Trip Report - Natz Ti Ha Condo By Way of Las Vegas

xqqzme · 03-09-2009

Jeff and I went to Playa for our 4th trip Feb 23-March 3. My sister, Sandi, and my best friend, Kim, also went. Our vacation actually started Feb 22 in Las Vegas. Our flight left at the crack of dawn from Vegas so we decided to leave St George a day early and just stay in Vegas the night before we left for Mexico. What better place to get liquored up and get in that vacation frame of mind than Sin City.

Went to an early dinner at my very favorite casino....Paris. Normally when somebody says the word buffet I throw up a little bit in my mouth. Buffets spell cold, mushy, unappetizing food to me. The buffet at Paris, however, is astounding. The stations represent the 5 provinces of France and they serve up some awesome food representative of thos culinary regions. They put out very small portions of each dish so it remains very fresh, hot, and comes to you as if it was individually prepared for you. It's about $27 each but is well worth the money. The highlight of course is the desert cottage that serves totally wicked creme brulee. Paris is a gorgeous casino to walk around...they still take your money like all casinos but they just seem to do it with more class.

Even the bathrooms are classier at Paris

We then strolled over to the Bellagio for the two best FREE shows in town. There isn't much that's free in Vegas so these two things are a big draw. The water show in front of the hotel/casino goes off every 1/2 hour to a variety of music. It's an awesome show.

Next is the walk into the lobby that has huge selection of Chihuly Glass overhead.

Past the lobby is a large Conservatory that changes the floral display seasonally. This time was Chinese New Years and it didn't disappoint.

Walked by Caesar's which always has the cool statues out front.

Next is New York New York. Another great casino to walk through to take in the sights. Tried to get Jeff to ride the roller coaster with me but he wouldn't budge.

Walked around a bit more, enjoying some of the best people watching in the world. You truly see EVERYTHING in Vegas. The guys that are handing out cards for the working girls were there "flicking" their cards. They aren't allowed to talk to you to advertise the girls but they flick the cards and then quickly stuff them into your hands. Doesn't matter to them if you are man, woman or beast. I kind of think they are like baseball trading cards. Sadly, many of these girls who are trying to make the big time in Nevada simply end up as trash in the curbs....not a very glamorous life in Vegas.

Went down to Fremont Street for awhile, watched the light show (another FREE thing in Vegas), drank some more, and called it a night.....4:30 AM was going to come WAYYYYY too soon.

Jacko · 03-09-2009

Your pictures are wonderful eye candy!

Keep it coming please!

**Jesus** · 03-09-2009

wonderful pictures, very good eye,

and also very good technique.
Any pics of the Paris buffet "stations"?

xqqzme · 03-09-2009

Jesus - the pic of the 3 of us at Paris has some of the stations in back of it. You, the foodie, would LOVE it there

tommy · 03-09-2009

Wow, Best images I have seen of Vegas ever, even makes me want to go and I despise the place!!!!

silvergirl · 03-10-2009

Wow!!! Tommy's right! Makes me want to go to Vegas more than ever!! Nice to see it from your view!

Love those glass flowers. Beautiful.

xqqzme · 03-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy

Wow, Best images I have seen of Vegas ever, even makes me want to go and I despise the place!!!!

The only part of the Strip I really enjoy is the themes of some of the casinos. If you look past the gambling and sleeziness of Vegas, there is a very cool fantasy side to the themes of some of the casinos. I always say Vegas is like an old prostitute....she looks pretty bad during the day but at night when she gets all gussied up, she looks pretty darn good.

Sol · 03-10-2009

Great pictures of Las Vegas!!! I cannot wait to read the rest of your trip report and to see your pictures!

Rissask · 03-10-2009

Great pictures, indeed.

My first trip to Vegas will be next January, for my GF Tracey's 40th. I have never really wanted to go but these are enticing photos for sure.

I am interested in this trip report because we are thinking of doing the same thing, Vegas then Playa for a few days, then home from there. I want to hear some packing tips.

is the name of that hotel 'Paris'?

xqqzme · 03-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

Great pictures, indeed.

My first trip to Vegas will be next January, for my GF Tracey's 40th. I have never really wanted to go but these are enticing photos for sure.

I am interested in this trip report because we are thinking of doing the same thing, Vegas then Playa for a few days, then home from there. I want to hear some packing tips.

is the name of that hotel 'Paris'?

Yes, it is Paris Hotel/Casino. I think most people overpack for Vegas. Vegas is very casual and anything goes. January can be cool and Vegas is always windy. Summer the wind is like having a hair dryer in your face, and winter is a very cold wind. When the time gets closer for your visit, let me know. I had the dates screwed up on our meetup in Zihuatanejo; but I promise I can get the dates straight so we can meet in Vegas

boxi · 03-10-2009

Gorgeous pictures!

I laughed at your "Even the bathrooms are classier at Paris

" comment - they don't seem to be in "real" Paris, at least in my experience!

janied · 03-10-2009

Beautiful pictures!

More, more, more ... please?

xqqzme · 03-10-2009

Like everybody else that seems to leave for Playa, our flight was the crack of dawn from Vegas. Got there on time, caught our US Air flight with few problems (they now charge $25 per checked bag and hit you up for $2 for a soda or water on the plane). Of course the Vegas airport has to try to get any last minute money you might be planning on leaving Vegas with

Changed planes in Phoenix where my best friend, Kim, met up with us from WA State.
On to Playa with no problems. Caught an ADO bus in Cancun and were off to Playa. Cab driver had issues finding Natz Ti Ha Condos. They are at 40th & Flamingo. Apparently he thought the world ended at about 30th cause he was all screwed up.
Finally got to the corner of 40th & Flamingo and Miguel was there to meet us out front of Natz Ti Ha. I had booked through Playa Rental Properties and my confirmation said there was a key box outside the door for us to get in. I still felt better having a real person to meet us. Migueal helped us schlep our bags upstairs. Yup, I picked Penthouse Katalina B301....three flights of stairs!!!

Our view when we arrived - - -

B301 is a 2 bedroom/2 bath unit and was much roomier than I expected. The master bedroom has a king size bed and turned out to have the most comfortable matress I've ever slept on in Mexico. I expected the typical rock hard Mexican Matress but the owners had discovered the bliss of a thick memory foam matress topper and this bed was COMFY!!!!! The master bedroom faces the courtyard and has a sliding door that opens up onto the huge balcony shared with the slider from the living room. The other bedroom has two single beds and Sandi and Kim said these beds were also very comfy. We oohed and ahhed over our new home for the next 8 nights!!

Sorry didn't take a lot of pics inside....except this one of the great face above our bed. I looked all over Playa to find one of these and never found one.

But the absolute BEST part of the condo was the balcony....holy CRAP!!! I could have lived on the balcony!!!!

The climb of 3 stories was worth it. We were in amongst the tree tops of the very lush courtyard. The pool was below us but hidden enough to stay private. The breeze would usually reach the balcony and the units are all isolated enough with trees and design that you really don't see into your neighbors balconies or windows. The design is great.....you think you are on your own little isolated bit of paradise. So I now knew where my morning coffee and afternoon/evening drinking would take place!!!!

But wait - - -I knew there was supposed to be a great view from the roofs of these units. Up ANOTHER flight of stairs but the view was worth it.

Next stop was to check out the pool. The pool catches some daytime sun and shade. You can move around the pool to fit your needs. The loungers are comfy and I didn't see that people had to "stake claim"; there were always chairs available. Jeff and I tried to stay out of the sun and the palapa cover at the end of the pool was perfect for us. The pool is very clean and a great temp.

Coco Beach is literally just a few steps away and the closest route was from this gate by the pool, complete with two showers to rinse off the sand when you came back.

The inner couryard gardens are lush and green. There are hidden little waterfalls and ponds. The entire area is terraced with several levels. Paths divert off to the ground floor units...some of which are very secluded. Hint: Some of them actually appeared to not get much sun so if you are a sun lover, you might want to do a little research on some of the ground floor units before renting them.

Next up will be pics of the neighborhood, a trip to Coz, a trip to Coba, and pics from my Dora the Explorer days.

We were settled in for a relaxing 8 days and HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY.

silvergirl · 03-10-2009

Great pictures! Love it!

More more more!!

HAWKEYE · 03-11-2009

Great start and pic's.
Craig.

03-09-2009	#1 (permalink)
xqqzme añejo Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 5,105	Trip Report - Natz Ti Ha Condo By Way of Las Vegas Jeff and I went to Playa for our 4th trip Feb 23-March 3. My sister, Sandi, and my best friend, Kim, also went. Our vacation actually started Feb 22 in Las Vegas. Our flight left at the crack of dawn from Vegas so we decided to leave St George a day early and just stay in Vegas the night before we left for Mexico. What better place to get liquored up and get in that vacation frame of mind than Sin City. Went to an early dinner at my very favorite casino....Paris. Normally when somebody says the word buffet I throw up a little bit in my mouth. Buffets spell cold, mushy, unappetizing food to me. The buffet at Paris, however, is astounding. The stations represent the 5 provinces of France and they serve up some awesome food representative of thos culinary regions. They put out very small portions of each dish so it remains very fresh, hot, and comes to you as if it was individually prepared for you. It's about $27 each but is well worth the money. The highlight of course is the desert cottage that serves totally wicked creme brulee. Paris is a gorgeous casino to walk around...they still take your money like all casinos but they just seem to do it with more class. Even the bathrooms are classier at Paris We then strolled over to the Bellagio for the two best FREE shows in town. There isn't much that's free in Vegas so these two things are a big draw. The water show in front of the hotel/casino goes off every 1/2 hour to a variety of music. It's an awesome show. Next is the walk into the lobby that has huge selection of Chihuly Glass overhead. Past the lobby is a large Conservatory that changes the floral display seasonally. This time was Chinese New Years and it didn't disappoint. Walked by Caesar's which always has the cool statues out front. Next is New York New York. Another great casino to walk through to take in the sights. Tried to get Jeff to ride the roller coaster with me but he wouldn't budge. Walked around a bit more, enjoying some of the best people watching in the world. You truly see EVERYTHING in Vegas. The guys that are handing out cards for the working girls were there "flicking" their cards. They aren't allowed to talk to you to advertise the girls but they flick the cards and then quickly stuff them into your hands. Doesn't matter to them if you are man, woman or beast. I kind of think they are like baseball trading cards. Sadly, many of these girls who are trying to make the big time in Nevada simply end up as trash in the curbs....not a very glamorous life in Vegas. Went down to Fremont Street for awhile, watched the light show (another FREE thing in Vegas), drank some more, and called it a night.....4:30 AM was going to come WAYYYYY too soon. __________________

03-09-2009	#2 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 30,889	Your pictures are wonderful eye candy! Keep it coming please!

03-09-2009	#3 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 6,017	wonderful pictures, very good eye, and also very good technique. Any pics of the Paris buffet "stations"?

03-09-2009	#4 (permalink)
xqqzme añejo Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 5,105	Jesus - the pic of the 3 of us at Paris has some of the stations in back of it. You, the foodie, would LOVE it there

03-09-2009	#5 (permalink)
tommy Rastaman Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12,845	Wow, Best images I have seen of Vegas ever, even makes me want to go and I despise the place!!!!

03-10-2009	#6 (permalink)
silvergirl añejo Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,948	Wow!!! Tommy's right! Makes me want to go to Vegas more than ever!! Nice to see it from your view! Love those glass flowers. Beautiful.

03-10-2009	#8 (permalink)
Sol añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Gem State Posts: 16,176	Great pictures of Las Vegas!!! I cannot wait to read the rest of your trip report and to see your pictures!

03-10-2009	#9 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,564	Great pictures, indeed. My first trip to Vegas will be next January, for my GF Tracey's 40th. I have never really wanted to go but these are enticing photos for sure. I am interested in this trip report because we are thinking of doing the same thing, Vegas then Playa for a few days, then home from there. I want to hear some packing tips. is the name of that hotel 'Paris'?

03-10-2009	#11 (permalink)
boxi reposado Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: ljubljana Posts: 1,112	Gorgeous pictures! I laughed at your "Even the bathrooms are classier at Paris " comment - they don't seem to be in "real" Paris, at least in my experience!

03-10-2009	#12 (permalink)
janied reposado Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,017	Beautiful pictures! More, more, more ... please?

03-10-2009	#13 (permalink)
xqqzme añejo Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 5,105	Like everybody else that seems to leave for Playa, our flight was the crack of dawn from Vegas. Got there on time, caught our US Air flight with few problems (they now charge $25 per checked bag and hit you up for $2 for a soda or water on the plane). Of course the Vegas airport has to try to get any last minute money you might be planning on leaving Vegas with Changed planes in Phoenix where my best friend, Kim, met up with us from WA State. On to Playa with no problems. Caught an ADO bus in Cancun and were off to Playa. Cab driver had issues finding Natz Ti Ha Condos. They are at 40th & Flamingo. Apparently he thought the world ended at about 30th cause he was all screwed up. Finally got to the corner of 40th & Flamingo and Miguel was there to meet us out front of Natz Ti Ha. I had booked through Playa Rental Properties and my confirmation said there was a key box outside the door for us to get in. I still felt better having a real person to meet us. Migueal helped us schlep our bags upstairs. Yup, I picked Penthouse Katalina B301....three flights of stairs!!! Our view when we arrived - - - B301 is a 2 bedroom/2 bath unit and was much roomier than I expected. The master bedroom has a king size bed and turned out to have the most comfortable matress I've ever slept on in Mexico. I expected the typical rock hard Mexican Matress but the owners had discovered the bliss of a thick memory foam matress topper and this bed was COMFY!!!!! The master bedroom faces the courtyard and has a sliding door that opens up onto the huge balcony shared with the slider from the living room. The other bedroom has two single beds and Sandi and Kim said these beds were also very comfy. We oohed and ahhed over our new home for the next 8 nights!! Sorry didn't take a lot of pics inside....except this one of the great face above our bed. I looked all over Playa to find one of these and never found one. But the absolute BEST part of the condo was the balcony....holy CRAP!!! I could have lived on the balcony!!!! The climb of 3 stories was worth it. We were in amongst the tree tops of the very lush courtyard. The pool was below us but hidden enough to stay private. The breeze would usually reach the balcony and the units are all isolated enough with trees and design that you really don't see into your neighbors balconies or windows. The design is great.....you think you are on your own little isolated bit of paradise. So I now knew where my morning coffee and afternoon/evening drinking would take place!!!! But wait - - -I knew there was supposed to be a great view from the roofs of these units. Up ANOTHER flight of stairs but the view was worth it. Next stop was to check out the pool. The pool catches some daytime sun and shade. You can move around the pool to fit your needs. The loungers are comfy and I didn't see that people had to "stake claim"; there were always chairs available. Jeff and I tried to stay out of the sun and the palapa cover at the end of the pool was perfect for us. The pool is very clean and a great temp. Coco Beach is literally just a few steps away and the closest route was from this gate by the pool, complete with two showers to rinse off the sand when you came back. The inner couryard gardens are lush and green. There are hidden little waterfalls and ponds. The entire area is terraced with several levels. Paths divert off to the ground floor units...some of which are very secluded. Hint: Some of them actually appeared to not get much sun so if you are a sun lover, you might want to do a little research on some of the ground floor units before renting them. Next up will be pics of the neighborhood, a trip to Coz, a trip to Coba, and pics from my Dora the Explorer days. We were settled in for a relaxing 8 days and HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY.

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03-10-2009	#14 (permalink)
silvergirl añejo Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,948	Great pictures! Love it! More more more!!

03-11-2009	#15 (permalink)
HAWKEYE reposado Join Date: May 2007 Location: Windsor Hts. Iowa Posts: 1,362	Great start and pic's. Craig.