31900 Las Vegas Blvd S.
Primm, NV 89019-7002
(702) 386-7867

I recently attended an ATA Tournament in Primm, NV, and after reading all the reviews on the web I made the easy decision to stay in Vegas and just make the short drive to Primm for the tournament, because the reviews of all your options for both food and lodging are indeed terrible. And as it turns out, they are all correct. But a last minute schedule change for both a Friday Night and Saturday Morning events persuaded me to just stay in Primm and save the extra commute time. That was a terrible mistake.

All the terrible things you are reading all over the web about all of the Terrible's property's in Primm, NV are absolutely true, if not completely understated. But like you, perhaps, I thought that nothing could be that terrible and still be in business. Turns out, it can!

Check-in at the Primm Valley Casino and Resort was typical of all Vegas area casinos. You'll have to walk through and then stand in line in a smoke filled casino. And while I know that the smoke isn't going to be an issue for most casino goers, I'm traveling with two young athletes that are pursuing a world championship and they just don't need the smoke in their lungs. And frankly, I hate the smoke too. So I was thrilled to find an automated check-in kiosk just to the left of the long line, and no one was using it!

3850 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(877) 750-5464

About a week ago I was given just 12 hours notice that I would need to take off for Vegas for about 4 days. Since I needed to keep the costs down where I could, I decided to give the Excalibur Hotel and Casino a try. The rooms were inexpensive, and the hotel is conveniently located for my specific needs on this trip. Sadly, that might be the nicest thing I have to say about the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.

Upon arrival I discovered that I'd have to park far away from the Hotel to check-in, unless I'd like to pay for Valet Parking. I did not. I needed to have easy access to my truck, and I didn't need the added expense of having someone else park my truck. Furthermore, I preferred to have my truck in the garage. The Valet Parking is outside. This meant I'd be parking across the street from the farthest side of the Hotel & Casino possible in relation to the location of my room. And that I'd have to schlep my bags on my own, without the benefit of one of hotels luggage carts as they were reserved for the Valets. Several trips and a Jericho Mile later I made it to my room.

Like most Hotels and Casinos in Vegas, the check-in line is long and it moves slowly. But unlike the more modern hotels on the strip, the Excalibur is doing nothing to abate the smoke in the building. The whole place reeks of it. You are going to have to stand in it to check in; and then walk through it to get just about anywhere while you are there. If you are a non-smoker, chances are you are going to hate this place for the smoke alone. I know that Vegas is something of a Smoker's Paradise, and that it's something us non-smokers must deal with when visiting Vegas, but there are definitely other Hotel and Casinos where the smoke is being dealt with much more effectively.

1410 S. Entertainment Ave.
Boise, ID 83709
(208) 375 2141

Whether you are looking for a great meal, a fabulous evening out, or perhaps a way to celebrate a special occasion in or around the Boise, ID area, look no further than Mystique Dining. We've celebrated two different special occasions at Mystique, and have also recently enjoyed a third evening out at Mystique Dining. It's certainly my daughters favorite place to celebrate all of her special occasions. Dare we ask how she might want to celebrate just about anything, Mystique Dining is going to be her answer.

Your evening at Mystique will begin with an expertly prepared five-course meal consisting of an appetizer, salad, palate cleanser, entree and desert. My tastes are pretty simple, so I've ordered the Prime Rib on each of my visits. But as I look around the table at the meals of other guests, and sample the plates that my more adventerous wife has ordered, all of the menu choices are quite excellent. Oh, and the cheese cake? Well, I've never really been a fan of cheese cake; but I must say that I enjoyed it completely on each of my visits. It's just that good.

While it's hard enough to make a single choice from their most excellent menu, choosing your magician is a more daunting task. They're all excellent, and you'll be forced to choose just one of them for your special evening.