During my last visit to Las Vegas I stayed the first three nights at the new Palazzo. The second three night of my stay were at the MGM Grand in the Grand Tower rooms. I arrived a bit early so my room was not available when I checked in. I used the invited guest line which was not very long to wait for service. I checked my luggage till my room was ready. The bell desk is close to the check in desks, so all very easy and quick. A couple hours later my room was ready. The elevator for the Grand Tower rooms is just acircular the corner from the front lobby or thcoarse the area where the MGM Lion progressive slots are located. I have heard from other people about how large the MGM is and the long walks to your room. But mine walk was not too far. But I can see how it would be a long walk if your located at the far ends of the towers.

My room in the Grand Tower was very nice. Nice, not luxurious like my suite at the Palazzo. The room had one king size bed and was more than enough room. The mattress on the bed was very comfortable. Something many people have commented on in Las Vegas forums. The bathroom was very nice, everything in good condition. Had an excellent view from my room of the NYNY hotel, the Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Tropicana. And the mountains in the distance with the rain clouds. Yes, it did rain a couple days on this trip.

No luck gambling at the MGM. The slots were not being kind, taking my money a bit too quickly. I do like the variety of slots at the MGM. A very large casino with different types of slots and table games in the different areas of the casino. But at night, early evening till acircular 11pm it was very crowded. Too crowded for me, people everywhere, hard to find a path to get though the casino.

The MGM has a good location for the south end of the strip. Easy to walk too the NYNY, Luxor, Mandalay Bay and Tropicana. Also Hooters, which as of this posting is about to be sold and redone as a more upscale hotel and casino. See if those plans actually happen. The NYNY and Luxor where both remodeling their casinos. So expect some noise and closed off areas. I did not gamble in either of them. I did gamble at the Mandalay Bay and had a little luck. But not enough to make me a winner.

The MGM was a very nice place to stay for a few nights. I enjoyed my stays at both MGM and the Palazzo. Hopefully will see them again!!!

Just made the arrangements for my next Las Vegas vacation. I will be staying at the new Palazzo tower for three nights and the MGM for three nights. All six nights are complimentary. Nice not having to pay for your hotel room. As usual I will be flying out of Pittsburgh on US Airways. Flight was under $400 circular trip, not too bad for Pittsburgh. I will be in Vegas the week of February 17th. The weather should in mid fifties to mid sixties. That's not too warm, but much better than here!!

This a prime example of why you should join the players clubs and use your players club card. In December I received a letter from the Venetian inviting me to the new Palazzo for $149 a night. Then at the end of January they sent me an e-mail saying I was upgraded to the complimentary room. This was goo for either the Palazzo or Venetian. I generally spend most of my time at Harrah's casinos or MGM. But I always halt in at the Venetian and Planet Hollywood to give some action. This lets them know I am still active and keeps my players club accounts alive. You don't always have to gamble a bundle of money to receive good offers. Join all the players clubs you can when you are in Las Vegas. Or, you can join them online from your home computer. Take advantage of the deals they offer, save money where you can!!

Hopefully I will be able to take a few good photos of the Palazzo to put on here when I return. Win or lose, will be a fun trip!! Luxury for a few days is a nice way to elude and relax!!!

The fire Friday morning at the Monte Carlo Hotel was contained to the roof if all three if the towers. Most of the fire was the foam facade on the roof, and this was the debris seen falling off to the ground. Welding work was being done, but as of Friday night, that had not been named the official cause of the blaze.

The alarms sounded in the hotel and casino. Everyone made their exit without too much trouble. There were a few minor injuries doing this exit. No damage was done to most of the hotel rooms, restaurants, shops and casino. But I would think with the thick black smoke and the water used to put out the fire some damage was done. Some of the penthouse suites on the top floor must have extensive damage from smoke and water. It will take a little time to find out how much water damage was done.

The hotel guest were moved to the NYNY and MGM hotels. I would imagine repairs will be quickly done do have the hotel running full steam ahead with the super bowl weekend arriving next week.

Even on vacation and holidays we need to keep alert and aware of what is happening acircular us. Always best to be prepared!!