final thoughts on las vegas

view from UM headquarters in LV

With last week’s Las Vegas adventure sadly behind me, I thought I’d share a few final thoughts on the experience.

Use the monorail. 

Especially with this summer’s discounted fare ($9 gets you an all day unlimited pass), there’s no cheaper (or FASTER!) way to travel the strip, from Sahara on the north all the way to MGM on the south. 

Props to Treasure Island, aka “TI” (our hotel).

They started the trip off right with a free upgrade to our room due to having an unexpected third traveller joining in the fun.

Cabana service cannot be beat. 

Even at TI’s woefully tiny pool, there is nothing more relaxing than a day spent at a palm tree shaded cabana. Think sofas, stocked refridgerator, plenty of booze (they requested we not bring glass or outside alcohol in, but filling plastic water bottles with flavored vodkas proved an effective rouse), and a gorgeous tattoo covered waitress serving our, ahem, needs. 

Fuck 6:5 Blackjack. 

Seriously, look at the placard on the table (and the felt itself) to make sure you’re not getting scammed with a game like this.  It completely eliminates any advantage you may have, even with card counting.  Single deck games are notorious for having this castrated 6:5 pay out.  Don’t fall for it.

Massive thanks to MGM Mirage for their hospitality and professionalism. 

After enjoying sushi with Greg at Grand Wok in MGM Grand, I discovered to my horror that I was missing both my digital camera AND sunglasses.  I visited the concierge and explained my plight.  She dutifully called TI (another MGM property) and asked if anything had been found.  To my utter surprise and DELIGHT, housekeeping had turned in the camera, sunglasses, AND a bracelet I didn’t even realized I’d left.  We returned to TI to pick up my stuff without incident.  Customer service like this is a rarity, and they are to be commended.  I will definitely give MGM Mirage more of my hotel business in the future.

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