Sunday, 26 June 2016

California 2016 - Part 3

We Arrived In Las Vegas

Tuesday - May 24th 2016

Thanks to the jetlag, we got up pretty early, but that allowed us to check out our hotel. For the first two nights in Las Vegas we chose the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Although the hotel was located a little bit off the famous Las Vegas Boulevard, we enjoyed our stay there. Of course a casino was part of the hotel, and additionally it offered some shops, a nice pool area, several bars and restaurants. While our room was spacious, clean and very quiet, we expected a little bit more. We had already nicer hotel rooms for a fraction of the price. Nonetheless we felt very comfortable at the Hard Rock Hotel. 

Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas

Hard Rock Hotel Pool

Hard Rock Hotel Pool

Hard Rock Casino

Hard Rock Casino

Our Room

Our Bathroom

After we got a coffee in the casino, we bought some stuff, like water and snacks, at the drug store next door, and then we were on our way to the famous Strip. Our first stop was the Miracle Mile Shopping Mall at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino, where we got a smoothie at Jamba Juice for breakfast. From there we continued our casino and hotel hopping tour to the Paris Hotel & Casino and from there to the Bellagio and to the Aria Resort. We had already been to Vegas in 2008 and it seemed like the Strip didn't change that much, except for the huge new City Center casino and hotel complex. Noon was approaching fast and so we took the monorail from the Excalibur resort to the Mandaly Bay, where we had lunch at Hussong's Cantina, a Mexican restaurant that offers vegan dishes. After a delicious lunch with tacos and nachos, we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for some much needed drinks, because it got really warm.

Las Vegas Boulevard

Las Vegas Boulevard

Paris Hotel & Casino

The Bellagio Hotel & Casino

The Bellagio Hotel & Casino

The Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Aria Express

New York - New York Hotel & Casino

New York - New York Hotel & Casino

Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Hussong's Mexican Restaurant

Nachos

Vegan Chicken for Claudia

And Tacos for me

Luxor Hotel & Casino

New York - New York Hotel & Casino

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

New York - New York Hotel & Casino

Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Boulevard

Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Boulevard

New York - New York Hotel & Casino

A few alcoholic refreshments and a coffee from Starbucks later, we continued our hotel and casino hopping tour, but first we stopped at Sprinkles for a vegan cupcake. Afterwards we strolled through the Venetian casino before we ended up at the Fashion Show Mall. Since the jetlag was kicking in, we decided to take the shuttle bus back to the hotel. Las Vegas is home to two Hard Rock Cafes and the original one is located right next to the Hard Rock Hotel. So before returning to the room, we decided to have another drink.

City Center

City Center

Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino

Paris Hotel & Casino

The Bellagio

The LinQ High Roller

Cupcake from Sprinkles

The Venetian Hotel & Casino

Palazzo Hotel & Casino

Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas - The Original

Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas - The Original

Right across the Hard Rock Hotel was the Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas. We have been to the original one in Munich a few years ago and it wasn't that great. So why would we go to a German beer hall in the US? The reason was rather simple, unlike the one in Munich, it offered vegan meals and we had a coupon for a free beer. Surprisingly the vegan schnitzel and sausages tasted quite good. Back at the hotel we packed our belongings again, because on the next day we wanted to check out early to pick up our rental car at the airport.

Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas

Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas

HB Beer

Veggie Schnitzel

Veggie Sausages

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