TR - March 16th-19th MGM Grand

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TR - March 16th-19th MGM Grand

FRIDAY

Flight in from SFO on United went as planned. Checked in at the MGM Airport check-in while Hubby N Friends got bags. I tried the $20 trick ($20 in between my ID and CC). The clerk saw and took them like a pro who knew what the deal was. Unfortunately between March Madness and a Rod Stewart concert at hotel that weekend they were booked. But I do think she would have upgraded our room to a Bungalow suite or better if she could have. She handed me the tip back and proceded to give us the best room available - high floor, strip view, near an elevator. All in all it was well worth the effort - I will definitely give a go again next time we are in town. I thanked her and we were on our way to the hotel. As a group it was much cheaper to take a taxi ($10) so we did.

MGM Pool

Had a good time hanging out with friends over some pina coladas ($10). The waitresses took way too long (although completely understandable given the amount of people). I recommend just getting up and walking over to one of the bars. There one hidden behind the producers pool at the back of the complex that was 20 feet away and empty - doh! It would have been easy and quick just to go there.

CRAFTSTEAK

Had a great meal. The service was excellent and the portions were generous. There was a lot of sharing around the table. The steaks were delicous - had the porterhouse for two and it was my favoraite other than the filet mignon. We also had mushrooms and the potato puree (my favoraite of the sides). The brocolli was also very tasty. The desserts were just okay. The rasberry mojitos we had were some of the best we ever had. All in all it came to about $110 per person - we had some shared appetizers, main course, sides, desserts and wone/drinks.

KA

2nd time seeing it and still enjoyed it. Although it was the late show and I was tottally spent so it was hard to stay awake - especially after such a great dinner.

SATURDAY

Mon Ami Gabi

My fave place to brunch on a sunny day. I love eating here. The food is great and the prices are fair. You also get a great view of the bellagio fountains. It%26#39;s one of the few places that you can go to and see sunlight while you eat at a casino.

We just walked the strip for most of the day and went to the Veneteian and the Wynn. We spent most of the evening at NyNy. It%26#39;s a younger rowdier crowd there which is fun. Had dinner at the food crourt. The deli at NyNy is good - I like the reuben sandwhich.

SUNDAY

QUA SPA

I loved this place. Well worth the $$. Got the fiji ritual which is was awesome. Total pamering. My best friend and I spent 2.5 hours there after our 1 hour tratment just hanging out in all the different rooms. The tea lounge has free hot/cold drinks (water/coffee/tea/fruit juices) as well as pretzels and fruit. I had one of the best showers ever. They take care of any toiletries you think you might need when you get ready to leave. Well worth even just getting a day pass.

Met up with everyone else (glowing!) after the spa at the Hilton for the Start Trek Experience. I%26#39;m a trekkie so I enjoyed it (we also got the tix 1/2 price at the tix 4 tonite booth - which helped). Evreyone (all sci-fi fans) enjoyed it. I couldn%26#39;t do the whole thing though because I get motion sickness very easily so I just hung out in the gift shop after.

We went back to MGM grand for the evening. Ate at the Grand Wok for some sushi- not too overpriced and decent food. I wish they had more variety to their rolls however.

Played craps and had a great time - won big - then lost big. Oh well!

MONDAY

Ate at the MGM Buffet for lunch. I%26#39;m glad we got it for free with our stay because it was not worth it. Not much to write about there - the food wasn%26#39;t very good at all. Next time we are going somewhere else for a buffet.

An uneventful flight back home. Our mission was to show our friends who had never been there a great time and celebrate my husbands 30th birthday/our anniversary - Mission Accomplished! We didn%26#39;t really win all weekend (we had bad start friday and never climbed back). But we still had a great time. Looking forward to our next trip back.

TR - March 16th-19th MGM Grand

thanks for the report!

sorry to hear you didn%26#39;t come out on top on the gambling front, but we can%26#39;t win all the time (ohh, how nice that would be!)

sounds like you enjoyed some yummy meals.

how did you friends enjoy the stay? do you think you%26#39;re created a couple of more vegas-addicts? ;)

Thanks for the TR. I always chuckle when you girls gush about the free drinks and snacks in the spas, not remembering that the cost of those items is built in twice over to what you pay for spa entry and for your spa treatments!

As a friend of mine says, ';If a lady wants to come to my house, take off all her clothes and lie face down on my bed, I will put hot rocks on her back for free. '; :)

Glad you and your friends (hopefully) enjoyed your time at the MGM. Sounds like you ate at some places I like and enjoyed most meals. As much as I love the MGM, I will always agree the buffet is just ok.

Thanks for taking the time to do a TR.

So the best way to get a free upgraded room is $20 between cc and drivers license? I always ask and I usually get a reply that I can upgrade at a cost. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Sooner - it is known around here as ';the $20 trick.'; If you want an entertaining read, put that phrase in the search box ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. It%26#39;s a hotly debated maneuver!

did you use a promo code? if so, was it one that was mailed to you or did you find it online? details please?

Thanks for a great TR,too bad about the 20 buck trick.

I am not a trekki. But have always been curious as to what the ';experience'; is. Can you elaborate?

Answers to various qustions:

Promo code - we did get a promo rate through a casino marketing mailer we received (we had played at MGM before)

Star Trek Experience - its basically 2 ride/shows each about 5-10 minutes plus an exhibit of ';artifacts'; from the show. The ride/show is a virtual ride either with the Kilingons or Borg you get to do both with the price of admission.