My first time visiting Tahoe and my boyfriend and ...

My first time visiting Tahoe and my boyfriend and I booked one night at Harrah's. I was skeptical after reading the reviews, but opted for the upgraded room.

Check in was good - we were early, so we went down the street and had a beer and burger and they called when the room was available. Our room was very nice, on the 9th floor and newly renovated. Love the two bathrooms, comfortable bed, quiet, and could have lived without the parking lot view, but, that's OK. The price was right.

We had spent two nights in Reno at the Atlantis playing craps and had a great experience. $3 craps minimum! We got to the craps table at Harrah's and it was depressing - heavy smoking locals throwing down $10 minimums. We went to Harvey's and found a $5 minimum table. I threw down $100, they said "it's now $10." I said, "change the signs, and I'll take my money back please." We did not gamble at either property.

The casino is depressing, dated and full of a lot of shifty folks, people who probably don't need to be spending their social security on slot machines (but you see that at all casinos) and miserable casino employees.

We registered my boyfriend for a Total Rewards card and were given no freebies, which is industry standard. We went down to the Lakeside Casino and played instead. Friendly locals, generous staff and $5 tables.

Room service was good - a lovely Cobb salad for me and an omelet for him. However, this morning he woke up with a terrible stomachache and spent the duration of our 3 hour drive home stopping off to use the bathroom. We assume he got a form a food poisoning from the omelet or potatoes that came with it - we both had ate the same thing at lunch and breakfast prior and I was fine.

For a historical property, this place needs an upgrade. It's just as "meh" as the Harrah's in Vegas, except it controls the smoke a bit better than the Vegas one. I don t plan on returning until an overhaul takes place.