A weekend in Reno (report)
Nov 27th, 2011, 08:53 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 20,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A weekend in Reno (report)
We went to Reno, leaving on Thanksgiving day Thursday. Amtrak was on time, the train was full, and the bus ride from Sacramento was beautiful as always. Close to Sacramento we got to see the fall colors: yellow, lemon-and-lime, brown, rust, red and fiery red, dark green. Lots of snow in the mountains, but no chains required. Going back, Amtrak had so many passengers that they brought 2 buses to Reno, we got on the express bus to Sacramento and made it to the earlier train.
The hotel was full. Not sure if most of the families with children walked over from Circus-Circus or stayed at Silver Legacy, but we saw a lot of them with bags of soft toys. Very polite check-in people, accommodated our room request close to the elevator, told the weather forecast is good for driving upon checkout – not your usual dry “hello and thank you” we are used to from other hotels.
The room was nice, spacious, large counter in the bathroom; sink outside so you can brush your teeth while the husband is taking a shower. We had 2 beds with 3 pillows on each bed! and a decorative roll to keep your feet up if tired. Air conditioner easily adjusted. The only thing we did not enjoy was the flat wide screen TV that made people look shorter and wider. Oh, well, we didn’t watch much.
As for coffee drinkers – if you enjoy a cup first thing in the morning, there are no coffeemakers in rooms, same as in every casino. In Silver Legacy, there is a coffee café by the check-in area across from the elevators with 2 lines, one for regular coffee and pastries “express”, another line if you want something fancy like cappuccino or latte. Several elevators to different floors, so very little waiting, and you have to show your key card to the security person in the lobby.
Casino – don’t know how they manage it, but those non-smoking sections are really good, not even a hint of smoke! Plenty of penny slots, from old with bars and 7s to newer ones, to really new – a penny slot with 30,40 or 50 cents minimum, much more music and movements and more fun, but you lose faster than playing 9 lines on older slots.
We went to see Peter Pan, as foreigners we didn’t read the children’s books, so now we know who he is, and why he was fighting Captain Hook. Tried to get tickets on-line at home, didn’t like to be in the 1st row, in the hotel we got great seats at even reduced price! The show was adjusted to Reno with some quips in the beginning, and there was an interesting thing: a pirate tried to take a teddy bear from a child, and in the struggle ripped the bear’s arm off. Later he brought the bear back with his arm in a sling, and said: the bear is healing thanks to Obama’s bear care! This certainly got people’ reaction
We went to the buffet once to have lunch with the friends, good quality and lots of choices. Little did we know that sometimes a free entertainment is included! We were involved in our conversation when heard an argument coming from the table next to us. Somehow when a family came back with plates of food, another family took that table over, and neither family would agree to move to another table! Most of the argument was not in English, but judging by their face expressions, the words were far from polite. Children were standing there, staring at parents, visibly scared. We didn’t see security; buffet employees somehow solved the issue. We went back to our catching up as we don’t see each other often, and e-mails are not enough!
Ate once in Café Sedona, wouldn’t care to go back. Chicken was good and hot, but accompanied by room temperature mashed potatoes, and the service was unprofessional. Say what you want, I am not your “sweetie” waitress Maria! We liked the Food Court on the lower level, except that they didn’t make lemongrass chicken that was on the menu, as they explained, it was “too much work” – don’t you think it’s “too much info” for the clients? But there were many other choices, and we got food to go to enjoy with the bottle of wine brought from home.
Overall, it was a fun trip; great to see Holly_Uncasdewar and Crefloors again, relax away from home, and watch the scenery going by. Now I can start getting ready for the Rose Parade, maybe need to buy warmer clothes.
The hotel was full. Not sure if most of the families with children walked over from Circus-Circus or stayed at Silver Legacy, but we saw a lot of them with bags of soft toys. Very polite check-in people, accommodated our room request close to the elevator, told the weather forecast is good for driving upon checkout – not your usual dry “hello and thank you” we are used to from other hotels.
The room was nice, spacious, large counter in the bathroom; sink outside so you can brush your teeth while the husband is taking a shower. We had 2 beds with 3 pillows on each bed! and a decorative roll to keep your feet up if tired. Air conditioner easily adjusted. The only thing we did not enjoy was the flat wide screen TV that made people look shorter and wider. Oh, well, we didn’t watch much.
As for coffee drinkers – if you enjoy a cup first thing in the morning, there are no coffeemakers in rooms, same as in every casino. In Silver Legacy, there is a coffee café by the check-in area across from the elevators with 2 lines, one for regular coffee and pastries “express”, another line if you want something fancy like cappuccino or latte. Several elevators to different floors, so very little waiting, and you have to show your key card to the security person in the lobby.
Casino – don’t know how they manage it, but those non-smoking sections are really good, not even a hint of smoke! Plenty of penny slots, from old with bars and 7s to newer ones, to really new – a penny slot with 30,40 or 50 cents minimum, much more music and movements and more fun, but you lose faster than playing 9 lines on older slots.
We went to see Peter Pan, as foreigners we didn’t read the children’s books, so now we know who he is, and why he was fighting Captain Hook. Tried to get tickets on-line at home, didn’t like to be in the 1st row, in the hotel we got great seats at even reduced price! The show was adjusted to Reno with some quips in the beginning, and there was an interesting thing: a pirate tried to take a teddy bear from a child, and in the struggle ripped the bear’s arm off. Later he brought the bear back with his arm in a sling, and said: the bear is healing thanks to Obama’s bear care! This certainly got people’ reaction
We went to the buffet once to have lunch with the friends, good quality and lots of choices. Little did we know that sometimes a free entertainment is included! We were involved in our conversation when heard an argument coming from the table next to us. Somehow when a family came back with plates of food, another family took that table over, and neither family would agree to move to another table! Most of the argument was not in English, but judging by their face expressions, the words were far from polite. Children were standing there, staring at parents, visibly scared. We didn’t see security; buffet employees somehow solved the issue. We went back to our catching up as we don’t see each other often, and e-mails are not enough!
Ate once in Café Sedona, wouldn’t care to go back. Chicken was good and hot, but accompanied by room temperature mashed potatoes, and the service was unprofessional. Say what you want, I am not your “sweetie” waitress Maria! We liked the Food Court on the lower level, except that they didn’t make lemongrass chicken that was on the menu, as they explained, it was “too much work” – don’t you think it’s “too much info” for the clients? But there were many other choices, and we got food to go to enjoy with the bottle of wine brought from home.
Overall, it was a fun trip; great to see Holly_Uncasdewar and Crefloors again, relax away from home, and watch the scenery going by. Now I can start getting ready for the Rose Parade, maybe need to buy warmer clothes.
Nov 27th, 2011, 10:18 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good report Dayenu, as always. Lots of good info and a touch of your wonderful sense of humor!
We took Amtrak from Jack London Square to Old Town Sacramento last year for my birthday. Really enjoyed the train ride; hadn't been on a train for years. Stayed in Old Town and had a really nice day.
You're having the best time this year, traveling to great places and doing fun things! Keep it up.
We took Amtrak from Jack London Square to Old Town Sacramento last year for my birthday. Really enjoyed the train ride; hadn't been on a train for years. Stayed in Old Town and had a really nice day.
You're having the best time this year, traveling to great places and doing fun things! Keep it up.
Nov 27th, 2011, 10:33 AM
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Faina..you show such a thrust of zest in your travel. It infects all of us who read your tr's. Thank you for including me. And your tr's are certainly not something I would ever say "dayenu" to. (Inside comment)
stu
stu
Nov 27th, 2011, 11:19 AM
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 37,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Faina. It was fun to spend some time with you, as always. I was glad to meet Mr. Again. The weather is just beautiful today. I'm glad the hospitality at the hotel was good. I hadn't been to the Silver Legacy for probably four or five years. I never go downtown unless I'm meeting you..you get me out and about. LOL
Nov 27th, 2011, 03:56 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 20,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, all! Stu
AnnMarie, we went to the auto museum in Vegas, not in Reno.
Paula, I am reading the thread in the lounge started by Gail, how to keep warm during a game, and get all those visuals of fury coats and all sorts of chemical warmers and bubble wrap around people's backsides...
AnnMarie, we went to the auto museum in Vegas, not in Reno.
Paula, I am reading the thread in the lounge started by Gail, how to keep warm during a game, and get all those visuals of fury coats and all sorts of chemical warmers and bubble wrap around people's backsides...
Nov 28th, 2011, 05:00 AM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been to the car museums in Reno and Las Vegas, and they're both excellent. If I were to give an edge to one, it would actually be the one in Reno.
The art museum can be okay too, depending on what their temporary exhibits are. The Historical Society Museum on the Univ. of Nevada campus is of the small and dusty variety.
The art museum can be okay too, depending on what their temporary exhibits are. The Historical Society Museum on the Univ. of Nevada campus is of the small and dusty variety.
Dec 12th, 2011, 09:23 AM
#17
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course I was on call that weekend........I'm only an hour and a half from Reno. I wish I could have gone. 
I am a big fan of the non-smoking sections in the casinos~brilliance on the part of whomever makes those decisions!!
I am a big fan of the non-smoking sections in the casinos~brilliance on the part of whomever makes those decisions!!
