Christmas Vacation, chapter one
Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004,
Back to reality. Back with a thud. A recap (first installment):
By bedtime on Thursday, everything was ready, needing only to be placed into the luggage. We got up around four, got cleaned up, packed, dressed, and ready to head out. A brief stop for coffee/gas, and off to midway. Christmas Eve = easy commute. Took advantage of automatic check-in to speed things up a lot.
A reasonable line at security, a reasonable wait at the gate. Decent seats (row three) on the plane. The flight was delayed a bit after boarding, about 1/2 an hour late for takeoff, but we made it up during flight.
We got in to McCarran on time, and since it was ATA (the small terminal), we had a short walk to baggage claim, where our driver was waiting. I stepped out for a much-needed smoke while the men waited for the bags. I stepped out into temperatures 57 degrees higher than the last time I'd been outside. Going from two below to 55 above is a lovely thing.
As soon as the bags arrived, we were escorted to our midnight-blue 'executive sedan' Lincoln Town Car. This is basically an LTC with about a 5 inch stretch for legroom. Much more tasteful than those vulgar 'prom-kid specials' that you see so often in LV. Especially since it didn't have a for hire sign, but rather a small placard on the dash that said simply "Private Charter", and although it said Ambassador Limousine in small letters along the bottom of the smoked glass window, there was no big phone number printed across the back.
Tom, our driver, was very nice, and got us to GVR quickly and comfortably. He also drove us on the way back, and we really enjoyed having him as chauffeur.
On our arrival at the hotel, Spouse settled with Tom while I handled the bags. That is, I gave the captain our name so that he could send the bags up after we checked in. Not what you'd call a whole lot of effort on my part. And about the last effort I'd have to expend for the next few days. Doors opened for me, and I was in the small, perfectly appointed lobby of the hotel. And while the bustle of the casino was only a short walk away, you would never guess it was even there.
Although check-in wasn't till three, Spouse and I have found that to be a very fluid rule in Las Vegas, especially in the better resorts and hotels. Sure enough; although it was not even noon, they had a room for us, on the 3rd floor. Since GVR only has about 500 rooms, no room would be too far from the action. But Spouse and I were particularly pleased about our placement, as it was away from the noise and bustle of the Whiskey nightclub, and fairly close to the lobby.
Now... the room. 450 square feet, done in a Tuscan Villa motif. Ultra-comfortable beds, with down pillows and comforters, high thread count sheets, and padded leather headboards. An enormous closet furnished with a light, real doors that close (!) wooden and padded hangers, a safe, shelves, a shoe rack, iron and board, and oversized terry spa robes.
The room seemed a bit cramped, and lacked a comfy chair, but only because we had requested the 2-queen-bed option, rather than the one-king. (The curse of the 'jimmy-legs'!) The one-bed room is less cramped and has an easy chair. Our lovely mountain view was somewhat spoiled by the under-construction valet parking garage they are building, but the windows opened, which is always a plus. Sweet, fresh desert air. Ahh.
Huge, comfortable bathroom, with glass-enclosed stall shower (the best shower I've ever had in Vegas!), oversized tub, separate enclosure for the toilet, a phone next to the toilet, a control for TV volume so you can hear the TV while you are in the bathroom and multiple lighting options, so you can see to shave or put on makeup with the lighted vanity mirror, brighten up the whole place while you shave, or set the low, atmospheric sconces for a relaxing tub soak. Which you would take, of course, with the Gilchrist & Soames Sea Kelp Mineral Bath that GVR provides (along with G&S "English Spa" Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Lotion, and Oatmeal and Glycerin soaps).
Twice daily housekeeping. In addition to turning down your bed in the evening, your room is cleaned and towels restocked. And, no, they don't put a mint on your pillow. They provide bedside bottled water instead. I like that better, actually.
In room coffeemaker. Normally, I love this feature, but at GVR, they featured an early coffee and tea service (comp, of course) in the lobby, where you could get real cream, instead of powdered crap. Since I'm usually up, showered, and dressed before coffee anyway, I just stopped there for my caffeine. They had china cups and saucers for those who wished that particular refinement, or 'to-go' cups for those of us go-getters who were just passing through.
Comp shoe-shine, comp newspaper, your choice of USA Today or The LV Review-Journal. Mini-bar, but who wants to spend 3.95 for a 10-oz Pepsi? Web TV internet access for those who without a laptop, high-speed connections for those who brought their laptop.
All in all, most luxurious accommodations. And most accommodating staff.
NEXT TIME: More on the hotel. About the casino. Food, glorious food.