Las Vegas
I'm in Sin City for some R&R and family time. I flew out on United Airlines into McCarran International Airport. On this trip, I opted to stay at HGVC at Flamingo. Similar to HGVC at Trump International, the two bedroom configurations are a lockout style meaning that the one bedroom suite is married to a studio via a shared foyer. I thought it interesting that this year, the redemption rates for the Flamingo location is on par with the other non strip hotel locations and Trump/Elara are on higher rates this year. Last year, Flamingo and Trump were reverse. Overall, for a first time stay, I liked the location as I was constantly in Harrah's or Venetian. There is now a walkway between Flamingo and Linq that connects people from the strip to the High Roller. I found it nice and there is an In n Out and Sprinkles Cupcakes and Ice Cream!
My eating expeditions included Fulton Street Food, Guy Fieri's Vegas, Lotus of Siam, Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Ice Cream, Sapporo Revolving Sushi, District One, and Bayside Buffet at Mandalay Bay.
Had a late night munchie attack upon arrival into Vegas. After wandering around and getting some chicken McNuggets at McDonald's, grabbed a tiramisu dessert from the Fulton Street Food Hall inside Harrah's. It is 24 hours but the only thing open was the coffee/pastry station.
We ended up at Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar in Linq Hotel because Hash House A Go Go was an hour wait for breakfast. Despite the mediocre Yelp reviews, I found the food appealing. You can't eat on the strip and expect $15 entrees. I had the turkey burger and actually liked my companion's kobe burger more. The chocolate whiskey cake is da bomb. The cake is more fudgy than cakey but the caramel whiskey sauce with toffee blends well.
Lotus of Siam took over the old Roy's location in Vegas. The original is currently under renovations. It was good someone checked out their website as we were set to head to the original location. My family loves this place. I like the food but it is pricier than home. The restaurant is made for large groups which worked out for dinner.
A friend had a hankering for nachos and we headed to the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery. I enjoyed my raspberry bourbon smash and munched on the nachos and garlic parmesan chicken tenders with fries. The service was friendly and quick. If you like sports, there are plenty of TVs and there is a DJ on weekend nights that isn't too obnoxious.
Sprinkles Cupcakes and Ice Cream is in a nice location now that it is outside near the High Roller attraction. They used to be inside the Linq hotel (if I recall correctly) and I like the bigger location because it includes the ice cream and cupcake ATM. Since this month special ice cream flavor is crème brulee, I made a pit stop for cupcakes AND ice cream. With the timeshare close by, I was able to buy a pint of the ice cream and bring back to enjoy while I ate my red velvet cone with red velvet ice cream.
We ended up at Sapporo's Revolving Sushi because Manta Ramen had a wait and we didn't want to wait for food. We went into the plaza without knowing much but the high Yelp reviews helped us decide to try the food. Luckily, the restaurant was able to accommodate our group immediately for an early brunch. The sushi was good and the garlic ramen is awesome. For a random decision, our group was 2 for 2 in eating out AND we beat the lunch crowd rush! We also made a pit stop at No. 1 Boba for a friend. Their claim to fame is fresh fruit smoothie teas.
After my family had left town, met up with some friends at District One Kitchen & Bar. I think I read "best pho" viral Facebook ads and bookmarked the restaurant. It is a hipster version of traditional Vietnamese restaurants and it is pricier to reflect that trendiness. I did like the food and the ambiance is nice. Not something I am prone to if you know me.
For my final meal, I met up with a colleague at Bayside Buffet at Mandalay Bay for brunch. I wasn't staying at Mandalay Bay but my partner was going to be in Vegas for the rest of the week for work in the hotel. My friend had a BOGO coupon and it was a good deal for reasonable buffet food. On the plus side, there are no lines and the restaurant can handle the flow of people in and out of the buffet area.
For activities, I spent most of the day time hours at the Venetian Hotel pool or the Mandalay Bay Hotel pools. The Venetian is nice because of the size of the main pool. Most of the trendy people head to TAO beach which leaves the pool to more normal people. At Mandalay Bay, I stuck with the wave pool area as the other pools were crowded with children. The wading river was also full of people and floaties. The shop inside Mandalay Pool area sells and inflates floaties to use. Mental note, always bring a round floatie to use in the lazy river. The wave pool is nice because you have a current and it will keep you actively moving in the water. If nothing else, you have to pay attention to people coming at you. In many ways, it reminds me of Waikiki beach without the island feel. The lounge chairs are pretty beaten up at Mandalay Bay, be prepared for that!
My gambling periods were cut rather short as my budget was exhausted within an hour at Harrah's. My friends/family enjoyed themselves at the pai gow and craps tables. I did find it interesting that slot machines have upped their game, more video slot machines and video game like gambling games are the new mix in the casinos. So much lights!
Wandered around Mandalay Bay for the afternoon. I haven't been to this hotel in over a decade. Some things stayed the same (Red Square Restaurant) but the other restaurants were all new to me. I was pleasantly surprised that there is a walkway between Mandalay Bay and Luxor. I don't know if that was always there but I was looking at the hotel shops and I found myself inside Luxor. That's another hotel I haven't been to in over 15 years. Wandered a little around Luxor before heading back to the room.
Had I known that my flight would be four hours delayed, I might have stayed longer in Luxor to check things out. I did receive a flight notification that the flight would be delayed 90 minutes but the airplane ended up with mechanical issues once it landed. You know it is bad when the gate agens calls for a cart of water and snacks for people in the waiting area. On the bright side, I was able to check out the Priority Pass Lounge (The Club at LAS) as well as the United Club. This was the first time I had an occasion to use my Priority Pass membership. I usually opt for the United Club but I was with a friend who was flying a different carrier. My membership allowed for two guests and it worked out for the both of us.
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| HGVC at Flamingo One Bedroom Living Room |
My eating expeditions included Fulton Street Food, Guy Fieri's Vegas, Lotus of Siam, Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Ice Cream, Sapporo Revolving Sushi, District One, and Bayside Buffet at Mandalay Bay.
Had a late night munchie attack upon arrival into Vegas. After wandering around and getting some chicken McNuggets at McDonald's, grabbed a tiramisu dessert from the Fulton Street Food Hall inside Harrah's. It is 24 hours but the only thing open was the coffee/pastry station.
We ended up at Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar in Linq Hotel because Hash House A Go Go was an hour wait for breakfast. Despite the mediocre Yelp reviews, I found the food appealing. You can't eat on the strip and expect $15 entrees. I had the turkey burger and actually liked my companion's kobe burger more. The chocolate whiskey cake is da bomb. The cake is more fudgy than cakey but the caramel whiskey sauce with toffee blends well.
Lotus of Siam took over the old Roy's location in Vegas. The original is currently under renovations. It was good someone checked out their website as we were set to head to the original location. My family loves this place. I like the food but it is pricier than home. The restaurant is made for large groups which worked out for dinner.
A friend had a hankering for nachos and we headed to the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery. I enjoyed my raspberry bourbon smash and munched on the nachos and garlic parmesan chicken tenders with fries. The service was friendly and quick. If you like sports, there are plenty of TVs and there is a DJ on weekend nights that isn't too obnoxious.
Sprinkles Cupcakes and Ice Cream is in a nice location now that it is outside near the High Roller attraction. They used to be inside the Linq hotel (if I recall correctly) and I like the bigger location because it includes the ice cream and cupcake ATM. Since this month special ice cream flavor is crème brulee, I made a pit stop for cupcakes AND ice cream. With the timeshare close by, I was able to buy a pint of the ice cream and bring back to enjoy while I ate my red velvet cone with red velvet ice cream.
We ended up at Sapporo's Revolving Sushi because Manta Ramen had a wait and we didn't want to wait for food. We went into the plaza without knowing much but the high Yelp reviews helped us decide to try the food. Luckily, the restaurant was able to accommodate our group immediately for an early brunch. The sushi was good and the garlic ramen is awesome. For a random decision, our group was 2 for 2 in eating out AND we beat the lunch crowd rush! We also made a pit stop at No. 1 Boba for a friend. Their claim to fame is fresh fruit smoothie teas.
After my family had left town, met up with some friends at District One Kitchen & Bar. I think I read "best pho" viral Facebook ads and bookmarked the restaurant. It is a hipster version of traditional Vietnamese restaurants and it is pricier to reflect that trendiness. I did like the food and the ambiance is nice. Not something I am prone to if you know me.
For my final meal, I met up with a colleague at Bayside Buffet at Mandalay Bay for brunch. I wasn't staying at Mandalay Bay but my partner was going to be in Vegas for the rest of the week for work in the hotel. My friend had a BOGO coupon and it was a good deal for reasonable buffet food. On the plus side, there are no lines and the restaurant can handle the flow of people in and out of the buffet area.
For activities, I spent most of the day time hours at the Venetian Hotel pool or the Mandalay Bay Hotel pools. The Venetian is nice because of the size of the main pool. Most of the trendy people head to TAO beach which leaves the pool to more normal people. At Mandalay Bay, I stuck with the wave pool area as the other pools were crowded with children. The wading river was also full of people and floaties. The shop inside Mandalay Pool area sells and inflates floaties to use. Mental note, always bring a round floatie to use in the lazy river. The wave pool is nice because you have a current and it will keep you actively moving in the water. If nothing else, you have to pay attention to people coming at you. In many ways, it reminds me of Waikiki beach without the island feel. The lounge chairs are pretty beaten up at Mandalay Bay, be prepared for that!
My gambling periods were cut rather short as my budget was exhausted within an hour at Harrah's. My friends/family enjoyed themselves at the pai gow and craps tables. I did find it interesting that slot machines have upped their game, more video slot machines and video game like gambling games are the new mix in the casinos. So much lights!
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| Mandalay Bay Double Room |
Wandered around Mandalay Bay for the afternoon. I haven't been to this hotel in over a decade. Some things stayed the same (Red Square Restaurant) but the other restaurants were all new to me. I was pleasantly surprised that there is a walkway between Mandalay Bay and Luxor. I don't know if that was always there but I was looking at the hotel shops and I found myself inside Luxor. That's another hotel I haven't been to in over 15 years. Wandered a little around Luxor before heading back to the room.
Had I known that my flight would be four hours delayed, I might have stayed longer in Luxor to check things out. I did receive a flight notification that the flight would be delayed 90 minutes but the airplane ended up with mechanical issues once it landed. You know it is bad when the gate agens calls for a cart of water and snacks for people in the waiting area. On the bright side, I was able to check out the Priority Pass Lounge (The Club at LAS) as well as the United Club. This was the first time I had an occasion to use my Priority Pass membership. I usually opt for the United Club but I was with a friend who was flying a different carrier. My membership allowed for two guests and it worked out for the both of us.
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