SLS Grand Opening Night and Room Photos!

SLS opened to the public at midnight on August 23rd, 2014! Photo below with the fireworks is from their page on Facebook.

Video of SLS Fireworks before they opened their doors to the public, courtesy of my friend SDguy1234! Ignore their comments about me, they were just bitter they didn't get VIP access. ;)

I was excited to cross off my bucket list a casino opening when we found out that my friend Gwen's Vegas birthday trip coincided with SLS's opening! Gwen arranged for our group (Barb, Ger, Teresa, myself, Terri,  Gator, Gwen and her Mom) to go in style in two Wynn Limos and thanks to her contact with a SLS casino host had arranged for the limos to let us off in the VIP entrance area and for us to enter 20 minutes before they opened their doors to the general public.

Even with the Casino VIP parking pass it was disorganized. SLS employees waved our limos around in what seemed to be circles even though Gwen had been given instructions for them to use the Paradise Entrance. However eventually we were cleared to go and were able to enter via a side door entrance.

As we walked to the casino area we passed some bars and a couple restaurants.

My first impression is that it's dark in the casino, much darker for example then Aria was when it first opened.

It wasn't crowded yet as most of the VIPS from the fancy dinner event we weren't invited to had either left or gone elsewhere on the property. There were a few people lined up to get "The Code" players card and others were having drinks at bars or standing around waiting to enter the casino.

I had signed up online to speed up the process of getting my player's card so of course I was the only one in our group that got the problem machine with the staff not knowing what to do and while the rest of our group received their player's card quickly I was last and just barely made it to them before midnight.

The sign in various locations warning us from trying to enter the casino early.

After the fireworks and the doors opening to the public.  I had other friends (Sdguy, Dproxima, and Brent) that were waiting outside with the crowds but the line was too long and they were only letting in so many people at a time so they went on to the Stratosphere to return later when the lines had died down a bit. They later told me when they did get inside to explore SLS they also weren't impressed.

Summer of Birthdays Part Two-my birthday at Palazzo and Wynn-Summer Grazie Gift Show!

Part two of the Summer of Birthdays is about my birthday trip in July with my Mom and husband Randy. Mom came in from Fort Lauderdale and we both arrived on Thursday, July 10th and stayed at Palazzo for the first three nights. My husband Randy arrive on Saturday our last day at Palazzo before we switched to Wynn for the final two nights of the trip.

If you haven't read part one, Liz's birthday trip it's at this link:

http://www.lasvegasdaze.com/2014/08/summer-of-vegas-birthdays-trip-report.html

The cute graphic above was made by Sugar and posted on the Slot Fanatics message board for me.  I liked it so much I couldn't resist adding it to my trip report. Thanks Sugar!

To ensure I arrived before my Mom's flight I had to take a early morning flight out at 6:30am. Of course being me I arrived at the airport for my flight a bit earlier then I should have and ended up waiting with a few other people for the Southwest baggage counter to open up. Once I was checked in everything went smoothly and my flight was on time.

My Palazzo limo driver was waiting for me at baggage claim and I had arranged for Mom to be picked up by Presidential when her flight arrived a hour past mine so I was on my way to Palazzo immediately.

Normally VIP registration has my room ready and waiting but last trip I asked for a certain room number with Mom's room to connect to mine and while Mom's room was ready mine was not.  No worries I just checked in my luggage and played the slots for a bit.

A couple minor wins before Mom arrived on $5 Wheel of Fortune and $1 Quick Hit.

Mom sent me a text that she was on her way via her Presidential Sedan pick up so I decided to take a few minutes and go to the Venetian box office to pick up the comped tickets that Brian my host had arranged. Mom would be seeing Human Nature alone tonight since I had already seen it and wasn't ready to see them again. On Saturday both my husband and Mom would be going to see Panda which I had already enjoyed with Terri earlier this year. The seats they gave me at the box office were great as Mom had 2nd row center seats for Human Nature and for Panda they had front row seats!

After getting the tickets I went back to Palazzo to meet Mom at VIP services and since her room was ready we had both her luggage and mine delivered to her room. I ended up being able to check in to my connecting room a couple hours later. Below is the view we had from both rooms.

I waited for Mom to unpack and then we went for a early lunch at Delmonico's.  So early we were the first guests seated, LOL!

It was lobster week so we both ordered the special.

Service was fabulous at Delmonico's but then again we were their first customers and while other guests were arriving the restaurant wasn't full. The popovers this time weren't as good as usual so I only took a bite of mine while Mom ate only one. The pat of butter served with them was larger then the pop overs!

The Lobster Salad was fresh and we enjoyed it but it wasn't outstanding and I likely would order something else in the future if I'm there again during lobster week.

After lunch both Mom and I walked to Venetian from Delmonico's to play some slots while we waited for my room to be ready.

On my way to the Venetian High Limit room I saw Miss Kitty so had to stop and play it. I hit the bonus on Miss Kitty for a change fairly quickly which was nice, so took my win and ran!

Summer of Vegas Birthday's Trip Report!

This is part one of the Summer Of Birthdays in Vegas trip reports. During June we celebrated Liz's birthday there, in July I had my birthday in Vegas (yes I know this June trip report is really really late!) and during my next trip the end of August we will be celebrating Gwen's birthday, so this is part one of a summer trilogy of birthday trip reports, LOL!

My June trip started out stressful because my afternoon flight to Las Vegas ended up being delayed for over two hours. Normally this wouldn't be a problem since I'm lucky enough to visit Vegas frequently but my friend Liz's birthday dinner was tonight at 6:30pm and it was beginning to look like I would be late for it. Fortunately it worked out despite the delay and I arrived at 5:30pm and was picked up by my Palazzo limo driver Christina. Christina tunneled me and I was glad of it as I needed to get to Palazzo as quickly as possible. As usual once there VIP registration had my room ready and I guess it's a clue I'm there a lot since none of the clerks ask me for my ID when checking in,  just my credit card as they all recognize me.

Once in my room on the 43rd floor with a great view of the High Roller Wheel, I changed clothes quickly and left the unpacking for later. I was off to Wynn at almost a run as we were having dinner at Lakeside.

I hate being late to anything even on vacation so I was happy when I made it on time for dinner.

We were a small group for Liz's birthday dinner, Liz, her husband John, Teresa, Gwen, Terri and myself!

We had a lovely table inside with a view of Wynn's Lake of Dreams, but since it was early and still daylight we never saw any of the shows.

Menu photos above in case the online menus aren't accurate. I snuck away from our table briefly to take a photo of the dessert cart.

I had a great drink with dinner, Sweet Heat, Don Julio Bianco Tequila, Belle Poire Liqueur, jalapeño agave nectar, pineapple puree, and lime juice!

Our birthday girl Liz with her husband!

Teresa, Liz, Gwen and me, with Terri taking our photo.

Several of us ordered the Lakeside chopped salad for a starter. The smoked bacon in it was a great addition and the salad overall really good.

Gwen and Terri ordered the roasted Jidori Chicken which had fava beans, peas and a green curry sauce.

One used the curry sauce, the other didn't but I don't recall who did what at this point. I love curry sauce and it really looked good. I remember that both enjoyed it.

Teresa had a crab cake appetizer for dinner which looked yummy.

Liz ordered her favorite Lakeside entree the scallops with mashed potatoes which is no longer on their menu but they make it for her by request.

John and I both ordered the Halibut but with different preparations. His Halibut had Japanese veggies and sauce.

My Halibut was Mediterrean Style with olives, peppers and artichokes. Unfortunately while the Halibut looked great and was fresh, it had been overcooked for both of us and mine was very dry. I've eaten at Lakeside quite a few times and this was disappointing and really surprising.

Liz, received a complimentary dessert of mini desserts that had a fabulous presentation.

Terri and I shared a really delicious peanut and chocolate cup dessert! Thanks Terri for dinner, it was great despite the Halibut being over cooked. :)

Terri and John are being camera shy, our group after dinner outside of Lakeside.