Our past 3 Vegas vacations have included stays at Harrah’s, and the Total Rewards card has given us a few great comps and deals. This time we decided to try Bally’s, one of the Center Strip locations we’ve never visited, for the 2 free nights they offered, and keep our options open for our 3rd night.
We flew Continental with no problems, as usual, and checked in to Bally’s at McCarran. This is a new feature for the Harrah’s family, and we loved it. No wait time in line, and rooms ready for us at 11 AM! We decided to take advantage of the shuttle for $7 each – about the same amount we would pay for a cab. After waiting for 20 minutes, we were loaded on a mini-bus that took the long way – through the tunnel – and stopped at Caesar’s and Bellagio before going to Bally’s. All in all, took about an hour from the time we landed. Our luggage was stuffed on the bottom of a pile; it’s a good thing there was nothing fragile in them, with the throwing around we saw the driver do. Next time, we’ll just take a cab.
Bally’s was a pleasant surprise. We asked for a North Tower Room, and got one on the 25th floor. The king-size bed was soft and firm in the right proportions, and the room was huge for a standard size room (photos are being posted). The marble bathroom with a full length mirror was the standard better-quality size with good water pressure and “wild fig and ivy” shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. We took advantage of room service twice, once for a late dinner, and once for breakfast. Both times brought a wheeled table elegantly set in white linen with lots of appropriate small-sized condiments in under 30 minutes, and breakfast was accompanied by orchids and the sweetest strawberries I’ve ever tasted.
We had two other meals at Bally’s. The first afternoon, we tried The Big Kitchen Buffet which had delicious prime rib and a wonderful dessert selection, no bargain at $17 each but not too expensive. On our last evening, we stopped at the deli in the shop area across from the sports bar, and had good sandwiches made with Boar’s Head meats %26amp; cheeses for $8 each.
Our favorite meal was the dry-aged sirloin at Gallagher’s. This was the best sirloin either of us carnivores had ever tasted. We had intended to eat here since our first Vegas visit when I took a picture of their meat locker outside the restaurant, where huge chunks of beef are being dry-aged behind glass. The service was impeccable, and even our seat near the open kitchen was a plus, not a minus. (We had, after all, arrived without reservations.)
We made it to the Fremont Street Experience one night, and took in the “America” show as well as one with lots of girls and fire. The best part was watching the other people watching the show, and especially the drunken tourists that danced to “God Bless America.” The casinos there proved to us that they are looser, especially the new Wheel of Fortune game where we literally sat down and two spins later were $500 richer! That paid for our food %26amp; shopping indulgences for the week.
We ended up staying our third night at Bally’s, having enjoyed the previous two nights and in no mood to move. The pool there was closed, but we used the Paris pool next door, large and shallow, but deep enough for lap swimming and conducive to lazing around the edges in the shade of the Eiffel Tower with a fruity frozen drink in hand.
We still haven’t made it out to Hoover Dam or anyplace else on the “must drive there” list. Once again, we’re saying, “That’ll be the next trip!”
Trip Report %26ndash; 11/6-11/9 %26ndash; Bally%26rsquo;sNice... and for all you kiddies out there - let that be a lesson to you. Cab it, Cab it Cab it.
Trip Report %26ndash; 11/6-11/9 %26ndash; Bally%26rsquo;sSounds like you had a grand time... and all this talk of Bally%26#39;s makes me think I better return there again soon. My upcoming trip will be Flamingo, but after that I think I am going to have to give Bally%26#39;s another go. Its just an overall pleasant place to be.
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