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TR - June 27th to July 4th

Newcastle upon...
12 posts
TR - June 27th to July 4th
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Like others, I wasn’t going to write a TR but, seeing as how helpful I found reading about other people’s experiences before I went, hopefully someone may get something useful from my experiences.

Background

This was my first ever trip to Vegas. Reaching the ripe old age of 40 and having never been or indeed never really wanting to go, I was persuaded that it was perhaps time to experience Vegas. Not being a gambler – I don’t even know how to play poker! – I was nervous about going but as it was combined with a week in San Fran and a week in LA, I guess it was going to be now or never.

Getting there

We flew with BA from London and to be fair, they were fantastic. No complaints (well, other than perhaps the cardboard sandwiches), the wine was flowing on request and the 10hr flight although back breaking was without incident. The in-flight entertainment system was pretty good and I got to watch a couple of movies (Paul & Killing Bono) in between a nap and food.

Arrival

Our bags seemed to take ages to come through. You know that nervous feeling when one by one, fellow passengers take their bags and make their exit and there’s still no sight of your bags. Thankfully they all appeared and off we went. The first thing to hit me was the desert heat. Even though it was 9pm, the dry heat whacked you in the face when walking out of the terminal building. It was so lovely to feel the warmth, especially after being cocooned on the plane for so long.

I’d decided to hire a car so, after the obligatory cigarette outside the terminal building, off we went to the car hire shuttle bus. Again, absolutely no problems. The bus was sitting there and quickly filled up and off we went.

Got into the car hire centre and it was chaos. Huge queues for all of the operators. Our car was hired with Alamo and so off we went to join the queue. There was about 25 people in front of us and 2 desks open and serving. One woman was attempting to get people to use the electronic self service machines and so, thinking that it would be quicker, I left the queue to self serve. Big mistake. After numerous unsuccessful attempts, I was told that as it was a pre-paid voucher, I would have to be seen at one of the desks. So, back to the queue (which was now longer). After about an hour and a half, I finally got the car.

So leaving the car hire centre at 11:30pm with the basic instructions to turn right three times to get to the strip.

Got onto the strip at the south end and the traffic was mental. Bumper to bumper from beyond the Mandalay Bay. Not being too sure what lane to be in, I chose to go in the middle lane until I saw something that looked like The Bellagio (our hotel for the next 7 days).

The noise, the people, the lights … man, I was in Vegas!!

Eventually got to The Bellagio’s parking garage and headed into the hotel through the entrance near the conservatory.

What greeted us was hundreds of people milling about in reception. After 15 hrs of travelling it was so overwhelming lugging bags through everyone. I’ve never experienced anything like it in a hotel reception.

There was actually no queue to check in. Walked up to the check in desk and asked if I could have a room with a view of the lake. The lady behind the desk – probably because she could see how bewildered I was – did some checking and said that there was a lake view room available and it would be an extra $60 a night but she would comp it. I couldn’t have asked for more.

Then off we went into the Casino following the signs to the guest elevators. Again, the whole journey to the elevators was a sensory overload. So many people, the lights, the noise..

Got to our room on the 20th floor and collapsed on the wonderful bed.

Now, what to do next….

Nottingham, UK
Level Contributor
1,064 posts
1 review
1. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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Great TR so far :)

Cleveland, Ohio
Level Contributor
328 posts
2. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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OK, now your there....let the fun begin! Waiting for the details......

Newcastle upon...
12 posts
3. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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more to follow tomorrow night :-)

Brisbane
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7,272 posts
85 reviews
83 helpful votes
4. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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Looking forward to reading the next instalment! :-)

Orange, California...
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2,534 posts
38 reviews
21 helpful votes
5. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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Look forward to more. Quite the adventure already getting off the plane and to the B.

Benbrook, Texas
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2,350 posts
149 reviews
61 helpful votes
6. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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Thanks for the TR. It's always exciting stepping off the plane and heading to get your bags and off to the casino...

Columbus, Ohio
Level Contributor
136 posts
9 reviews
7 helpful votes
7. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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waiting for more....come on...

United States
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87,526 posts
25 reviews
83 helpful votes
8. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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Good score with the free upgrade to a lake view room! Looking forward to more.

Eugene, Oregon
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30,824 posts
40 reviews
48 helpful votes
9. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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Great start, waiting for more...since there were 2 of you, one should have stayed in the Alamo line while the other went to the kiosk, that way you would not have lost your place (just advice for others)...an hour and a half wait for a car I would not have been as calm as you sounded. Oh, and we never drive up the Strip, we hop on the 15 (on the left shortly after getting on LVB) and zip up to whatever cross street we need to get to the hotel (in this case Flamingo)...again, not a criticism since your trip is over, just trying to help someone else.

Windsor, Canada
Level Contributor
644 posts
35 reviews
44 helpful votes
10. Re: TR - June 27th to July 4th
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Love reports from newbies!!!

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