I'm not here to write a guide to visiting Las Vegas, I'm just here to share our holiday photos and experiences. Our last visit here was 2010, I think this was our 7th or 8th trip to Vegas. This trip also involved a visit with my cousin, our last meeting was 2007.
Christmas dinner on the plane with Virgin. I didn't select the Gluten Free option, I just ate around the wheat. Gluten Free dining in Las Vegas wasn't an easy option.
We stayed in a Castle. Our 3 year old Grandson was impressed.
The long corridors always remind me of Alice in Wonderland.
Our Hotel room, very basic and no tea/coffee facilities or fridge.
It added considerably to the cost of our stay having to purchase all hot drinks from Starbucks in the casino and was inconvenient having to get dressed at 7am to get tea or coffee.
We're used to having Christmas in the sun having lived in South Africa and Dubai, but don't be fooled, it was still winter. Warmer than the UK in the day and dry, but not hot and we still needed coats in the day.
We did go swimming in the outdoor pools, not too bad getting in, but getting out was a challenge.
Christmas Day was very quiet in Las Vegas, we had chicken salad from Walgreens in a pot on the street for lunch.
We had fries and milkshake for dinner. There was an offer of an alcoholic shot with the milkshake.
I had expected a bit more with the Christmas decorations, don't get me wrong they were spectacular, guess I was just spoilt after living in Dubai.
However, there are so many indoor and outdoor lights in Vegas, it's pretty much Christmas all year round anyway.
The casinos are brightly lit and melodic.
The Strip looks so pretty at night.
Everywhere was lit up.
There was so much to see and do in Vegas without having to spend a penny. All our spending was on food and drink and taxi's too and from the airport and an evening out where the bus didn't run too. Other wise we covered the strip and downtown on foot walking 10 miles most days.
Fountain show at The Bellagio. Typical the bus stopped right in front of the hotel.
Visiting movie sets. Caesar's Palace and Oceans 11 etc.
A trip to Paris.
Venice.
Egypt.
Not much had changed in Vegas since our last visit
Fremont Street felt more upbeat and busier than before with more activities.
We only saw one Elvis on this visit.
We popped into Pawn Stars.
We saw a magic show.
Got to love a good wonky building.
Whilst these signs are everywhere, Vegas stank of weed.
Can't get used to this mandatory tipping, in some cases it was just added to the bill or you couldn't move past until you'd selected the percentage. Sales tax in Nevada wasn't added until you reached the till either, so there was also a change with the price advertised and the price paid.
Whilst it started off quiet in Vegas with Christmas, by New Year it was absolutely packed and we said our goodbyes and flew home.
I'm not sure how many people were in vegas on New Year but I'm guessing they do this for a very good reason.
The highlight of our trip was the 3 days we spent with my cousin, her friend and our 3 year old 2nd cousin, who we got to meet for the first time.
Fab photos! It sounds like a great trip!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of the hotel, I am impressed by the castle too. That's a shame there was no tea or coffee facilities in your room. It's something I would expect from a hotel.
I get what you mean, I always think of Las Vegas being lit up all year with all the lights. The casinos and Strip shows them.
How lovely you got to meet up with your cousin.
Christmas lights all year in Vegas. I did think there might have been a few more decorations out in the streets though, our hotel didn't really do much to say it was Christmas other than a tree and a few wreaths.
DeleteWe haven't been to Vegas for a good few years (probably the 2010s?) but lots looks familiar, I guess 'if it ain't broke then don't fix it' is the approach. I imagine it'd be heaving in New Year and I think I'd be out of there by then too! #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteIt was 2010 when we were there last also. I wouldn't have minded staying over New Year but further outside the Strip to look back in at the fireworks.
DeleteGreat photos, Suzanne. Yes, in the US, sales tax, which varies across the country, is added to the subtotal automatically and you are expected to write in the amount you'd like to tip, typically 18-20%, more for outstanding service, of the pre-sales-tax subtotal. Servers are paid a low wage and rely on the tips to make a decent income. Some people here don't like the tipping system, but that's the way it is.
ReplyDeleteWe're used to the tipping culture as we lived in South Africa, it was just how it was automatically added to the bill that annoyed us
DeleteChristmas already seems a while ago now looks like you had a great one
ReplyDeleteIt does feel so long ago now
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