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2/7 - 2/18 Trip Report - Including Peppermill Spa

 
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aaron353



Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Feb Mon 23, 2009 5:10 pm    Post subject: 2/7 - 2/18 Trip Report - Including Peppermill Spa Reply with quote

We did so much and the snow around the lake was the best I have ever seen anywhere in 15 years of snowboarding. You couldnt knock the smile off my face with a 2x4 (but the casinos tried their best...I lost $4K).

If you want a really long trip report, I may work up the nerve to post one, but for now I'll type till my fingers hurt. This is a little jumbled, so I noted where I was for each little blurb.

Reno - Buckbean was very cool. The local radio station was there at lunch time the day we went. The Orange (OOBA I think) and the Dark one (the best) were really nice. People were kind and eager to explain. Didnt even feel weird to be drinking before noon..... That place is hard as hell to find though.

Reno - Great Basin Brewery was really cool too. Tried every beer they had. I had had The Sticky Icky the day before at Mt. Rose and didnt know it was a local brew (although I prefer the Alaskan Amber at Mt Rose). They had a dark one there I liked to. Jackpot I think?

Around the Lake - Got in 4 days of boarding. 2/9 at Homewood - FREE FOR MY B-DAY. I'll be back because the staff was so nice. No grooming and EPIC Snow. 2/10 and 2/12 at Mt Rose. I just really like the place and the price was right. 2/14 at Heavenly. It was just that, Heavenly. There were a fair number of evil tourists, but the snow! Life could not have been any better.

South Shore - Got my free B day meal at Lakeside. Their menu has gotten MUCH better. Very good food there.

South Shore - Went to Murphy's, an Irish pub at the Y. Go during happy hour. Overall the food was so-so, but they have fish tacos for $1 and calimari tacos for $1.50. This is a steal since its the same fish from their $15 fish and chips plate. Beers were $2.75 and I had fLat tire.

North Shore - Eye of the Hawk at Syd's Baglery was a Delight. Lanza's Italian was packed on a Tuesday, too bad the food was subpar and overpriced.

RENO - I love the place, but the Poopermill took my wallet on a wild ride. Only place I won was in the poker room. We did complete the Passport, which by the way is well worth it. $20 trick at the front desk got us a Tuscany Suite for 2 nights (my booking was already free). For those of you who dont know, PAY THE MONEY FOR THE UPGRADE. Ate at the steakhouse. It was overpriced, but the BOGO in the coupon/passport book made it worthwhile. My $160 check generated a $40 tip for the waitress. They must BANK at that place. Chi sucked. I wont be back. Biscotti was good and well worth going back for a $15 pp meal if I have a BOGO again. We got everyone to stamp our books 2x (one for me and one for the wife). This was no small feat as the F&B manager is less than polite. They also honored the coupons during Presidents Day weekend (even though the coupon said they would not). Be sure to tip min 20% for superior service.

We spent the $400 for completing the adventure on the High Limit Slots. My rule was win $1000 or lose it all. We never won more than $300 and never cashed a dime.

People asked me about the Peppermill Spa. I only have local Austin Spas and the Palms to compare it to. I thought the Palms was comparable to Peppermill.

At Peppermill, level 1 is a stem room, showers and bathroom, a very clean and new sauna, jacuzzi, and cold plunge. Level 2 is all the treatment rooms with Ipods at every chair. Very private, clean, and new. The wife and I had very nice 80 min massages there (30% off with passport coupon - ttl of $110 pp+ add'l gratuity). Level three is really nice. A CoEd Calderium (a heated pool with fountain - no one in the buff...) and a half dozen cool relaxing chairs that vibrate to the tunes of supplied ipods. They also have a jacuzzi and you can order room service right there. Also on the 3rd floor is the salon where my wife got a manicure and you can buy salon type products.

Overall I liked Peppermill Spa a lot. It was nice to be able to see my wife during my time there. This is not common from what I understand of spas. Also, I felt like I was really glad I went the Peppermill spa close to its opening time. Although the construction materials seemed of high quality and extremely clean (I used to run my own pool business and I know what to look for when it comes to mismanagement/unsanitary conditions), I think this place will get used up and damaged quickly. For example, the carpet is very plush in an area that gets a lot of wet foot traffic. In a year it will look like crap and/or need to be replaced.

My best advice is get there soon. Everthing that is going to be built is operational. See it new.... not used.

Reno - Grand Sierra was not worht going back to. It was okay, but I like Peppermill better.

Reno - Sienna was a dive. I wreaked of smoke after 10 min in there. We left fast.

Reno - Was sad to find that I had missed the FREE BUFFET at El Dorito. Out of Towners get a free buffet on Wednesday.

Reno - Found Pinoccios (cant spell but its the disney character who's nose grows). Great Italian place worth the $15 a person.

I'll tell more later, or feel free to ask me a question. THANKS TO THE BOARD FOR THE GREAT SUGGESTIONS!
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aaron353



Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Feb Tue 24, 2009 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That’s most of my trip. We missed 5-6 restaurants that I keep wanting to try but never have time for. We tried to get to everything at the Peppermill which is the main reason we missed a few other "experiences".

Anyway, my report would not be complete w/o mentioning Fredrick’s in Incline Village. Owner Greg is the barkeep and was super cool. Mixed drinks were nice and sushi was top notch. I'm no millionaire but I do sushi everywhere - from DC to Glasgow, San Fran to Dallas, Paris to Nashville. Maybe I'm proud, but I discount people's opinion of sushi almost instantaneously but it’s so subjective based upon limited experience, bankroll, and palate. Fredrick’s was very solid with fresh fish and some very unique fusion flavors. I have not had sushi like it before. I have had better, but it was solid, fresh, and unique.

It's right next door to Thai Recipe if you know the area. Thursday (when we went) it was 1/2 price sushi all night and the place was full (well, they only have like 10 tables and a copper top bar - and a nice warm fire). Cozy, nice, and now a must on all my future trips to Tahoe.

Be sure to tell Greg Congrats on his new baby girl (his firstborn).
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Feb Wed 25, 2009 9:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting your trip report! Enjoyed it!
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hawk



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 508

PostPosted: Feb Wed 25, 2009 11:17 pm    Post subject: FREE BUFFET at El Dorito. Reply with quote

Aaron, I never heard of this place. Is it in a casino? If not, where?

Buckbean: Sounds like you toured the brewery. Is that right? Can you give me an idea of where it is. I recently had recommended those two beers to someone -- perhaps it was you. I, too, much prefer the darker of the two.

Good report. thanks for writing.
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Feb Thu 26, 2009 9:09 am    Post subject: Re: FREE BUFFET at El Dorito. Reply with quote

hawk wrote:
Aaron, I never heard of this place. Is it in a casino? If not, where?

Buckbean: Sounds like you toured the brewery. Is that right? Can you give me an idea of where it is. I recently had recommended those two beers to someone -- perhaps it was you. I, too, much prefer the darker of the two.

Good report. thanks for writing.


I'm not Aaron but I'll answer your question anyway.

It's a tasting room at the brewery at 1155 S. Rock Blvd. in Sparks. It's just a bit off the freeway at the very far eastern end of Sparks but can be hard to find. Here's more:

http://www.buckbeanbeer.com/
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aaron353



Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Feb Thu 26, 2009 12:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hawk: If you are talking about Fredrick's, it's off the main drag in Incline Village.... North Lake. It's West of Country Club (where the Hyatt is) about 2 miles. If you were comming from Hyatt it'd be on your left. It's an asian fusion restaurant with Incline Village Prices, but its a cool place to take a date and 1/2 price sushi on Thursday is outstanding (1/2 price puts it in the $8 per 6 piece roll range).


Buckbean: It’s a small brewery and not worth say setting aside a whole day or anything. An hour is probably generous. Brewery is in an inconspicuous warehouse building. As remano said, the Rock Blvd address is correct (in writing), but go to the website for a good map. The place is actually NOT LOCATED PHYSICALLY ON ROCK BLVD, but off McCarren. Advance plan because MapQuest and my GPS messed up directions to the place.
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hawk



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 508

PostPosted: Feb Thu 26, 2009 10:54 pm    Post subject: Thanks Aaron and Remano Reply with quote

Just checked out the site. Interesting and tantalizing. I may try to check it out next trip. I love micr0-brews; only beer I will drink actually.
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Mar Mon 02, 2009 10:50 am    Post subject: I'm missing a free buffet??!! Reply with quote

I'm a little late chiming in, but I have to applaud the scope and details of your trip report. This is the kind of thing that elevates our board way above the level of those other, lesser, Reno discussion boards.

I've gotta look up that Eldo-out-of-towner-buffet; If that's the case, I've been missing out!
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ErininSD



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 265

PostPosted: Mar Tue 31, 2009 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great TR!!!

I'm glad you had such an awesome trip and even more glad you posted it on here.

Ok, what's the passport deal at the 'Mill? I just received a pretty sweet offer from them for a comped Florence suite, $300 free play AND a postcard to offer a friend a comped Tuscan suite.

I'm thinking about heading up there in May, but I have a June LV trip planned. I'm not sure the ole bankroll can handle both places.
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aaron353



Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 9

PostPosted: May Fri 08, 2009 12:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry I havent been on here for awhile to update my own post. Anyway Erin, the passport to tuscay (or carnival or whatever) is a little booklet they give you at the players card desk. I could have sworn there was a big posting on this board about it but I am too lazy to look right now. You may want to though as I recall it was the key to me getting hooked up.

Bottom line: The bookelt has buy1get1 free coupons for all the restaurants in Peppermill, and rewards you with freeplay for each time you try a restaurant. If you complete the whole "adventure" (Bimini, boscottis, terrance lounge, chi, stay in a tuscan suite, get a service at the spa) you get $200 in freeplay. each restuarnt/serivce will stamp your passport. Prove you completed the adventure by showing your passport at the players club and they credit your card with the freeplay. Not to sound redundant, but I spent $400 taking myself and my wife around to all the places. They were only supposed to stamp one book, but I politly asked them to do two so they did. I tried to get them to room charge some of the meals so I could get them comped off but they are wise to that (although it never hurts to ask). Anyway, cost $400, freeplay $400, but I lost all the freeplay.

I do have a photo of the Adventures in Tuscany/Carnevale booklet all stamped up (hey I spent my $400 I can be proud - or maybe ashamed) if you want to see it, but I dont think this site allows me to link photos.

Hope thats a good answer (and in time for you!). Always happy to answer your questions Erin - you're always looking so hot and I love your name.....

Thanks for the invite to this board!
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