Hilton HHonors - Bally's Las Vegas Trip Reports and Reviews

A recurring theme here seems to be the 'freebee' availability in the Park Place properties.. Here are my experiences from this weekend:

Checkin: Upgraded view room in the south tower (BIG no-no - ask for north tower) and requested access to the 22nd floor lounge.. told that Diamonds and one guest are accepted.

End result, an upgraded room (in the refurbished North tower) and free breakfast and booze..

A few things to note :
The casino allows surrender on blackjack but dealer hits on S17 (Bad)
The Buffet is fair to good
The lines are LONG.. and theres no HH line

All in all its a fair deal if you get the north tower (rooms 0100-2600, not 6000-8000)
Paris is a little more expensive, but in my opinion worth it.

All this as of 18-Aug-02

I didn't know bally's was a Hilton property. Whe I go to the Hilton website how do I book Bally's. Thank you http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You cannot book Bally's through the Hilton website. They are a former Hilton property that was spun off from Hilton into Park Place Entertainment. Bookings can be done at the Bally's website directly.

You mentioned HH. Do you get points for staying there? Thanks

I'll also comment on this.

Was so giddy about the 50K promo that I forgot to mention room upgrades, free breakfast.

I am gold, and they put me (without asking) on the 22nd floor.

I assumed that I could get into the lounge but I couldn't (I am gold). I was told by the "lounge boy" that it would cost $30 to get access - NOT!!!

I would rather shlep over to the Barbary coast and for $30 have 10 meal deals.

Nice room though and would stay here again.

Did get the points the next day (as I also got points for Hampton Inn on Tropicana, and a few days later points for Flamingo).

50K point run was a success!!!

Just returned from Bally's Las Vegas a couple of days ago so thought I would give a quick review.

We belong to the Park Place Frequent Gamblers Club - or whatever you call it - and received a promotional offer of one free night at Bally's and additional nights for $49/69. Mr.MoreMilesPlease got the same offer so I called up to see about using them together. No problem. Booked Aug. 22,23 as free nights and 24th for $69 and 25th for $49.

Arrived at LAS at 8:40am and the airport check in wasn't open yet. I headed down to collect luggage. Luggage was taking forever so wondered back to the Park Place check-in and they were open. Handed over my drivers license and Diamond card. They had made two portfolios for some reason...hmmmmm. Anyway managed to get a king room for immediate check in. Asked if they recognized my Diamond status and got a rather vague reply. Said that my room was already upgraded due to my players status and that my Hilton information was in the system and would get points. I wasn't really in any mood to argue and was happy with the rate I got so let it be. All the paperwork done and was signing the stuff and realized that there was no nightly rate listed. Asked what the rate was and was told first two nights free and Sat at $120 and Sunday at $ 120. Oops! I handed over my mailer that had the rates on it and it was quickly corrected to the right amounts. Good thing I knew to check because you had to hand in the mailer to get the free $50 in chips and I would have no way of proving it when I checked out.

Walked back down to the luggage carousel and my bag was sitting nicely waiting for me. Out the door, $4.50 for the shuttle and on to Bally's. Went straight to the North Tower elevators to room 1541. Didn't look much different to the last room we had. King bed, small couch, desk, chair, wardrobe with TV. Oh well, supposedly it had been "recently remodeled". It did face the strip but the rooms are so far off the road it's not much of a view. I guess we don't gamble enough to really warrant a true upgrade. Was about to put stuff in the in-room safe when I saw that there is a $3 A DAY charge for using the safe. There is a $1.25 charge for any calls made including local and 800#'s. They were very up front about this at the airport. If you were on longer than 30min then there is an extra 10 cents a min charge.

I was exhausted and sore so decided to indulge myself. I called the spa and asked if there were any appointments for a massage. Yes, 3 o'clock is fine with me! It was expensive -$85- but I also got to use the spa facilities while there. A nice hot Jacuzzi and another body temp whirlpool. Several showers, steam room, sauna and all the water,juice and fruit I could liberate.


We spent part of one day by the pool. It's an OK pool but nothing great. They do have Cabana's to rent for $100/day $75/halfday. This gets you a TV and pool floats and some other stuff. We had a sandwich by the pool and it was not to bad.

Didn't really spend much time in Bally's as we like to gamble at the Paris. We really didn't do much this time.

Called on the morning of check out to see if I could get a late check-out. Nope, all full for tonight so we are not allowing any. Decided to pack and go ahead and check out on the TV. Ah, two portfolios means two room charges. Headed downstairs, left my bags in the luggage hold and proceeded to check out. They fixed the duplicate charge and off I went to kill several hours before my flight back.

I was pleasantly surprised when all of my points posted today with an extra 500 AA miles as a LasVegas double miles and a 1000 extra points offer.

So I didn't get breakfast and they said I was already upgraded, but I got points and miles without a hassle. I'm not complaining.

I was in Bally's Friday for the first time in a couple of years - looks like the casino was remodeled. Very nice update. MoreMiles - what shuttle do you use for $4.50?

It was right outside the doors of Southwest's baggage claim. Just bought a ticket and off we went!


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by doctajay:
I was in Bally's Friday for the first time in a couple of years - looks like the casino was remodeled. Very nice update. MoreMiles - what shuttle do you use for $4.50?</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by doctajay:
I was in Bally's Friday for the first time in a couple of years - looks like the casino was remodeled. Very nice update. MoreMiles - what shuttle do you use for $4.50?</font>

I'd hate to have seen what the casino looked like before....it was badly done in "dark and dumpy" a few weeks ago....the casino at Paris is much more friendly...or even better yet, across the street at Bellagio is a nice example of a good looking casino..Flamingo is old looking too but just doesn't have that "let me out of here now" look that Bally's has, for some reason..

I suspect that it will be impossible to combine a casino invitation with an elite-program upgrade. Once you are booked in the casino block the front desk cannot change anything. You would have to go through a casino host.

Las Vegas Limos, outside door 14, is an excellent shuttle. Most of the time they transport you in a real stretch limo, but sometimes you get a short bus. It's $4.50 one way to any Strip hotel.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by QuietLion:
I suspect that it will be impossible to combine a casino invitation with an elite-program upgrade. Once you are booked in the casino block the front desk cannot change anything. You would have to go through a casino host.

Las Vegas Limos, outside door 14, is an excellent shuttle. Most of the time they transport you in a real stretch limo, but sometimes you get a short bus. It's $4.50 one way to any Strip hotel.</font>

Not true I have been able to do this on stays as a guest of Park Place.
The procedure I have always used is just to check in at VIP line, tell the check-in CSR that you will be staying as a "guest of the casino" which they will see when they pull up you reservations anyway.
You will asked to provide a credit card to guarantee the non-comped items at that time ask them to put your HHonors number on the folio.

At that time you can request a different room ( for example at the LV Hilton I like the North tower rooms closer to the self-park grarage) in most instances the room reserved by your casino host is better than those HHonors members are upgraded to anyway.
Mike



[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 09-01-2002).]

Yes, I have never had a problem getting a downgrade or lateral move from the front desk when staying as a casino guest. However, any kind of upgrade always required a call to a host.

Upon arrival in D terminal I take the mono to baggage claim. Break a hard left upon arriving in the area. The Park Place check was not crowded whereas the Hotel had at least 50 people waiting in line. I presented my HHonors Diamond card. Given my casino rate, coupons and "upgrade" to a "suite". Took a cab to the Hotel. Went to room. It was a newly renovated room on 9th floor facing the street and the street was not the strip. As stated a room not a suite. Called down and asked about the connector room. No dice. You are in a suite. How is this a suite? It is renovated. OK Well how about a suite upgrade for a Diamond? Finally moved to a non-renovated room on "floor" 67 in South Tower. This room was definitely not renovated because it was almost the same room I stayed in years ago on my first trip to LAS. It did have a great view of the strip. OK Very Great! Room was worn. Why they did not renovate these rooms first who knows. As a Diamond I felt lucky. Based upon my rate and the prevailing rate I expected nothing let alone points. They have not yet posted. So check-in at LAS and listen carefully what you are being promised as a room. Based upon my two hours sleep in this suite I was pleased with my upgrade. It was king bedded, non-smoke with a sunken tub. Double vanity and his/hers facilities.

I was at Bally's last week on a $59 rate. I checked in at the hotel. The front desk clerk said Diamonds automatically get a suite and I got the one with the sunken jacuzzi tub and a balcony.

Be aware that there is a HUGE moth problem in Vegas right now, so you do NOT want to open that balcony door. In fact you can't because they have screwed them shut for this very reason. The problem is so bad that they get in through the ventillation system. Had to kill a few moths in my room at both Paris and Bally's last week. I talked to someone who was staying at the Mirage and she said her room was infested with them! She also said the pool over at the MGM was filled with dead moths. Hopefully the moth season will end soon.

My experience with the airport check in has alawys been as follows (whether it's Bally's, Paris or Flamingo).

Clerk: "OK Here is your room key."
Me: "Just curious, what kind of room is this?"
Clerk: "An upgraded room on a high floor"
Me: "No suites available?"
Clerk: "Oh, yeah, let me check. (picks up phone to call the hotel) What hilton card did you have? Was it silver?"
Me: "Diamond"
Clerk: "Oh. OK (talks to person at hotel on phone) Do you have any suites for diamonds available? You do? OK, what room number?" OK Thanks. (enters room number into computer). OK. Let me go make you a new key."
Me: "Great. Thanks. Could you please code my key for lounge access?"
Clerk: "Sure."

I was at Paris LV a few weeks ago and they had small signs in eery room asking people not to open the vents. As tiny as the vents are, the moths managed to get in when people opened them. One of my associates had a few flying around her room.

I'm hoping for a Diamond upgrade when I return to Paris LV in a couple of weeks...

As a reminder you can check-in upon arrival in the baggage area of LAS. As a Diamond I once again asked for a upgrade to a suite for both our reservations. One suite was ready and the other not. So we took one suite and a double regular "premier" room. This is my second time at the property in a couple of months. Looks like the best suite upgrade is to a "grand" suite. Which is one very large room with a raised bath area/sunken jet tub.

Upon arrival at Hotel you can ask for a better room. Ask for a card which grants you access to the Lounge on 22. A nice spread with yes- free liquor. This is a card you receive. Your card key is not coded for the Lounge. So it is a card. The Lounge is not open all day. Only breakfest which is continental and dinner time.

BTW The agents at LAS sometimes do not know exactly how high they can upgrade to. The agent had to call someone to determine which number she could upgrade to. Watch you bill as we were charged for consuming bottled water we did not. Also get a coupon book for the Park Place properties. Available at front desk. I was encouraged to pick-up keys to room at casino / invited guests window and not check-in windows. Much faster.

Good information and advice! You got a much nicer room than I got on two different stays about a year and a half ago. Good going.

I was last time in the Paris in Las Vegas
(9 Days) with a upgrade to a Le Mans Room...
No key to a breakfest or order room...
Checkout takes 50 minutes at 9 a.m. ; tryed to ask to get a express check out at for Diamond not possible , so I checked out at the Airport service center ;-))))) (can also deduct the comps :-)))))) )

This might be a silly questions, but as Gold am I eligable (should expect) upgrades at all the Park Place Entertainment hotels in vegas?

Thanks

Great info on Ballys. We'll be staying there in Dec.

If anyone has the coupons from the Park Place Connection book, please email me. I'd like to see if we can work a trade. Thanks.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NOVAGOLF:
This might be a silly questions, but as Gold am I eligable (should expect) upgrades at all the Park Place Entertainment hotels in vegas?

Thanks</font>

Good question, I was wondering the same!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hockeystl:
If anyone has the coupons from the Park Place Connection book, please email me. I'd like to see if we can work a trade. Thanks.</font>

I have some. I'll dig them out, check the expiry date and email you with results.

I just returned from a one night stay. A couple of things. When you check-in at LAS or the Hotel you will be advised that rules have changed. I was told at LAS that as a Diamond I was only entitled to either a upgrade in room to a Grand Suite OR Lounge access. Not both. This I was told is new rule. I did get the Suite and Lounge access. Nice agents at LAS.

Also. I took Coach USA which is a shuttle service from LAS to the Hotel. According to the sign posted in the Coach it would be less to pay direct and not charge the ride to your room bill as I did. It was very convenient. The Coach made two stops before Bally's. Aladdin then Paris. This also worked much better as the taxi line was long. Very long. I took a cab back to LAS because listening to radio chatter this did not seem as efficient. You have to make your reservation the day before and with LAS who knows when you are going to the airport.

ALSO and more important. I checked my room bill on the TV before leaving. They have started charging $3.00 for the room safe. I never used the safe. I mentioned when I checked out and it was removed. Seems they are just applying to everyone as the guy behind me asked about it having heard me and complained. Regards FYI and IMHO.

I thought that the suite or lounge choice applied to gold, not Diamond. Sounds like this is new!

As far as paying for the ride vs. charging it to your room. last time I was there I charged it and then noticed on the bus that the rate when paying the driver directly was lower.

Actually I never got a suite there and I am a HH Diamond. Always gotta the nice lounge access though. Is the lounge booze at Ballys still *FREE*? The shuttle has been 5 dolla o/w if charged to your room and 4 dolla if you buy it directly. I assume the difference is a big big moneymaker for PPE. Seems sorts tacky.

MisterNice

Booze is free.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RTWSTARALLIANCE:
I was told at LAS that as a Diamond I was only entitled to either a upgrade in room to a Grand Suite OR Lounge access. Not both. This I was told is new rule. </font>

My Bally's stay was last week. As a Diamond, got both: a Grand Suite and Lounge access. Had to ask for both though, mainly because the agent was a trainee. She kept going back to her supervisor asking questions. Just for information, I checked-in at the front desk of the hotel.

Just arrived for NAB trade show. Check in at airport (love that; avoid long line at hotel). She says oh we have a nice suite for you. Me (stunned; only HHGold, & Sony basically takes over the entire hotel for this show), wow-thanks. It's huge - I think my townhome could fit in this - I know it would be great for an FT Do!

Down side - it's in the old tower, so no hi-speed access & dial-up seems really really slow, & the only 2 places to access phone are side of bed & bar. I'm at bar, but the bar is high, the seat not quite as or ok for drinking but not for typing, so I'm sitting on pillows that keep shifting trying to do work & now FT.

Something new from last year - you can get a shuttle for $5.50 each way, charged to your room (points), which is easier/better than generic shuttles to hotel.

Edited to add: last year it was $1/local call for up to 60min; 10cts min after that. This year, $1.25 for 30min; 20cts min after 30 min. Grrr.

Will miss when it leaves Hiltons. Will either have to stay at LVH or switch to Marriott hotels.

Something new from last year - you can get a shuttle for $5.50 each way, charged to your room (points), which is easier/better than generic shuttles to hotel.I think the same shuttle is $4 if you pay the shuttle company directly (no points).

I think the same shuttle is $4 if you pay the shuttle company directly (no points).

I can definitely confirm this from Paris - same shuttle.

I'm going to be at Bally's for an 8-night stay in May...and will be a new Silver member. I know, I know...I'm on the low-end compared to most people in this forum, but I wanted to at least hit Silver to get free gym access (at Bally's, access is $20/day if you pay for it). Does anyone know whether they're giving out free gym access to Hilton members?

Welcome to Flyertalk GenieDC.

The cost of the shuttle varies if you buy a roundtrip ticket or 2 single ones. Last time I paid for a shuttle, it was $9.00 for a roundtrip to a strip hotel in March.

Ok, $4 vs $5.50 not gonna break the bank - anyway, more dedicated shuttle than normal hotel shuttles.

Re: spa. Can't speak for Diamonds, but for Golds you still have to pay $20 (most of the Vegas hotels have spa charge). If you get spa treatment, it's free.

Since Bally's is switching from Hilton, this will be my last stay there. It was fun though - 1,200 sq ft suite.