Visitreno

[PEB]

Left early Thur. morning, decided on staying three nights since it would be our last trip to the Fitz. Took our usual scenic route so we could enjoy the beautiful Fall colors. Traffic wasn't bad at all, made good time even though we made some pit stops along the way.

Check-in was fast as usual, even though we were early our room was ready, dropped our luggage in the room and headed for a few cold ones at the stage bar, hoping to see our fav bartender. He wasn't there, he was off sick, so we weren't going to be able to say goodbye to him Our fav cocktail waitress wasn't there either, she had already left the Fitz and got a new job at the Pep. Many of the employees have left for new jobs, can't blame them at all, no sense in waiting. Sadly, there were many who haven't had any luck finding new jobs.

After a few drinks we decided to take a walk around town, check out some of the other hotels & casinos. First stop was Harrah's, signed up for their players card, received some pretty beads and some coupons, after a little play on the slots hubby got enough points on his card to get a free dinner at the buffet, so we decided to come back for dinner at Harrah's Carvings. The lady we spoke with at the promotion desk was polite
and thanked us for thnking about making Harrah's our new home away from home.

Walked over to the Brew Bros. (haven't been there since we met John), stayed for one drink and left. We wandered around, checked out places that we might want to have breakfast the next morning (only option at the Fitz was Molly's). Back to the Fitz to play a little on the slots, hubby had some nickles to burn and we found a 5 cent slot that kept paying, spent 2 and 1/2 hours on that machine on one roll of nickles. The cocktail waitress kept us supplied with plenty of drinks, got a good buzz on in no time. Went back to our room to freshen up for supper.

Walked back to Harrah's about 5 pm, found their Carvings Buffet. The food selection was pretty good, noticed that they too, had an egg cook station (good to know should we want breakfast there). The food was good, prime rib we tried was tender, coffee was also very good. Back to the Fitz in hope of them opening a poker table after 6 pm. I took a ride up to the 3rd floor, signs posted said the 3rd floor was closed for renovations. It was so strange to see Limerick's empty, the bar had been cleaned out, chairs upside down on the tables, dark and lifeless. Lord Fitzgeralds Buffet was going to be used for the slot tourney sign up and welcome reception, so there was a little activity in there.

The Lucky Forest had nothing to offer, no free chances to win a little trinket, only two items to be had with your O'lucky Bucks, little flashlights or a Fitz cap. I found it hard to believe that they were still offering $5 for new Fitz card sign-ups, and people were still signing up. Only thing to use your comps on was room, food and drinks. We did take the free $1 each day and kept those for momentos.

Played Texas Hold'em on the main floor, had to wait until after 6 pm for a dealer to open a table, had one good hand during my gaming session. Just after 7 pm, we got a nice surprise, George was there to sing. I left the poker game and let hubby have my seat, went to our room and got my video cam, this trip would be the last time for me to record his Fitz performances. He played until 9 pm, got a chance to talk to him and his wife and found out that he would be singing throughout the weekend, cool.

Decided to turn in early, it had been a long day. We had a mini suite on the 11th floor. I like to watch the live Keno on the tv, checking to see if my lucky numbers were coming up. I noticed that at 11:59 pm that the games were not advancing, strange. I wake up early Fri. morning, turn on the tv to check the Keno, it hasn't moved since the night before, hmmmm. I went down to the front desk to get our tourney envelope
that contained our VIP badges and food vouchers, then went up the the Keno lounge. Can you believe it, it was closed! They had signs that said Sorry, keno closed from midnight to 8 am. We usually sit in the keno lounge and play in the mornings before breakfast, not this time. The reason, not enough employees for the graveyard shift.

Since Molly's was the only place to eat at the Fitz, we opted to go back to Harrah's for breakfast at their buffet, only to find that it didn't open until 8 am. Ok. So we walked over to the Legacy, it too didn't open until 8 am, since we had about 20 min. to kill we went to the promo desk to sign up for their players card and inquire about the rooms there. Hubby found a quarter machine that he liked and played for awhile, no cocktail waitress to be seen anywhere, perhaps it was too early? Had breakfast at the Legacy buffet, "Flavors" (used to be the Victorian), they had an egg cook station there as well. Breakfast was good but the coffee left something to be desired. Back to Fitz.

The Fitz was beginning to fill up, lots of people checking in, the casino was buzzing. Decided to go back to the keno lounge and play some tickets while hubby enjoyed a few bloody mary's. No luck at keno at all, my numbers only came up when I wasn't playing. We walked back to the Lucky Forest to get our free $1 and noticed they had added some cool long-stem Fitz glasses that you could get with your lucky bucks, $3 each so we bought two of those to add to our collection. A little more gaming on the slots and back to our room so hubby could rest awhile, sign up for the slot tourney wasn't until 3 pm.

I left hubby napping and went to get in line for the sign-up at 2:30, was about 8th in line. They had the tables in Lord Fitzgeralds all set in Halloween colors, and they had prepared a small section for food, mostly finger-food, chicken wings, taco rolls, fresh fruit, cakes and pies, etc. At 3 pm, instead of letting us register for the tourney they asked us all to go in and take a table, enjoy some food and drinks, that they would explain in a little while. Well, after sitting there for 30 min., we waited for them to tell
us when we could register, nothing. I noticed people were coming in and registering, so I asked one of the hosts, I was told to "get in line" to sign up, ugh! back in line once again, by the time I got registered and got back to the room it was after 4 pm.

Since we now had our VIP badges we headed downstairs to have a few cold ones, I told my hubby that it was "party time" and that he had to be my designated driver in the elevator..should I need one...lol Made our way to the slots where another waitress kept us supplied with drinks, didn't take long for me to get buzzed. My first slot round wasn't until 7 pm, so we decided to have supper at Molly's. Was surprised that it wasn't too busy, we had expected it to be filled with all the tourney players
there. Had a nice supper, used two of our food vouchers ($15 each voucher).

Saw a few people in costumes for Halloween. My first round was pretty good, had high score and won a $25 Fitz gaming chip (which I cashed in). Back to the main floor for some poker and to listen to the music before calling it a night. Lots of people were talking about the Fitz closing, none were happy at all. One couple said that it is the only reason they come to Reno, with the Fitz gone they will stay home. Some said they were going to write letters to the owners and others said they were going to start a petition to keep the Fitz. A boutique hotel without gaming makes no sense.

Saturday morning had breakfast at Molly's, played some keno before my second round and then took off to do a little shopping at Costco. By the time we returned the casino was really getting crowded. We played some of our fav slots until it was time for my last round at 3 pm, didn't hit any big jackpots but still had fun trying. Had supper at Molly's but what a mess that was, it was packed and they only had two waiters, took over an hour to get our food.

The tourney awards wasn't until 7:30 (at the stage bar) so hubby wanted to play some poker. He got the last available seat so I decided to find a place near the stage and get video of George's show, the last time we'd see him at the Fitz. Was lucky to find a seat, there were so many people!

They announced the winners of the slot tourney and for the Halloween costume contest, once again had to get in a long line at the main cashier's cage to collect our winnings, I won $150. Hubby was still playing poker and it looked like he was doing very well, had a huge stack of chips. After I got my money I decided to sit at the bar with my video cam for the rest of George's show, it was great. People were up dancing, some singing along, everyone having a great time.

Hubby came over just in time for the last couple of songs (it lasted until just after 11 pm), got to thank George for all the years of great music and friendship and we told him we'd come see him wherever he was playing next time we get to Reno. Was time to call it a night so we had one last drink and headed back to our room.

Sunday morning, got up early and packed then went down to Molly's for breakfast. Was quiet in the casino and no big crowd waiting for food. After breakfast we had one last look around the casino, thinking about all the fun we've had there and how much we were going to miss it. I still find it hard to believe that this was the last time we'd stay at the Fitz, was hard to say goodbye, it will be missed.

PEB

[remano]

Thanks for the excellent tr.

By the way, speaking of Fitz players' cards, I noticed earlier this week that the marquee at the Cal Neva was advertising 2 for 1 steak dinners with a Fitz players card. I don't know which restaurant or how long the promotion will last but it seems the Cal Neva is making a pitch to attract former Fitz customers.

[BC Dave]

Hi Peb,

Great report. Hope the petition makes the owners have second thoughts. I'm wondering if the band you're referring to with George, is the same band I saw with Stephan Lord. They sure are talented! I'd go out of my way to catch their music again.

BC Dave

[RenoLady]

thanks for the trip report!

R and I looked for some momentos on our last trip. We couldn't find anything with the Fitz name on it, but the glasses you describe would be nice. I'll have to check them out.

If you hear where George ends up playing, let us know, eh?