What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.

Vegas (1 Viewer)

Was in Vegas last week. Totally stunned at the food prices there now. No much of a vacation draw for me and my SO going forward. I can stay home and find over-priced restaurants to go to.
Honestly--if you are going to do any sort of fine dining on the strip--you will be overpaying for food.  It's no different than going to any other high end boulevard in the world (Rodeo Drive, 5th Avenue..etc).  My advice for anybody going to vegas is to get some sort of transportation (rental car...etc).  The city has soo much more to offer than just the strip in regards to dining/activities--but if you don't have a vehicle---it gets hard and expensive to explore, find, discover and experience those places.  I legit know people that have been to Vegas around 20 times and they've never been anywhere off the strip or fremont street.  

 
Honestly--if you are going to do any sort of fine dining on the strip--you will be overpaying for food.  It's no different than going to any other high end boulevard in the world (Rodeo Drive, 5th Avenue..etc).  My advice for anybody going to vegas is to get some sort of transportation (rental car...etc).  The city has soo much more to offer than just the strip in regards to dining/activities--but if you don't have a vehicle---it gets hard and expensive to explore, find, discover and experience those places.  I legit know people that have been to Vegas around 20 times and they've never been anywhere off the strip or fremont street.  
This is very true. I came to Vegas annually for 20 years before moving here. It was always exclusively the Strip for me. This may be hard to believe for some but I never even noticed that Vegas was surrounded by mountains until I moved here. I'm sure I saw the mountains with my eyes either via the plane or from the rooms I stayed in but the visual never connected with the brain. I still had this idea that it was all desert if you ventured more than a few blocks from the Strip. Now I live here and rarely go to the Strip.

 
Going next week for a Fri-Mon getaway with Mrs. Smails. NFR in town so country theme.  Staying at Mandalay Bay.  Right now we have dinner at Carbone in the Aria Friday night before seeing George Strait at TMobile, then Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab at Caesars on Saturday before seeing Brooks and Dunn there later that night.  Haven't been to either restaurant.  Wanted to get into Hell's Kitchen but only reservations are at 3pm! Will do sports book during the day on Sunday for sure as will be first round FF playoffs.  Playing Sunday dinner and activity by ear for now.  One option is the SW steakhouse if we can get in (looks booked for now)  followed by Le Reve.  We usually like catching up on Cirque shows we haven't seen on Sunday nights as always easier to get.  I think I've seen all of them except Le Reve and Zumanity.  Not sure if either is worth it.  Haven't seen Penn and Teller either.  Not great reviews on Opium even though made by the creators of Absinthe.  Thoughts on any great shows to see? Any of those magician/hynotist shows? Or restaurants Sunday night? Been to Yardbird 2X, just had tapas so probably not going that route.

We will go see Phoenix at Mandalay Bay for great cover rock band music on Friday or Saturday post concert.  Any other lounges (not clubs) with music worth checking out either near Mandalay Bay or Caesars?

edit - added Mon Ami Gabi for breakfast later Sat am. 
Mon Ami Gabi on Sunday night is awesome because they have an incredible beef Wellington special. We always try to make it there on Sunday nights.

Hell’s Kitchen was VERY disappointing. I wouldn’t waste your time. Very touristy and the food just wasn’t very good.

Sounds like you’ve eaten at Strip Steak before, but if you haven’t tried their braised beef, it’s fabulous.

Carnegie Deli at Mirage is a great lunch spot if you haven’t been there yet.

Hope you guys have a great time!

 
Mon Ami Gabi on Sunday night is awesome because they have an incredible beef Wellington special. We always try to make it there on Sunday nights.

Hell’s Kitchen was VERY disappointing. I wouldn’t waste your time. Very touristy and the food just wasn’t very good.

Sounds like you’ve eaten at Strip Steak before, but if you haven’t tried their braised beef, it’s fabulous.

Carnegie Deli at Mirage is a great lunch spot if you haven’t been there yet.

Hope you guys have a great time!
I'd suggest you split a lunch here.  Buddies and I stopped there and each got a full sandwich AND fries.  Holy moly....I was full before the 1st half sandwich was gone and left the fries untouched.

 
I'd suggest you split a lunch here.  Buddies and I stopped there and each got a full sandwich AND fries.  Holy moly....I was full before the 1st half sandwich was gone and left the fries untouched.
Agreed. That’s the way to go. They charge 2 bucks to bring out 2 extra slices of bread, and it’s still too much food.

 
Going Friday-Sunday this weekend for a quick getaway. Comped at Paris. Found great discount tix to Mystere. Wanted Zumanity but they're dark this weekend. Next time I guess.

Probably one meal at the hotel at the Burger Brasserie. Haven't really thought much beyond that. Will probably play it by ear and just stick to the Paris/Bally's/PH/Flamingo/Linq area. Might have to hit the Hash House a Go Go for one meal if the wait isn't terrible. 

Yeah, I know, I'm old and lame :mellow:  

GF just wants to sit in the tub for a few hours. Maybe we'll hit a strip club or somewhere more adult if the mood hits. Will see what I can talk her into on the drive up.
Your tastes may be different from mine, but I did not like mystere at all. Worst show I’ve maybe ever seen.

The main acts were great. But there was some really stupid #### going on for about half the show that was super annoying and dumb.

 
The resort fee scam is a joke. Hopefully it gets killed off completely. Charging for parking is ridiculous, the prices are nuts.

At least when I get a room comped, they put the resort fees on the bill but give me enough hotel points or free slot machine play to cover the charge. Would be nice if I got comped the parking, but I'll just park at another free hotel next door instead of paying for the hotel I'm at.
What is you play rate to draw comps?

 
Heh, actually, almost zero. My win/loss shows $1000 in 2014, $400 in 2015, and $0 in 2016 and 2017. I hadn't gone in a couple of years. I only started opening their email offers in the last few months. Looks like every quarter I'm offered 2-5 nights depending on the property (I think it's 2 free nights at Caesars, or 3 at Paris, or 4 at Ballys, or 5 at Flamingo or Rio), plus I was given an extra week around Thanksgiving and Christmas I'm not using. Pretty sure after this trip this weekend, there's another offer for Jan-March in my queue but I don't think I'll be able to use it. And Super Bowl weekend looks like there's an offer for another stay and tickets to the sportsbook watch party. 

Yeah, free hotel, plus refund of the resort fee in hotel credit & slot play, and I'm still complaining about the parking fees and getting hit with the resort fee in the first place. What can I say, I'm a cheap SOB. 

It's a vacation, I take the lady friend and we get away for a few days. There are plenty of places within driving/short flight distance... besides doing stuff here in LA, there's San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, we'll even go to Portland. Las Vegas has competition they're not used to. For them, the room is going to sit empty anyway so having me stay there free doesn't cost them anything (I even opt out of maid service so they don't even have to pay someone to clean the room), and in what they charge at the restaurants alone they're making money off me. 

If they'd offer free stays at the SoCal properties, I might visit there more often than I get to Vegas, but so far the best they're showing me is $50/night during the week or $125/night weekends. I guess I can understand the SoCal hotel has limited room capacity so there actually might be some demand. 
So you are TR Platinum?  That earns at 1k/1M last I knew. 

 
So....have to go to Caesar's in February for 3 nights for a work conference - the Tues-Thurs nights AFTER Super Bowl.  :rolleyes:   If anyone has comps they are willing to share I'd take them with major thanks and kudos.

 
going with my 16 y/o daughter in February over a  weekend.  it's a softball tournament so the weekend is all tied up.  But the Monday after we have to ourselves.  Any cool ideas to do and age appropriate?  We have gone to Hoover dam last couple of years.  How are the helicopter rides?  Just looking that might be overlooked but fun.

 
Well it appears that some resorts are going to be dropping their resort fees. The Cosmopolitan, SLS, Wynn and Encore among others. 

Bye bye Resort Fees
I don't believe the dropping of resort fees is a permanent thing.  My understanding is that some properties have dropped resort fees as a holiday/Black Friday/cyber monday type thing.  It might last a month or two but I haven't heard of  them dropping the resort fees for good.  

 
Last edited by a moderator:
going with my 16 y/o daughter in February over a  weekend.  it's a softball tournament so the weekend is all tied up.  But the Monday after we have to ourselves.  Any cool ideas to do and age appropriate?  We have gone to Hoover dam last couple of years.  How are the helicopter rides?  Just looking that might be overlooked but fun.
The Michael Jackson One show at Mandalay Bay is awesome and totally age appropriate.  The Container Park mall right at the mouth of Fremont Street is a cool place to check out with her.   You might want to go there after sunset as you guys could walk down Fremont Street afterwards to check out the street performers and the music/light show that plays on the canopy above. 

 
This is very true. I came to Vegas annually for 20 years before moving here. It was always exclusively the Strip for me. This may be hard to believe for some but I never even noticed that Vegas was surrounded by mountains until I moved here. I'm sure I saw the mountains with my eyes either via the plane or from the rooms I stayed in but the visual never connected with the brain. I still had this idea that it was all desert if you ventured more than a few blocks from the Strip. Now I live here and rarely go to the Strip.
Agreed.  I visit my aunt who lives out there about once per year.  She takes us to all these fantastic restaurants nowhere near the strip.  If I want to gamble I'll hit South Pointe which is a 5 min drive from her house.  I have less and less of a desire to go to the strip especially since the casinos charge for parking now.  Last trip we spent the day hiking out at Red Rock canyon.  Fun times.

 
going with my 16 y/o daughter in February over a  weekend.  it's a softball tournament so the weekend is all tied up.  But the Monday after we have to ourselves.  Any cool ideas to do and age appropriate?  We have gone to Hoover dam last couple of years.  How are the helicopter rides?  Just looking that might be overlooked but fun.
Hiking at Red Rock Canyon is kind of a fun way to spend the day.  Some moderately intense hikes some very easy.

https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/

Did this with the kids too (similar age) and had a blast

https://vegasindoorskydiving.com/

This is kind of a neat place to hang out too if you're into shopping...also has a movie theater and some good restaurants too

https://mytownsquarelasvegas.com/

 
Has anyone tried any of the race car experiences in Vegas? That's my next desire.

At Speed Vegas you can rent a Lamborghini and take it for 7 mile and a half laps for $500.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Flight in 11 hours. Need to get away. Will be doing Suoerbowl party research. Got a notice for the house if blues party and within minutes sold out

 
going with my 16 y/o daughter in February over a  weekend.  it's a softball tournament so the weekend is all tied up.  But the Monday after we have to ourselves.  Any cool ideas to do and age appropriate?  We have gone to Hoover dam last couple of years.  How are the helicopter rides?  Just looking that might be overlooked but fun.
Death Valley is 2 hours away by car.  Lots of great stuff to see.  Red Rock is good too.  Valley of Fire if you haven’t been there either.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Heading out there with my wife in April for Healthcon. Purchased two tickets for ONE (discounted right now if you're interested).

Any good eats near Mandalay Bay to hit prior to the show? 

 
I'm burning some Hilton points in t-minus 1 week. I cannot wait to start drinking in public at 8 AM with no judgments. My only regret is that I didn't book more days. I'll be the guy having the most fun at the craps or baccarat tables. Stop and say hi if you're in town.

 
Heading out there with my wife in April for Healthcon. Purchased two tickets for ONE (discounted right now if you're interested).

Any good eats near Mandalay Bay to hit prior to the show? 
Don’t go to Border Grill. Used to be solid but the last couple times is really sucks. 

 
Are there any spots (either Fremont or Strip) where I can hangout on an NFL Sunday without paying and without a ton of hassle? I'd like a place where if I'm with 3 buddies and someone goes to the bathroom, somebody goes to play a couple of hands of blackjack, and somebody goes to make some bets in the book, we don't have to stress about losing our spots.

Is there basically a book that's dead on Sundays I guess is what I'm saying? I really like the atmosphere of watching other people go nuts over their $10 bets, but I'll sacrifice that to be able to have an experience where I don't have to constantly save seats like Elaine in that Seinfeld episode. Or are we better off making bets and heading to a more traditional bar?

 
Got back this morning from 3 great nights in Vegas.  Mission #1 was setting up SuperBowl party.  12 of us going to see Santana at House of Blues on Saturday night and needed a great party confirmed.  Looked at House of Blues but it was basic wings, hot dogs, etc and bottom shelf liquor.  No thanks.  So went over to the Foundation Room.  Timing was good as they just released the SB packages to the VIP hosts 20 minutes before I walked up.  Heard amazing things about their SB party.  They said we'll have one of the top 3 tables in the venue.  Living room arrangements with couches, or own big screens, etc.  2K minimum food and beverage spend.  Have a great menu, any liquor we want, no mandatory bottle service, etc.  That's less than $200 a person and the other parties were $130-$150pp.  Worth a try one time.  

Friday night we had dinner at Carbone's at the Aria.  Loved the vibe (very cool seating for couples around the outside) and the service.  Carpaccio was excellent as well as Veal Marsala.  Then went to George Strait concert which was awesome.  Hit some races at the Sports Book at Mandalay Bay Saturday to pay for our trip.  Baseball winter meetings were starting so I'm sure I passed some GMs.  All had their laptop bags ready for analytics and trades.  Saturday night was dinner at Joe's Prime Steak and Seafood.  Really good stone crab.  Brooks and Dunn/Reba concert after which was fantastic.  Finished back at the Mandalay Bay for more partying.  Sunday was fun at the Sports Book (squeaked out a playoff win but missed on a great 4 team parlay when the Ravens blew the first half).  Decided to do something different so scored face value tickets to the National Finals Rodeo.  Great fun.  Man - I'll never ride a bucking horse or bull.  

Went to Nacho Daddy after the rodeo.  Good filet nachos and shrimp tacos.  Called it a weekend and got some sleep before flying back.

Remind me to never, ever take a taxi again in Vegas.  I really think it's only people who can't pass background checks at Uber or Lyft.  I'm talking maniacs on 2 different trips.  Last guy had to be on a 5 day meth binge.  

Love Vegas - back for the SuperBowl!

 
Looks like the fountainbleau will finally be turned into something. Seems to be similar to the four seasons and mandalay partnership. Will be a JW marriott and Edition branded joint. 

With resorts world construction going strong I wonder if that area of the strip has any future. I have always found that fountainbleau property fascinating and would run by it just to see it. 

 
I've never stayed downtown but we plan on at least a few nights after this place opens. Love the customer service, odds, comps, etc at Golden Gate and the D but I must be getting old because I can't handle how loud their casinos are.
If you want to stay in downtown before the new “Circa” is open and want to avoid the “loud” casinos that are generally associated with downtown—try staying at the Downtown Grand in the meantime.   The hotel had a massive renovation a few years back and is pretty nice (more like very nice relative to downtown standards).   It is one side street off from Fremont street—so while you aren’t on Fremont—you are legitimately a 2-4 minute walk away from all of the action.  It’s also really well priced.  

 
Looks like the fountainbleau will finally be turned into something. Seems to be similar to the four seasons and mandalay partnership. Will be a JW marriott and Edition branded joint. 

With resorts world construction going strong I wonder if that area of the strip has any future. I have always found that fountainbleau property fascinating and would run by it just to see it. 
My understanding is that a comglomorate associated with Marriott purchased it from Carl Icahn.  When the Fountainbleau project ran out of money around 75% of the way in—the property was auctioned off and Icahn won the bidding at $150 million.  He then sold the majority of the furnishings to a hotel in downtown called the “Plaza” for something like $20 million.  He sat on the property for a few years and ended up selling it to the current owners somewhere in the neighborhood of $600-650 million.   The last I read about the plans is that the property is to be called “The Drew” and it will actually feature a “JW Marriott”  in it.   There is certainly a ton of development going on in the North Part of strip all the way into downtown.  

 
jvdesigns2002 said:
If you want to stay in downtown before the new “Circa” is open and want to avoid the “loud” casinos that are generally associated with downtown—try staying at the Downtown Grand in the meantime.   The hotel had a massive renovation a few years back and is pretty nice (more like very nice relative to downtown standards).   It is one side street off from Fremont street—so while you aren’t on Fremont—you are legitimately a 2-4 minute walk away from all of the action.  It’s also really well priced.  


We have gambled in all of the downtown casinos, just never stayed at any of them. I did like DTG but have read that they are pretty stingy with comps. The D and GG have a pretty solid comp system so I'm hoping that carries over to the new property. 

 
I've never stayed downtown but we plan on at least a few nights after this place opens. Love the customer service, odds, comps, etc at Golden Gate and the D but I must be getting old because I can't handle how loud their casinos are.
We stayed at the downtown grand this year.  One block off of Freemont, so not as loud...but still get all the conveniences of being right there.  Nicest casino downtown other than the Nugget IMO.

 
We stayed at the downtown grand this year.  One block off of Freemont, so not as loud...but still get all the conveniences of being right there.  Nicest casino downtown other than the Nugget IMO.
Maybe it was me but the last two times I was out but there really wasn’t that much of a difference price wise between the higher end Fremont hotels and some of the nicer places on the strip other than the resort fee.

 
Maybe it was me but the last two times I was out but there really wasn’t that much of a difference price wise between the higher end Fremont hotels and some of the nicer places on the strip other than the resort fee.
I think you're right...my group just likes to stay on Freemont b/c it's much easier to walk around and pick and choose where you want to go at night vs. on the strip where you kind of have to have a plan or it's going to take you forever.  We like to be able just to walk to the hotel to go to bed.  We do the strip during the day mostly, but always end up on freemont for late night craps, bars, food, etc.

 
Going to a wedding at Caesars in October...staying at Caesars (most likely) too.

Any tips on getting a better rate?

The group rate we got from the couple doesn't help much but it's slightly better than my Total Rewards rate.  

Any benefit to waiting a few months longer to book or should we lock it down now?  

 
Going to a wedding at Caesars in October...staying at Caesars (most likely) too.

Any tips on getting a better rate?

The group rate we got from the couple doesn't help much but it's slightly better than my Total Rewards rate.  

Any benefit to waiting a few months longer to book or should we lock it down now?  
I've never seen low rates at Caesars.  

 
Fantastic weekend. Santana at the House of Blues was phenomenal.  We had a sick set up at the Foundation Room for the Superbowl and the $2K min spend for 12 of us was perfect.  Ate like kings, top shelf liquor all game long. Leather sofa seating in our own room with our own TV.  Only downer was the game itself.

 
Here now for work meeting, two days in, getting my ### absolutely torn apart on the tables. Want to leave now but two more days of awful work stuff beckon, further cash withdrawals/ casino fistings await. FML Hatingvthis place right now.

 
Here now for work meeting, two days in, getting my ### absolutely torn apart on the tables. Want to leave now but two more days of awful work stuff beckon, further cash withdrawals/ casino fistings await. FML Hatingvthis place right now.
I hope your luck turns around.  Do your best to execute proper money management the rest of your trip.  I have a no ATM machine philosophy that I utilize in Vegas in regards to my gambling/entertainment budget. Whenever I go to Vegas, I literally bring the amount of money that I'm willing to spend on gambling/entertainment with me in green cash.  It forces me to budget accordingly and it prevents me from spending or losing more than what I'm comfortable with.  I know this advice is probably too little too late, and I do hope that the last couple days of your trip are better than your first two.  Good luck.  

 
Here now for work meeting, two days in, getting my ### absolutely torn apart on the tables. Want to leave now but two more days of awful work stuff beckon, further cash withdrawals/ casino fistings await. FML Hatingvthis place right now.
Penny slots!

Video poker!

Make the money last and drink, drink, drink.

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top