You can't see it, because I couldn't get a place to photograph the entire room at once, but there is also a small super armchair-style couch and a desk with two chairs. However, there is only one TV, although I'll give them points for offering 4 telephones.
The bathrooms are the best part of the whole deal:
There are two toilets, one with bidet, one without. Both have small "desktops" with paper and pen underneath the telephone so that you can jot down any great inspirations or conversations you have during your toilet break.
There was also a glassed-in "double" shower and a hot tub that could accommodate one large person or two smaller folks. I'm thinking both participants would need to be under 200 pounds if you wanted togetherness in the hot tub. There were also two separate vanities, with a magnifying mirror and hair dryer provided for "her" bathroom.
As is perhaps standard in Vegas, there was an ironing board, room safe, and refrigerator, but no coffee maker. Since room service was included in the RFB, we just ordered it freshly made every time we wanted coffee. There was an internet link offered but we didn't test it to see if it actually worked.
Here's an impressionist view from the room at twilight after a strawberry daiquiri in the Terrazza piano bar:
808 had fantastic service and a nice quiet setting. I wouldn't put it in the top rank of gourmet experiences I've had in Vegas, but there is some tough competition from Aureole's (Mandalay Bay), Buccaneer Bay Club (Treasure Island), and Picasso's (Mirage). The ahi hand rolls were delicious. Unfortunately, my main course, the stir-fried lobster was very beautiful to the eye but suffered in comparison to the spicy fried lobster at Asia's (Harrahs) across the street. For those who are too dehydrated or enervated by heat to order an entire bottle of wine, 808 has a great "by the glass" list.
We had a small quiet lunch brought to us by room service, for which our host was charged $69.00! Yikes! I sometimes wonder why anyone comes to Vegas any more who isn't comped. Where are the bargains?
Above is the pool, called "Garden of the Gods," which we appreciated from above to avoid sunburn. I wish Vegas casinos would open their pools at night for those of us with fair skins. Just until 10 or so?
I have very mixed thoughts about the Tyson/Lewis fight. Of course, we all agree that Tyson is a very bad man and stuck on himself to boot, and who wants to see such a character win a fight. On the other hand, when I finally saw him in the ring with Lewis, I realized what an underdog he truly was. He just isn't in the same size class. And, whatever else you may say about this character, he has a lot of heart. Despite being a substantially smaller fighter, with substantially less reach, he dominated the first round. After that, he ran out of steam. I think the referee would have ended the fight much sooner, if it had been anyone other than Tyson. I had a feeling that the referee felt we were paying to see this guy beat up. And maybe we were...but I personally took no pleasure in seeing a guy knocked around who had so much spirit that he just wouldn't lay down. By the end, I could hear myself yelling, "End it, end it." I'm so glad Lewis KOed him when he did. I just don't think I could have sat there and watched much longer without walking out. Well, enough of that. Most if not all of the VIPS at the party had bet on Lewis, so there was general jubilation at the outcome.
We had dinner afterward at Nero's, where I enjoyed a spectacular Chilean Sea Bass. Come to think of it, I've never had a bad Sea Bass. This is a very tasty species, folks!
Today we put on hats and sunblock and took a nice slow stroll down the strip. Now, I know I'm in the minority here, but I think the most idiotic and pretentious free show in Vegas is the dancing fountains at Bellagio. A much more touching display was the pool in front of New York, New York with the replica of the NY Fire Department boat in it. Fire department members from all above the world have left their T-shirts on the iron fence surrounding the pond in remembrance of the firefighters lost in the 9-11 attacks.
Always a favorite stop on our tour is Mandalay Bay, where we took time to visit with the bikini clad girls demonstrating tame parrots before we feasted on a fantastic (as always) lunch at the Border Grill. There are a great many fine Mexican chefs in this world. It's a cuisine that's hard to screw up. But this place was truly superb as always, with great service and terrific food. I won't recommend one item on the menu, because everything is good. Go for it!
Our best dinner of the weekend was at Empress Court, where I threw heart healthy seafood eating caution to the winds and enjoyed barbecued pork, won ton soup, and a fantastic Szechuan prime sirloin.
I had to leave before any of the gourmet restaurants opened for dinner, but I had time to grab at lunch at the Pizza Palace. I had a surprisingly good Angel's Hair pasta with Marinara sauce. Even if you decided to pay for a meal in Vegas (perish the thought!), you'd come out ahead at this place. Nice booths, open for lunch, and C-H-E-A-P. Our only complaint was the quality of the wine. It was (barely) a step above grape juice. Next time I'll either go with beer or a mixed drink.
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