The Excalibur Hotel & Casino opened in 1990 with 4,008 rooms and was one of the original themed resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. The medieval theme can not be denied with the white castle jetting up into the sky surround by the two room towers on either side, Camelot roaming the resort and a live medieval dinner show. And don't let the fact that Excalibur is nearly 20 years old concern you, the resort has recently undergone an extensive renovation.
Conveniently located at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue, you will find yourself next door to the Luxor, and across the street from New York-New York Hotel & Casino, the Tropicana and MGM Grand. And visiting Mandalay Bay or the Luxor couldn't be any easier. You can either take the monorail that connects the three hotels or you can beat the heat and walk from one hotel to the other without ever stepping outdoors.
Room rates are certainly a value at Excalibur. Depending on what time of year you visit Las Vegas and what events are taking place in the city you can get rooms for as little as $70 per night. You will pay at least three times that amount at some of the newer resorts on the Strip. In addition, a number of their rooms have been refurbished to include pillow top mattresses and widescreen televisions. Of course, these rooms will have a slighter higher nightly rate than the standard rooms, but they can still be considered a good value.
Although most resorts in Las Vegas no longer cater to families, as most resorts did back in the early 1990's, Excalibur still welcomes vacationing families. The entire family will enjoy the Tournament of Kings dinner Show. Jousting, fireworks, horses, dancing and singing, what more could one ask for? Maybe eating dinner with your fingers? Other attractions include the newly-renovated pool area and the Fantasy Faire midway where you and the kids can test your skills at arcade and carnival style games.
The casino isn't for the kids but it does cover over 100,000 square feet. The Excalibur casino floor features hundreds of the latest slot machines with denominations from $.01 to $100, for those of you who like to think of yourself as high rollers. You can also spend time wagering on your favorite sports teams or the horse races in the full-service Race and Sports Book. And if poker is your game you won't be disappointed by the Poker Room.
In the dining category, Excalibur offers something for every taste. Try the RoundTable Buffet or the 24-hour Sherwood Forest Cafe. A recent addition is Dick's Las Resort, very casual and very fun, the menu includes Macho Nachos, Ride’m Cowboy Rib Eye and a Case O’ King Crabs. For a dining experience that is more high-end you can tempt yourself at Sir Galahad's, a pub and prime-rib house, or The Steakhouse at Camelot.
Coming to Las Vegas to get married? How about getting married as the king and queen of Camelot? The Canterbury Wedding Chapel has period costumes based on the Renaissance period. If you prefer something a little more on the traditional side you should explore the many wedding packages that are available.
The best values at Excalibur start with the room rates. But those values also extend to all the other amenities the resort offers. And the best part? Being located on the south Strip allows you to step out from under the castle and explore the five other resorts that are literally located next door. Plan your Las Vegas vacation at Excalibur and live like a king or a queen for a few days!
Slots Echtgeld | Echtgeld Casino
Friday, May 28, 2010
Exploring The Casino De Montreal, A Gourmet Dinner And Some Fireworks
After my lovely cheerful encounter in the Square St. Louis I briefly went back to the hotel and then took the subway to the exit at Jean Drapeau Park. There are two large islands in the St. Lawrence River: Ile Notre-Dame and Ile Sainte-Helene. The latter more than doubled in size in preparation for Expo 1967. From the Park Jean Drapeau metro station I took local bus 167 to get to La Ronde, an amusement park originally set up for Expo 67. I had a ticket for tonight’s international fireworks competition which was going to be held at La Ronde, so I had to go and pick it up at the information counter.
With ticket in hand I made my way back on two buses to reach the Casino de Montreal, the largest of Quebec’s three casinos, run by the Société des casinos du Quebec, a government agency whose primary objectives are to create employment, equip the province with world-class tourism infrastructures and generate additional income for the province. Although I am not much of a gambler I wanted to check out this complex since it is one of the major attractions in Park Jean Drapeau.
I arrived by bus in the basement of the Casino, entered and dropped off my backpack at the coatcheck. Through a maze of escalators and walkways I navigated my way upstairs to the front entrance where Alexandre, one of the customer service specialists at the Casino, was already waiting for me. He was going to provide me with a personalized tour of this expansive complex and provide me with additional information about the Casino’s operations.
We went outside and Alexandre informed me that the Casino complex consists of three buildings: the former France Pavilion, the former Quebec Pavilion, both built for Expo 1967, as well as the Annex, connecting the two buildings. The Quebec Pavilion features top-to-bottom 24 karat gold windows. The gardens surrounding the Casino are available to Casino patrons and the entire complex is surrounded by the tracks for the Montreal Grand Prix.
Alexandre started to take me through the buildings and explained that the Casino has about 3500 employees, working in three shifts, 24 hours a day. He first took me to the Cabaret du Casino, a prime entertainment venue offering spectacular variety shows and colourful musical reviews. Patrons can purchase a package that includes dinner or enjoy the show by itself.
He then took me through the entire multi-storey complex and introduced me to the various games of chance on offer. The Casino de Montreal featues more than 3200 slot machines of different kinds, 115 gaming tables for Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, Keno and a variety of tournaments. Alexandre explained that many of the slot machines no longer have a mechanical barrel, but that they are video slot machines with an electronic display. The Casino also offers a Royal Ascot electronic horse racing track as well as a high-limits gaming area and lounge.
Alexandre explained that the Quebec government has a monopoly on gaming in the province and the funds go back into provincial infrastructure and public services. When we walked through the various buildings he informed me that the Old France Pavilion building has a European design, reminiscent of casinos such as Monte Carlo, that let in daylight generously. The former Quebec Pavilion on the other hand has a North American design with absolutely no daylight. Alexandre indicated that the clientele in the two different buildings is very different and that people have a preference for one or the other type of design.
My expert guide also educated me that the incidence of gambling addiction is actually going down and that the Casino de Montreal has specific programs to prevent and deal with gambling addiction. Problem gamblers can join a self-exclusion program that bars them from playing at any Quebec Casino. The Casino’s 285 investigators not only monitor and investigate fraud, they also ensure that individuals that are part of the self-exclusion database do not get access to the Casino.
On our walk through his extensive complex Alexandre pointed out an on-site branch of the Banque Nationale, the only bank in Canada that is open for 24 hours. Here patrons can exchange money in 16 currencies. A free shuttle bus provides transportation to the Casino from four pickup locations in downtown Montreal and makes it easy for out-of-town guests to enjoy a night of gambling excitement.
But of course, a high-intensity activity like gambling will make you hungry and the Casino features five bars and restaurants: the Italian Bistro Via Fortuna with amazingly reasonably prices, the Buffet La Bonne Carte, L’entre-mise Deli, and the Nuances Gourmet Restaurant. Four bars, La rotonde, Le carré, Le jardin d’hiver and Le cheval round out the hospitality offerings.
The highlight of the evening was yet to come: as it was getting close to 9 pm and I had not eaten dinner yet, I would have an opportunity to sample a gourmet meal at the Nuances Restaurant, enhanced by a perfect sunset and a magnificent view of downtown Montreal across the St. Lawrence River. An outstanding dining experience was awaiting me...
Slots Echtgeld | Echtgeld Casino
With ticket in hand I made my way back on two buses to reach the Casino de Montreal, the largest of Quebec’s three casinos, run by the Société des casinos du Quebec, a government agency whose primary objectives are to create employment, equip the province with world-class tourism infrastructures and generate additional income for the province. Although I am not much of a gambler I wanted to check out this complex since it is one of the major attractions in Park Jean Drapeau.
I arrived by bus in the basement of the Casino, entered and dropped off my backpack at the coatcheck. Through a maze of escalators and walkways I navigated my way upstairs to the front entrance where Alexandre, one of the customer service specialists at the Casino, was already waiting for me. He was going to provide me with a personalized tour of this expansive complex and provide me with additional information about the Casino’s operations.
We went outside and Alexandre informed me that the Casino complex consists of three buildings: the former France Pavilion, the former Quebec Pavilion, both built for Expo 1967, as well as the Annex, connecting the two buildings. The Quebec Pavilion features top-to-bottom 24 karat gold windows. The gardens surrounding the Casino are available to Casino patrons and the entire complex is surrounded by the tracks for the Montreal Grand Prix.
Alexandre started to take me through the buildings and explained that the Casino has about 3500 employees, working in three shifts, 24 hours a day. He first took me to the Cabaret du Casino, a prime entertainment venue offering spectacular variety shows and colourful musical reviews. Patrons can purchase a package that includes dinner or enjoy the show by itself.
He then took me through the entire multi-storey complex and introduced me to the various games of chance on offer. The Casino de Montreal featues more than 3200 slot machines of different kinds, 115 gaming tables for Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, Keno and a variety of tournaments. Alexandre explained that many of the slot machines no longer have a mechanical barrel, but that they are video slot machines with an electronic display. The Casino also offers a Royal Ascot electronic horse racing track as well as a high-limits gaming area and lounge.
Alexandre explained that the Quebec government has a monopoly on gaming in the province and the funds go back into provincial infrastructure and public services. When we walked through the various buildings he informed me that the Old France Pavilion building has a European design, reminiscent of casinos such as Monte Carlo, that let in daylight generously. The former Quebec Pavilion on the other hand has a North American design with absolutely no daylight. Alexandre indicated that the clientele in the two different buildings is very different and that people have a preference for one or the other type of design.
My expert guide also educated me that the incidence of gambling addiction is actually going down and that the Casino de Montreal has specific programs to prevent and deal with gambling addiction. Problem gamblers can join a self-exclusion program that bars them from playing at any Quebec Casino. The Casino’s 285 investigators not only monitor and investigate fraud, they also ensure that individuals that are part of the self-exclusion database do not get access to the Casino.
On our walk through his extensive complex Alexandre pointed out an on-site branch of the Banque Nationale, the only bank in Canada that is open for 24 hours. Here patrons can exchange money in 16 currencies. A free shuttle bus provides transportation to the Casino from four pickup locations in downtown Montreal and makes it easy for out-of-town guests to enjoy a night of gambling excitement.
But of course, a high-intensity activity like gambling will make you hungry and the Casino features five bars and restaurants: the Italian Bistro Via Fortuna with amazingly reasonably prices, the Buffet La Bonne Carte, L’entre-mise Deli, and the Nuances Gourmet Restaurant. Four bars, La rotonde, Le carré, Le jardin d’hiver and Le cheval round out the hospitality offerings.
The highlight of the evening was yet to come: as it was getting close to 9 pm and I had not eaten dinner yet, I would have an opportunity to sample a gourmet meal at the Nuances Restaurant, enhanced by a perfect sunset and a magnificent view of downtown Montreal across the St. Lawrence River. An outstanding dining experience was awaiting me...
Slots Echtgeld | Echtgeld Casino
Canadian Casinos – North Of The Border For Fun & Games
Gambling in Canada expanded in leaps and bounds during the 1990’s.
Canada now boasts 59 casinos and 70 racetrack/slots venues in 7 provinces and NWT.
Provincial governments oversee gaming in each of the participating provinces.
The legal gambling age is 19 years of age. I suggest you call ahead for casino hours and location.
All information is correct at time of writing, but may change.
Nova Scotia
Casino Nova Scotia operates two locations in Halifax, 1983 Upper Water St. on the waterfront-Purdy's Wharf and Sydney.
Quebec
All casinos have a dress code (no jeans), and no gratuities are accepted.
Casino Montreal: 1, Avenue du Casino, Montreal in Parc Des Iles. Nuance - 5 star restaurant.
Casino de Hull: 1, Blvd. du Casino, Hull. Across the river from Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.
Ontario
Contact Ontario Casino Corp. 416-326-0076 for current updates.
Charity Casinos: Four locations. All use The Winners Circle players card.
Brantford: 40 Icomm Drive, Brantford. Located 55 miles southwest of Toronto in downtown Brantford, ON. This celestial themed casino has a gift shop, a liquor license, Meteor Bar lounge and dining at the Cosmic Diner cafeteria. Open 24 hours.
Thunder Bay: 50 Cumberland St. S., Thunder Bay. Location: On the north shore of Lake Superior in Thunder Bay, ON. The area is rich in the history of mining, marine and fur trading. A sea faring themed casino of more than 14,000 square feet.
Point Edward: 2000 Venetian Blvd., Point Edward. Location: Ten blocks from Sarnia, Ont. near the Bluewater Bridge on the St. Clair River. Indoor sights of a ship’s hull, saltwater aquarium and glass bridge add to this nautical themed casino.
Casino Sault Ste. Marie: 30 Bay St. W., Sault Ste. Marie. Location: Northern Ontario approx. 400 miles north of Toronto. Great hunting and fishing in this area.
Eighteen racetracks have placed more than 9000 slots as per the provincial plan in partnership with the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Commission.
Manitoba
VLT's available in many bars throughout Manitoba. Two of the best are:
Club Regent: 1425 Regent W., Winnipeg.
McPhillips Stn.: 484 McPhillips St., Winnipeg.
Saskatchewan
Casino Regina: Union Station, 1880 Saskatchewan Dr. is this province’s premiere casino.
Alberta
Casinos offer regular slots rather than VLT’s.
Edmonton is Canada’s fastest growing gaming city, and Casino Yellowhead is its jewel.
Home to the world’s largest shopping/entertainment complex - West Edmonton Mall.
Casino Yellowhead: Yellow Head Trail at 153rd St. located in the West Edmonton Mall.
At 73,500 sq. ft, Yellowhead is the largest casino in western Canada.
British Columbia
Great Canadian Casinos operates several casinos in BC.
Most locations offer these table games: Blackjack, Roulette, Mini-Baccarat, Red Dog, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud Poker, Sic Bo, Texas Hold ‘Em, Seven-Card Stud Poker and slots.
Each casino is centrally located in large municipalities and offers currency exchange,food and beverage service, wheel chair accessibility and nearby public transportation.
Western Canada Lottery Corporation works in conjunction with the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and territory of Yukon and Sport North Lottery Authority.
There are no taxes paid on lottery or casino winnings in Canada.
Being Canadian and born in Toronto, the research for this information was a labour (Canadian spelling) of love.
Slots Echtgeld | Echtgeld Casino
Canada now boasts 59 casinos and 70 racetrack/slots venues in 7 provinces and NWT.
Provincial governments oversee gaming in each of the participating provinces.
The legal gambling age is 19 years of age. I suggest you call ahead for casino hours and location.
All information is correct at time of writing, but may change.
Nova Scotia
Casino Nova Scotia operates two locations in Halifax, 1983 Upper Water St. on the waterfront-Purdy's Wharf and Sydney.
Quebec
All casinos have a dress code (no jeans), and no gratuities are accepted.
Casino Montreal: 1, Avenue du Casino, Montreal in Parc Des Iles. Nuance - 5 star restaurant.
Casino de Hull: 1, Blvd. du Casino, Hull. Across the river from Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.
Ontario
Contact Ontario Casino Corp. 416-326-0076 for current updates.
Charity Casinos: Four locations. All use The Winners Circle players card.
Brantford: 40 Icomm Drive, Brantford. Located 55 miles southwest of Toronto in downtown Brantford, ON. This celestial themed casino has a gift shop, a liquor license, Meteor Bar lounge and dining at the Cosmic Diner cafeteria. Open 24 hours.
Thunder Bay: 50 Cumberland St. S., Thunder Bay. Location: On the north shore of Lake Superior in Thunder Bay, ON. The area is rich in the history of mining, marine and fur trading. A sea faring themed casino of more than 14,000 square feet.
Point Edward: 2000 Venetian Blvd., Point Edward. Location: Ten blocks from Sarnia, Ont. near the Bluewater Bridge on the St. Clair River. Indoor sights of a ship’s hull, saltwater aquarium and glass bridge add to this nautical themed casino.
Casino Sault Ste. Marie: 30 Bay St. W., Sault Ste. Marie. Location: Northern Ontario approx. 400 miles north of Toronto. Great hunting and fishing in this area.
Eighteen racetracks have placed more than 9000 slots as per the provincial plan in partnership with the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Commission.
Manitoba
VLT's available in many bars throughout Manitoba. Two of the best are:
Club Regent: 1425 Regent W., Winnipeg.
McPhillips Stn.: 484 McPhillips St., Winnipeg.
Saskatchewan
Casino Regina: Union Station, 1880 Saskatchewan Dr. is this province’s premiere casino.
Alberta
Casinos offer regular slots rather than VLT’s.
Edmonton is Canada’s fastest growing gaming city, and Casino Yellowhead is its jewel.
Home to the world’s largest shopping/entertainment complex - West Edmonton Mall.
Casino Yellowhead: Yellow Head Trail at 153rd St. located in the West Edmonton Mall.
At 73,500 sq. ft, Yellowhead is the largest casino in western Canada.
British Columbia
Great Canadian Casinos operates several casinos in BC.
Most locations offer these table games: Blackjack, Roulette, Mini-Baccarat, Red Dog, Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud Poker, Sic Bo, Texas Hold ‘Em, Seven-Card Stud Poker and slots.
Each casino is centrally located in large municipalities and offers currency exchange,food and beverage service, wheel chair accessibility and nearby public transportation.
Western Canada Lottery Corporation works in conjunction with the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and territory of Yukon and Sport North Lottery Authority.
There are no taxes paid on lottery or casino winnings in Canada.
Being Canadian and born in Toronto, the research for this information was a labour (Canadian spelling) of love.
Slots Echtgeld | Echtgeld Casino
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)