Absolutely nothing. But the OP asked about splurging!
(The Green Valley Ranch Casino has one of the best buffets in town, for a decent price, and yes - they have fried chicken with biscuits, but they also have crab legs stacked high and people preparing shrimp scampi at the grill…)
Oh, and silenus always has good suggestions…he is goes to the Strip more often than I do, and I live here and he lives in California!
And twickster, your check for your fee as my PR person is in the mail. Thanks!
I only make it up that way about twice or thrice a year these days, but I just found out I’ll be back on the 10th. I might have to try a different buffet this time around…
Planet Hollywood, Green Valley Ranch, Wynn (if for nothing else but the desserts!)…plenty to choose from. Well be back on the 22nd, but just overnight. Caesar’s gave us a free room and free Elton John tickets, so we’re making it a delayed anniversary celebration. No buffetts, though. A late dinner at Rao’s instead. 
Hotel room times three equals total expenses for any vacation. YMMV
The shows and some other exhibits will kill you. If you look on line, you can see ticket prices for the Cirque stuff and other acts. We didn’t plan on it because we prefer to vacation on a shoestring budget. If you have the dough, all reports say the Cirque stuff is truly wonderful.
I’ll consider Wynn – I walked around the hotel briefly last year and it seemed pretty cool. Planet Hollywood doesn’t interest me, and GVR is out of the way.
Hell, who am I kidding? My favorite place to eat in Vegas is cheap little ol’ Blueberry Hill. Best pancakes and omelettes anywhere.
Go to Battista’s Hole in the Wall restaurant. It’s behind the Flamingo, I think.
Relatively inexpensive and SUPER yummy Italian food. With salad, garlic bread, all-you-can-drink house wine, and a cappuccino afterwards.
I respecfully submit that Peppermill has better both.
BS, I agree. Battista’s is a wonderful little place, and close to not only the center of the Strip, but a monorail stop as well. 
:dubious: Have you BEEN to Blueberry Hill?
And I give you my word that if you have tried BH’s pancakes and omelettes and you truly prefer Peppermill, I will make it a point to try it. Just understand that you’re talking about my perfect meal, and I will not take it lightly if you screw that up for me. 
Wow thanks for all the suggestions everyone! This is good information to bring to my vacation mates.
Another question I have: is it worth it to buy VIP tickets to nightclubs?
We want to keep expenses low, but still maintain that delusion that we are living large. It looks like that just might be possible… 
Try it. You’ll not be hungry for 48 hours at least. Huge servings, and right tasty to boot! Try a Joe’s Special or a Munch’s Breakfast. Or the Marco Pollo omelet.
I’ve eaten at a Blueberry Hill, but it was years ago and my memory isn’t clear. But I’ll back Peppermill against just about any place.
Don’t these “comps” require that you rather consistently lose substantially more than their value while gambling?
Nope. Only that you gamble and give the casino a shot at your money. The wife and I are definitely low-rollers. She plays penny slots and I play low level blackjack and craps. But because we show up regularly, and always use our Player’s Club cards, we get several offers a week from the various properties around Vegas. On top of that, you can amass “comp dollars” that you can use in any of the clubs, stores and restaurants associated with the properties. Not to mention the freebies you can get as enticements. They tend to the tacky, but they make great presents for people who aren’t that close to you.
I just checked the spreadsheet. The last time we paid anything for a room in Vegas was 3 1/2 years ago, when we decided to stay downtown instead of on the Strip, for a change of scenery.
Alright. I’ll see if I can wrangle my wife and sister-in-law there when we go, and I’ll be sure to report back.
But I’m having Blueberry Hill first, dammit!
My Wife and I usually hit up Magnolia’s in the Four Queens Downtown for dinner while we are there. They have a prime rib dinner with salad, veggies, and choice of starch for $8.95.
Yes, it is.
If you arrive before a certain time, usually midnight, the VIP tickets will ensure that you at least get into the club. Keep in mind that there may still be a line for VIP ticket holders. (There are usually two queues - a regular queue and a VIP queue.)
Also, the queue doesn’t work like a normal queue does. In a normal queue, whoever is at the front goes next, obviously. In Vegas, however, although you may be standing at the front, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are next.
Often times, bouncers will scan the queue for groups of hot women, pluck them out, wherever they may be at in the line, and let them in ahead of you. Your chances of getting in faster will depend on if you bring girls or not.
If you show up with a bunch of dudes, you’ll still get in, it’ll just be awhile, VIP tickets or not. Another way to get in fairly quick is to purchase bottle service. This is where you purchase a table, along with a few bottles of alcohol, at an extremely inflated price.
This is the way we usually do it because it secures a location to bring girls back to once you’re in the club, and just makes a nice place to sit down and take a breather.
We’re going to be a bunch of girls. Does that mean we stand a better chance of waiting less in line for the clubs? How long is an average rate, with and without the VIP pass? I can’t say we’re super hot, but at the very least, we’re a decent looking group of girls… no deformities or anything. Would it help to let the bouncers “overhear” that we are SO looking forward to getting in and blowing all our money on drinks? 
Nevermind…I am slow today.
Does the Rio still do the awesome seafood buffet? If so, is it still as wonderful as I remember?
Joe
I liked the Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood best - about $25 per person.
$1 margaritas were at the back bar in Bill’s Gambling Hall and Saloon (beside the Flamingo, across from Caesar’s). Just for Og’s sake make sure you stir it. Stir stir stir…unless you like tequila shots.
As **Dmark **said, room rates are pretty darn cheap right now. You can get a better class of room for a good rate. I’m getting offers for $69 per night at MGM Grand.
There are tons of other stuff to do as well…helicopter tours, the Hoover Dam, museums, shopping. I went earlier this year for 5 days and in total spent about $2000. (Room, airfare, food, and entertainment.)