I spent the second week of December in my favorite active vacation destination: Las Vegas. While I was primarily there on business to attend a convention, I did manage to make some time for fun. Despite my pre-planning, I had more than a few quirky “learning experiences”. On the other hand, I managed to have some good luck as well…even in the casino.
Upon arrival at Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport on Sunday, I was able to retrieve my luggage quickly…although “quickly” is a relative term at this airport. I passed by many casino slot games – which are said to collectively have the worst odds in the Las Vegas area – on my way to a free tram which transported me to the baggage claim area.
This would be a good time to give an advisory/reminder that Las Vegas is a big place. Its airport is no exception. If wheelchair assistance would be necessary at your departing airport, you would definitely benefit from it here as well. I admit that I have not yet seen anyone in a wheelchair utilize the tram service. As there are four domestic terminals, the odds of utilizing a tram are roughly only 50%. Arrivals into the international terminal have a 100% chance of partaking in the tram.
I retrieved my luggage and soon entered into my first “learning experience”. I had considered a slight splurge in hiring a walk-up limousine to take me to a local market to pick up some snacks and sundries before dropping me off at the hotel. But I decided the convenience stores on the Strip would suffice and instead got in the taxi line. I thought I lucked out when I was able to get a taxi so quickly…but that’s when the fun began.
The driver, whose accent made him a bit difficult for me to comprehend, tried to tell me that something was happening on the Strip that would require him to take the tunnel route. Now, I had heard of this (in)famous tunnel. There are cases where traveling through the tunnel is to one’s advantage: when traveling towards the North Strip towards downtown Vegas or when dealing with the aforementioned traffic. I was skeptical at first as I had heard stories of people being needlessly “tunneled” by unscrupulous cab drivers looking to pad their fares. But as we traveled along the alternate path, I did indeed notice that traffic was backed up. In the end, what I predicted would be a $15 fare turned out to be double the amount. I continued to be suspicious until later in the day when I saw the TV news mention a half-marathon whose route included…the Strip.
My hotel destination was Bally’s a mid-level hotel located in the Center Strip area. Meanwhile, the convention I was attending was actually at Mandalay Bay, a moderately upscale South Strip property. I chose Bally’s for many reasons, not the least of which was its convenient location for all the things I wanted and needed to do. However, I would later find that not everything turned out to be as convenient as I thought it would be.
Bally’s has two towers of room: North and South. I stayed in the relatively newer North Tower in an ample 450 square foot room. There was a comfortable sofa chair with low arms and ottoman. Over at the business desk, one plastic chair has prominent arms while the wooden chair did not. The flat screen TV was appreciated although, typical of Vegas hotels, the station selection was limited to about two dozen channels. The hotel showed particular respect to their Asian and Hispanic guests as there were at least a couple channels in those respective languages. Although the North Tower doesn’t have direct views of the Strip, I thought I had a decent view of the sides of several casinos looking northward. It certainly made for a pleasant sight in the evening.
I intended to kick off my stay with a celebratory Cuban sandwich lunch at Margaritaville, a Jimmy Buffet -themed restaurant located nearby at the Flamingo casino. However, I managed to arrive there around noon at the heart of the first NFL football game of the day. With no seats to be found,I settled for my second choice, Le Burger Brasserie, an interesting twist on a sports bar that was located at Paris but easily reachable through the connecting retail boulevard with Bally’s. In fact, it is essentially the first Paris establishment one will see when walking from the Bally’s side.
It was fairly crowded here as well but I managed to find a seat at the bar. After walking through Bally’s, Flamingo and now Paris, I noticed a common theme of all staff members wearing football jerseys. It occurred to me that they were really encouraging people to get into the games and therefore place some sports bets. I ordered a turkey burger and skinny fries...or as they apparently say in France, Le Turquie et Les Petit Pommes Frites. While I ate and enjoyed the football games, I chatted a bit with three people near me at the bar: a marathon participant, her supportive friend, and a third lady who had just befriended us all. After finishing my meal, I waved my new acquaintances goodbye and decided to settle in for some minor slot machine action.
Those of you who have read my previous blogs know that I have a slot favorite called Village People Party. Despite my bit of research showing that the machine was at Paris, I was never able to locate it. Instead, I found the first of an eventual duo of substitutes: Jackpot Block Party and Super Jackpot Party (or something like that). Like the Village People version, both slots played generic dance/disco music while “spinning” and offered the occasional bonus round where one pressed the touch screen to pick as many hidden bonuses as possible before inadvertently choosing the “party pooper”. I stuck in a twenty and went to work. It would turn out to be a short work session as I had little success before calling it a day with ten bucks left.
I returned to my room to rest up a bit before heading downtown to Fremont Street for a meet and greet with some Internet forum acquaintances.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Return From Las Vegas
Hello There!
I'm catching up on business this week after being in Las Vegas for all of last week. While I was there primarily to attend a convention, I did manage to make some time for fun as well. I look forward to sharing my latest experiences in the desert oasis in the coming days.
I'm catching up on business this week after being in Las Vegas for all of last week. While I was there primarily to attend a convention, I did manage to make some time for fun as well. I look forward to sharing my latest experiences in the desert oasis in the coming days.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Back To The Boardwalk - The Conclusion
On my last morning, I decided to break my Cafe Roma habit and head back over to Bill's Gyros for breakfast. While the pancakes and sausage were reasonably good, the real highlight for me was the attractive lady server who, with a little more styling, would not have been out of place over at A Dam Good Sports Bar.
For my last meal in town, I decided that I would treat myself to a trip to the Metropolitan Cafe at the Borgata. I had admired the atmosphere from afar during my last trip but wasn't able to convince my buddy Ben to check it out. I decided to catch a cab from the Convention Center to the Borgata, thinking I would come nowhere near the $13 maximum fare allowed within Atlantic City. But then the driver took a route through a tunnel that I didn't recognize from the June visit. Suddenly I found myself paying the $13 plus a polite $2 tip. (Upon my return home, I would talk to an acquaintance who told me that was a legitimate route to take. So it was simply a learning experience for yours truly.)
Once inside the Borgata, I was immediately reminded of why this I feel the classiest casino hotel in Atlantic City. I mean, the restroom napkins were so luxurious, I almost felt guilty wiping my hands with them! Over at the cafe, I ordered a rather tasty turkey club sandwich. Meanwhile at the table next to me, I noticed two guys who were micromanaging their order. I admired their server's professionalism as they kept changing their minds.
I caught a jitney back to Caesars to pick up my luggage from the bell desk and returned to the convention center where I attended a few more seminars before walking over to the train terminal for a smooth ride home.
Some closing thoughts:
While I once again enjoyed my stay at Caesars, I found the attractions at the Tropicana to be the most appealing. However, the Tropicana's rooms seem to get mixed reviews from my sources.
I was happy to see so many local businesses open on the Boardwalk this late in the year, even if they weren't particularly busy.
If I had my druthers, in the future I would return for a Thursday-Saturday stay. It seems like non-gaming options start to heat up on Thursday nights and the reasonable rates/possible comps would balance out the Friday night premium.
Thanks for reading!
For my last meal in town, I decided that I would treat myself to a trip to the Metropolitan Cafe at the Borgata. I had admired the atmosphere from afar during my last trip but wasn't able to convince my buddy Ben to check it out. I decided to catch a cab from the Convention Center to the Borgata, thinking I would come nowhere near the $13 maximum fare allowed within Atlantic City. But then the driver took a route through a tunnel that I didn't recognize from the June visit. Suddenly I found myself paying the $13 plus a polite $2 tip. (Upon my return home, I would talk to an acquaintance who told me that was a legitimate route to take. So it was simply a learning experience for yours truly.)
Once inside the Borgata, I was immediately reminded of why this I feel the classiest casino hotel in Atlantic City. I mean, the restroom napkins were so luxurious, I almost felt guilty wiping my hands with them! Over at the cafe, I ordered a rather tasty turkey club sandwich. Meanwhile at the table next to me, I noticed two guys who were micromanaging their order. I admired their server's professionalism as they kept changing their minds.
I caught a jitney back to Caesars to pick up my luggage from the bell desk and returned to the convention center where I attended a few more seminars before walking over to the train terminal for a smooth ride home.
Some closing thoughts:
While I once again enjoyed my stay at Caesars, I found the attractions at the Tropicana to be the most appealing. However, the Tropicana's rooms seem to get mixed reviews from my sources.
I was happy to see so many local businesses open on the Boardwalk this late in the year, even if they weren't particularly busy.
If I had my druthers, in the future I would return for a Thursday-Saturday stay. It seems like non-gaming options start to heat up on Thursday nights and the reasonable rates/possible comps would balance out the Friday night premium.
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Return To The Boardwalk - Part Four
After starting my Thursday with another mediocre Cafe Roma breakfast, I left Caesars for the nearby jitney stop where I was corralled by a friendly senior gentleman who proceeded to give me a synopsis of his life. From his self-description, he appeared to be one of those "millionaire next door" types who liked to take the train down on an almost daily basis to play a little blackjack. He told me that the train shuttle would be arriving soon and we did indeed catch it together to the train terminal/convention center complex.
Not finding the previous day's convention-hosted lunch particularly appealing, I decided to use my mid-day break to check out a Boardwalk eatery that had been suggested to me: Bill's Gyros. While I'm not into Greek cuisine, they had plenty of typical American fare including the turkey burger and fries that I ordered. This was actually the best meal I would have the entire trip...and for less than $10. (Note that there are certainly numerous restaurants in the casinos and on and near the Boardwalk that would satisfy those with more refined palates seeking a more upscale atmosphere. This was just not my time to emulate Donald Trump.)
My post-convention plans for Thursday night were to either check out the Borgata Comedy Club (to compare with the Tropicana's Comedy Stop), head to the Ego Lounge at the Trump Taj Mahal (where I figured I might find some of my fellow convention friends a bit more loosened up) or even both. However, I was feeling rather tired so I figured I'd make a decision after a short nap. Unfortunately, I woke up at 10pm, too late for the comedy show and still not quite up to hanging out at the lounge. I felt conscious enough to do some pre-packing and eventually make yet another Cafe Roma run.
I sidled up to the bar and ordered some chicken noodle soup (and ginger ale) for the soul and chatted up the friendly bartender. The soup had hit the spot so I started feeling my oats and went down for one more party with the Village People.
Starting out with my original twenty-spot, I had my best run of the trip earning lots of bonuses. Eventually, I was able to virtual double my investment to $39. Satisfied with my good fortune, I ended my final party and called it a night.
Next: Am I in still in Atlantic City or am I in Las Vegas?
Not finding the previous day's convention-hosted lunch particularly appealing, I decided to use my mid-day break to check out a Boardwalk eatery that had been suggested to me: Bill's Gyros. While I'm not into Greek cuisine, they had plenty of typical American fare including the turkey burger and fries that I ordered. This was actually the best meal I would have the entire trip...and for less than $10. (Note that there are certainly numerous restaurants in the casinos and on and near the Boardwalk that would satisfy those with more refined palates seeking a more upscale atmosphere. This was just not my time to emulate Donald Trump.)
My post-convention plans for Thursday night were to either check out the Borgata Comedy Club (to compare with the Tropicana's Comedy Stop), head to the Ego Lounge at the Trump Taj Mahal (where I figured I might find some of my fellow convention friends a bit more loosened up) or even both. However, I was feeling rather tired so I figured I'd make a decision after a short nap. Unfortunately, I woke up at 10pm, too late for the comedy show and still not quite up to hanging out at the lounge. I felt conscious enough to do some pre-packing and eventually make yet another Cafe Roma run.
I sidled up to the bar and ordered some chicken noodle soup (and ginger ale) for the soul and chatted up the friendly bartender. The soup had hit the spot so I started feeling my oats and went down for one more party with the Village People.
Starting out with my original twenty-spot, I had my best run of the trip earning lots of bonuses. Eventually, I was able to virtual double my investment to $39. Satisfied with my good fortune, I ended my final party and called it a night.
Next: Am I in still in Atlantic City or am I in Las Vegas?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Return To The Boardwalk - Part Three
I started my day at Caesars' Cafe Roma. It would seem that the breakfast selection had changed as the $4 short stack pancakes that made my buddy Ben's day were replaced by an offering of five "silver dollar" pancakes for $8. Otherwise, it seemed to be the same mediocre yet overpriced fare once one would expect at a casino coffee shop.
My main reason for being in town was to attend an expo at the convention center. As Caesars was fairly close, I figured on walking or taking a short jitney ride up the road. Unfortunately, as it was raining cats and seagulls outside, I decided that catching a cab would be more prudent. The driver seemed like an honest guy as he complained about the coincidence of red lights that were actually boosting his fare. I ended up giving him $10 for his $7.50 fare.
The skies had cleared up by the time the convention ended for the day so I decided to walk back to Caesars via Michigan Avenue. As I passed through the collection of outlet stores known as The Walk, I discovered something I wasn't aware of during my first trip. Lane Bryant and Catherine's are located next to each other on Michigan Avenue. Ashley Stewart, which I already knew about, is around the corner north on Atlantic Avenue.
Although I had an interesting and productive day at the convention, I was starting to feel worse. But I was determined to enjoy my off-time so I rested for a couple hours before heading down to the Tropicana.
It was my intention during my visit to check out both the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana as well as the Borgata Comedy Club. It made sense to go to the closer Trop first. After buying my ticket, I realized I had developed a bit of an appetite. I decided to go for the closest place I could find with was...another damn sports bar!
Actually it was A Dam Good Sports Bar...no really, that was the name. (Ha!) All jokes aside, it was a decent place. This Phillies fan had actually hoped to enjoy watching the team play among a quasi-hometown sports bar crowd. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. So I ignored the majority of screens that were showing some game in San Francisco and instead sat down near a TV showing the Sixers home debut versus the would-be champion Heat. The restaurant, from the apparent staff requirements to the decor, reminded me of Hooters...which was ironic since there is a Hooters elsewhere in the Trop.
I ordered what turned out to be a generous portion of chicken fingers and french fries. I sort of wished my lady Kat or my buddy Ben were there to help me finish them as the combo was too much for me. I gave my server $20 for my $15 order.
Over at the Comedy Shop, I was a little wary when the host offered to seat me in the front as I figured that would make me ripe for ribbing. It turns out I didn't have much material for the three comedians to work with; at least not as much as a guy with a long white mane and beard who was alternately nicknamed "Grizzly Adams" and accused of bankrupting his barber by two of the comics. The humor wasn't *too* blue but just enough to remind you that you were in a casino. I enjoyed the show and was glad I got myself together to check it out.
On the way back to the room, I decided to take another crack at the Village People slots. I inserted my $18.75 voucher and traded wins and losses until I scored 500 credits. Eventually that bonus went back to the house and I called it even with my original $20. I also called it a night.
Next: Chicken Noodle Soup and other Boardwalk delicacies.
My main reason for being in town was to attend an expo at the convention center. As Caesars was fairly close, I figured on walking or taking a short jitney ride up the road. Unfortunately, as it was raining cats and seagulls outside, I decided that catching a cab would be more prudent. The driver seemed like an honest guy as he complained about the coincidence of red lights that were actually boosting his fare. I ended up giving him $10 for his $7.50 fare.
The skies had cleared up by the time the convention ended for the day so I decided to walk back to Caesars via Michigan Avenue. As I passed through the collection of outlet stores known as The Walk, I discovered something I wasn't aware of during my first trip. Lane Bryant and Catherine's are located next to each other on Michigan Avenue. Ashley Stewart, which I already knew about, is around the corner north on Atlantic Avenue.
Although I had an interesting and productive day at the convention, I was starting to feel worse. But I was determined to enjoy my off-time so I rested for a couple hours before heading down to the Tropicana.
It was my intention during my visit to check out both the Comedy Stop at the Tropicana as well as the Borgata Comedy Club. It made sense to go to the closer Trop first. After buying my ticket, I realized I had developed a bit of an appetite. I decided to go for the closest place I could find with was...another damn sports bar!
Actually it was A Dam Good Sports Bar...no really, that was the name. (Ha!) All jokes aside, it was a decent place. This Phillies fan had actually hoped to enjoy watching the team play among a quasi-hometown sports bar crowd. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. So I ignored the majority of screens that were showing some game in San Francisco and instead sat down near a TV showing the Sixers home debut versus the would-be champion Heat. The restaurant, from the apparent staff requirements to the decor, reminded me of Hooters...which was ironic since there is a Hooters elsewhere in the Trop.
I ordered what turned out to be a generous portion of chicken fingers and french fries. I sort of wished my lady Kat or my buddy Ben were there to help me finish them as the combo was too much for me. I gave my server $20 for my $15 order.
Over at the Comedy Shop, I was a little wary when the host offered to seat me in the front as I figured that would make me ripe for ribbing. It turns out I didn't have much material for the three comedians to work with; at least not as much as a guy with a long white mane and beard who was alternately nicknamed "Grizzly Adams" and accused of bankrupting his barber by two of the comics. The humor wasn't *too* blue but just enough to remind you that you were in a casino. I enjoyed the show and was glad I got myself together to check it out.
On the way back to the room, I decided to take another crack at the Village People slots. I inserted my $18.75 voucher and traded wins and losses until I scored 500 credits. Eventually that bonus went back to the house and I called it even with my original $20. I also called it a night.
Next: Chicken Noodle Soup and other Boardwalk delicacies.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Return To The Boardwalk - Part Two
When I “play to win”, I like to play Blazing Sevens based on some advice from an industry friend of mine. But when I’m just playing for fun, I prefer Village People Party. Its sound effects may not be quite as elaborate as Star Trek or Wizard of Oz, but I enjoy the bonus rounds nonetheless. Having the bank of machines located near the escalator to the lower (smoking) casino makes the Village People easy to find as well. On this trip, I was playing for fun.
I settled in at one Village People Party machine and fed it $20. I alternated between betting 25 and 50 credits, mostly trading back and forth. I was a bit down at one point until I scored 500 credits, bringing back close to even at $18.75 at which point I cashed out.
Next, I decided to take a walk down to Trump Plaza. On behalf of my enthusiastic low-rolling buddy Ben, I wanted to check out what all the hype was about the $1 Blackjack deal. It didn’t take me too long to find the one table. I was surprised that it offer 3:2 odds but it was too crowded for me to see if the dealer was required to hit or stand at 17. I took a walk around the perimeter of the tables to see if there was anything else that interested me. Other than a couple restaurants at the downstairs entrance, there was nothing that particularly tickled my fancy, so I went back to the Boardwalk.
I decided to walk north from Trump Plaza and past Caesars and Bally's to confirm the answers I got to my previous question here about whether there was anything still open on the Boardwalk at this time of year besides the casinos. I was surprised to see that the majority of local establishments were indeed open for business. However, business wasn't exactly booming. I rarely saw anyone actually in the stores. One guy working a prize booth was practically begging customers to patronize him not to mention the staff at the ubiquitous Asian therapeutic massage shops. I made it up to Central Pier and thought I might let out the kid in me to play a few video games. I was disappointed to see only older slot machines reconditioned to spit out credits for prizes. I guess this is to train the kids for future casino play?
After a healthy stroll up the Boardwalk, I thought I might treat myself to one of those massage establishments, after all. I entered one where one of the two female staff curious walked me over to a menu of services in an attempt to upsell me. When I said that I was actually interested in the $20 special, she feigned confusion while her associate pointed out to the sign outside to "remind" her of the deal. Suddenly "remembering" the sign, my masseuse agree to perform the 20-minute (fully clothed) service.
Considering that much of the next twenty minutes were spent with the masseuse alternately impaling her palms and elbows into my back, I decided that either: a) she was *really* unhappy about my declining that upsell, or b) Chinese massage is not meant to be a relaxing experience. Eventually, her touch would get lighter as she approached my legs. I have to even admit that as I walked out, I felt a lot looser. No pain no gain, I guess.
I should note that walking up and down the Boardwalk may not be for everyone. Fortunately, there are other options. One would be renting a scooter from your casino home. Another would be to hire one of the rolling scooters; the hard-working attendants happily accept tips.
I was getting a little hungry at this point and decided to head back to the Pier at Caesars for a bite to eat. The Game On sports bar intrigued me last time and, without a value-focused running buddy to limit my dining choices, I decided to check it out.
Notwithstanding rap mogul Jay-Z's 40/40 Sports Club, which I’ve yet to visit, Game On appeared to be positioning itself as a casually upscale place to hang out. Yet the food prices were pretty reasonable. I sat the bar and enjoyed looking at the multiple screens while I ate. I was mostly watching the NBA opening night game between the Celtics and the Heat but I caught a little hockey action as well. I found it interesting that the bar was able to subscribe to Rogers Sports Net, a Canadian channel, and I enjoyed watching the local commercials from Up North in between puck drops. I ordered a Sloppy Joe with fries and, since I drink like a fish, multiple orders of ginger ale. The bill came to about $15 and I told the bartender to keep my $20.
I wasn’t feeling 100% so I returned to my room after dinner to rest up for the business ahead the next day.
Next: To the Tropicana, Gosh Darn it!
I settled in at one Village People Party machine and fed it $20. I alternated between betting 25 and 50 credits, mostly trading back and forth. I was a bit down at one point until I scored 500 credits, bringing back close to even at $18.75 at which point I cashed out.
Next, I decided to take a walk down to Trump Plaza. On behalf of my enthusiastic low-rolling buddy Ben, I wanted to check out what all the hype was about the $1 Blackjack deal. It didn’t take me too long to find the one table. I was surprised that it offer 3:2 odds but it was too crowded for me to see if the dealer was required to hit or stand at 17. I took a walk around the perimeter of the tables to see if there was anything else that interested me. Other than a couple restaurants at the downstairs entrance, there was nothing that particularly tickled my fancy, so I went back to the Boardwalk.
I decided to walk north from Trump Plaza and past Caesars and Bally's to confirm the answers I got to my previous question here about whether there was anything still open on the Boardwalk at this time of year besides the casinos. I was surprised to see that the majority of local establishments were indeed open for business. However, business wasn't exactly booming. I rarely saw anyone actually in the stores. One guy working a prize booth was practically begging customers to patronize him not to mention the staff at the ubiquitous Asian therapeutic massage shops. I made it up to Central Pier and thought I might let out the kid in me to play a few video games. I was disappointed to see only older slot machines reconditioned to spit out credits for prizes. I guess this is to train the kids for future casino play?
After a healthy stroll up the Boardwalk, I thought I might treat myself to one of those massage establishments, after all. I entered one where one of the two female staff curious walked me over to a menu of services in an attempt to upsell me. When I said that I was actually interested in the $20 special, she feigned confusion while her associate pointed out to the sign outside to "remind" her of the deal. Suddenly "remembering" the sign, my masseuse agree to perform the 20-minute (fully clothed) service.
Considering that much of the next twenty minutes were spent with the masseuse alternately impaling her palms and elbows into my back, I decided that either: a) she was *really* unhappy about my declining that upsell, or b) Chinese massage is not meant to be a relaxing experience. Eventually, her touch would get lighter as she approached my legs. I have to even admit that as I walked out, I felt a lot looser. No pain no gain, I guess.
I should note that walking up and down the Boardwalk may not be for everyone. Fortunately, there are other options. One would be renting a scooter from your casino home. Another would be to hire one of the rolling scooters; the hard-working attendants happily accept tips.
I was getting a little hungry at this point and decided to head back to the Pier at Caesars for a bite to eat. The Game On sports bar intrigued me last time and, without a value-focused running buddy to limit my dining choices, I decided to check it out.
Notwithstanding rap mogul Jay-Z's 40/40 Sports Club, which I’ve yet to visit, Game On appeared to be positioning itself as a casually upscale place to hang out. Yet the food prices were pretty reasonable. I sat the bar and enjoyed looking at the multiple screens while I ate. I was mostly watching the NBA opening night game between the Celtics and the Heat but I caught a little hockey action as well. I found it interesting that the bar was able to subscribe to Rogers Sports Net, a Canadian channel, and I enjoyed watching the local commercials from Up North in between puck drops. I ordered a Sloppy Joe with fries and, since I drink like a fish, multiple orders of ginger ale. The bill came to about $15 and I told the bartender to keep my $20.
I wasn’t feeling 100% so I returned to my room after dinner to rest up for the business ahead the next day.
Next: To the Tropicana, Gosh Darn it!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Return To The Boardwalk - 10/26-10/29
Four months after my last visit with my good buddy Ben, I returned to Atlantic City primarily to attend a travel industry conference although I intended to have some fun as well. Since I tend to enjoy casinos not so much for the main attraction of gambling as their other amenities, I knew that it could be a challenge to find many non-gaming options to keep me entertained during a midweek autumn stay. I also struggled a bit against an unexpected illness but managed to make the best of my stay.
I traveled from DC to Atlantic City on the rails via Amtrak and New Jersey Transit, changing trains at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. It was admittedly not the most scenic ride but it was mostly uneventful, save some guy obliviously wailing away off-key to whatever was playing on his MP3 player for about half of the NJ Transit ride. Upon arriving at the train terminal, conveniently connected to the Convention Center, I caught the free train shuttle bus to Caesars Atlantic City.
As you may recall from the blogs on my previous trip, the mid-level “Luxury” room that Ben and I had reserved was unexpectedly downgraded to a standard “Deluxe” room (with an appropriate rate change). As I was taking advantage of a flyer I received that "comped" or gave me room rate credit for two of my three nights, I expected to get the same standard room. Imagine my surprise when I was given the Luxury room instead! From the moment that I walked onto my floor of the Centurion Tower, I could immediately sense the difference in every way from the Temple Tower. Much of the room actually seemed fairly similar to the standard room with two important changes. For one, I appreciate the upgraded bathroom with its sit-down shower and separate water closet. I also appreciated the view featuring the “Caesars” sign on a top of another tower which would look great later once lit up in the night. If I pressed my face along the left corner of the window, I could even see a bit of ocean! This was definitely an improvement over admiring a frosted window that hid a wall. (See: Temple Tower.)
The Temple and Centurion Towers each have their advantages, depending on what's more important to you. The Temple Tower is closer to the front desk and bell desk, the upscale restaurants Mia and Morton's Steakhouse as well as the valet parking and taxis on the Pacific Avenue (mainland) side of the hotel. The Centurion Tower is more convenient to most other restaurants including the La Piazza buffet and Cafe Roma coffee shop as well as the overpass to the Pier at Caesars retail and entertainment complex. The Ocean Tower, while set back further than the other two, offers the most upgraded rooms and more opportunities for scenic views as its name implies.
Once I unpacked my things, I went down to the casino to try my luck at my favorite slot game.
Next: A $20 "Party" and $1 Blackjack? Game On!
I traveled from DC to Atlantic City on the rails via Amtrak and New Jersey Transit, changing trains at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. It was admittedly not the most scenic ride but it was mostly uneventful, save some guy obliviously wailing away off-key to whatever was playing on his MP3 player for about half of the NJ Transit ride. Upon arriving at the train terminal, conveniently connected to the Convention Center, I caught the free train shuttle bus to Caesars Atlantic City.
As you may recall from the blogs on my previous trip, the mid-level “Luxury” room that Ben and I had reserved was unexpectedly downgraded to a standard “Deluxe” room (with an appropriate rate change). As I was taking advantage of a flyer I received that "comped" or gave me room rate credit for two of my three nights, I expected to get the same standard room. Imagine my surprise when I was given the Luxury room instead! From the moment that I walked onto my floor of the Centurion Tower, I could immediately sense the difference in every way from the Temple Tower. Much of the room actually seemed fairly similar to the standard room with two important changes. For one, I appreciate the upgraded bathroom with its sit-down shower and separate water closet. I also appreciated the view featuring the “Caesars” sign on a top of another tower which would look great later once lit up in the night. If I pressed my face along the left corner of the window, I could even see a bit of ocean! This was definitely an improvement over admiring a frosted window that hid a wall. (See: Temple Tower.)
The Temple and Centurion Towers each have their advantages, depending on what's more important to you. The Temple Tower is closer to the front desk and bell desk, the upscale restaurants Mia and Morton's Steakhouse as well as the valet parking and taxis on the Pacific Avenue (mainland) side of the hotel. The Centurion Tower is more convenient to most other restaurants including the La Piazza buffet and Cafe Roma coffee shop as well as the overpass to the Pier at Caesars retail and entertainment complex. The Ocean Tower, while set back further than the other two, offers the most upgraded rooms and more opportunities for scenic views as its name implies.
Once I unpacked my things, I went down to the casino to try my luck at my favorite slot game.
Next: A $20 "Party" and $1 Blackjack? Game On!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Back To The Boardwalk - A Preview
It's somewhat ironic that my last blog entry was about Atlantic City and this one will be as well. I'm heading back there next week primarily to attend a travel conference where I hope to gain more knowledge on how to serve my clients! During my free time, I plan to explore more of the non-gaming options that I "drove by" last time.
I look forward to sharing details of my trip with you all very soon!
I look forward to sharing details of my trip with you all very soon!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Over The Boardwalk - The Finale
I woke up around 7:00 on our last morning and, with Ben just descending into REM sleep, I decided to take a stroll along the boardwalk and check out some of the “old-time” areas further north between Bally’s and Resorts. When I walked out to the Boardwalk, I was amazed to see people lined up at the beach entrance next to the Pier at Caesars waiting to stake their claim on the sand. It seemed that not much has changed on this section of the Boardwalk which I actually saw as a good thing. I was concerned about the fire damage that apparently happened in front of the Central Pier Arcade. I think I wouldn’t have minded indulging in a shoulder or foot massage from one of the many shops offering the service. I was also sure that Ben wouldn’t mind indulging in the more moderate food prices at the dining establishments I passed. When I got back to Caesars just before 8:00 and saw an even longer line waiting to enter the beach, I hoped to myself that they were just minutes away from starting their day.
I was curious about both the Qua Spa and the rooftop pool. In fact, I considered indulging in a spa pass for Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, I was not able to convince Ben that relaxing in a pampering environment for a couple hours was worth the equivalent of five hands of blackjack. We were both mildly interested in the pool, so I thought I’d do the legwork to see if either the pool or spa were worth squeezing in that morning. After trekking over to the Centurion Tower where the spa was located, I realized that I would have to go through the spa to get to the elevator leading to the rooftop pool. Not being really dressed for either, I decided to decline going any further and headed back to wake Ben for breakfast.
Our last meal of the trip was to our eat-in kitchen Café Roma. The $4 short stack of pancakes put a smile on Ben’s face. Along with my own short stack, my bland taste buds decided to go “wild” and order chicken-apple sausage. The sausage turned out to be a bust but I had certainly taken bigger risks in the casino.
We packed up and by 10:30 were on the road. Four and a half hours later, I was back in Virginia and Ben had returned to Maryland, each of us managing to have some leftover change in our pockets.
Before I finish, here are some notes and thoughts on getting around town:
Although I was used to free parking (or a tip to the valet) in Las Vegas, I was not surprised that Atlantic City casinos charged to drive into their facilities as day trippers make up a considerable portion - if not the majority - of their visitors. I believe we paid $5 a night for a total $10 plus the occasional valet tip. However, I found the rules for hotel guests to be a bit confusing if not also annoying. When we went out on our first night to the Tropicana, the valet told us that we could park at any casino for free until 3:00am. That seemed fair to us. Upon riding out to the Borgata and Showboat the next day, however, we had to pay $3-5 to park at each of them. I think it would be beneficial if there were some consistent cross-honoring system between casinos for hotel guests.
At a length of two-and-a-half miles, the Boardwalk isn't quite as lengthy as the four-mile Las Vegas Strip. Nonetheless, the idea of strolling aside the ocean may not be enticing for everyone. Fortunately, there are other options, each with their benefits depending on how one values their time versus their money.
Taxis are the quickest choice and aren't always the most expensive option. The maximum fare within the city limits is currently $13 plus tip. If you're traveling between Boardwalk casinos, it is sure to be much less.
Jitneys, which were once horse-drawn wagons in Atlantic City, are now modernized 13-passenger mini-buses that travel to every casino and all around the city 24 hours a day, every day. A single ride fare can be purchased for $2.25 with the option of a multiple-ride discount. For some, the one drawback to this option would be relying on a schedule.
The rolling chairs are a popular way to get around the Boardwalk and take a relaxing self-guided tour while a hard-working attendant pushes you towards your destination. The cost varies by the amount of blocks one travels, from a minimum of $5 to a maximum of $40 for a one hour tour. The attendants do appreciate tips; a person of size may want to be particularly generous.
And finally, each casino has access to personal scooters for rent. The scooter would be useful both inside the hotel and out on the Boardwalk. It would be good to confirm with the hotel before arrival that they will have the appropriate size in reserve.
Thanks for reading!
I was curious about both the Qua Spa and the rooftop pool. In fact, I considered indulging in a spa pass for Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, I was not able to convince Ben that relaxing in a pampering environment for a couple hours was worth the equivalent of five hands of blackjack. We were both mildly interested in the pool, so I thought I’d do the legwork to see if either the pool or spa were worth squeezing in that morning. After trekking over to the Centurion Tower where the spa was located, I realized that I would have to go through the spa to get to the elevator leading to the rooftop pool. Not being really dressed for either, I decided to decline going any further and headed back to wake Ben for breakfast.
Our last meal of the trip was to our eat-in kitchen Café Roma. The $4 short stack of pancakes put a smile on Ben’s face. Along with my own short stack, my bland taste buds decided to go “wild” and order chicken-apple sausage. The sausage turned out to be a bust but I had certainly taken bigger risks in the casino.
We packed up and by 10:30 were on the road. Four and a half hours later, I was back in Virginia and Ben had returned to Maryland, each of us managing to have some leftover change in our pockets.
Before I finish, here are some notes and thoughts on getting around town:
Although I was used to free parking (or a tip to the valet) in Las Vegas, I was not surprised that Atlantic City casinos charged to drive into their facilities as day trippers make up a considerable portion - if not the majority - of their visitors. I believe we paid $5 a night for a total $10 plus the occasional valet tip. However, I found the rules for hotel guests to be a bit confusing if not also annoying. When we went out on our first night to the Tropicana, the valet told us that we could park at any casino for free until 3:00am. That seemed fair to us. Upon riding out to the Borgata and Showboat the next day, however, we had to pay $3-5 to park at each of them. I think it would be beneficial if there were some consistent cross-honoring system between casinos for hotel guests.
At a length of two-and-a-half miles, the Boardwalk isn't quite as lengthy as the four-mile Las Vegas Strip. Nonetheless, the idea of strolling aside the ocean may not be enticing for everyone. Fortunately, there are other options, each with their benefits depending on how one values their time versus their money.
Taxis are the quickest choice and aren't always the most expensive option. The maximum fare within the city limits is currently $13 plus tip. If you're traveling between Boardwalk casinos, it is sure to be much less.
Jitneys, which were once horse-drawn wagons in Atlantic City, are now modernized 13-passenger mini-buses that travel to every casino and all around the city 24 hours a day, every day. A single ride fare can be purchased for $2.25 with the option of a multiple-ride discount. For some, the one drawback to this option would be relying on a schedule.
The rolling chairs are a popular way to get around the Boardwalk and take a relaxing self-guided tour while a hard-working attendant pushes you towards your destination. The cost varies by the amount of blocks one travels, from a minimum of $5 to a maximum of $40 for a one hour tour. The attendants do appreciate tips; a person of size may want to be particularly generous.
And finally, each casino has access to personal scooters for rent. The scooter would be useful both inside the hotel and out on the Boardwalk. It would be good to confirm with the hotel before arrival that they will have the appropriate size in reserve.
Thanks for reading!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Over The Boardwalk in Atlantic City - Part Three
When we last left off, my friend Ben and I were approaching the middle of our second day in Atlantic City. We were starting to feel some faint hunger pangs upon leaving the Borgata but decided to check out the Showboat on the way back.
We settled in at a blackjack table with a $10 minimum where Ben and I each put $100 into play. The intially empty table soon filled up with two other relatively experienced players and one rookie. I was still relatively green myself and the dealer helped the rookie and me out with good advice on some hands. I started out relatively hot, up to $140 after four hands. I then proceeded to mostly trade wins and losses until I whittled back down to my original $100 and left the table after tipping the dealer a $5 chip. Ben had a similar trajectory, maxing out at $150 before settling back to somewhere near what he came with.
I would have cashed in my chips then if Ben hadn’t found a lively craps table on the way. We decided to pool $50 and invest it in the game. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about craps strategy but I knew that a relative “safe” bet would be to bet on the Pass line. So that allowed us to hang in there for five slow losses while occasionally wagering our personal funds on side bets.
I knew myself enough to know that if I got a chance to handle the dice, there was a fair chance that they would either go flying off the table or only go two feet. So when my turn came, I declined and let Ben take a crack at it. Now, these crap dealers were a fun crew that enjoyed making light sarcasm and coming up with nicknames for each other and a couple of apparent regulars. But when Ben had the misfortune of gripping the dice with both hands, they got serious really quick with a stern reminder to use one hand. Then they lightened up again, joking about how they should sue Hollywood for “teaching” people how to throw dice the wrong way. When Ben unwittingly did the two-hand grip again, I thought he (and maybe yours truly by association) would be kicked out of the Showboat. But when one of the dealers suggested they duct tape one of his hands behind his back, I was inspired to re-christen him “One-Hand Ben”. The name stuck and One-Hand Ben took the good-natured abuse for the rest of the session. After we lost our $50 craps pool, we decided to cash out and cut our relatively low losses. Out of our respective $100 investments, I still held onto $83 (not including my $5 tip) while Ben managed to keep $87.
After an uninspiring meal at a Nathan's hot dog shop next to Caesars, I was able to convince Ben to go back to the Pier at Caesars. I had wanted to surprise him with the Water Show in the back of the complex. Of course, he saw the sign for it as we approached which ruined the surprise but that was okay. For some reason, I had thought it was an outside show with jets shooting up from the bottom of the pier or something, not the indoor setup that it turned out to be. When the water seemed to shoot up in little piddles for the first few minutes, I started to think perhaps this was much ado about nothing. But then the show really started! It was a nice presentation, certainly inspired by the Bellagio fountains if not quite as large. Even Ben was impressed. It’s not something I would make a special trip for again but if I happened to be in the Pier, I might stop in to check it out one more time.
Okay: in an environment where there are multiple options to indulge in the "vices" of gambling, drinking and smoking - of which Ben and I engaged only in the first - there will likely also be other forms of adult entertainment. So in that spirit, my buddy and I decided to go to a dance club of sorts...except that no guys were encouraged to dance. The ladies' dress code, for that matter, did not leave very much to the imagination. Along the way, a bachelor party of six arrived and the guest of honor received a special surprise on stage that didn't look like as much fun as it was intended to be. Not that the security staff - which. like the Showboat's craps dealers, was friendly yet firm - would have allowed anything truly scandalous to happen. In the end, it was the most interesting experience of the trip for Ben and me.
(And yes, to those who may be concerned, my lady approved of this side venture.)
The night ended back "home" at Caesars with a late evening dinner in Cafe Roma where we proceeded to be overlooked by our server for at least fifteen minutes. Ben notified the hostess of this and the server finally found us a few minutes later. He didn’t look particularly happy and was off his game when he presented each of us with the other person’s drinks. But to be fair, the coffee shop appeared to be short of staff as others, while served a bit quicker, received their food fairly late themselves. What turned out to be an early morning dinner was just another okay affair.
After another quick go-round on the slots, I was all gambled out and decided I wanted to go back to the room around 1:00am. Ben, who had not had much success himself and seemed ready to call it a night himself. But the siren song of the casino was too alluring as I faintly recall seeing "2:00am" glow on the iPod clock as he headed back out the door. Perhaps two hours later, Ben had finally accepted his fate.
Next: The morning after...and the ride home.
We settled in at a blackjack table with a $10 minimum where Ben and I each put $100 into play. The intially empty table soon filled up with two other relatively experienced players and one rookie. I was still relatively green myself and the dealer helped the rookie and me out with good advice on some hands. I started out relatively hot, up to $140 after four hands. I then proceeded to mostly trade wins and losses until I whittled back down to my original $100 and left the table after tipping the dealer a $5 chip. Ben had a similar trajectory, maxing out at $150 before settling back to somewhere near what he came with.
I would have cashed in my chips then if Ben hadn’t found a lively craps table on the way. We decided to pool $50 and invest it in the game. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about craps strategy but I knew that a relative “safe” bet would be to bet on the Pass line. So that allowed us to hang in there for five slow losses while occasionally wagering our personal funds on side bets.
I knew myself enough to know that if I got a chance to handle the dice, there was a fair chance that they would either go flying off the table or only go two feet. So when my turn came, I declined and let Ben take a crack at it. Now, these crap dealers were a fun crew that enjoyed making light sarcasm and coming up with nicknames for each other and a couple of apparent regulars. But when Ben had the misfortune of gripping the dice with both hands, they got serious really quick with a stern reminder to use one hand. Then they lightened up again, joking about how they should sue Hollywood for “teaching” people how to throw dice the wrong way. When Ben unwittingly did the two-hand grip again, I thought he (and maybe yours truly by association) would be kicked out of the Showboat. But when one of the dealers suggested they duct tape one of his hands behind his back, I was inspired to re-christen him “One-Hand Ben”. The name stuck and One-Hand Ben took the good-natured abuse for the rest of the session. After we lost our $50 craps pool, we decided to cash out and cut our relatively low losses. Out of our respective $100 investments, I still held onto $83 (not including my $5 tip) while Ben managed to keep $87.
After an uninspiring meal at a Nathan's hot dog shop next to Caesars, I was able to convince Ben to go back to the Pier at Caesars. I had wanted to surprise him with the Water Show in the back of the complex. Of course, he saw the sign for it as we approached which ruined the surprise but that was okay. For some reason, I had thought it was an outside show with jets shooting up from the bottom of the pier or something, not the indoor setup that it turned out to be. When the water seemed to shoot up in little piddles for the first few minutes, I started to think perhaps this was much ado about nothing. But then the show really started! It was a nice presentation, certainly inspired by the Bellagio fountains if not quite as large. Even Ben was impressed. It’s not something I would make a special trip for again but if I happened to be in the Pier, I might stop in to check it out one more time.
Okay: in an environment where there are multiple options to indulge in the "vices" of gambling, drinking and smoking - of which Ben and I engaged only in the first - there will likely also be other forms of adult entertainment. So in that spirit, my buddy and I decided to go to a dance club of sorts...except that no guys were encouraged to dance. The ladies' dress code, for that matter, did not leave very much to the imagination. Along the way, a bachelor party of six arrived and the guest of honor received a special surprise on stage that didn't look like as much fun as it was intended to be. Not that the security staff - which. like the Showboat's craps dealers, was friendly yet firm - would have allowed anything truly scandalous to happen. In the end, it was the most interesting experience of the trip for Ben and me.
(And yes, to those who may be concerned, my lady approved of this side venture.)
The night ended back "home" at Caesars with a late evening dinner in Cafe Roma where we proceeded to be overlooked by our server for at least fifteen minutes. Ben notified the hostess of this and the server finally found us a few minutes later. He didn’t look particularly happy and was off his game when he presented each of us with the other person’s drinks. But to be fair, the coffee shop appeared to be short of staff as others, while served a bit quicker, received their food fairly late themselves. What turned out to be an early morning dinner was just another okay affair.
After another quick go-round on the slots, I was all gambled out and decided I wanted to go back to the room around 1:00am. Ben, who had not had much success himself and seemed ready to call it a night himself. But the siren song of the casino was too alluring as I faintly recall seeing "2:00am" glow on the iPod clock as he headed back out the door. Perhaps two hours later, Ben had finally accepted his fate.
Next: The morning after...and the ride home.
Friday, September 24, 2010
I'm Certifiable...In Vegas!
Some quick but exciting news! Abundant Travel has earned the proud distinction of Las Vegas Destination Specialist as granted by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. We will now have access to the latest information to help you plan your trip to the desert oasis.
Feel free to contact me at tony@travelabundantly.com and I will work to make your Vegas Vacation the best ever!
Feel free to contact me at tony@travelabundantly.com and I will work to make your Vegas Vacation the best ever!
 |
| The Official Logo |
 |
Yours truly and Cathy at the Welcome Sign Red Rock Canyon |
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Over the Boardwalk in Atlantic City - Part Two
In the first installment of our trip, I focused mostly on our home base Caesars Atlantic City. Now I'll talk about some of the places we visited outside of our hotel.
We decided to do a walk-through of Bally's/Wild Wild West next door. Ben was mostly in search of $5 Blackjack and Craps tables. When we didn’t find any, I suggested we checked out what Caesars had done to the former Ocean One Mall. I was particularly interested in the restaurant and bar establishments on the third floor.As it was about 11:30 now, I didn’t realize most of the establishments would be closed. One good thing I did notice was that there were plenty of elevators, escalators and the occasional ramp to help smooth things out. (It should also be noted that Gentlemen of Size may like some of the clothing selection featured at tropical-themed Tommy Bahama.) We took a seat in the armless chairs along the faux sand beach lining the perimeter and plotted our next move; this would turn out to be the only “sand” my feet would touch this trip.Looking southward at the casinos on the horizon, I suggested we check out the Tropicana, primarily so I could see their entertainment complex The Quarter. It seemed close enough to walk but Ben, whose legs were tiring a bit, convinced me that it would be better to drive.
So we retrieved the car and drove down to the Tropicana when I came to realize that objects sometimes appear to be closer than they are. It would have been a fairly lengthy walk for anyone. Ben kept a lookout for the elusive $5 BJ tables but settled for a rather lively Big Six wheel. We each placed a couple bets that turned into contributions. Eventually we found the Quarter…actually, we found it essentially closed. I was disappointed again at my bad timing and Ben was visibly annoyed, perhaps influenced by the gambling money burning a hole in his pocket. We decided to head back to the hotel and call it a night around 1:00am.
Ben, who has a habit of going on late-night gambling runs in Vegas, always “loved” being woken up for an 8:00 breakfast run by yours truly. So of course, I could not disappoint him by not continuing the tradition in Atlantic City! We had wanted to try the Wild Wild West buffet, having researched that it was a better value than Caesars’ La Piazza Buffet, but were surprised to find out that it was closed for breakfast. So we ended up doing the Caesars buffet after all. Hmm…well, I liked the upscale trappings there (and at the coffee shop too, for that matter) and our server was particularly friendly. But the food itself lived down to the reputation that I had prepared for. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t quite mouth-watering, either. When the highlight of a meal is a cream-filled donut, that’s not exactly cause for a ringing endorsement. We managed to fill our bellies but resolved not to visit again. One plus at least, as mentioned in the previous blog, was that virtually all of the seats were armless.
After breakfast, we headed over to the marina area to see the Borgata. I wanted to see what this “crown jewel” was all about. But I have to say: could they have made it anymore difficult to find it? (smile) I would have thought it was just us who had trouble locating it if a lady hadn’t pulled up beside us asking if we knew how to get to the Borgata. She decided to follow us, as if we knew what we were doing. It seemed really odd that the road would lead to Trump and Harrah’s then suddenly do a 180*. Somehow we found ourselves at a loading dock and a worker redirected us to the valet.
Already knowing that $5 tables wouldn’t be found, Ben settled in at a Monopoly machine while I looked around. The Borgata certainly lived up to my expectations of what an “exclusive” casino would look like. Based on the common areas, it could certainly hold its own against the more upscale Vegas casinos. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised that it featured a reasonably priced food court in its basement. I tried to interest Ben in joining me down there for lunch but he preferred to wait until we returned to Caesars.
Next: The Showboat, The Water Show and (Censored).
.
We decided to do a walk-through of Bally's/Wild Wild West next door. Ben was mostly in search of $5 Blackjack and Craps tables. When we didn’t find any, I suggested we checked out what Caesars had done to the former Ocean One Mall. I was particularly interested in the restaurant and bar establishments on the third floor.As it was about 11:30 now, I didn’t realize most of the establishments would be closed. One good thing I did notice was that there were plenty of elevators, escalators and the occasional ramp to help smooth things out. (It should also be noted that Gentlemen of Size may like some of the clothing selection featured at tropical-themed Tommy Bahama.) We took a seat in the armless chairs along the faux sand beach lining the perimeter and plotted our next move; this would turn out to be the only “sand” my feet would touch this trip.Looking southward at the casinos on the horizon, I suggested we check out the Tropicana, primarily so I could see their entertainment complex The Quarter. It seemed close enough to walk but Ben, whose legs were tiring a bit, convinced me that it would be better to drive.
So we retrieved the car and drove down to the Tropicana when I came to realize that objects sometimes appear to be closer than they are. It would have been a fairly lengthy walk for anyone. Ben kept a lookout for the elusive $5 BJ tables but settled for a rather lively Big Six wheel. We each placed a couple bets that turned into contributions. Eventually we found the Quarter…actually, we found it essentially closed. I was disappointed again at my bad timing and Ben was visibly annoyed, perhaps influenced by the gambling money burning a hole in his pocket. We decided to head back to the hotel and call it a night around 1:00am.
Ben, who has a habit of going on late-night gambling runs in Vegas, always “loved” being woken up for an 8:00 breakfast run by yours truly. So of course, I could not disappoint him by not continuing the tradition in Atlantic City! We had wanted to try the Wild Wild West buffet, having researched that it was a better value than Caesars’ La Piazza Buffet, but were surprised to find out that it was closed for breakfast. So we ended up doing the Caesars buffet after all. Hmm…well, I liked the upscale trappings there (and at the coffee shop too, for that matter) and our server was particularly friendly. But the food itself lived down to the reputation that I had prepared for. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t quite mouth-watering, either. When the highlight of a meal is a cream-filled donut, that’s not exactly cause for a ringing endorsement. We managed to fill our bellies but resolved not to visit again. One plus at least, as mentioned in the previous blog, was that virtually all of the seats were armless.
After breakfast, we headed over to the marina area to see the Borgata. I wanted to see what this “crown jewel” was all about. But I have to say: could they have made it anymore difficult to find it? (smile) I would have thought it was just us who had trouble locating it if a lady hadn’t pulled up beside us asking if we knew how to get to the Borgata. She decided to follow us, as if we knew what we were doing. It seemed really odd that the road would lead to Trump and Harrah’s then suddenly do a 180*. Somehow we found ourselves at a loading dock and a worker redirected us to the valet.
Already knowing that $5 tables wouldn’t be found, Ben settled in at a Monopoly machine while I looked around. The Borgata certainly lived up to my expectations of what an “exclusive” casino would look like. Based on the common areas, it could certainly hold its own against the more upscale Vegas casinos. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised that it featured a reasonably priced food court in its basement. I tried to interest Ben in joining me down there for lunch but he preferred to wait until we returned to Caesars.
Next: The Showboat, The Water Show and (Censored).
.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Over The Boardwalk in Atlantic City - Part One
In contrast to last summer's cross-country road trip (which you've hopefully already read about here or else you're in for a treat), I've been mostly busy building my travel business. The only vacation I've taken was a three-day, two-night trip to Atlantic City. I was accompany by a guy we'll call "Ben", a good friend of mine who happens to be a BHM. Since our vacation was short, we decided to splurge a bit and chose the upscale Caesars Atlantic City hotel. While I rarely wager much in casinos, I knew that I would be gambling more than usual as I wanted to try my hand at some table games. For Ben, gambling was his primary motivation for the trip.
As we exited off of the Atlantic City Expressway, I was pleased to see the new developments on The Walk. This collection of outlet centers was just opening when I visited several years ago and their expansion made for a nice introduction into the city. Ladies of Size may appreciate some of the offerings at Ashley Stewart.
There were only two people ahead of us as we walked into Caesars at 7:30pm and we were eager to check into the non-smoking mid-level Luxury room we had reserved. I cheerfully inquired to our agent about the possibility of being placed in the Centurion Tower which, according to many accounts I had read about, was supposed to be the “best” tower.
Unfortunately, we found out that not only were all the Luxury rooms sold out but that we were going to be assigned a smoking standard Deluxe room in the least desirable Temple Tower. Needless to say, we were disappointed although, from experiences in Vegas, I knew that casinos don't guarantee room preferences.When we declined the offer, the agent hinted that we might be transferred to a sister hotel. Being unamused by that prospect as well, we asked the agent if we could speak to her manager. She disappeared for a few minutes and returned with the news of a “magically” discovered non-smoking room in the Temple Tower at a fair discount.
Ben and I approached the room with a bit of trepidation but it turned out to be nicer than we thought it would be. Being accustomed to the basic amenities in Vegas Strip casino hotel rooms, we were pleasantly surprised to see not only a refrigerator and coffeemaker (not that we were coffee drinkers) but also a flat screen with three times as many channels as one would normally find in the desert. The alarm clock with the iPod dock was a nice touch too. Night Owl Ben really appreciated waking up to my tunes at 8 in the morning! The coffeemaker was on a round table stuffed in the corner with two fabric chairs with low arms. My rather burly friend found it difficult to sit in those chairs but the armless wooden chair at the business desk accommodated him just fine. The bathroom was nice enough with an ample tiled shower - no tub – soft towels and decent soap and shampoo. We both found our beds to be rather comfortable. The only thing we didn’t like about the room was the “view” which consisted of a frosted window hiding a window to nowhere.
The casino was slightly confusing to navigate but we considered ourselves “veterans” by the morning we left. The two levels of gambling was an interesting twist. As non-smokers, we also appreciate the ample spacing between the smoking areas. Although we didn’t play any table games here, we enjoyed losing our slot money slowly. Like most casinos, there is a considerable amount of walking to do. There are plenty of escalators between the gambling floors as well as one elevator. I also noted a number of rented scooters in use although I did not spot any particularly larger persons using them. However, just like Vegas, I would predict that larger-size scooters would be made available with some pre-planning.
We found our food experience at Caesars to be just okay. Café Roma was decent for the typical premium-priced casino coffee shop. We went to La Piazza Buffet as a last resort one morning and the selection and taste was underwhelming. That said, I did like the ambiance at both places. There were plenty of armless chairs at each establishment as well. On a future trip, I intend to try one of the more upscale restaurants on the property or across the way at the Pier at Caesars, where the Ocean One Mall once stood. Finer dining was a non-starter for gambling-focused Ben.
The one thing I appreciated the most about Caesars was the service. In particular, when we were looking for a certain slot machine, a security person not only approached us to help but also walked us over too it. She ended the interaction by saying “Thank you for coming to Caesars!” In fact, virtually every person we encountered from the valets to housekeeping to casino staff was friendly. Even the front desk agent person we dealt with was reasonably courteous and professional. The one slight exception was a Café Roma server we dealt with one night who was slow and didn’t look particularly happy. Generally speaking, it seems that staff has received the message that customer service is more important than ever these days considering the current economy and rising competition.
Next: We venture out of Caesars...
As we exited off of the Atlantic City Expressway, I was pleased to see the new developments on The Walk. This collection of outlet centers was just opening when I visited several years ago and their expansion made for a nice introduction into the city. Ladies of Size may appreciate some of the offerings at Ashley Stewart.
There were only two people ahead of us as we walked into Caesars at 7:30pm and we were eager to check into the non-smoking mid-level Luxury room we had reserved. I cheerfully inquired to our agent about the possibility of being placed in the Centurion Tower which, according to many accounts I had read about, was supposed to be the “best” tower.
Unfortunately, we found out that not only were all the Luxury rooms sold out but that we were going to be assigned a smoking standard Deluxe room in the least desirable Temple Tower. Needless to say, we were disappointed although, from experiences in Vegas, I knew that casinos don't guarantee room preferences.When we declined the offer, the agent hinted that we might be transferred to a sister hotel. Being unamused by that prospect as well, we asked the agent if we could speak to her manager. She disappeared for a few minutes and returned with the news of a “magically” discovered non-smoking room in the Temple Tower at a fair discount.
Ben and I approached the room with a bit of trepidation but it turned out to be nicer than we thought it would be. Being accustomed to the basic amenities in Vegas Strip casino hotel rooms, we were pleasantly surprised to see not only a refrigerator and coffeemaker (not that we were coffee drinkers) but also a flat screen with three times as many channels as one would normally find in the desert. The alarm clock with the iPod dock was a nice touch too. Night Owl Ben really appreciated waking up to my tunes at 8 in the morning! The coffeemaker was on a round table stuffed in the corner with two fabric chairs with low arms. My rather burly friend found it difficult to sit in those chairs but the armless wooden chair at the business desk accommodated him just fine. The bathroom was nice enough with an ample tiled shower - no tub – soft towels and decent soap and shampoo. We both found our beds to be rather comfortable. The only thing we didn’t like about the room was the “view” which consisted of a frosted window hiding a window to nowhere.
The casino was slightly confusing to navigate but we considered ourselves “veterans” by the morning we left. The two levels of gambling was an interesting twist. As non-smokers, we also appreciate the ample spacing between the smoking areas. Although we didn’t play any table games here, we enjoyed losing our slot money slowly. Like most casinos, there is a considerable amount of walking to do. There are plenty of escalators between the gambling floors as well as one elevator. I also noted a number of rented scooters in use although I did not spot any particularly larger persons using them. However, just like Vegas, I would predict that larger-size scooters would be made available with some pre-planning.
We found our food experience at Caesars to be just okay. Café Roma was decent for the typical premium-priced casino coffee shop. We went to La Piazza Buffet as a last resort one morning and the selection and taste was underwhelming. That said, I did like the ambiance at both places. There were plenty of armless chairs at each establishment as well. On a future trip, I intend to try one of the more upscale restaurants on the property or across the way at the Pier at Caesars, where the Ocean One Mall once stood. Finer dining was a non-starter for gambling-focused Ben.
The one thing I appreciated the most about Caesars was the service. In particular, when we were looking for a certain slot machine, a security person not only approached us to help but also walked us over too it. She ended the interaction by saying “Thank you for coming to Caesars!” In fact, virtually every person we encountered from the valets to housekeeping to casino staff was friendly. Even the front desk agent person we dealt with was reasonably courteous and professional. The one slight exception was a Café Roma server we dealt with one night who was slow and didn’t look particularly happy. Generally speaking, it seems that staff has received the message that customer service is more important than ever these days considering the current economy and rising competition.
Next: We venture out of Caesars...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The SOL Tour - July 24-26
To be honest, after leaving St. Louis, there wasn't really anything particularly interesting to report, save a couple of quirks that I will explain as we go on.
See the shadow to the right of the picture above? That's my finger covering the Illinois welcome sign. But we were actually there, I swear! We overnighted at a Holiday Inn in Vandalia, IL. Having run out of clean clothes, we were happy to find out that a laundry room was on-site. Unfortunately, the dryer was apparently broken, cleaning us out of multiple quarters - as well as a longer night's sleep for yours truly - before the clothes were finally ready. The front desk agent we spoke to the next morning seemed sympathetic but apparently lacked the authority to compensate us for our troubles. However, a subsequent call to the hotel chain's customer service line concluded in an amicable resolution.
We stayed at yet another Holiday Inn Express - yes, there is a pattern - just outside Columbus in a town called Pickerington. We thought we had lucked out as we apparently snagged the very last room available. The bad news was that the place was overrun by a gaggle of teenage girls who had participated in a soccer club tournament. Of course "kids will be kids", but between the yelling up and down the hall, the subsequent mess left in said hallway and the lack of responsibility the adult chaperones seemed to be taking for all of this, it was one of our least pleasant stays.
This was actually the second attempt to take a picture of the West Virginia welcome sign. The first time, while passing through the sliver between OH and PA was unsuccessful. However, we had better luck once when we reached the WV panhandle.
I'm sorry to say that there is no picture of Virginia - I fell asleep - but rest assured that we made it back.
For those of you still keeping score: 37 days, 23 states, 6550 miles...and, most impressively, zero arguments! It was quite a memorable experience for Cathy and me, to say the least. While investing this amount of time and resources in such a vacation may not be possible for all, I would certainly encourage everyone to consider taking a road trip to your destination as there may be interesting, often unexpected things to see during your journey. Certainly for a person of size, traveling by car can offer a lot more flexibility than by choosing to fly. In our case, we realized that the cost of flying to our main destinations and then obtaining a rental car would have been a negligibly small difference from our road trip.
To those who followed the entire Summer of Love tour, I hope you enjoyed the re-telling of our story as much as we enjoyed the experience. To those who joined us in the middle...you've got a lot of fun catching-up to do...what are you waiting for??? *smile*
Monday, September 13, 2010
The SOL Tour - July 24
After departing the small metropolis of St. Joseph's, MO, we dropped down to Kansas City for what I anticipated would be some visually appealing sights to record...and I wasn't disappointed.
Our first stop was the 18th and Vine District, part of a historically African-American downtown area that had been revitalized in recent years.
Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains. No where is this more evident than the downtown area known as County Club Plaza.
By now, we were starting to get hungry for lunch. We had a particular hankering to try some Kansas City-style barbecue. However, the flipside of walkable County Club Plaza is that parking spaces were not very convenient. So we popped "barbecque" in the GPS and found a place just across the state line in Kansas.
The interesting thing about driving into Kansas, for someone who is used to border-hugging cities being separated from another state by bodies of water, was that there was no such natural boundary here. We just drove across from Kansas City, MO over into Kansas as if it were just another street.
We found Jack Stack's Barbecue over in Overland Park, KS. As we arrived towards the end of rush hour, it wasn't too hard to find a closer parking space nor be seated at a table. I have to admit that I don't recall exactly what I had, although taking a look now at the menu, I most likely chose the BBQ Combo Lunch with Burnt Ends and Bone-In Chicken. What I do remember for sure about the meal was that the BBQ was a bit more peppery than what I had ever tasted before. Not that it was a bad thing; I certainly enjoyed my meal as did Cathy.
Following our filling lunch, we got back on I-70 and traversed Missouri until we reached St. Louis. The only attraction I really wanted to see here was the famous Gateway Arch. I took no shortage of pictures of this famous landmark. Here are the best few:
After admiring the steel arches for a while, we crossed over into Illinois, where we settled in for the evening.
States visited:18.
Our first stop was the 18th and Vine District, part of a historically African-American downtown area that had been revitalized in recent years.
American Jazz Museum/Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
When you care enough to create the very best....
The interesting thing about driving into Kansas, for someone who is used to border-hugging cities being separated from another state by bodies of water, was that there was no such natural boundary here. We just drove across from Kansas City, MO over into Kansas as if it were just another street.
We found Jack Stack's Barbecue over in Overland Park, KS. As we arrived towards the end of rush hour, it wasn't too hard to find a closer parking space nor be seated at a table. I have to admit that I don't recall exactly what I had, although taking a look now at the menu, I most likely chose the BBQ Combo Lunch with Burnt Ends and Bone-In Chicken. What I do remember for sure about the meal was that the BBQ was a bit more peppery than what I had ever tasted before. Not that it was a bad thing; I certainly enjoyed my meal as did Cathy.
Following our filling lunch, we got back on I-70 and traversed Missouri until we reached St. Louis. The only attraction I really wanted to see here was the famous Gateway Arch. I took no shortage of pictures of this famous landmark. Here are the best few:
After admiring the steel arches for a while, we crossed over into Illinois, where we settled in for the evening.
States visited:18.
Friday, September 10, 2010
The SOL Tour - July 22-23
After leaving Denver for a self-guided tour of Cheyenne, Wyoming, we found ourselves traveling on I-80 through through some monotonous farmland, which was only broken up by this:
Needless to say, this was not the best time to repeat our Terrell, TX experience where we almost ran out of gas with little relief in sight. Needless to say, the options in Nebraska were even fewer. We ended up pulling off into Lodgepole,NE where the road signs for gas led us to a tiny unmanned station with two old-school (non-digital) pumps. A traffic jam of sorts was created when a friendly local showed up to fill his tank as well.
Eventually we found "civilization" in North Platte, Nebraska. It appeared that the town had built itself up into a tourist attraction, largely upon the reputation of "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Apparently we managed to arrive at the height of tourist season, as most every hotel was sold out, save the not particularly comfortable Comfort Inn we settled for.
The next morning we headed out to Omaha where we would really looking forward to some soul food.
Yes, you read that right. Soul food. In Omaha. Nebraska.
A couple weeks before our trip, we happened to see an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network which featured a lady from Omaha that had gained a reputation for some of the best soul food anywhere. We decided right then that we had to see it to believe it. However, would you believe we almost didn't see it?
Traveling at a productive if not hurried pace, we decided it would be good to call the restaurant and confirm their location and such. Along with that information, they kindly let us know that they were closing at 2:00. Of course, our GPS estimated an arrival of about 2:30.
Now, I would not encourage anyone to disobey any highway safety laws, but let's just say that we were happy that the Nebraska State Police were apparently busy attending to other matters. (Directing traffic back in North Platte, perhaps?)
As we made our way through Omaha, we became a bit confused when we left the retail corridors and entered a largely residential area. Eventually we saw what appeared to be a school or YMCA. Figuring Big Mama was in there - or someone could at least point us in the right direction - we entered...and just in the nick of time!
Even though it was maybe 1:50pm, they were happy to serve us albeit with a few less items still available on the menu. Cathy tried the famous Afro Burger that was hot enough to make Guy Fieri turn red. Being not so brave, I opted for the somewhat milder Big Redd Burger. Big Mama herself was kind enough to come out to meet us and share her story.
The building we were used to house the Nebraska School for the Deaf. When the school closed several years ago, a church bought it with the intention of turning it into a community center. Meanwhile, "Big Mama" a utility employee who had opened up a side business catering food to friends and small groups, had been looking for an affordable property to open up a restaurant. Eventually she caught the attention of some parishioners who put her in touch with some senior church staff. And the rest, as they say, was history.
My only minor regret during my visit to Omaha was not seeking the modest home of famous billionaire Warren Buffett. Or maybe we could have just popped in his office at Berkshire Hathaway and invited him out for lunch. I think he would have appreciated an Afro Burger.
After passing through a sliver of Iowa...
...we entered Missouri, calling the small city of Saint Joseph our home for the evening.
States visited:17.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The SOL Tour - July 20-22
After staying in Las Vegas seemingly almost long enough to establish residency, we were on our way back to Virginia. The unusually cloudy day helped set the mood as we turned on our satellite radio to the Sinatra channel and listened to the standards and wistfully made our way across the Strip and out of town.
Our intended destination was a yet-to-be determined location in Utah. We were surprised to find out that we would have to travel through a sliver of Arizona to get there. Here's a picture from our brief return to AZ.
We decided to stop for a quick tour and late lunch in Saint George, Utah. Like many cities and towns in the state, it was surrounded by picturesque mountains. The center of town seemed to be designed for tourists as there were a lot of motels along the main streets. The overall sights impressed Cathy enough that she half-jokingly suggested that we consider Saint George as a retirement destination. I said, "Sure...as long as I can go to Vegas once a month!"
We decided to have lunch at Jimmy John's, a fast-food restaurant that was referenced on a random Jerry Springer show we happened to catch before leaving for our road trip. Their tag line is that they make "freaky good" food "freaky fast!" I don't know about the "freak factor" but we received our sandwiches quickly enough - we were the only customers at the time - and enjoyed them well enough.
Within twenty minutes of leaving sunny and warm Saint George, I was shocked - and Cathy relieved - that the temperature dropped thirty degrees with an accompanying drizzle as rode higher into the mountains. We took the following picture at a rest stop.
Our intended destination was a yet-to-be determined location in Utah. We were surprised to find out that we would have to travel through a sliver of Arizona to get there. Here's a picture from our brief return to AZ.
We decided to have lunch at Jimmy John's, a fast-food restaurant that was referenced on a random Jerry Springer show we happened to catch before leaving for our road trip. Their tag line is that they make "freaky good" food "freaky fast!" I don't know about the "freak factor" but we received our sandwiches quickly enough - we were the only customers at the time - and enjoyed them well enough.
Within twenty minutes of leaving sunny and warm Saint George, I was shocked - and Cathy relieved - that the temperature dropped thirty degrees with an accompanying drizzle as rode higher into the mountains. We took the following picture at a rest stop.
Eventually we arrived at in Richfield, UT, a town sandwiched between two national forests that we could not see due to darkness. The hotel, a Hampton Inn, was fine if not as outstanding as others we had or would visit. My most distinct memory was, as I was unable to deny my dinner hunger, finding out the one casual dining restaurant on our street was closed (at 9:00pm) and having to cross a sparsely lit thoroughfare to the convenience store across the street. After picking up a store-made sandwich, chips and soda for myself, I spotted an "instant" milkshake machine and thought I'd give it a try as a surprise for Cathy. Unfortunately, it took many instances to get the milkshake together as even the staff person that helped me was having issues with this relatively new device. Eventually I did get the shake and, after playing "Frogger" across the street once again, all was well. The next day we were off to...
We specifically chose the Staybridge Suites near the Denver International Airport for our next stay. This hotel ranked up there with the Hampton Inn in Phoenix as being the most comfortable place we stayed during our trip. I also recall the front desk staff being rather friendly as well.
The next morning, we toured a few sights, including a wild goose chase for Mile High Comics, a notable retailer for devoted fans such as yours truly. We would later find out that the location we found on the GPS was actually a distribution center and eventually found a location out in the 'burbs.
As you'll see, the main reason I was looking forward to Denver was to see their unique airport.
 |
Coors Field - Home of Colorado Rockies Baseball Invesco Field at Mile High - Home of Broncos Football  Mile High Comics - Holy Grail to Geeks Everywhere |
While getting ready to depart in the morning, Cathy noticed that we were only 90 miles away from Cheyenne, Wyoming. I had never thought I would ever see Wyoming, let alone on this trip.So we decided to satisfy our curiosity and make a slight detour north.
We happened to stumble upon Cheyenne Frontier Days, possibly the biggest summer event in the city. If you have a hankering to see a rodeo and other things Western, this would be the time and place to do it.
Next stop....North Platte, Nebraska???
States visited:15.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)