Nevada

This trip we stayed at the Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport both the night we arrived from Las Vegas and the night prior to departing for Hong Kong. Transit from Terminals 2 and 3 via red buses was fast, easy and economical both directions with a bus stop almost right outside the hotel. We had a meal at the hotel restaurant the night we arrived which was fine and full breakfast both mornings which was also great especially in comparison to some of the country hotels in the USA.

We have actually flown this same flight previously, last time in economy. This trip we were in business class upstairs on the Boeing 747 experiencing British airways unique front to back seating. Pre flight the lounge was the same as last time. Previously flying economy we had lounge access via Priority Pass this time due to being in business class. The seat is very different if anything it does not feel as wide as the Qantas Skybeds but there is plenty of legroom.

From Ely we continued on Hwy 50 across Nevada into Utah, great 80 MPH speed limits on freeways in Utah (Australia??) and down into Moab for a couple of nights staying at the Mainstay suites.

After leaving Carson City and stopping off to check out Virginia City we continued on Hwy 50 across Nevada to Ely. On arrival at the La Quinta in Ely the check in staff were very helpful and informative giving out information on where to go and eat etc that night. We chose the mexican just down the street from the hotel and it was great food and plenty of it plus the service was friendly and pleasant. All up the room was warm and clean breakfast was typical of these country area hotels!

After the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco we picked up a Ford Expedition from Avis a couple of blocks away and took he I-80 E across to Sacramento then around the southern and eastern shores of Lake Tahoe to the US-50 E, US Rote 50 sometimes referred to as Americas loneliest road..

We only had one night stop over in Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carson City, there were renovations going on near the lobby, the blind on the window in the room did not operate correctly and breakfast is fair but that aside the room was reasonably clean and the hotel not far from the highway. 

This is the second time we have stayed at the Signature MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The review of the first time we stayed at the Signature MGM Grand Las Vegas is here.

This time we booked the room with a balcony following our experience the first time here so the room was the same type. There were differences this time as follows.

While we were based in Las Vegas we took the opportunity to drive out and check out the Little A'le'Inn at Rachel Nevada which is not too far from Area 51. Although there is not much out there this was a memorable experience driving out the Extraterrestrial Highway and stopping at the Little A'Le'Inn which was portrayed in the movie "Paul" for a burger and fries and check out the photos and memorabilia.

An hours drive out of Las Vegas is a great day trip visiting the Valley of Fire State Park. From our accommodation we drove from East Tropicana Street and followed the I-15 N to exit 75 towards Valley of Fire E/Lake Mead. There is plenty to stop and see and hikes to take through this picturesque valley and state Park.

We departed Las Vegas Nevada Signature at MGM Grand guest car park early morning, followed E Tropicana Avenue to I-215 then exit 1 towards Bolder City continuing on I-11 then US-93 S to Kingman Arizona where we merged onto I-40 and followed I-40 to Williams before exiting at Historic Route 66 taking AZ-64 to Grand Canyon Village and South Rim. As this was a day trip returning to Las Vegas that night we did not even have time to stop at attractions along the way such as the Planes of Fame Air Museum.

After flying with Qantas Sydney to Brisbane then on to Los Angeles our connection to Las Vegas was with American Airlines flight number 1495, equipment scheduled for our flight that day was an Airbus 320 scheduled departing time was 10:45AM. This aircraft was almost brand new and we were seated in row 2. As we taxied after leaving the gate I fell asleep, the many double espresso's I had in the lounge prior did not keep me awake! i did wake as the aircraft began turning and I saw that we turned and lined up on a taxiway not the runway.