Las Vegas November 2012 Trip Report Part 3 - Monte Carlo

This is our Second Las Vegas Trip Report Blog 
Although we have been to Las Vegas many times.

 Part 3 Monte Carlo (Cont'd from Aria Part 2 report) - Friday 9^th Nov 2012

Saturday 10^th Nov 2012 - Checking out from Aria and Into the Monte Carlo
   Up late'ish for us, checking out today, did get a late check out for 2pm, so all good, no need to rush around.  Took one hour to check out as there was a mix up with the Bellagio "O" show tickets, we had been charged for another set of tickets for a different night as well as the correct tickets, however the lady at VIP check out was able to sort this for us as she used to work at the box office and was aware of their procedures etc. Apart from this our stay at the Aria was fabulous and we all hope to return, especially if it is free again.

View of Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino from our Aria Room

  Next stop the Monte Carlo - we could see the Monte from the City / Strip View rooms we were just vacating, above.  Luckily for us this is connected by a walk way, so no need for a cab, the line/s for check in were very long, so I decided to investigate the VIP check-in, whilst leaving Lesley and the boys in line. I soon found where it was and flagged up to to the others to come over and join me.

   As we are Gold card members of M'Life, we could check in at the VIP desk, this one has its own little room, serving complimentary wine, coffee, water whenever you like, just pop in and help yourself! The icing on the cake was that there was no line at all and even if there was anyone waiting they have a nice lounge arrangement of sofa and chairs to sprawl out in in style and comfort.

We had a complimentary upgrade to a high strip view, which was nice. The two rooms were adjoining, quite large, and had coffee machine, water etc of which were again complimentary, which is unusual for a hotel on the strip, but a very nice touch. The rooms were okay by the standard of the latest and newest hi-tec rooms at the 5* Aria, but in need of a makeover, but we already knew this before booking. We had stayed at the Monte several years before but they had one of their "Feel Rich" offers and offered us some "Freeplay" and special deals on show tickets as well as complimentary "Buffet" passes covering our whole stay - which were surprisingly very good compared to the number of "TripAdvisor" reviews we had seen?
 
Our rooms were not quite ready, so we left our bags at the bell desk, and hopped on the CAT - i.e. "Bus" to those of you and I from the UK (and CAT stands for Citizens Area Transportation) these are very modern air-conditioned single decker's and the Express Gold only stops at a relatively few stops [The Wynn being one of them] as opposed to "The Deuce" (Double Decker similar to a London Bus - hence the term "Deuce") which can take ages stops at every single stop on the strip. You get your tickets from a machine at the bus stop prior to boarding. down Las Vegas Boulevard (Strip) -  to the Wynn for a few spins and their Champagne Brunch, as we had never done this one before; although we are fans of the Wynn and stayed there a number of times in the past. 

Entrance to Wynn - I am obviously jumping for joy here!

Lesley and I - more composed now

Ollie & Spud our two sons ready to hit the Casino

The Brunch line was long, but we hung on, got a nice table in the raised area, the 
Champagne was good, but the service slow. The food, well I would say this brunch had slipped a bit, would have expected better from the Wynn given the standard we were used to from Steve(Wynn)! 
However, if you are around this area then give it a go, but I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way for it. Mind you, the desserts were good.

 "Wynn Megabucks" Slot Bonus - Wynn Las Vegas

Needed to have a few spins in the Wynn so headed straight for our ritual go on the Megabucks together. We clubbed in and won nicely on the Wynn Megabucks. We straight away had 2 separate hits of approx $26 just before then hitting the Big Wheel Spin Bonus. This gave us 2 Wheel spins with 2 multipliers. So a result, we cashed out and took the profit - after the usual couple of spin-outs. As you can get from the bit of banter near the end of the video - as I was approaching the Megabucks someone else was too but they were undecided which machine to play although I was hovering by the one I felt for...albeit I did leave the choice with him. Anyway when we hit the one off wins quickly followed by the Bonus above he did move on fairly swiftly, so i did feel a little bit for him.

"Forbidden Dragons" Slot Bonus spins - Wynn Las Vegas

   We then individually had a few more spins before heading off back to the Monte to get our rooms. Didn’t lose anything, so again nicely ahead. I hit on the latest WMS slots which I quite like but respect that due to their volatility you need to treat them with due regard as it would be easy to lose quite a bit on these without return, which is why I tend not to play max bet on these, but I find they are great fun to play and have been building on my screen "stopping" skills, as it is possible to look for the bonus symbols appearing and stopping the reel spin in time as opposed to waiting them to just drop in - I picked up this tactic from the "Hotshot's" which I used to play avidly before the arrival of these. However, I do need at least the 1st symbol to lock in (and usually the second too)  and it is not easy.
 
   Back on the CAT to the Monte Carlo, to retrieve bags and collect room keys, we were on the 19^th floor, as stated above, great view of the strip, a comfy room, but not as lush as the Aria. (the check in lady, said she would have liked to upgrade us even more, but it was a Saturday and they did not have any more suite’s available, but to try again in the morning if we wanted to, as some may have freed up by then).
 
   Boys all off to the casino, Lesley decided to take some time out, more Storage Wars and Duck Dynasty.

"Kitty Glitter" slot win - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

 
   Down in the casino we chaps went our separate ways for a few spins. I was given some free play from the Monte, which was going really well until I made a foolish error.  I mistook a $1 machine for a 1 cent machine, this was an extremely silly mistake to make (and breaks my number 1 rule of always checking the machine denomination 1st  and foremost and setting a budget / loss amount each time you approach a slot machine). It was a Kitty Glitter slot, I put in my $130, (my free play of $100 plus some profit),  hit bet max thinking it was 90c, but really it was $90, big difference, but lady luck must have been on my side as it hit for nearly $500, ($495) a bunch of pussy’s and wilds made up the win. Mindful of this close shave and that another of my general rules is to fallback and regroup after a significant win (psychologically I feel that you are more inclined to feel lucky and "up the ante" and play in a much more risky fashion precisely at this point after a nice win - and potentially put it all back in), so I quickly decided to cash out and join Lesley. This was around 10pm.

 "Mayan Riches" free games - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

   Boys arrived back again, they had had a good session, then gone to "The Pub" and propped up the bar,  this place in the Monte has 100’s of beers from around the world. They had also shared flat bread and fries to help soak up the beer. Simon was on double choc stout and Ollie IPA imperial hot box.
 
Sunday 11^th Nov 2012 (Veterans Day).
Went down to VIP services to see if we could get a room change to a suite, which we could but we would have lost the strip view, so decided to stay put, but the lady did give us 4 Complimentary, 2 for 1 buffet vouchers, so a result of sorts. 

Lesley and I had a few spins whilst we waited for the boys to appear, thankfully we did not lose any dollars, just up and down. 

 
Boys appeared, they had obviously had a few cocktails already, (11am). Anyway off we all went to the Bellagio, to the Jasmine for the Champagne Fountain Sunday brunch, we booked the table before leaving the UK, which I do recommend as if you leave it until you arrive in Las Vegas the chances are that it will be fully booked. We had this great corner table with prime view out over the Fountains.

My seafood starters

Food and champagne was delicious – Cavier, crab, oysters, peking duck, steamed pork and shrimp buns, lobster Benedict, crab cakes, short ribs, aged rib eye, peppercorn steak, foie gras, several different salads including a raspberry one, sushi, the list is endless....

My Caviar, Fois Gras, shrimp bun etc.. starter

 ...and then they have a dessert room, chocolate fondue, brownies, truffles, chocolate strawberries, crème brulee, gelato, cakes, dessert heaven. 
 

Great food, (Ollie just about managed to keep his food down as he doesn't usually do Champagne so rinsed his down with Bellini's). We spent around 2 ½ hours eating and drinking, not great for the waistline but was worth it.

 

Wheel Of Fortune $ Slot - Bellagio Las Vegas

Then plan next was to walk over to Planet Hollywood, check out the Miracle Mile shops, but first we wanted a few spins, Lesley wanted to put $25 in her 25 cent Davinci Diamonds, this gave her 5 spins at $5 a go. Ollie went with her, Simon and I went off to check out some of our favourite machines... 

 Super "Jackpot Party" slot win - Bellagio Las Vegas

  After about 15 minutes Ollie appeared saying that Lesley had got a hand pay, but owing to the unlimited champagne Bellini's, he couldn’t remember where she and the slot machine was!

Da Vinci Diamonds - Bellagio - Our very 1st Jackpot Handpay

  Lesley’s account of her win:-  I do like the Davinci Diamonds, fun to play. Anyway I had my $25 ready, first push didn’t give me anything, then the second push, well, I saw the diamond drop, next in the line was a wild, followed by another diamond, then a wild then diamond in a V shape, I knew I had won more than usual, but couldn’t work it out, I said to Ollie I would cash out to see what the ticket said, but next thing the machine came up with hand pay, call attendant $2533.20, wow, I couldn’t believe it, I got the camera out, but couldn’t figure out or see the on off button, Ollie took over and took a few pictures for me, I really should have taken a clip of video, but really wasn’t thinking straight, Ollie said he would go and find the others, it did cross my mind that he would never find his way back. But I was sticking with the machine, an attendant arrived, not having won this amount of cash, I did not have the appropriate (Form 1042-S Foreign Persons Source Income Subject to Withholding) numbers, (TNT) so the casino, would apply for such, to save me paying any tax. She said it would take around 15 minutes... a cocktail waitress came along, but I really didn’t need a drink, so I tried to enjoy the moment. Then another chap arrived with more questions, then the original lady arrived with another lady with papers for me to sign, then the best bit, yes I got paid, in cash, I guess they wanted me to spend it in the Bellagio, but I had other ideas.

Da Vinci Diamonds snap 2 - Cashing out.

So set off to find the chaps, Simon was outside the Jasmine, Vegasnix was looking for me, not sure where Ollie was, VN arrived, he had found the machine, but I had gone, then we saw Ollie - it was a bit keystone kops and quite funny looking back on it.
 
We decided to forget the plan to visit Planet Hollywood, so headed back to the Monte Carlo, to chill and check out the winnings. That was it for Lesley for the day; she stayed in the room watching yes you got it, Storage Wars and Duck Dynasty.

 Platinum Quick Hits slot - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

 Boys went off to get a beer. We did pop out for  short while, went to the Aria, to see if we could take up their comped night offer, but we needed to wait 72 hours between M Life offers, so not a problem. Back to the Monte Carlo, Simon went off to bed, 9pm, Lesley and I hung around for a short while, shared a slice of pizza. 

 Stars & Bars Quick Hits slot win - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

 I went straight off to sleep when we got back to the room, Lesley watched more Storage Wars Ollie had over done the cocktails and needed some food, so he got a subway and a slice of pizza, before bed, needless to it didn't all stay down, in the night!

 
Monday 12^th Nov 2012
Despite the boys having hangovers! We decided to check out the Outlet Center, for a shopping trip, I popped into VIP services to mention the fact that our TV did not display our hotel bill - we usually check to see that any room charges are racking up correctly as it is easier to correct before the day of checkout. It was a fault of some description, they said they would sort if for us. On the way back I realised I had left my room key at the VIP desk, back I went, lady kept it safe for me. 
Back at the rooms, boys very quiet. Simon looking a bit rough. Ollie well I guess slightly better as he had brought up the alcohol, oh what fun.
 

 

 Aladdin "Enchanted Stone" Slot Bonus - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

Off on the CAT to the South Strip mall, we got this from outside Excalibur, arrived at the mall and decided to go our separate ways, so spending less time in the mall, we all knew what we were looking for, it seemed silly to stick together. Simon was not sure he would do any shopping, but would have a look, we arranged to meet back up in around an hour.
 
After around an hour we all appeared in the Levi shop, Ollie had done well, back pack, 2 pairs of sketchers, socks and jeans, Lesley had 2 pairs of trousers, 2 tops, Simon was beginning to come around after the hangover, he got 2 pairs of jeans/trousers, t shirts, he just wanted to pop into Tommy Hilfiger, I brought some pants. We waited for Simon to finish then got the bus back, so we did really well for a short period of time, what a result, the offers were good, I guess because it was Veterans day.

  "Clue" Slot Bonus - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

We dropped off the shopping and decided to check out the 2 for1 buffet in the Monte Carlo, it was very nice, which was surprising as this buffet doesn’t often get the best reviews, (lemon chicken, noodles, pizza, breakfast foods, nice desserts, carving station), we didn’t pig out as we were planning to head down to the Venetian later and get dinner in the Grand Lux.

 "Rapid Strike" slot win - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

 
 

 "Spartacus slot" Bonus - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

After lunch, we all went back to our rooms to check out our purchases from the mall, showered and changed, then caught the CAT down to the Wynn end of the strip. Lesley and Ollie went off to the fashion show mall, (more shopping), Simon and I went to the Palazzo to check out the Casino. 

 *Super Diamonds WOF" slot win spin - Palazzo Las Vegas

Lesley and Ollie appeared fairly early, they had not brought much. All but Ollie lost some dollars in the Palazzo, so decided to check out the Venetian next door. Luck was better in here and we all won some money back, so much better.  

Dinner time so over to the Grand Lux in the Venetian, one of our most favourite places, ordered 3 burger melts and Ollie had the turkey club.

  $WOF 3x4x5 spin win - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

  After food, we were all a little bit on the tired side so back on the bus to the Monte, the boys went off to bed (1am), Lesley and I had a few spins in the high limit room, instant loss, so just before bed put $10 each in the £1 wheel of fortune, got the bonus won $100, so off to bed on a high 1.30am.
 
Tuesday 13^th Nov 2012
   Up around 8am, slowly got ready, met Lesley in the VIP area to sort out a late check out and flight information, plus to mention the TV guest services still not working, etc. 

 "Jackpot Sevens" Free Games Bonus - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

I went down earlier before meeting up for a few warm up spins for the day. This bonus was hit around 10:50 am and got things started nicely even though I am not yet vibrant and fully firing on all cylinders yet.

 "Who Ya Gonna Call" Slot Bonus - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

 I like the Ghostbusters slot, but I didn't capture the full bonus for this as I thought it was going to be too low for a 50c bet (not 40c as said in the vid but you can see the actual amount in the display.

 "Who Ya Gonna Call" Slot Bonus 2 - Monte Carlo Las Vegas
2 more spins on on the same slot machine above (what I refer to as the "spin out" before leaving a machine that has just hit)  I hit this second Bonus on Ghostbusters.
As you can see it was a bit of an anticlimax, but shows how not to pick very well, at least you can see how your choices can affect the outcome on these when you have a go.....
 
  Met up with boys, caught the ace (Express CAT) to the "Downtown" Fremont Street experience, this took around 40minutes, not bad we thought, all but Lesley headed for the Plaza. 

 "Super Times Pay" 3x4x5 Slot - Plaza Las Vegas

   Yes Lesley went shopping, she found some snazzy bangles, so bought 4, one each for her work colleagues as a leaving gift, (redundancy looming for the girls, she will miss them all). 

 "Wild Shootout" Super Big Win - Plaza Downtown Las Vegas

She finally appeared, we had all done okay, so a result, we all ambled over to the Main Street casino, a firm favourite of ours, but never stayed there to date. 

They have a micro brewery, the beer is excellent real ale, so had a few beers (Royal Red) and spins, all beginning to feel the effects of the beer - it is quite strong.  
 

2nd T-Bone for me, as they were melt in your mouth...

  We had planned to eat in the 777, but as it was Tuesday the buffet was doing T Bone Tuesdays, you can eat as many T-Bones as you like, and cooked to order. This along with all the other fare in the buffet, we decided to give it a go and we were not disappointed. My Blue cheese salad is underneath the 2nd of my T-Bones and the Surf with this Turf was some Salmon along with some superb mushrooms and the garlic bread had just come out of the oven. Absolutely and unreservedly recommend you try this out. Amazing value for money.

We usually lose overall in the Main Street, but this time Simon came out up, the rest of us lost a little, so not to bad.

On leaving the saw a film crew filming, so decided to watch for a bit, then asked one of the lighting guys, what was being filmed, he said Hangover 3. So will look out for this, shame we will not be in it, as everyone was asked to move along, but look out for the damaged limo and someone laying on the ground in front of it by the front of the Plaza.

 
Watched the famed light show in Fremont street, then headed back to the bus stop, Fremont is always busy and well worth a trip to see or stay. 

We all got off the bus at the Bellagio, the boys went back to the Monte Carlo, Lesley and I went off around the Miracle Mile shops, Lesley brought a velvet jacket at Chico’s, some face cream, oh and not forgetting the bars of Ethel M chocolate, then we wandered back through the Bellagio to the Monte Carlo. 
 

Last of the plate of complimentary Chocolate covered Strawberries

Dropped of the bags of shopping, TV man arrive to fix TV, all done, followed by a lady with some complimentary chocolate strawberries, with gold dust, very nice. 

 "Spartacus" - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

The boys decided to call it a day, Lesley and I went back down to the casino. Headed for the Spartacus slot and hit a string of "wilds".

 "Three Kings" - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

 After going up and down on a range of slots I hit 3 re-triggers for a total of 57 free games on the "Three Kings". I had seen another one on the other side and after realising I could stop the reels quickly for the bonus spins, I set off to see if I could replicate this bonus win.

 "Three Kings" slot win 2 - Monte Carlo Las Vegas

 The technique worked despite imbibing enough cocktails to knockout a horse. We had a great session, winning a tidy sum on 3 Kings slots, with the free spins re triggering nicely. While we were up again on the day we headed off to bed around 12.30am.
 
Wednesday 14^th Nov 2012
   Up late, met the boys around lunch time, headed to the Pub in the Monte Carlo, this place has hundreds of beers from around the world, had lunch there, Lesley and Simon had mini philly cheese steak and beer battered fries, Ollie had flat bread and fries, I had little boy blue burger and fries, food was just fine, beer also good, although I was not impressed with my Leffe on draft, so would give this a miss next time.

Simon went off to rest and chill, the rest of us, headed over to the New York New York. Lesley and I lost a little, Ollie did okay, then over to the MGM, not too shabby in here, Lesley went off to Walgreens to get some bits and bobs, then we all ended up back at the Monte Carlo.
 
   We went to the 1^st floor to the business center to check in for our flights tomorrow and print boarding passes, well what a palaver, the printer went nuts, after printing 20 pages I looked at the screen, it said printing 30 of 120 pages, so needed to stop, it managed this at page 60! But still only had 3 boarding passes. Changed PC’s and managed to print the last one. 
 
  As it was our last night we decided to check out the Aria again, we all four unanimously like it, Lesley and I lost a bit, Ollie was up $50 on his Video Poker and Simon was even. At around midnight, Lesley, Ollie and I, went to the Lemongrass for a bite.

  






  Ollie had the chicken chow mien, Lesley and I shared a beef Chow Mein and a Fu Young special fried rice, all very nice. Simon did not join us as his gambling was going so well. Off back to the Monte Carlo, a last  few more spins, then off to bed around 1.30am. Simon appeared around 2am, he had played his free play through and cashed out around $80


Thursday 15^th Nov 2012 - The return Journey Home!
   Up around 8am, started to prepare for long journey home. Breaking news on the TV, the factory that make Twinkies are on strike which could be the end of the Twinky - this is serious stuff.

 
 






  
Packed and checked out at the VIP Lounge. Limo arrived on time as usual (Thanks again Presidential Limousines), very nice trip to airport, Wesley again, nice guy, and he brought the Super Stretch when we had only prepaid for the standard stretch Limo. Wesley highlighted this was mainly as he needed to pick up some celebrities from the Airport - something to do with the Grammy Awards, hence the funky lighting and all the trimmings etc.... 

Waving farewell to the Monte as we drive out in the Limo

  We checked in for flight outside to catch the last view of Las Vegas and the mountains, this new International Terminal is much better, more shopping options and more comfortable. 

  Plane was a little late, but it seemed to catch up, so landed in the UK around about the time expected. We had a taxi waiting for us (Simon - very reliable and picks up some soft drinks and bottled water plus selection of news papers and sucky sweets for the journey), this makes the trip home bearable opposed to the train, as this adds another 5 hour road trip to finally get home from the airport in the UK. 

  Well that wraps up this trip report until our next adventure in June 2013, where we will stay 8 nights at the Aria, the next 3 nights will be new for us as we try out the Cosmopolitan for the 1st time, followed by another new experience staying at the New York New York - Complimentary and with some "Freeplay".