Las Vegas Journals

Viva Las Vegas

A June 2003 trip to Las Vegas by TrVL4LiFe

Quote: If you've never been to Las Vegas, you definitely need to make plans to visit this exciting city that really doesn't sleep.

Viva Las Vegas

Overview

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This is our second trip to Las Vegas. We definitely love it here. Many casinos to choose from. Gamble all day and all night. If you're not into gambling, which some of us in our party weren't, go shopping at Aladdin and Caesar's Palace. There's even a new Fashion Mall on the strip. For children, they have a roller coaster at the Sahara, Boardwalk, and the New York resort. In most of the big casino resorts, they have an arcade. We suggest you try the Big Shot at Stratosphere, an adrenaline rush for sure. It's really beautiful at night, but scarier in the day. Check out the lions at the MGM Grand and the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay. Don't forget to check out the old Las Vegas in downto...Read More

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Aladdin Hotel Casino

Attraction | "Aladdin Resort & Casino"

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Even though we owned timeshare at the Cliffs, we wanted to experience the Strip. We stayed at the Aladdin for a couple of days. Expect long waits at check-in. Our rooms had great views of the Strip. We were able to see the Bellagio fountains from our own room! The rooms were fairly new. We had no problems staying here. Do check out the spa. Prices are higher at the resort, but we had the opportunity for comps, so we got discounts. The outdoor pool was plain, but clean. Not very crowded. They have a shopping mall at this resort, which is very convenient to those who would rather shop, than gamble.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 19, 2025

Aladdin Hotel Casino
3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

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Luxor Las Vegas

Hotel | "Luxor Resort and Casino"

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This was a nice hotel. I've always been fascinated by the Egyptian theme. The rooms were not as new, but we had a great view of the pool. There's an IMAX theater and a King Tut Museum.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on September 19, 2025

Luxor Las Vegas
3900 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119-1000
702-262-4444

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Golden Nugget

Hotel

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Well, when we stayed at this hotel in 2002, we only paid 60 bucks a night. This hotel is conveniently located at Fremont Street, where you can see the light show. The accommodations were satisfactory to us, and it was probably the best one to stay at in this area. The rooms are decorated in a pleasant beige decor, very clean and new. When you are here, you will get a classic feel of Vegas, since it was probably visited by late celebs like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis, Jr. in the '50s. They have a small swimming pool, but it's good enough to just chill in. A classy hotel for a moderate price.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 4, 2025

Golden Nugget
129 E. Fremont St.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
(702) 385-7111

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Summer Bay Resort Las Vegas

Hotel

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Well, we have read numerous reviews of this resort, and they were mostly awful reviews. I am happy to say that the resort was better than we expected. We didn't exchange a week to stay here; we instead paid $500 for a two-bedroom. We would normally stay at the fabulous hotels on the Strip, but since we visited during the week they were expecting Nascar, prices for a night were so highly priced. To stay at Aladdin was almost $300/night for mid-week, and that was ridiculous. We paid as low as $90/night in one summer we had stayed there. Anyway, at Summer Bay, we had a two-bedroom suite, and everything was new, like the appliances and furniture. The beds were as comfortable as staying at a luxury hot...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 23, 2025

Summer Bay Resort Las Vegas
3950 Koval Lane
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 731-6100

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Carnival World Buffet

Restaurant | "Rio Hotel All-You-Can-Eat Buffet"

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This was the first buffet place we tried in Las Vegas. They have so many entrees to choose from. It has to be one of the largest ones in Las Vegas. It's definitely worth a try. It has a "carnival" of different world cuisines. Kids will enjoy eating here. There are so many varieties of food to choose from.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 19, 2025

Carnival World Buffet
3700 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
(702) 364-9192

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Todai Seafood & Sushi Buffet

Restaurant | "Todai Seafood & Sushi Buffet"

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Reservations aren't required if you go early. Nicely located in our home resort, Aladdin. If you love Japanese cuisine, seafood and sushi, this is the buffet for you. We were looking for buffets that served all-you-can-eat lobster, and this restaurant was the only one we found in Las Vegas. Of course, it doesn't beat the famous Boston Lobster Feast in Orlando, Florida. This is a great dining experience for those who love seafood and especially sushi lovers.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 19, 2025

Todai Seafood & Sushi Buffet
3663 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 892-0021

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Sahara Buffet

Restaurant

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This has to be the least expensive place to have lunch or dinner. When you are in Vegas, you can find lots of coupon books. We happened to find one for a buffet at the Sahara Hotel for cheap -- I mean really cheap! With a coupon, you can have lunch here for three bucks! It's a buffet-style restaurant with many entrees to choose from. They have a great salad bar. The food is not spectacular, but good enough for you not to get sick.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 4, 2025

Sahara Buffet
2535 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
+1 702 737 2111

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Surf Buffet

Restaurant | "Surf Buffet at the Boardwalk"

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Oh, the Buffet at the Boardwalk...it was midnight, and we were hungry! This was advertised as a "steak buffet" for like six bucks. We thought it was an all-you-can-eat steak, but instead, you are given a choice of a steak or an omelette! Let me repeat that: one steak or one omelette. Well, once you get the steak, you are going to wish you had chosen the omelette. Not many entrees to choose from, so altogether, we highly do not recommend eating here.

Member Rating 1 out of 5 on November 4, 2025

Surf Buffet
3750 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 735-2400

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Ellis Island Casino & Brewery

Restaurant | "Ellis Island $4.95 Top Sirloin"

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On my flight home to Las Vegas, I sat by somebody who actually said Las Vegas was expensive. What? We can take a family trip here for a week and spend less than half a grand on just food, so you can imagine if it was just my husband and I on this Vegas trip. There are just so many deals you can find here. I guess for first-time visitors like this guy, you have to spend the extra money to eat at the more expensive restaurants to experience the more lavish Vegas. Oh, and about this five-dollar steak--it was good for your money. This place had a decent menu, and the prices were less than most we've seen. Others where they have specials, you will notice prices for other entrees were almost double. The...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 23, 2025

Ellis Island Casino & Brewery
4178 Koval Lane
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 733-8901

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Pharoah's Pheast Buffet

Restaurant | "Luxor Pharaoh's Pheast Buffet"

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We ate here on our second trip to Las Vegas. It was comp meal, so we didn't mind the free meal. We tried their lunch buffet and were not as satisfied. The food was bland, but the service was good. Our drinks were always filled. Overall, we had thought the food at the Courtyard Buffet at Stratosphere was better. We tried it in 2003, so maybe by now the food improved.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on March 23, 2025

Pharoah's Pheast Buffet
Luxor Hotel - 3900 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
(702) 262-4102

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Spice Market Buffet

Restaurant | "Spice Market Buffet at Aladdin"

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For our third trip to Vegas, we decided to find cheap eats and avoid the buffets. But it was near the end of our vacation, and we decided if we were going to eat a buffet, we might as well try the buffet that's voted #1. The Spice Market lunch buffet had a variety of cuisines to choose from, like American, Italian, Mediterranean, and Mexican. They had a seafood, soup, and of course, a huge dessert station. We would highly recommend for you to make room for dessert(s)! Could this be the reason they were voted #1?

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 23, 2025

Spice Market Buffet
3667 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 785-5555

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Hotel San Remo

Restaurant | "Hotel San Remo All Day Prime Rib Special"

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We often ate here, and what do you know--our trip back to Vegas, and they still have the same special! If you're not tired of Prime Rib yet, do try the one here at Hotel San Remo. For only $5.95 you get a prime rib breakfast or dinner of reasonable size for your money. You will not be disappointed. Although the service is slow, you can't beat a $6 dollar meal.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 23, 2025

Hotel San Remo
115 East Tropicana Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

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Terrible's Chicken

Restaurant | "Terrible's Chicken, Steak and Breakfast Specials"

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Te-rib-le's sevice is definitely terrible, but what do you expect. The meal is cheap, and the servers probably don't get good tips. Their 1/2 chicken entree for $4.99 was pretty good. They have cheap steak specials, and they have their breakfast "graveyard" specials (after 11pm) that were worth trying. The least expensive breakfast meal was $1.99! You get two big pancakes with sausage, eggs, and toast. Pretty good for your money, huh?

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 23, 2025

Terrible's Chicken
4100 Paradise Rd
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 733-7000

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Westward HO DOGS

Restaurant | "Westward Hot Dogs"

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Oh, my! If you've never been here, we highly recommend you try their famous hotdogs. They are huge, and it's only $1.49! You can't beat that. They have 99-cent specials, like the strawberry shortcake dessert and shrimp cocktail. Also, on the other side side of the casino, you can order 99-cent margaritas!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 23, 2025

Westward HO DOGS
2900 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 731-6395

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Fatburger

Restaurant

Quote:

If you don't mind paying for a fast-food hamburger meal for 8 bucks, do try Fatburger. Burgers are huge and tasty. I love their veggie burger. If you're hungry for some burgers and tired of McD's, I would recommend going to the Fatburger.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 23, 2025

Fatburger
3763 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 736-4733