Traveling in 2009

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound Hey, who says travel has to be expensive? But I've got to find something to do when I get there, not wanting to do any gambling.

Are you kidding?!?

Get a recent Vegas guidebook and just go from casino to casino watching all the freebies. I'm referring to the freebies put on by the businesses, not the various personalities that REW has already mentioned...

Sitting in lobbies between the casino and the check-in elevators is particularly enlightening, especially when someone chooses to gamble "for just a minute" before they check in.

It's also particularly entertaining to sign up for the various free "how to gamble" classes, including blackjack & poker. Again, your fellow travelers will affirm your faith in humanity's ability to survive against all odds, no matter how disadvantaged some members continue to appear.

[FUEGO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 Actually, I usually just bring an empty water bottle through security and then fill it at a water fountain before I board the plane. And bring you own peanuts or whatever.

Hmm... I considered this and didn't know you could do that. Never had any TSA challenges over potential for filling your water bottle with explosives after the security checkpoint?

I just may do this. What has the world come to? Smuggling empty water bottles through airport security!!??

[brewer12345]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUEGO Hmm... I considered this and didn't know you could do that. Never had any TSA challenges over potential for filling your water bottle with explosives after the security checkpoint? I just may do this. What has the world come to? Smuggling empty water bottles through airport security!!??

They don't care about empty bottles, just full ones. Theoretically there is nothing you could buy or scavenge past the security checkpoint that is dangerous.

[FUEGO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 They don't care about empty bottles, just full ones. Theoretically there is nothing you could buy or scavenge past the security checkpoint that is dangerous.

Interesting. I'm going to definitely try this.

If I end up in Gitmo for smuggling an empty water bottle through security, can you send someone to spring me free?

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUEGO If I end up in Gitmo for smuggling an empty water bottle through security...

Don't sweat it. Gitmo is moving to Australia - so when they hang you from your ankles you'll actually be right side up.

[FUEGO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Don't sweat it. Gitmo is moving to Australia - so when they hang you from your ankles you'll actually be right side up.

The torture in the relocated Gitmo is sure to be bad enough. But geez, think about how horrible that flight must be. What, like 20 hours or something??!! I think that might infringe on my 8th amendment rights. Do you think they'll have free water on the con air flight to australia?

Anyone else notice the irony of moving a prison camp to Australia, a former prison colony?

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUEGO Anyone else notice the irony of moving a prison camp to Australia, a former prison colony?

Like the Star Trek episode/movie where Khan's craft was named the "Botany Bay"?

[martyb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziggy29 Not $3.99, but there are still some pretty cheap buffets off the strip. I think there were some pretty cheap ones in the downtown Vegas area (Fremont Street). The buffets on the strip are, for the most part, considerably more expensive, especially at the fancier and newer casinos.

The Fremont Hotel used to have a butt-kicking seafood buffet for an excellent price once a week, I almost had to be wheelbarrowed out of there a few times...but that's been a heckuva long time ago. Think 1996, so I can't say for sure if it existsanymore. Biggest pile of pre-peeled shrimp I think I ever saw! I just realized how long it's been since I've been to Vegas, I'm thinking it's time for a return engagement!

[utrecht]

Ive never stayed at Harrahs. Im not sure Ive even been inside so I cant really comment. My impression of it from other people is that it should be fine.

Personally I like the hotels with a theme...ala NYNY which looks just like a NY neighborhood inside, or Paris which looks like....well you get the idea.

Im not sure if Harrahs has a theme or what it would be.

[NW-Bound]

I would stay in a cheaper place, provided it is reasonably clean, then walk to a thematic place for dinner. Best of both worlds.

[clifp]

I am getting bombarded by Harrah's for deals on their properties. Typically for the lower end Harrah's properties (Bally's, Harrah's, Imperial Palace) midweek prices are running from Free to $50 and weekend around $100-$125. Definitely some good deals.

[Independent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345 Actually, I usually just bring an empty water bottle through security and then fill it at a water fountain before I board the plane. And bring you own peanuts or whatever.

My wife was delighted when she figured out that she could do this. It's never been a problem.

[tjon72]

Harrahs is a great place to stay , strategically located, good choice. Tha Fremont (downtown) does still have the seafood buffet, not sure on the price but plenty of good eatin, enjoy !!!!!!!!!!

[FUEGO]

Just to update the thread a bit: We stayed 4 nights at Harrah's on the Strip. We had a basic room, but it was really nice and exceeded expectations. I think it was $140 for 4 nights including a Saturday and Sunday night. Very convenient location right in the middle of the strip. Fairly easy walking distance to almost all the strip properties. We had a car but found it easier/quicker to go around the strip on foot. We even left the car somewhere else (at Paris), then walked past our hotel to TI to catch the pirate show, then went back to Harrah's to relax a bit in the room, then walked back to Paris to get our car later.

Travel remains pretty cheap. Last night we booked another trip to Las Vegas for May. $600 total for two with non-stop airfares on Southwest from the east coast, and 4 nights (Saturday-Wednesday) at the Imperial Palace. Also included are some complimentary tours and free lunches (though these may be timeshare deals - not sure yet). From what I hear Imperial Palace, located middle strip right next to Harrah's, is an older property and rooms are fairly basic. But we didn't spend more than 8-9 hours in our room each day before, most of which we were sleeping, so our requirements for a room are pretty low.

For September, we have booked a week at a 4 bedroom oceanfront house on the beach near Wilmington, North Carolina for $600 plus taxes/fees.

We are also planning a week-long trip to Mexico or Central America later in 2009 or maybe early 2010. Mexico is the front runner right now. The dollar is buying almost 15 pesos, up from 10-11 a year or two ago. This may morph into a trip to Europe if the euro drops sharply against the dollar in the next six months.

After that, I will have officially exhausted my 16 days of annual vacation time.

Good times, good times!

[HFWR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUEGO Fairly easy walking distance to almost all the strip properties.

But was it close to the strip joints?

[FUEGO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR But was it close to the strip joints?

Well, it is Vegas, so probably.

[Vincent Brannigan]

We normally stay in the New Jersey Secaucus/ Meadowlands area and take the express bus into the Port authority. Holiday inn Crown plaza is particularly nice

Vince

[newlife06]

I have stayed at the Monte Carlo and we (at the time were late 40's) loved it. Recently stayed at the Luxor and hated it.