I go back as far as the late 80s for my first trip and the 1992-96 period as a kind of first heyday. I remember taking a buyout offer in 1996 but having to use vacation time or lose it (no other options offered), so I did 3 trips out there that spring. They were real doozies booked on DL with itins like ATL-CVG-MSP-SLC-LAS-LAX-CVG-ATL or something whacked out like that. For the miles, of course, which were worth a lot more then. Also got upgraded on every segment on that first trip, and if you combine the first-class drinks and then free ones at the tables, the potential for problems there was truly frightening.

I've always been a downtown person more than a Strip person and really have an aversion to the kinds of crowds seen on the south Strip. I'd swoop in or out if there was some concert event or other reason to be there, and in its early years the Paris had one of the best buffets there, IMO (just a shadow of that now).

After much thought and trialing different approaches, I also decided that having a rental car to make it easier to get away from tables was helpful. I'd explore the city around it a lot, which could turn up interesting finds.

Long story short, it's undeniably far more crowded now, traffic feels like it's a noose slowly tightening, and the games have roughly 3x the minimums as before and worse odds because of unfavorable house rules. The Jackie Gaughan places with 0.16% house advantage blackjack, including the Gold Spike, Western and El Cortez, have changed hands (the first two had $1 games with honest odds). The houses still did fine because they'd put heat on anyone betting greens or higher, and most people don't take the time to learn the basic strategy or the game. Then and now.

The blackjack and the $5 pai gow (a slow-moving game) were good for staying at the table and usually not losing that much.

There were many more buffets, and I think those peaked pre-pandemic with things like the Silverton's Polynesian night and AYCE ahi poke. Still far fewer buffets now.

Anyway, the city has changed and it's hard to think of something that's gotten better. I've changed, too, though, with the food/drink perks much more of a health hazard these days anyway.

One thing I do more often these days is just drive out of Las Vegas immediately and stay in either Mesquite or Laughlin. Those places used to be too boring but now arguably have just enough to not be impossibly like that. The Avi resort in Laughlin is a true 4-star that dips as low as the $40s with no resort fee. The Virgin River in Mesquite is also very well-run. But the real atraction with those places if getting out into nature nearby, whether it's the old route 66 or one of the national parks in Utah.

Just completed a family visit (soccer tournament) to the Green Valley Resort and Casino. Here are my thoughts:

• $23 fee to park at strip casinos is yet another heinous gouge. Yet another disincentive for me to visit any of them when I'm staying off the strip.
• $60 for unlimited rides at NYNY is also excessive compared to similar activities elsewhere. This ain't Disney or Universal/
• Restaurant and bar pricing is now comparable to NYC and no parking validation (contrary to most major cities). As Mrs. B put it, I can spend $500 on a meal (easy to do) and they will still nick me for parking.
• Air filtration is as bad as ever and now with the addition of weed smoke
• Many places now default with added gratuity (even for fast food) which has to be pro-actively removed

On the plus side Green Valley and other off strip "locals" casinos still offer the traditional gaming rules, i.e. 3:2 BJ, 9/6 VP, and the table minimums were low ($15 at night) and no hassle over free drinks when gaming. The hallways and rooms were smoke free which is something I never find at other properties. I like the valet parking by text though they need to better manage expectations (the system goes "down" if more than 3 cars are requested).

Will add more observations when I return in 2 weeks (next time staying on the Strip).

I greatly enjoyed my stay at the Green Valley Resort and Casino in February 2010 for a management conference at a nearby office.

I particularly liked the Aveda rosemary mint shampoo, which I have been using ever since. :)

I am nowhere near to be representative but I was in Las Vegas the first time last year for a conference and event.

I initially made the mistake and walked jet-lagged at 8am on the strip. Horrible. Smell of urine. Drug abuse. Drunk people sleeping on the street, by the looks of them not homeless but just 'lost' after being totally wasted. Was thinking what the heck is this place about.

Fast forward, 12 hours later, after many beers, it was great. Great clubs, tons of people, hot and very chatty girls. Really enjoyed my time.

So I think for a corporate event/ stag do/ men's holiday a great place, by no means I would come with wife and my two year old.

Just returned from a 2-day stay at Delano which was a guys trip with some former colleagues. Here are my thoughts (will post hotel review separately):

Positives:

• Nice to have 100% non-smoking hotel options. This is the first trip in ages where my sinuses did not come back inflamed. Unfortunately there are still some d-bags who vape pot in rooms which then seeps into ventilation system but at least you don't smell it in the hallways.
• Nice to have 100% smoke-free sports book (Mandalay) and no cover charge to watch games (no need to reserve seats either).
• The BetMGM app is great - much easier to place sport bets than using scantron sheets or kiosks. Plus you can cash out via transfer to bank account - no need to send back tickets via certified mail. I hear Caesars has a similar app. Unfortunately can only place bets within the state of Nevada...
• Hotel/casino bars are still as fun as they have always been
• Rideshare is well organized and a huge plus as could avoid massive weekend taxi lines. As others have noted, the massive taxi lines at LAS are no more.
• Adult pools are a nice option for those who want them
• Still can find decent video poker (Jacks or better) machines - the odds get better as you increase minimum bets

Negatives:

• The nickle and diming at supposedly 5* resorts is outta control.
  • Resort fee does not include bottled water (standard pretty much around the world)
  • Hotel rooms do not have soap bars
  • $50 charge for refrigerator or even putting an item in the frig
  • $150 charge for an umbrella at the pool!!
• As previously discussed, Strip casino odds are prohibitive on blackjack and roulette due to rule changes. Craps is still ok but high minimums make it difficult to execute the optimal strategy without a substantial bankroll (i.e. betting odds behind your bets).
• Food at sport books and pool is mediocre compared to first class resorts elsewhere. I surmise management attitude is "we don't care we don't have to. But empty pool ares midweek say otherwise.

In sum I think Vegas is a nice splurge for reconnecting with friends from around the country, good meals and perhaps attending a sporting event or concert. But the glory days of gaming are long gone for anyone who is a serious player, unless you can afford the high roller rooms.

Was it STK?

Yes. I generally go for a rare NY strip and it was excellent.

My issue with Las Vegas is that as a visitor, the local business people and corporations view me as nothing more than a walking wallet to be emptied. This was illustrated last week when after buying lunch from the roach coach in the loading dock (non public) area of the LVCC, the food truck's owner informed us that prices will be going up the next day as it was closer to show opening and more out of towners will be arriving.

That said, there are lots of signs with burnt out light bulbs and lots of peeling paint all over town.

my mother still goes to Vegas 1-3 times a year and she has finally started to treat herself to Bachanal. She continues to love going there. I continue to have fond memories of my last time there in 1997 after probably a dozen visits over the preceding 20 years.

I recommend the Vegas TRs in the TR forum especially the two from Wolfie
I also watch A LOT of Vegas travel reels on Facebook; I love Jacob Orth’s posts where he definitely has lists of cheaper-priced food & beverage plus free options like a free drink with your same-day BP at random casinos etc
I feel that Vegas demands more travel research than one would have needed to do in the past.

STK in San Francisco is also very good - I don’t go often to steakhouse restaurants and it’s easy to have fond memories of my one visit at STK.

isn’t that normal for any convention center or just any big venue - let’s not even talk about how much Freeman Cos and their similar competitors charged to move exhibition cargo from the warehouse to the actual convention center, or how much they charged for anything else. When the convention center’s exclusive vendor in any city (including my own) is gouging everybody, is it a surprise to see optimal pricing from a food truck? My local nba arena is like $19 for a pint of cheap beer (imbev bud) and Chicago united center / wrigley are similarly overpriced.

another change they think we’ll like… it really boosts casino house edge. Obviously roulette is already a challenging game for winning as before. Gamblers who want to make their money last can play longer with blackjack, even multi deck.

I lived for 32 months in downtown Las Vegas, NV 89101 from 2018 to 2021.

Las Vegas has a Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) branch. :tu: The San Francisco Bay Area does not. :eek:

IMHO
Vegas had set the first steps into decline with no more Sirens at Treasure Island ....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirens_of_TI
No more scanticlad women in garters for free to see with a bit of cheesy humor.
Then the decline went rapid with the closure of Bally's Jubilee!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee!
Vegas slowly losing that special ol'school Vegas touch of glitters.
I know, i'm one of those persons that can appreciate a bit of eyecandy functional nudes,
all happy memories created from my younger years in Vegas.
(not that crap of soft/hardcore shows that is rampant nowadays)
Happy both my sons manage to have at least some memories of classic Vegas stuck instead of modern social media Vegas.

Comparing independent loading dock roach coaches to the public facing concession stands is apples to oranges. These aren't the trucks out front which are contracted by the LVCC's food vendor. This is in a non public area of the LVCC and only sells to people who are setting up / taking down booths. Attendees aren't allowed in this area. It's mostly locals, but as out of towners arrive close to they up the pricing. The trucks had been reasonable until a couple of years ago, now they optimize gouge outsiders just like the rest of Las Vegas.

I agree that Freeman and other Expo companies are insanely expensive, but they are that way in every convention center. I've made a good portion of my income from trade shows and cannot understand the economics of it for the exhibitor.