This was our annual mid-summer trip to the promised land. Lisa and I had always wanted to stay at Mandalay Bay, solely to use the pool. I had received a great email offer from THEhotel for only $139 a night midweek. You probably will never see a cheaper rate than that for this place so we jumped on it.
July 20
We packed up the car and hit the road from OC a little past 10AM. There was a bit of traffic on the 91 then some more construction delays on the 15 but nothing terrible. The southbound side had a huge on-going tie up around Halloran Springs Road that was easily 3 or 4 miles deep. If you are doing the drive from LV to LA, don't do it before 3 PM. We pulled into Mandalay Bay around 2:00PM. We pulled up to the front valet and they directed us to the back. I didn't know that the THEhotel has it's own check-in and valet. They are no signs whatsoever (none even mentioning THEhotel) directing you to the back if you come in the front entrance. We eventually found the valet and proceeded to try to find the check-in desk. We walked around looking like clowns for several minutes before finally asking where the hell it was. There was a tiny sign that say "Lobby" but it is the same color as the wall behind it! They did make sure to make the "Coffeebar" sign 10 times the size of the lobby sign next to it. Once we found the desk, there was a only a short wait and we were on to our room, but not before getting in the wrong elevator due to horrendous signage once again.
The standard room is very nice. It is an actual 2 room suite (not like Rio, which is one big room) with 1 and half baths. There is a 42" plasma big screen, another decent sized TV in the bedroom as well as a 15" plasma in the master bath. There is both a shower and a large soaking tub in the master as well as dual sinks and a separate toilet room. We unpacked and relaxed for a little while. After settling in, we walked over to the Luxor food court for lunch at Nathan's Hotdog. This is one place that we hit on every trip, it's a small taste of New York. After lunch, we strolled around MB and the pool area checking it all out. Let's just say that the walk from THEhotel to the pool is not a short one! We then went back to the room to get ready for the evening.
We have always been big fans of the Rio buffet, even though we are not too fond of Rio itself anymore so we were eager to try the new re-designed buffet. I have a Harrah's credit card that I have accumulated quite a few points on so we used them for 2 comps. After getting the comps from the booth, we were greeted with yet another horrendous display from the evil Harrah's empire. We walked in what we thought was the comp line and hand the hostess our comp, she then asks us for our "Platinum or Diamond Card." We don't have one anymore so she says "Oh, you will have to use the regular line!" You have to f#@%ing kidding me! This is probably the only buffet in town that does not have a comp line. As if I needed any more convincing, but this completely confirms that Harrahs is hands down, the worst casino company in Las Vegas and I don't give a damn how many "awards" it wins from Casino Player magazine! They just suck, period. I was about to go postal and light my Harrahs credit card on fire right there before I read the comp and it said it was good for any restaurant. After coming down from near meltdown point, we decided to go to Bamboleo, their Mexican restaurant instead. There was no line and we were served immediately. The food was excellent and we managed to use the whole comp with a few margaritas tossed in.
We quickly departed the Rio after dinner and on the way back to THEhotel we hit a supermarket for some goodies for the room. We unloaded the food in the room then went down to the casino to see if there was anything remotely playable. We quickly found out that VP was out of the question, as we assumed. Lisa is a huge Keno fan so we checked out the pay tables on the quarter machines and they were all short. We were quite disappointed before we looked at the dollar machine which did have a decent pay table. Playing 4 quarters or 1 dollar is the same to me! We got quite a bit of play out of our initial buy-in and ended up playing for a few hours. Once we finally crapped out, we went up to the room to enjoy the large TV and called it a night.
July 21
I woke up fairly early and went downstairs to get some coffee then drove over to the Stardust to play some Video Poker. I had stayed their for the first time a few weeks earlier and enjoyed it quite a bit and was treated quite well, so I decided to give them my play for the trip. Full pay 5 play is rapidly joining the endangered species list on the strip, the Stardust is one of the few left. I settled in at the bank that I was playing on my last trip and held my own for a couple of hours but still ended up on the downside. I would spend many more hours at this very bank of machines in the coming days. I then headed back to MB to meet Lisa with a quick stop at the LVA office to pick up my POV for the year. I'm ashamed to admit that it's already July and I have yet to get it!
Lisa was awake when I got back and we decided what to do for the day. It's great to have a trip where absolutely nothing is planned. We choose to ride the Monorail for the first time down to the Sahara to ride the roller coaster, Speed. Here is the official RobnLisa.net review of the Las Vegas Monorail... It is sleek, looks really good and is the greatest thing since Bugsy IF (huge IF) you are staying at a place that has a station and going to place that has one. Otherwise, take a cab! From Mandalay Bay, you take one tram, walked all the way through Excalibur, over LV Blvd twice finally, all the way to the back of MGM. Once on the tram, it was standing room only from the first station. All told, it took about an hour to get from one end of the strip to the other. Once at the Sahara, we used the Slot Club Fun book 2 for 1 coupon for the coaster, which is also another "must-do" for us on every trip. After the ride, we stopped at the coffee shop to finally have our first meal of the day. The food was pretty good but the service was a little slow. When it was time to head back to MB, we weighed the options and decided against using the round trip ticket on the Monorail and took a cab! It was only $15 and much less hassle.
Once back at the hotel (or THEhotel) it was time to hit the pool. The place is gigantic but finding a spot still wasn't easy. We spent the next few hours lounging, swimming in the wave pool and lazy river and drinking frosty $8 beverages. We had an absolute blast, it is definitely a great pool. We then went back to the room and promptly passed out for 2 hours. Neither of us had gotten much sleep lately so it was needed and enjoyed.
We woke up around 6:30 and found ourselves once again with no plans for the evening. We discussed it and decided to drive out to Green Valley Ranch to check it out and have dinner. Lisa and I both enjoy watching American Casino on Discovery Channel and we had not been there yet. We walked around a bit and got in line for the buffet. By this time, it's 8:30 and there was only 15 or 20 people in it yet it did not move forever. I am not just using a cliché. We literally stood in the same spot for 30 minutes! With our prospects not looking good and us getting quite hungry, we left and drove over to Sunset Station. Parked, walked in and was putting food on our plates in 15 minutes! We left Sunset Station and headed back over to the Stardust. The setup at the SD works great for us since the bank of multi-play machines I play is in the Keno area so Lisa and I can play our own games practically next to each other. We spent the rest of the evening playing there.
July 22
I woke up before Lisa as usual and it was once again off to the Stardust. This session of VP was looking really ugly right from the get go. When cards don't come 5 hands at a time, the credit meter drop fast! I was down a couple of hundred when the VP gods smiled upon me while holding only a K/10 of clubs. On the 5th hand, the other 3 cards fall nicely into place for a Royal Flush! I absolutely love 5 play VP, my last 2 Royals have come on the 5th hand. While I was waited for a hand pay, I decided to put some money in the machine next to it, which was on the end. I normally don't like to play end machines but I discover that this thing is blazing fast and I hit 4 Aces to boot while waiting. This proves that there is more to look at besides a pay schedule when picking a machine. I gather my hand-pay and head back to the room to hook up with Lisa.
We decide to pick up lunch down at the Sports Book snack bar, which has some decent sandwiches then go to the pool. We walk all the out to the pool, are handed towel and the attendant then adds, "Oh, by the way, all the pools are closed but your welcome to lay out or use the pool at Luxor." We thought he was joking. It was the hottest day of the year thus far and all the pools at Mandalay Bay are closed. It was no joke. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement. It is at least a half mile walk each way from THEhotel. The could have left a message at the room or at the very least, posted a sign before you walk out the door!
Mandalay's loss is the Stardust's gain. We go other there and gamble instead. We get in a good few hours of play then before we leave, I get in contact with our host. We had a little problem I was hoping she could help us with. We only had our room at THEhotel until 11AM on Friday but we absolutely dread driving home across the Mohave in the mid-day heat. I was hoping that our host could hook us up with a room for a few hours on Friday so we could have a place to hang out for a little while until the sun went down. She hooked us up with no problem. Score one for the Stardust!
Afterwards, we head back to MB to get ready for dinner. We had eaten at Binion's Ranch Steakhouse in the past and Lisa absolutely loved the Bleu Cheese Steak that they serve so we made reservations for 8:30PM. We got there a bit late but was sat immediately in a near empty restaurant. The service was great as was the meal. The prices are a bit high for this type of place but not too bad. After dinner, we walked next door to the Fremont to play some roulette. This is another of Lisa's favorite games and I have come to enjoy it as well. Sure, the house always wins but its a leisurely game that is a lot of fun with a good table. After a couple of hours, at the wheel, we drove back to the room to call it a night
July 23
I wake up, go downstairs, get coffee and try to line up a late checkout since I didn't know when I could get into the Stardust room. With no problem, we are given until 1PM. I head over to the Stardust to play some VP then try to check in a little early. I walk right up the the invited guest line and without delay are checked in. Very cool considering it was before 10AM. I drive back to MB, we pack up the room and check out.
We then drag everything back over to the SD. After dropping our stuff in the room, we get ready to hit the pool. At least the Stardust has theirs open in the 110 degree heat! We layout and do some swimming for a little while then head back to the room to eat a late lunch. The Stardust has some great prices on the room service menu and none of those ridiculous service fees on top of the already inflated prices that has become the trend in Vegas hotels lately. This is the second time I have order room service here and both times it has been lightning fast and pretty damn good. After lunch, we went downstairs for one last crack at the 5 play machine. We played for about an hour then head over to the Slot Club to settle up. They take care of the room service meal and the cash back with no problem and we head back up stair to get ready to leave. We get in the car at 6:30PM, gas up and hit the road. There was very little traffic and we made it back home in about 3 and half hours.
Some Random Musings...
While the rooms at THEhotel are quite nice, we a little disappointed with our stay. The place is less than a year old but in our room, the outlet the clock was plugged into didn't work. The lights above the window in the living room didn't work neither did the desk lamp. Combined with the signing issues and the closed pool, we were less than thrilled. Normally we never pay for a room, yet this time we did solely to experience Mandalay Bay and the pool in particular. It certainly was not worth it. Another thing that was driving us crazy is everything in the place is "THEsomething." But the absolute best one was when you go to use the john for the first time, the toilet paper is sealed with a little sticker that says "THEtp." I kid you not!
It is also a giant pain in the ass to not be staying were you play because that ended up eating into a lot of time traveling back and forth. Overall, we did have a great time even though it was over way too fast. All day on Friday we were wondering where the time went. Shortly after arriving home, we received an offer from the Stardust for 3 free nights anytime in October and $125 in cash so it looks like the stopwatch is ticking for the next trip in the fall!
