Visitreno Forum Index Visitreno
Visitreno.com's message board
There's a lot of information on the
MAIN SITE
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Reno Trip Report 6/13 - 6/15

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Visitreno Forum Index -> Trip Reports
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Jul Fri 18, 2008 12:19 am    Post subject: Reno Trip Report 6/13 - 6/15 Reply with quote

Here's a recap from my Reno trip, Fri-Sun June 13-15. Sorry for the delay in posting, our wifi signal got blocked again so I just had to resort to getting a satellite broadband internet set up here. Another non-moneymaker for the most part, although one of my Double Ten Times Pay machines gave me a small win, and still had a blast.

I started out from Mammoth on Friday the 13th (I was wondering if it would or wouldn't be a good idea to gamble on this day, didn't win squat so I guess I should've waited!) Picked up a brand new Dodge Caliber at the rental car place here in town and I was on my way. Smooth ride and no traffic for the most part, but when I crossed over into Nevada passing the Topaz Lodge, I got three voicemails from the rental car place who was trying really hard to track me down. Apparently they had left the keys to another rental car in the glovebox of the car I was driving and were frantic to get them back. They had already closed by the time I got back to them so I didn't think much of it.

Once I pulled into Reno, my first stop was the Atlantis. I never got a chance to redeem my free nights on the offer they sent a few months back but I had $20 of slot play on my card so I stopped in for a bit. The free play, along with about $75 cash, went in a really short period of time playing dollars. Not one payback at all. The Sky Terrace was pretty crowded and it's definitely a cool place to walk through, even if only going to the parking lot. I might give the sushi bar a try next visit.

From the Atlantis, I went a few blocks up the road to the Peppermill. Since I got skunked on my last trip and still wanted to see the old-skool rooms one last time before the remodel of the Peppermill Tower is complete, I was able to get into an Imperial Suite for Friday night. The first thing that popped into my mind was that I didn't want to deal with the idiots at the front desk. I wasn't sure if it had been there in the past or not, but I spotted an express check-in kiosk right by the doors, so I walked up to it and gave it a try. Not even ten seconds later, a receipt came out with a key and the room number printed on it. Really simple so now I know how I'll be checking in there in the future until I can check in through VIP.

Since every one of my past stays has been on the third or fourth floor at the Pep, I was really surprised this trip...I got hooked up on the 16th floor, room 1602. And that wasn't all. When I walked in, I realized it wasn't an Imperial Suite, but that I had been bumped up to a Luxury Suite. Guess it makes up for that cruddy tower room and bad service I had last trip which I did speak up about on my customer comment card, so maybe it was that, or maybe I just lucked out.

This place was totally decked out, just like the pics on their website, only it had a black color scheme instead of forest green. The bar and sectional sofa were huge, and I think this one beat out all the other room types as far as the number of mirrors. After a few Vodka & Red Bulls the whole bar area was kind of hard to deal with - too many mirrors and a TV in the wall in the middle of it all. My friends were watching a snowboard video and what we got in the end were 12 screens thanks to those mirrors! There was a really nice liquor cabinet in the foyer and lots of the Pep's signature fake plants and trees throughout the place. As if the silver wallpaper in the Imperial Suites on past visits didn't remind me enough of mom's kitchen growing up, this place was decked out with the same wallpaper, only it was gold - ghetto fabulous!











On to the other side. The only drawback I saw was that the hot tub had been replaced with a newer one, wasn't quite as big as the original black ones, and they skipped the waterfall and light in it too. Still worked great though. What was cool was that the steam shower was double-sized in comparison to those in the Pep's other suites and still ran really well. The toilet was in a separate room that had yet another type of old-skool 70's wallpaper. There was also an electronic safe and the refrigerator had an icemaker, two things I haven't seen in any of the other suites yet.























This suite had floor to ceiling windows and had an awesome view of downtown and Virginia Street. I took a night photo of the view with the "special effects" setting set on my camera and it actually came out pretty cool, with the room lights reflecting off the top. Couldn't have asked for a better view, or upgrade for that matter.





After hanging out with my friends for a while and getting a good vodka buzz going, it was down to the casino. This trip, I decided to save all my comps (ie not use them towards the room or food, just save them) and see if I can start moving forward again with my point balances since they still seem to be going backwards. Another awesome thing about the suite was that it was the closest door in the corridor to the elevators, which drop down into my favorite dollar area in the casino. I really couldn't have gotten a better set-up. Here's a video clip.



After a couple of hours of being up and down, I was out about $200 so I decided to stop by the Sports Bar for a hot dog and call it a night. My lucky Double Ten Times Pay machine (the three coin model) gave me a $150 payout after hitting a 10x Pay symbol and a cherry, but it was pretty much played back over the course of the night.

Next morning, woke up and snapped a few more photos of the view, and I was on my way to downtown. Even though I didn't win much this was another awesome stay at the Peppermill. I didn't hit any noise or construction at any time so I'm guessing that's going on elsewhere on the lower floors. I hit the Coffee Shop on the way out and got a really good prime rib sandwich and hash browns, everything was great and it's always good seeing the same people working in there every visit. It looks like Saucy's Smokehouse was still under construction so I really didn't get a good view. I did find out that right now they have about about 3-5 floors of the tower rooms remodeled and they appear to be selling them in limited quantities/availability on their site. You can definitely see the transition taking place, I noticed everything has the new Peppermill logo (soap, stationery, brochures, do not disturb sign, etc.) They have also added in-room wifi internet access in addition to their standard high speed. I actually bumped into a few others that were also sorry to see the old decor going. I'd still like to snag a couple of those table lamps and velour chairs for the house...and hey, at least they're keeping the casino intact.

From the Peppermill, next stop was downtown. First thing I noticed pulling in was that there was some type of car show going on, and the area between Cal-Neva and the Silver Legacy was roped off. I received a random offer in the mail from Circus Circus which included 2 free nights (Friday & Saturday included), $10 food credit, $20 slot play, $10 in plays on the midway and coupon book at check-in. It was only around 11 am when I got there so I figured I'd have to wait awhile, but I noticed the signs everywhere that said "Check In As Early As 8 AM" so went on to the front desk. Fortunately, there's a VIP line for comped guests so I was able to jump to the front and get checked right in. I received a king room on the fifth floor of the North Tower and it was surprisingly nice. I had only been to the Circus Circus in Vegas a few times and wasn't impressed, and was only here once back in March and also a few years ago for a short time. I got a good view of one of the circus tents, "the ball" and the towers of the Silver Legacy. The layout of the room reminded me of one of the newer Super 8's, really not too done up but way more than adequate. I think the elevators are pumped with some kind of air freshener because they reeked like coconuts, it really took a while to wear off you.











Another video clip:



I decided to go downstairs to get my One Club card and all my free offers. When I located the dollar area, I found a 3 coin machine called Home Run. It's one of the Triple Play series with the jokers that act as a wild symbol and it had been years since I had seen one and always remembered they pay off well in small increments, lots of $30s and $50s every third spin or so. I was able to stay on this one for over an hour and raked in about $225. Looking back at it all now, I probably should've just played that machine for the rest of my trip, it was the ONLY one I had any luck on, besides the Double Ten Times Pay at the Pep. I saw a man later on that evening get two doubles and a triple diamond on one of the other machines but that was about it.

After I left the Home Run machine, it was off to the Fitz. By this time, the car event outside had turned into a street party and the band was playing right outside the Fitz's front doors. Pretty good show, just didn't know who was playing. I renewed my membership at the Fitz and got the updated card. Spent most of the time in the Lucky Lane dollar area but didn't win anything. By the time I left, it looked like I had accumulated about $75 O'Lucky Bucks...does anyone know if those can be used towards rooms/food in the future and if they are actually a $75 value? I had heard the comps were pretty good here.

Next stop was the Eldorado. Saw the line at the Player's Club and it was very long, so I decided to stop back later.

In and out of the Silver Legacy in about 45 minutes, down another $100 and still no luck anywhere. Didn't have any particular plan as to where I was going, mainly just wandering around and updating all my players club cards downtown.

Stopped in Shooters for another Red Bull and Vodka, but surprisingly enough, the place was dead. No entertaining characters around! Maybe next time.

By this time, it was about 9:30 so I decided to head back down to the Pep. I was able to play Peppermillions 3 times throughout this trip but didn't get anything decent. Does anyone know if they give you a time limit for spelling out "Peppermillions?" Right now I only have the "millions" part and some of the tickets are from winter and others from spring. Left about another hour later without any luck. Really didn't see anyone winning at the Pep this trip, there always seems to be one or two.

Next morning, I checked out of Circus Circus and rode by the Sands Regency. Like the case usually is, the line to the Bonus Beach Club was snaking way out the door, so I passed up getting my card updated. I still have a tremendous amount of points to redeem at Terrible's in LV and was wondering if their system was updated yet where you can use your points at any of their casinos? It appears that the area between the Sands and Virginia St. has cleaned up slightly and they might even be remodeling one of those little motels. Stopped at a few car lots on the way out of town, still in the market for a 4WD and except for an overpriced Toyota 4Runner, really didn't see anything decent. Good thing the snow's still a few months away so I'm really not in a hurry to decide.

On the way back to Mammoth, I decided to stop into the Casino Fandango in Carson City. I hadn't been in yet and just wanted to pop in to check it out. I was pretty blown away that it's decked out almost identical to the Peppermill. Dropped a $5 bill in a quarter Wheel of Fortune, got the bonus spin after a few minutes, and wound up about $15 ahead.

Great trip overall, even though I left down (just over $600 but hey that's all part of the fun right?) Planning another trip soon and I'm anxious to see if I get any more offers. Still didn't get a chance to try an Awful Awful burger. Maybe next trip.

Mammothgambler
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Jul Fri 18, 2008 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

WOW! Quite the report! You are becoming a pro at this. Enjoyed all the pics. I sure will be sad to see the old rooms go...... Pretty cool that you got an even better suite. Congrats! It looks like the tub is the same one that they have in the Tuscan Suites.

I believe you can use all of the comp $$ you earn at the Fitz towards rooms and food. I am sure someone like RenoLady could tell you better then i, but i am pretty sure.

Looks like you had a good time, even though you did not come home a winner. As we all know, they can't always be winning trips. At least you had fun!

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
garyandsharon



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 75

PostPosted: Jul Fri 18, 2008 1:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We were wondering how you were doing. Hadn't seen you post in quite awhile.

Good report! Wish you had had better winning hits. We are heading to the Pep end of August. Of course it will be the tower. Don't think it will be a suite. What a nice piece of real estate.

Sounds like you have gotten to know the area and are well versed in the dos and dont's.

Snow is only a few months away.
Happy Gambling
Gary and Sharon
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Jul Sat 19, 2008 8:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great report. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
CaSwede



Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866

PostPosted: Jul Sat 19, 2008 1:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the show and tell-- trip report. I just got back, and you inspired me to write a report.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ryder



Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 222

PostPosted: Jul Mon 21, 2008 10:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great Trip report Mammoth.

My favorite room in the old tower is 1601 (right across the hall) same type of room (luxury suite), which I have had probably 4-5 times now......only one connecting wall to a neighbor and extremely close to the casino elevators

Surprised to see that the suites on the penthouse floor (16th) have not all been remodeled yet. Heading there myself on the 4th, and like you I hope to get one of the older suites one last time.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Jul Mon 21, 2008 12:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wow a kiosk is preferable to a human at Pep's front desk. The hotel mgr should know that.....

I was told that Pep and Fandango had the same builder, explains the similarities! did you play around the water or volcano feature?

$75 O'lucky dollars is a lot of play! It takes us 3 days for us to do that, are you sure it's not $7.50? Either way, the points are easy to use. At check-out they will use whatever you want. $50 in points, the rest in cash, no problem. The restaurants scan them like a cc. Just don't use them for a buffet, they do it dollar for dollar AT the buffet, but if you get a voucher at the player's club beforehand, it's only 4-6 dollars (used to be 4, but I think it went up since we've been there).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Visitreno Forum Index -> Trip Reports All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group