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| Harrah's Las Vegas |
As my job would have it, I visit Las Vegas several times per year spending 5-7 days per visit. Usually it is to attend trade shows and conventions in my line of work. I always look for convenience to my work location when I travel. Harrah's hotel is a very good location when I work at the Las Vegas Convention center.
I have not stayed at Harrah's since 2010 for my room was outdated and honestly, downright shabby. But with a surprise in my schedule I had to be back in short notice. Calling my regular hotels that I stay at in Vegas, The Mirage, MGM Grand, and TI, (Treasure Island) the prices were very steep. I reluctantly called Harrah's.
Harrah's price for my 5 night stay was $575.00 with taxes and resort fee. I was impressed with the cost but still asked the reservation employee about the rooms and if they were ever updated.
She was happy to inform me that yes, Harrah's was in the middle of updating many of the rooms and in fact, the Valley Tower rooms on the 7th floor were just renevated. I took her word and advice and booked the room.
My plane landed and the taxi line was very short and I arrived at Harrah's Las Vegas.
Some perks that Harrah's supposedly offer is online check-in. I opted into that hoping not to have to stand in long check-in lines. The way it is supposed to work is I would inform Harrah's through email the approximate time of my arrival and they would have my room ready. I would then proceed to the check-in desk with the sign stating KEY PICKUP.
The check-in line was over 30 deep and only two employee's were handling the process. I felt sorry for those people waiting. I found the KEY PICKUP area and waited for an employee to come out. And I waited. And waited. Ten minutes and finally an employee walks over and asks what he could do for me. I showed him my online check-in confirmation and wanted my keys to my room. He looked at me, then over at the long check-in line and said, "I'm sorry sir, but we are having difficulties at this time with our online check-in process. You will have to get in line and check in over there." (As he pointed to the rather large line of people waiting)
So, that didn't work well. I was now a bit worried about the reservation employee who promised me the rooms were updated.
Forty minutes later it was my turn to check in. I verified my identity with my drivers license and was given my keys. I was given a quick lesson on where the elevators were and where the casino was. I thanked her and went to my room.
For me, one of the key signs for a good hotel are their elevators. Harrah's would not dissapoint. I pushed the up button and in mere seconds, the door opened and up I went. Not just the initial time, but every time I used the elevator. They were very prompt.
As I walked to my room on the 7th floor I spied a clean carpeted floor and walls. So far so good. I arrived at my room and waved the key card over the reader and I opened the door and switched on the light.
I let out a huge sign of relief. The room was updated. And clean. And spacious. I could forgive the online check-in debacle.
The room was large, with a king size bed, two large closets for my clothes, a chair, table, plus desk chair and work station area. Also on the wall was a 47 inch flat screen TV. To the right was a vanity area, with a stool and lighted mirror. Below the TV was a dresser for clothes. There were no handles on the doors. Supposedly they were touch activated. But they are not, I had to dig with my fingers to get them open.
The bathroom was nice, clean, all new fixtures. It had a walk in shower with non slip flooring. The water pressure was good. The sink vanity was large enough to hold my toiletries and there were plenty of clean fluffy towels.
This would do nicely.
I was tired. To me, it was 3am in the morning with the time change. I went to sleep. The bed was comfortable. The four pillows were big and began as fluffy, but slowly deflated as the night went on. By morning, I needed three pillows to keep my head up.
I showered and dressed the next morning and made my way to the convention center. From the elevators a quick right turn and another right up the stairs led me to the Monorail. The walk was about five minutes in total. Very manageable carrying my work essentials.
Hotel Tip: If you stay in Vegas, book a hotel attached to the Monorail system. You can buy a three, four, or five day pass for a cost of about $9 dollars per day for unlimited access. The Monorial is usually on time and gets you where you want to go with no taxi or traffic hassle.
I returned each night after the trade show after 6:30pm. My room was never made up. I would change clothes and go out to dinner and when I arrived back, usually after 9pm, the room was made up. Except for one day, when they forgot.
After five days it was time to leave. I attempted to check-out using the television check out services but guess what, those services were temperarily not available.
Nor were bellman. I called the bell desk for my lugguge to be picked up but the phone just rang. After five minutes I called the front desk and told them the belldesk is not answering. I was put on hold for five minutes and the front desk clerk said they must be busy.
I took my luggage down to the bell room myself. No one was inside the room. I spoke out if anyone was there. Several minutes went by until a bellman came through the door. He asked me what I needed. He gave me a ticket and I gave him money and told him I would be back around 4pm to pickup my bag.
When I arrived back, again no bellman. I waited until one appeared. He went and retrieved my bag and I asked him to get me a taxi. We went outside and of course there were no taxi's waiting. None. Zero. A ten minute wait produced one taxi.
Room Tip: if you need taxi service in Vegas, do not stay at Harrah's
All in all, the room was nice, clean, quiet, and spacious. The dining choices were sparse but a quick walk outside and you are a five to ten minute walk to may choices.
The price was right, and I will stay at Harrah's again.
Room Tip: Room 7024 is updated with a view of the High Roller.
One More Hotel Tip - WIFI: in todays travel many people want to stay connected with family and friends and of course the office. Harrah's WIFI service was excellent. It connected and performed above expectations. Even better than the above mentioned hotels I stayed at previously.
LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL
