NJDavid

The new writing pads next to the phone say Park Place entertainment on the top, and show Paris, Flamingo, Las Vegas Hilton, Ballys and Reno Hilton. Don't know why they left out Ceasars and the new Vacation Club Properties...as they are Hiltons now too.

As far as a report:

Paris Las Vegas is SPECTACULAR! My wife and I arrived late last Friday night. We looked for than asked about a HHonors VIP check in and was told there was none - but there was also no line (which is pretty good at 10pm on a Friday night). Without asking, we were upgraded to a mid-size suite with king bed, living and dining areas (chandelier over the table) and two bathrooms - one with a whirlpool tub and seperate toilet/bidet room, the other with a stall-shower.

The rooms, in fact the whole casino were appointed lavishly yet tastefully. First-class all the way from the curtains to the wall treatments to the carpeting to the moulding on the walls. Everything was new and very well maintained. The shopping area (Rou de la Paix) was authentic Paris (except for the standard Las Vegas fake blue sky with clouds ceiling). The restaurants were also top notch. Sunday Brunch was an experience not to be believed. Most amazingly, they imported a French motif without the famous attitude - everyone was courteous and helpful. I HIGHLY recommend this property. (Adam Burke if you're listening, please pass-on my hearty praise and thanks to those who made the weekend getaway with my wife a truly terriffic time.)

Now, after I put my wife on the red-eye back to EWR Sunday night, I went on to my other hotel. I stayed at the old faithful Las Vegas Hilton. Sad to report that My experience was not as wonderful there. First of all, the property definitely suffered in comparison to where I had just came from. But the front desk staff was rude (as usual). My request for an upgraded room (at the hotel VIP check-in desk) was met with "our upgraded rooms are smoking only", and then the "upgraded room" (2711 if anyone cares) was the smallest room I have ever stayed at at this property. The walls were chipped, no sprinkler cap on the ceiling in the tiny bathroom (so there was just this great big hole in the ceiling) - generally a room MUCH in need of care and attention. I probably could have complained, but I honestly didn't want to move my stuff a third time on this trip, so I dealt with it. Still, it was tough to go from a room for around $150/night with french milled soap, lotions, shampoo, and a million other luxury toiletries left for our needs to a room for over $200/night where they threw you a bar of soap on the sink if you are lucky.

Upon checkout, (no zip-out offered) my folio read like a cryptic bank statement with a running balance but no final total, and the front desk personnel were their usual rude and abysmal self:

Q: I used the business center and charged my room about an hour ago (presenting the receipt). Can you make sure it makes it onto the bill so I can submit expenses when I return to my office tomorrow?
A: No
Q: well, can you have a final invoice - with all of the charges faxed or e-mailed to me?
A: No. Call our accounting office in a couple of days to request a duplicate.
Q:Can you just leave them a note to do it when it's ready?
A:No
Q: My folio has two charge entries (one for the deposit, one for the balance). I need to submit one with an overal total charge. Can you show that on the folio?
A:No
Q: (finally loosing my patience) Please get me a manager.
A: Ok sir, I'll be right back. (I wait about 5 minutes, staring at my watch wondering if I'll have time now to put gas in the rental car before my flight.) The clerk returns (without a manager) and says "I can issue a refund of your initial deposit, and then rebill it at the end and it wiil show you a total."
Q: But the depost and the other charge are on the same credit card. You're suggesting you refund the charge and then just issue it again to the same card? Isn't that a litte silly?
A: It's the only way to show you a total.


I really like the convenience of the property - right next to and connected to the convention center, but it would be nice if they didn't always treat you like the captive that you are. And the rooms are really crying for attention. With the bigh Las Veas conventions now split between the main convention center and the Sands convention center, the Venetian (connected to the Sands center) is starting to look like a much more attractive option.

Two properties, one city, and the perfect little example of the inconsistencies so often mentioned here.

[This message has been edited by NJDavid (edited 04-14-2000).]