Michael Phelps’ Girlfriend Megan Rossee — Private Jet-Setting, Vegas-Hopping Hobnobber

0807_megan_rossee_launchMichael Phelps‘ hot cocktail waitress GF has been around the block — in fact, she’s been around the WORLD … on private jets … long before she ever met Phelps … all because of her pretty face … and TMZ has the pics to prove it.

Sources tell TMZ, 25-year-old Megan Rossee ingratiated herself with the rich and famous through her job as a model at VIP events around the country — and thanks to her gig, she and her hot friends have been showered with lavish gifts by their elite admirers … including expensive trips to Vegas AND flights on private jets.

We’re told all the photos were taken within the last year — in the months before Megan and Phelps eventually came into contact.

And that’s why it pays to be hot.

Vegas Hipster – Now on Youtube – Vegas Videos!

Be sure to check out our brand new YouTube channel all about Las Vegas:

http://www.youtube.com/user/vegashipster?feature=mhee

 

Mayweather set to fight at Vegas MGM Grand Tomorrow

Vegas Mayweather Ortiz

Undefeated boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather will take on Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight boxing title at the MGM Grand tomorrow, and if you’re in the area or able to make it, this one will be worth the money. Mayweather hasn’t boxed in 16 months and is itching to prove his doubters wrong, while 24-year-old Ortiz has the opportunity to make the 34-year-old Mayweather feel his age and ruin his undefeated record. There has been plenty of controversy surrounding Mayweather–his legal issues, his tendency to defend and talk about his accomplishments constantly–and if Ortiz pulls off a victory, it will be a fight everyone refers to. If you’re near the MGM Grand this weekend, don’t miss it!

The Vegas iPhone App will give you everything you need for a weekend adventure to places like the Mayweather fight in Vegas. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Alcohol in Vegas – The Rules

Las Vegas Alcohol

We get a lot of questions about “the rules” for drinking and alcohol in Las Vegas, and are here with the answer to all of your problems! Our new page on alcohol in Las Vegas is here:

Alcohol in Vegas

In it, we highlight all the tips and tricks for getting around Vegas without getting in trouble for taking a sip. Enjoy! The Vegas iPhone App will give you everything you need for a night on the town (or a full vacation) in Vegas. Enjoy, and be sure to check out Vegas Hipster, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Follow-Up: O’Shea’s Will Be No More Until 2013 – Vegas Project Linq

O'Sheas VegasWe’ve recently received word after reporting on Project Linq that O’Sheas will be no more. It will merge with Imperial Palace, which will be rebranded and change names after it gets a makeover. This is the reference to “re-skinning” both O’Sheas and Imperial Palace.

Caesars owns both properties and plans to relaunch a different O’Sheas in summer 2013. We will miss the current O’Sheas. Where else can you be served beer by a leprechaun?

Italian Food in Vegas – Battista’s Review

Vegas restaurant Battista's

There are many Italian restaurants in Vegas, but Battista’s may just have the edge over the competition, in both authenticity and longevity. Battista’s has been family owned and operated and serving authentic Italian food in Vegas for more than 30 years. Veal, pasta, spaghetti, meatballs, and much more await you, all prepared with the finest ingredients and the best knives you can find online, click here to learn more about knives history. Wines are from all over the world, including (of course) Italy, California, and Germany. An accordion player adds to the atmosphere during your meal as well. You even get a cappuccino at the end of your meal!

We ate here last week and would recommend it to anyone that loves good food; it is simply phenomenal authentic Italian, and the portions are huge!

Battista’s is located being the Flamingo Hilton at 4041 Audrie Street, and it’s open nightly for dinner from 5-10:30pm. You can find more information on Battista’s at their web site HERE.

Vegas Venetian Hotel Sues Tea Party Nation of Tennesee for $642,000

Venetian Hotel in Vegas

If we got a hotel bill in the sum of $642,144, we’d be a little concerned, regardless of how swanky the hotel we stayed at was. In this instance, however, the Venetian hotel owner Las Vegas Sands says the Tea Party Nation of Tennesee reserved 1,637 room nights in the hotel for the period of July 14-18, then postponed and later cancelled their event, which is where the bulk of the fee comes from. The Tea Party Nation of Tennesee cited a lack of people willing to pay for the $399 weekend pass ($125 per day). The bill also includes an 18% interest charge of $87,996. The Venetian includes a great variety of amenities and perks, and should you choose to stay there (and not cancel), we’ve got all the information for you HERE.

Sahara Las Vegas is Closing

Sahara Las Vegas Closing

Sahara Las Vegas Closing May 16th 211

The Sahara Hotel and Casino is closing May 16th 2011. The Sahara opened in 1952 and starred in the original Oceans 11 now nearly 6 decades later, the 59 year old hotel has seen better days and will be closing its doors.

“The continued operation of the aging Sahara was no longer economically viable,” CEO Sam Nazarian of owner SBE Entertainment Group said.  He also stated: “With Las Vegas showing early signs of recovery, we are confident that we ultimately will find a creative and comprehensive new solution for this historic property,”

We have visited the Sahara many times over the years and in the end they had to succumb to the $1 Blackjack and the no frills casino.  The only saving grace was the visit from Man vs. Food who tried to eat their 6lb burrito.  The Sahara is on the north end of the strip and it is not located in the best of areas.  It was good for a cheap place to stay and gamble, but to get to the night life you either have to rent a car or hop on a bus.

Nazarian said his company is considering options of a remodel, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.  It will be almost impossible to get financing in Las Vegas right now.  All you have to do is look next door to Echelon which has been just a skeleton for years and the Fontainbleau hotel which will be unfinished for years to come.  Let alone the empty lots all around.  Vegas has taken a beating and it will be a while before it recovers.

The Rio Las Vegas Hotel Review Nov 2007

Rio Las Vegas Review

Here is the review of my latest stay at the Rio Las Vegas.

I made my reservation over the phone and the prices were in the $300 range for the weekend, but as a frugal shopper I checked the web the day I was supposed to arrive and the prices had dropped to $145 a night. They tried to say that we could not switch because of the cancellation policy within 72 hours. I had to argue a bit but finally got them to give me the new rate and not treat it as a cancellation. This is pretty much rule #1 check the rates periodically before you leave to see if there is a better deal. During my reservation I specifically asked for the Masquerade Tower on a high floor, strip view and a king bed. I even made sure the reservationist had all that information in my record, by calling back to make sure the first agent had put this in.

When I arrived at the Rio and checked in, I did the $20 trick (if you don’t know what this is just ask us). The lady behind the counter was oblivious on what the $20 meant, which is another story all together. So we started to complete our transaction and she had us down for the wrong tower and I asked her to check for any notes in our reservation, she found them and fixed the reservation and I was off to my room, The room ended up being the wrong side of the building giving me a mountain view, so I traversed back to the front desk to get the room I requested, but they only had a room with two queen beds and the front desk lady said she would put us in the queue for a room change the next morning. Rule #2: Always get what you asked for and complain if you do not or the New Vegas will take advantage of you.

As a side note:
I personally like the Masquerade Tower. The Masquerade Tower is shaped like a crescent moon and I like staying on the outside curve of the building facing the Las Vegas Strip because of the view and the rooms are bigger.

When I finally got in my room here is what I found:
The TV didn’t work
The phone didn’t work, it only had the old pulse dial (There was no way to fix it)
Many lights were burnt out in the bathroom
The bathroom was in need of a good cleaning (which is why I’m giving it such poor toilet ratings)
The door-jam near the shower was rusting very badly
The Bathtub grout needed a good cleaning, grout cleaning products always smell a little weird don’t they? Also
The sectional couch had no support, the cushions were flat.
They have an advertisement for Jim Beam on the side of the building, like they really need any more money. This helps for privacy but takes away from a clear view out the window. It felt like I was looking out a very thick window screen

Rio Las Vegas Review Rio Las Vegas Review Rio Las Vegas Review

Right away I called maintenance, wait the phone doesn’t work, but the phone by the elevator did. So I called about the TV and a maintenance person was dispatched and showed up an hour later only to come in my room and literally bang on the front a/v ports on the TV until the message “please insert the a/v device” went away. So I turned the TV off and back on and the same message appeared, so he proceeded to beat on it some more, yes he was hitting it with his palm. The message went away again, I turned it off and on, and viola it was fixed. I said to the maintenance person, “I would never of thought of beating on the TV to get it work, but at least I know how to fix it in the future”

The other two items, the phone and burnt out lights, I addressed with the front desk. They said they would get a maintenance person up there to fix it, it was never fixed but we found a new toothbrush on our counter, go figure…

We did receive a message from the front desk about our room upgrade, but the phone didn’t work so we couldn’t get to the message without some assistance, but it was all for not since the Rio was now sold out, yea right!

Another Side Note:
Earlier this year I stayed in the newly renovated rooms in the Ipanema after the front desk guy said the rooms were much better since they were renovated, I still wasn’t impressed. For those of you that have stayed at the Rio: They upgraded the TV from a standard tube TV to a 42 flat panel which now hangs on the wall on the opposite side of the room over the table, the picture quality was horrible because they were sending standard def to a high-def screen. They upgraded the Beds and Bedding, which are really nice. They also spruced up the bathroom and I think they changed out the sectional couch. Other than that I didn’t see much difference. One really bad thing was the shower was stopped up and wouldn’t drain, so a call to maintenance was required.

The Rio still needs help and here is why
Customer service. The staff on the casino floor are an unforgiving lot. While cruising the casino, this includes the casino floor, the buffet, shops etc… I was always being cut off by the Rio staff. They were very unapologetic, they would just cut you off or make you get out of their way. If this only happened once I would not gripe but every time I would venture out they seemed to have the right of way. This is total CRAP, what happened to customer service and the customer is always right? I am not sure who is training these people but get a grip. Vegas was founded on customer service and thank you, and yes sir, no sir.

The Rio is faltering and has been since Harrah’s took over. They have made it just another “Hotel in Vegas”. I am sure Harrah’s is making money with their template but the Rio Hotel in Vegas used to be a great place to have a great time and enjoy the experience.

The World Carnival Buffet used to be one of those experiences until Harrah’s changed that also. Though it has gotten better the quality is not back to where once was. When Harrah’s bought the Rio the first thing they did was remove the sushi, got rid of the quality and went with easier food to prepare. The Rio World Carnival Buffet was about quality and quantity, now it is quantity and a little quality. Every time I have eaten here the same food always tastes different. How can you have multiple batches of eggs benedict, ribs, mashed potatoes taste so different, this goes for anything they prepare by hand and not “store bought”. I am also really disappointed in the size and preparation of the crab legs. The crab legs have gotten way smaller than they once were. (Yes, I know the seafood buffet is better but lets stick with the Carnival World Buffet, and the Seafood Buffet is closed for renovations. Back to the crab legs, I would not give these things to my worst enemy, they are so watered down you have to squeeze them so they will drain and I they are soaking in regular water and not brine. Also they are over-cooked so badly you cannot get any meat because it sticks to the inside of the shell. This tells me the person cooking them doesn’t know what they are doing. The Rio also used to have steamed crab in the World Carnival Buffet but now it is only iced. I have done my homework on this and have eaten at the Rio Carnival World Buffet for a decade and more times than I care to let on, trust me I am a card carrying member. One redeeming quality for the Rio is our waiter, he has been there for twelve years and I try and make sure we sit in his section, because he will make sure everything is right, there is only one waiter who has been there longer and only by two years.

The Wynn has it to the nines:
The customer service training is very apparent here. After you get up from either the tables or the slots there is a customer service agent to push in your chair and to clean up the mess you left behind. They hold the door for you anytime they can, they are always very friendly and will make sure you are taken care of. Not to leave out the Bellagio but they are a close second.

Real World Las Vegas 2 Observations

Was Brynn really a party girl during season one? I got The Real World Las Vegas Season One after it first aired for a B-day present. So I took some time and I went back and watch season one. I paid close attention to all the Vegas sights and sound first and secondly the character development, which is more important? I have been using my Tivo to record Las Vegas Season 2, so I am not that hyped about the show, but it is Vegas.

My Observations: Brynn kissed a girl and was a go go dancer but what else did she do that was so wild? She found her boyfriend and the second half of of season one she disapeared. I feel that MTV Hyped up the fact she was a party girl, just like they hyped Trishelle as a good girl. They are total polar opposites now from the way they were portraid. Brynn has settled down and has two children, Trishelle on the other hand is still carrying the torch of a single party girl. I do not discount the fact that Vegas may have changed Trishelle, I know it did me, but how much do you think she actually changed or was she already that way. In no way am I faulting either of the two for who they are or who they have become, they both have goals and I hope they acheive them, but the trailer for season one was better than the movie.

Also, I should stop counting all the product placements for The Palms and other things.