helen davis
Google
We had an amazing 2 days+ for our 50th high school reunion in Las Vegas! Binions Gambling Hall has the greatest Las Vegas “view’ venues! Our first night, meet & greet w/appetizers & cash bar event was held on Binion’s 25th floor pool deck! We had a warm breeze and amazing views! A perfect night! Next evening a buffet dinner w/carving station at Binion’s 24th floor steakhouse where windows are wall to wall, floor to ceiling, with amazing views! During the day and after the parties there are plenty of choices for everyone to choose to engage for entertainment! Our near 100 attendees visited numerous locals such as Grand Canyon, Belagio Botanical Gardens, museums, MGM and many other Resort Hotels, shows, Hoover Dam, etc; we have photos to share from all over Vegas! Binion’s banquet staff was headed by Vinnie Jacobson who was amazing! She made planning this, “destination reunion,” from the other side of the continent possible! She gave her all to answer to our every need: flag for the pledge, music, microphone, received/held packages weeks in advance, they made signage with our theme and colors that were wonderful, photo backdrop set-up, tables/chairs set-up was beautiful with black linens and gold accents-so simple yet elegant and when we needed more light & space for a group photo she and staff made it happen in another room with stage! She spent hours with me on the phone to answer my detail questions regarding food and planning our event. Included with having our events with Binions, the parking was free for attendees on the event nights and all who stayed at the two hotels for the length of their stay. And, No Resort Fees! We received group room rates at both the Apache and the Four Queen’s Hotels for the week making it a very affordable FUN destination! Vegas is easy for all to travel to with many flights available from every state. Our group traveled from every corner of the nation, over a dozen states as far as Alaska & Florida. There is no where else we could have had the amazing view/atmosphere venues we enjoyed for the price we paid and the service Vinnie and staff provided. The food was good, not fabulous. I would suggest if doing appetizers to do a wide variety so all will find something they like rather than doubling up on any one item. Also have some simple things like cheese/crackers; shrimp; chips/guacamole. On Buffet night we had a sirloin at carving table with mushroom sauce that was very good. Turkey and mash potatoes/gravy were good too. However the glazed tri-color carrots I was looking forward too were literally served RAW! I do not believe they were cooked at all! There is no “glazing” over this huge disappointment! Not only the first tray, but the second full tray of carrots were RAW as well! COMPLETELY RAW! and the big cookies I chose for dessert were mostly BURNT or STALE. Only the oatmeal had any “give” to the bite. Another huge disappointment as this is last thing our guests tasted and it left a “bad taste.” Only other thing I would advise is if you need to speak to your “group” all together when in the steakhouse, if they cannot all fit in one section of the restaurant, the microphone will not work, as the speakers are only heard in one section; the “cords” were not long enough (not wireless). This was unexpected and a Huge Faux Pas in our event; i looked a fool having to yell to each room my announcements and I cut it short because of the problem! So, I advise you bring your own wireless speakers and mic or ask Vinnie if it would be possible to have one speaker in each room. Maybe they will fix this issue? However, for me the atmosphere, the views, the service and the surrounding entertainment, all outshined and were more important to the occasion than the couple of negatives. (carrots & speakers.) Both venues afforded 100 people a nice amount of room to mingle, visit and eat while enjoying the amazing views and atmosphere! I highly recommend Binion’s Banquets and their Vinnie Jacobson for your event!