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An offer I could not refuse

 
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CaSwede



Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866

PostPosted: Jun Mon 18, 2012 2:04 pm    Post subject: An offer I could not refuse Reply with quote

Last week I spent a couple of nights in Reno. I will try to break this up into two parts- Peppermill and the Grand Sierra Resort.

I got up early to soak my garden and lawn so they would survive the few days without me and water. Left home late in the morning heading to Reno. It was smooth sailing through Sacramento, but a different story up in the mountains. The road construction and lane reduction really slowed things up. It looked far worse for those heading west, I estimate at least a 45 minute slow down in travel time. I decided at that point to not return using I-80, so I drove home via Hwy 88- much better. I finally stopped for the first time at the Donner Summit rest stop- very nicely done and a big improvement over the old one.

My wife and I arrived at the Peppermill and check in was smooth. Heading down to the casino, and my first order of business was to swipe my card for 4 X comps. I then wanted to check out the Biscotti's lounge area, as my last trip I discovered the large selection of prime beers. I looked at the window as we arrived and when I saw the large bottle of Chimay in the upper right corner, one word comes to mind--- Lust. Upon entering there was a big sign - closed Wed and Thurs., although the permanent sign stated they should be open....oh no. I checked with the Tuscany lounge bartender, and he told me business has been slow, so they closed additional days.

We did stick around there playing some video poker. Just as we were getting ready to leave he brings us over some of those free appetizers. They were pretty good and the price was right. However, I seldom eat fried foods, so my tummy was telling me all was not right. However, a few more Blue Moons and Shock Top on tap, and life was all good once again.

It seems that the Peppermill is in some type of retrenchment. Besides the Biscotti disappointment, they had a sign that the coffee shop was closing at 9 PM for maintenance. In addition the cabaret lounge had no bands playing at all. This is a first for me. I remember the day when two bands would play - even during the weekdays.

We had "dinner" at Oceano. The bill came to only $12 for two. My wife had a dinner salad, and I had the California roll (Yum). The free appetizers and beer seemed to demand a light meal.

My offers at the Peppermill have been in a free fall. I used to get 4 nights in the Tuscany tower and $200 in free play. Now, my only offers are for two free weekday nights and $25.00 in "resort credits". I did not even spend that much in my stay. Confused I have heard many others- mostly those that play only video poker (guilty as charged) are getting the same thing happening to them. Anyone else notice this?

At least the paytables are still great at the Peppermill, but between the two of us (mostly me), we lost about $200 due to poor luck. We still had a good time.

Next morning, we did something out of the ordinary. Before heading over to the GSR we drove down So. Virginia and played a round of miniature golf!! I am still not very good at it. Laughing

End of part 1
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Jun Mon 18, 2012 2:47 pm    Post subject: Ca Swede.... Reply with quote

Cool report. Are you planning on going to do the Siena/Eldo/Silver Legacy walkabout?

If you do...see if you can tell ANY changes at Silver Legacy. If they are in the death spiral...it will be tough (at first) to tell when they move machines out. At first it just looks like things are rearranged and with wider aisles.

I'll be there in a couple of weeks....try not to put anyone out of business.
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CaSwede



Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866

PostPosted: Jun Mon 18, 2012 6:54 pm    Post subject: An offer I could not refuse Reply with quote

JD- No I did not go downtown at all. That would have made a good plan for a day #3, but I am home now. I hope you will fill us in on situation in a couple of weeks-- or maybe someone else can fill us in.

Soooo- on to part 2

I had a previous host at another casino that had notified me that he had moved to the GSR. I did nothing, but then he offered me three free nights and free play that was way more than I deserved...... I won't say to protect the innocent, but it was twice of anything I have been offered at any casino.

The GSR has been pouring major $$$ into renovations, and I think it looks great. My room was huge, with a refrigerator, micro wave, coffee maker etc. very nice with great lighting and unusual modern plumbing. I was looking over the room and noticed on the top shelf (my eye level) a pair of used shorts. I am sure the cleaners never saw them, so I thought that I could take them home, wash them and use them. My wife said don't you dare touch them..... I obey. Shocked

We did the walk through, and noticed good things everywhere. The bowling alley, movie theatre, pool and spa were all very nice. This place is huge! They have a good selection of dining options and unlike the Peppermill- live music during the week. Out near the sport book they had a c/w band playing and nearly 100 people line dancing. They had a great three man band playing in the club and a night club with a DJ playing up to date music. The GSR was packed, busy, and a happening place.

My host came by for a back slap and mentioned the dining choices, so at dinner time we went to check them out. The Charlie Palmer steak house was highly recommended by my host, so we looked at a menu. Steaks were about $38+....salad extra, potato extra, vegetables extra and I was not feeling good about this. My wife said no one can cook a steak better than me, so why spend all that money? How right she is!! I looked in and did not see anyone eating, and only one couple eating at the overpriced Italian restaurant next door. We settled on the Mexican place that was more than reasonable in prices and very busy. The food was great.

The gambling was going so-so, but who cares when you have all that free play. I had put a good sum of the free play in my pocket and never had to put any money out of my pocket into a machine for about 6 hours. About 9 PM my wife said "look".....I looked and she had hit a royal flush. She said she was cashing out- not giving me any of that money- and taking the money up to the room and was done for the night. Smart lady, and as a result we brought home a good stack of $100 bills.

I was very impressed with the GSR and as was mentioned on another post, we just don't hear much about this place.
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LilyJDragonfly



Joined: 03 Mar 2009
Posts: 425

PostPosted: Jun Thu 21, 2012 1:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I was looking over the room and noticed on the top shelf (my eye level) a pair of used shorts. I am sure the cleaners never saw them, so I thought that I could take them home, wash them and use them. My wife said don't you dare touch them..... I obey.


Mint. I could very well see The Dog considering the same move in that situation.... and my response exactly mirroring your wife's response.

We're rolling into Reno via Amtrak in about two weeks and might have to stroll over to GSR. How far is it from, say, the Cal-Neva? We'll be without a car this trip....
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BC Dave
Site Admin


Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Jun Thu 21, 2012 3:27 pm    Post subject: Good to hear! Reply with quote

Thanks CaSwede for a report from the big unknown casino. Good to hear you had some luck and that your wife got the video poker grand prize! Nice that you were given an unexpected whack of freeplay. My wife would have forbidden me to take the shorts too - but would find me wearing them a couple of weeks after we got home.

Lily, it's a stroll and a half (X10) to the GSR. Call John he'll give you a ride.
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john
Site Admin


Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Jun Thu 21, 2012 8:41 pm    Post subject: No problem Reply with quote

Listen to BCDave. He knows what he speaks. I'll haul you guys around all you want.
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Jun Fri 22, 2012 5:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lily:

What are the dates for your trip? Private message sent.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Jun Sun 24, 2012 10:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi CaSwede, thanks for the awesome detailed trip report, and glad to see you were able to get an experience in at the GSR. Regarding the restaurants there, I've only tried the buffet, which is awesome, but I've heard that the general consensus with some of the more expensive restaurants is that it's not worth it. And no, it's not just you - the Peppermill is turning all whack - on comps, offers, reservations, wins, the works!

Lily - what are the dates for your upcoming trip? Would love to finally meet you in person! Oh yeah, downtown to the GSR is about a mile, mile and a half tops if you stay right on Second Street. It took me about 45 minutes on Wednesday. Not a bad haul in my book, but I'm always doing crazy stuff like walking from the GSR to the Atlantis! haha

JD - haven't seen any major changes yet at the Silver Legacy, they actually pulled through for me big time when the Pep couldn't on my recent trip this week. All the reports are saying that they're going to continue operations as normal, but you can't help but wonder. If they do wind up folding, I'm going to ask them if I can have their two kiosks of Blazing 7s - those, and the $1 Wheel of Fortunes, are the only two machines I play there.

Thanks again for the report, CaSwede. Oh! On your next miniature golf run, you should check out the course at the Grand Sierra - it just opened, along with their go-kart track, aquatic driving range, bungee jump thing, and all the other amenities they have in their little fun park there. Looks like summer's finally here!

Mammothgambler
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