I just wanted to share.

Okay this is in Laughlin...but near enough to Vegas to be a good drop out alternative. The AVI is not too near all the other hotels in Laughlin. Coming from Vegas, you turn off toward Needles and travel several miles before turning back toward the river. The AVI is an Indian Resort and Casino. It has a lot to offer. This was our first stay.

We wrote ahead of our both celebrating our 65th birthdays (medicare, social security and permanent retirement). Our letter was acknowledged by management and were we upgraded to the top floor of the Beach wing overlooking the pool and the river. The cost of our stay was $25 Thursday and $63 Friday (11-12/11-14), or $98.50 total with tax. No resort fee or extras.

The room was large, but simply appointed, K-NS. A big picture window gave us a nice view of the pool area, the private beach, the docks, the race track and the river. (room 6216). The bathroom was also large with plenty of counter space and water pressure.

The food opportunities were great. Thursday night they offered the buffet for 1/2 price, that is $10.99 for 2!!! We did not take this opportunity as the wait was over an hour starting at 3pm (lots of locals?). The Italian place was offering choice of 4 pastas, 4 sauces, salad and a glass of wine for $6.99 each! We did that one! I was impressed. Not only a bargain, but excellent service, good food, nice music...a bit too modest of wine, but they are in business. We ate there the next night also. That night we had the featured special for 2, at $30. This included an appetizer each (we had fried mozzarella and modest salad, a steak with shrimp sauce (and mini shrimp) vegetables and angel hair pasta, a fancy dessert and a glass of wine (we both ordered the same thing). Other entrees included halibut incrusted with mash potatoes and nuts or chicken breast fancied up. This too was an excellent and filling meal. Service was again very good. Note the buffet was full price tonight and the wait was more like 5-10 minutes. The AVI also has a coffee shop and a fine dining steak and seafood dining room too. An enclosed bar seems to have nightly live entertainment.

The pool at the AVI was well attended, but not crowded. A large pool is split between adults only and children only. A separate pool (not labled) also was available with water guns. The hot tub is peanut shaped, and perhaps 25 feet long. Handles many people without being too close. The munchies and bar were closed and there was no waitstaff nor was there a lifeguard. Towels were available on a help yourself basis. Music was provided and pleasant (it also discourages others from bring their own). The pool area is key protected and open until 10 pm. Restrooms are also available.

The beach club was closed for the season (reopens in May). The beach was still open. AVI has a large sandy beach with thatched huts for shade. They also have a boat lounch, dock, lawn area and walk way. Being right on the river and with a beach is quite an exclusive thing.

I cannot begin to explain the "car" racing at the AVI, or next door? We walked over to check it out. Small doonebuggy type cars, fueled by high tech fuels and followed by a small wheel on a long bar behind, line up in pairs to race down a track which does not seem to be more that 50 yards. Staging lights, timing lights, bleachers for 100's (but only a few were in the stands). Rooster tails of dirt flew up behind the vehicles as they raced. It was really loud. From our room we could watch from a distance, without all the noise. 100's of people, came trucks and trailers in tow transporting their racer. These people were really serious about the racing. Graders redid the starting area and track after every few races.

There was a "swap meet" on the other side of the hotel. Mostly new stuff and lots of jewelry. About 35 vendors. They have a 6 plex theatre. On Saturday, as we were leaving they were having a special two days which included square dancing, pig races, booths, foods etc outside on the lawn.

The AVI just seemed like a really nice place to stay for a few days. Oh, yes they also have full gaming, lots of parking, and reasonable prices. The employees are very well trained. Besides the hotel, there is a fully improved RV park and an unimproved, but free parking area for others with RV's trucks, trailers and boats.