Local folks count the many things they love about Vegas

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Travel Writer

Hawai'i folks love Las Vegas. But what do they love?

Goin' Vegas isn't just about getting lucky at the blackjack tables or taking in a glitzy show. Outside the casinos, fans catch the game at big-screen sports bars, shop at ultra-deluxe Bath & Body Works and designer stores, ride a Harley Davidson down desert roads, or take in some history on a walking tour of Vegas venues.

Las Vegas appeals on many levels. It's a fantasy getaway trip for shopper, golfers, clubbers ... and, hey, you just might get lucky, too.

CIRRINCIONE

"Hey, I love to gamble and also I get to ride on those desert roads. Vegas is great because it's so central and an easy place to get to Los Angeles or Mexico and also to meet my family from New York. I can rent a Harley-Davidson and go out to Red Rock Canyon or Mount Charleston."

• Stays at: Flamingo. "They give me free rooms because I play at the tables."
• Eats at: Rio's buffet is excellent, or New York-New York and the food at the Paris is great, too.
• Most often found: At the roulette tables at the Paris Las Vegas.
• Shopping: "I don't, though my sisters love the outlets and malls."
• Check out: For the dot.com generation, the lounge bar at the Palms hotel is a big attraction, drawing customers of that age group from the Hard Rock Cafe.

TEMPO

"I have a group of Hawai'i friends who live here, and three or four of us often drive to Las Vegas for the weekend every couple of months."

• Stays at: The California Hotel. "I prefer downtown; I miss being around people from Hawai'i."
• Eats at: California or Main street (for the buffets).
• Hangs out: At New York New York, Venetian and the Hard rock Cafe. "Favorite club spot is Ghostbar in Palms, there's a bartender (I like) there who used to work at Oceans."
• Tip: "For me, playing card games is more fun than the slot machines, if you show you are having fun at the tables, the hotel may give you a free meal at one of their restaurants."

Debbie Cortes
42, Honolulu, works for Hawaii Society of CPAs

Goes to Vegas once or twice a year with a friend or this year with a company group. Mostly for the atmosphere and to go shopping. Gambles only on slot machines "Las Vegas is a great getaway, it's exciting, different and costs less than going to the Neighbor Islands."

• Stays at: Always on The Strip, prefers the action. Was at the MGM for New Year's Eve. "Would not go for New Year again. Too crowded, too many people, the Strip was packed, we could hardly move."
• Eats at: Hotel buffets
• Shops at: Beltz Factory Outlet World and other malls, prefers the big department stores and likes to check out prices at the designer stores.

Grace Lagua
38, lab assistant, Mililani

Goes to Vegas two or three times a year with Mom or with five or six friends. "It's great to get away, and Las Vegas really is the city that never sleeps. We do everything we can while we're there." Lagua likes to gamble but sticks to 25-cent slot machines. "I don't play the tables. If I get lucky on the slot machines, I save it to go shopping."

• Stays at: The California or Main Street.
• Eats at: The Rio's buffet and the Bellagio for brunch. Also loves Roberto's Taco Shop. "You'll never eat at Taco Bell again."
• Shops at: "The malls are great. I especially like Victoria's Secret, also Bath & Bodyworks, much more variety than Body Shop, the smells in the store are fabulous. You can't buy their products on their Web site, you just have to go there."
• Also likes: Stratosphere's observation deck, Big Shot (controlled drop) and High Roller (roller coaster).

Chris Toyufuku
28, financial manager, 'Aiea

Goes to Las Vegas twice a year in a group of four to five with either family or friends.

"Other than gambling, I go to Vegas to play golf and to go shopping."

• Stays at: Usually downtown (through a Vacations Hawaii package). "I've stayed on the strip on several occasions, though."
• Eats at: (Apart from the hotels downtown) "I like to eat at Togo's sandwich, In & Out Burger, and Krispie Kreme."
• Shops at: Beltz Factory Outlet, Primm's Fashion Outlet, the Forum Shops at Caesar's. "We always hit the Nike outlet. The ladies like the Beltz Outlet and Primm's Fashion Outlet for shopping, the selections there are more for them."
• Most often found: On the golf courses and checking out hotels on the strip.

Brant Ebisuya
26, works for Department of Education, Moanalua

Goes to Las Vegas with family and often meets up with relatives there as well as for holiday get-togethers.

• Stays at: The California Hotel downtown. "It's convenient, low-cost, kama'aina treatment, not as crowded as The Strip, and lots of local people to talk to when you WIN! ... Well, that is, when I eventually win."
• Eats at: Mainstreet Station buffet, California Redwood Bar & Grill, The Rio buffet, Mandalay Bay. Highly recommends Yolie Restaurant off Paradise Road ... "It's the No. 1 winner for all kinds of meat, sausage,Êsteak, chicken."
• Shops at: Primm's Fashion Outlet.

JINBO

Stays with friends in Las Vegas about once a year for up to two weeks. Trip is more to visit friends than to gamble.

• Eats at: The Olive Garden (Las Vegas has four) Italian restaurants and likes the buffets at the Rio and Bellagio.
• Clubs: "They're fabulous and stay open a lot later than in Hawai'i. What I like most is meeting people of different ethnicities from all over the Mainland, Mexico."
• Shops at: Primm's Fashion Outlet and Beltz Factory Outlet World. Loves Bath & Body Works, Coach outlet and Kenneth Cole.
• Wow factor: "The RA nightclub at the Luxor for its fantastic hip-hop music and atmosphere."

Stuart Ujimori
28, civil engineer, 'Aiea

Likes to go with friends and family. "I also enjoy gambling, hoping to win some money. I love playing blackjack and sports betting. I usually go twice a year in a group of 4 to 8 people."

• Stays at: Main Street, Vegas Club or California Hotel. "However, we usually rent a car, which gives us more freedom to do different things, even shopping."
• Eats at: Main Street buffet, Gee Joons (delicious Szechwanese and Cantonese dishes) and Lawry's for prime rib.
• Most often found: Playing blackjack at Las Vegas Club (the most liberal blackjack rules) or Horseshoe. "We also enjoy playing pai gow at Main Street, California Hotel or Fremont Hotel. Various casinos along the strip, including Bellagio, Monte Carlo, Venetian, Paris, Mandalay Bay and Caesar's Palace. I really enjoy hanging out at the Sportsbook, a lot of seats, watching games on big screens and checking out all the bets that can be made on all the games."
• Goes clubbing at: "Vegas nightclubs are always fun. Last trip I went to The Beach twice. Ladies are always free, guys gotta pay!"
• Shopping: "If time permits! Driving out to Primm's Fashion Outlet is fun, and it's not that far (45 minutes). The Caesars Forum is a nice place to shop. And while there, we try to eat at New York Cheescake Factory."
• Other attractions: The roller-coaster ride at New York New York and riding the Big Shot on top of the Stratosphere.
• And check out: The Sky Lounge on the 19th floor of the Polo Towers. The view is great, and it's a great place for a conversation.