Posts from the “Las Vegas” Category
Nothing to Fear!
Blog written by Singles Travel International member, Amy B from Sunnyvale, CA
Have you travelled all over the world and aren’t sure if you’ll have fun on a singles vacation? Do you wonder if you’ll make friends or be all by yourself? Are you concerned that everyone will be too old or too young? That’s what I thought, but your worries are over…what are you waiting for?
My first trip with STI was Halloween in Las Vegas. I was a little hesitant about booking the trip, as I’ve been on so many “escorted” tours, where I ended up being everyone’s “mom” (group was my daughter’s age). Although I’m very young at heart (54 and my brain tells me 38, which is the last time I actually had a waist), I’m a professional who feels balance includes working hard and playing hard.
When I arrived at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas it was not my first time in Vegas. My expectations were high, as was my excitement. I arrived at the first gathering, which was a “meet and greet” and immediately felt welcomed by several people that I had sent messages to (yes, use the feature on the STI site), and was also introduced to everyone by the Tour Directors. Can’t say enough about the Tour Directors – seasoned travelers with outgoing personalities, who are there to help your trip be memorable! These people work so hard, get absolutely no sleep, are on call 24×7, are so organized, and happily listen to complaints (yes, this is the real world – you can’t make everyone happy).
From Caesar’s, we all walked across the street to Margaritaville, where we had a private party, complete with free drinks and awesome food! Everyone gathered on the outside patio, which overlooked the Vegas strip, while swapping travel stories and making plans for the weekend.
The first night was the Club Tour. We all met in the hotel lobby and took taxis over to the first club. As we came from all over the world, this was the first opportunity we had to get dressed up and mingle with the beautiful people. The different personalities, nationalities, and social cultures quickly dissolved within the first few minutes. Everyone was a little nervous with expectations. After a couple of drinks, we were all laughing, posing for pictures, and having a lot of fun. I won’t name names but all I can say is Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Canada really knows how to party! This was also my opportunity to wear that little dress that my daughter said looked crazy good, and the high heels that are only worn in Vegas!
We arrived at the second club and were greeted by our two Club Guides, which enabled us to enter every club with VIP status. No waiting in lines, VIP treatment, and we walked by all the people standing in line for hours. Although the drinks were ridiculously expensive (come on…7&7 and a glass of wine for $32), we quickly jumped onto the dance floor, complete with young girls dancing in cages. When we left the second bar, we had “party busses” waiting for us. These busses included open bar, stripper poles, strobe lights, and “boom boom” music. My friend from Canada probably still has bruises on her arms and legs from “dancing” for us. We loaded back into the party bus and went to Studio 54, where we danced all night long. I haven’t danced all night long in 30 years! Laughing and doing a combination of several eras (come on…we all dance the same as we did in elementary school – right?), dancing together, grinding body parts, and acting like we were all young again was great (looking at the pictures from that night quickly brings a smile to my face).
The second night was the Rat Pack Party and buffet at the Aria. We had VIP entrance into the buffet, a special area just for STI, and a selection of over 1000 items (including every nationality you can think of)! Naturally I went to the desserts first (if it’s going to end up on my hips –or somewhere else – I might as well enjoy it). The performers not only looked like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Marilyn Monroe – the sound was amazing. The show was not only entertaining but fun! After the show several of us went back to the hotel to have drinks at Caesar’s. That night we enjoyed several, several Jaegermeister shots, getting to know one another better, and talking about our costumes (amazingly I didn’t have a hangover or it could have been the four Bloody Mary’s immediately after waking up).
The last night was Halloween at the Fremont Street Experience. Seeing everyone dressed in costume was so much fun! We had the variety including several sexy nurses, flappers, queen of hearts, lady luck, pumpkins, pirates, and so many original and creative costumes. We all took taxis downtown to the VIP party. When we arrived at the venue, we were greeted by our Tour Directors and immediately provided wristbands for the private VIP party. This was a private area, in front of one of the performing stages, complete with open bar, and a beautifully catered dinner. Need I say more…open bar and free food! We were having so much fun that people were standing outside the area, asking if they could pay to join our party. The music was awesome, as we were directly below the stage, dancing and laughing all night. Because we had a private area, our Tour Director got on stage and announced the winners of our costume party. Congratulations to “cloudy with a change of showers”, Stu from the Hangover, Angie Dickenson, Maverick, and so many more.
Sunday breakfast was spent looking at pictures, exchanging emails and phone numbers, and planning our next trip together. It was very hard to say goodbye to new friends. Words cannot explain how much fun Halloween in Las Vegas was. Not only did I feel warmly welcomed, but honestly feel if you don’t go on a STI trip, you’re missing out on the most fun you’ll ever have on a vacation!
What Is It About Vegas?
Las Vegas has been a family favorite for decades for the Singles Travel International clan (yes, we are a 30 year family business). I recall looking at photos of my parents in velvet lined booths with bottles of champagne and a table filled with delicacies. There was also the handkerchief (or maybe a scrap of pants) that one of my aunts managed to tear from Tom Jones amidst hundreds of other screaming women. But all of the fun, frolic and top name entertainment came at a price, the price my dad paid in the casino every time they went. Junkets were what they called them in those days and all that Vegas had to offer was at your feet as long as you played, or paid.
Not a lot has changed since “the good ole days” and then again maybe it has. Old hotels (The Dunes) were brought down to build spectacular new hotels (Bellagio, Paris) and some remain as regal as always (Caesar’s Palace). Top notch entertainers still call Vegas home (Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Jerry Seinfeld) and unseen spectaculars thrive (a new Cirque du Soleil is born every, “how many seconds?”). Spending thousands is still not hard to do but today, Vegas can be “done” on very little, assuming you are not an addicted gambler.
If you aren’t headed to Vegas for the big win and manage to stay clear of the tables, what is there to do that will make you tick? Here are some of our tips for single travelers to Las Vegas.
Gamble you must? Beginners and singles with short pockets should stick to the penny and nickel slots at any number of casinos including the hip Palms Hotel & Casino. Please play the max! Is it craps you yearn to learn? Take free lessons every morning at 10 a.m. at Bills Casino & Gambling Hall, then try your luck at the Riviera on a $2 table. Black Jack is also a fun game and all you have to do is count to 21 (drinking a few will make that harder as the night goes on). Low limit tables are found at casinos off the strip or downtown.
Shows are a popular attraction, from free lounge acts to full cast reviews, it’s all here. Check http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/play/shows/ in advance for big name entertainers in town during your visit and of course there are now 6 Cirque du Soleil productions to see. Get big discounts (20-40% off) at www.Tickets2nite.com for less popular shows available the same day. There seems to be a recent obsession with Sinatra and the Rat Pack but the best show we saw was at the Plaza, where nostalgia reigns. Dinner and the show with VIP seating is the only way to go. These guys are the real deal and even the maitre d’, George, is back from the original Stardust! Don’t overlook the old standards which have recently been updated for the new Vegas image – What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas. Ta ta to the family, Vegas is back and for singles that’s a good thing! Sirens of Treasure Island (free pirate show outside) are sexy and smokin’, Fremont Street (emphasis on free) has a light show every hour and live stage acts all day and you gotta watch the Volcano Blow with a “Las Vegas Cutie” at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.
Every chef worth his or her salt is in Vegas so it’s a great place to nosh or languor all night long. Of course, the gamblers know all about the buffet (eat fast and get back to the tables), but there are some incredible deals depending on when you eat. There are dozens of coupons from many publications; in your taxi, at your hotel and online, that you may apply for free apps, free drinks and just about 2-4-1 anything.
Nightlife is the ultimate in Vegas with clubs unlike any other rivaling the best in Miami and LA. Vegas clubs attract the elite and there’s always the new “in” place to be. The best way to do the clubs if you don’t have a bottomless pocket (bottles start at $500 for table service) is to meet a rich guy or sugar mama, but that’s not always possible. Ladies often get a break on cover charge and may even score free entry if it’s still early (before 10 p.m.) A club hopping tour gets you into 4-5 clubs, no lines and no cover for about $79 and even includes drinks on the way from club to club. Seriously, the best thing about some of the clubs is the view – so grab a drink at Pure, Voodoo Lounge or Ghost Bar and check out the view (we mean the strip) but the people watching is superb as well. If you’re not into club dancing, skip it and try one of the better hotel lounges with a live band, one of our faves is Fontana Bar at Bellagio, with good old rock and roll, perfect for dancing.
Shopping is superb and a new Premium Outlet Mall recently opened on the strip. Retailers from Tiffany to Patek Philippe are waiting in the wings to provide all the bling required by a big winner. If hiking malls isn’t your cup of tea, we absolutely recommend a hike at Valley of Fire National Park ($10 entry per car) or a shorter, closer hike up to Red Rock Canyon. You will be blown away by the natural (not au naturel) beauty within one hour of the Strip.
Here’s a biggy that you may not have known, when you gamble, drinks are free! Yes you heard us, free. You’ll need staying power until the cocktail waitress appears, but service is generally very swift almost everywhere. Beware, there is an ulterior motive and your free drinks may cost you much more in the end. Valet parking is free everywhere and generally, so are phone calls between casinos to make dinner/show reservations. Always remember to tip, tip, tip. In Vegas, money talks and will open doors you didn’t even think existed!
Girls, girls girls! Men, men, men! Almost forgot, there are plenty and we mean plenty of places to go and dabble with the triple X’s but that’s not one of our “free” tips and since it’s very available, we don’t need to go into details here.
So solo voyageurs, Vegas is safe, clean, affordable fun for anyone looking for it, with or without a lot of dough. Best hotel rates are midweek, but who cares, all the singles are there on the weekend. Don’t be so cheap with yourself! Live a little for today and a little for the nostalgia of the past. You’ll leave Las Vegas a winner in more ways than one!
