bet like the superbowl winner or an action bet like who will score the most points in a half. Just remember, like gambling at the slots or tables, adhere with your budget.

Have fun and good luck!!!

Do you fly to Las Vegas for your vacation? If you do, you may be confused and perplexed with all the changes happening with the airlines. I found a good article on the http://www.smartertravel.com/ website featuring all the changes.

The Smarter Traveler article gives a very good update and breakdown of all the new fee changes. Such as for your baggage fees for number for checked bag, size and weight limits. Fees for booking online or over the telephone. Fees for food, drink and seating preferences. And many many other various fees and charges the airlines have decided to attempt and use.

The article has very good charts for you to compare the fees with the airlines. See how well or poorly your airlines are treating you. I found this to be very useful and informative information. I hope it will be a help to all of you!! You can find the article on the Smarter Traveler website, and here is the link to page with the article:
http://wiki.smartertravel.com/index.php/Airline_Fees

Hope this assists with your travel planning!!!