Vegas is becoming a rip off part 2 : a year later review

[dddrees]

Not a big gambler, however it's an awesome place to go if you like window shopping for watches.

[seand442]

I take my previous comment back. 3 free nights at Caesars in March courtesy of their total rewards card. Ok, twist my arm.

[GothamG8or]

I'm going to have to disagree a bit w/ the OP here too. I go out there 3-4 times a year & just got back from the Wynn a couple weeks ago. Exceptional as ever. I do actually prefer the Encore. By the far the best run hotels out there (in terms of guest experience). I admit, I have not stayed at the Aria. I'm not a fan of the Cosmopolitan... it's nice, but not my vibe - to each their own.

For full disclosure, I'm actually heading out on a boys trip for March Mardness & that crew stays at Treasure Island & I've been there many times before. TI is a good spot for what it is. Low $ tables are great there if you're w/ a group who has varying levels of gambling interest. The steak house there is suprisingly solid.

It's a great time... you just have to get the joke.

[bewithabob]

Although I haven't been back since 2001, and can't say I miss it, but had more than my share of fun there. During my 25+ years in the television business, I used to go to Vegas on average, four to five times a year, mostly for televised championship boxing. Between these events, after-parties, huge dinners, casinos, hotels, pools and golf it was always a top drawer venue.

Just speaking for myself, I've seen enough and now would rather spend my time with family and close friends in locations where we can talk without distraction. But I have heard from some friends who used to visit there with me about their experience after they went back recently. They raved about their entertainment experience as a whole.

One thing I would go back for now is to see Cirque du Soleil tribute to The Beatles at the Mirage. I hear it is fantastique! http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/sho...e/default.aspx

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by gettocard

Well,the place has actually been designed by Roger Thomas, a sort of "in house" architect friend of Steve Wynn. But yes,colors and draperies mostly come from Steve Wynn mind. Nothing wrong with that,they are beautiful indeed,but the glitzier they are the faster they get old,like what happened when Mandalay Bay opened back in 1999. The casino was spotless and full of energy,now it feels like a big box full of slot machines. I still love it anyway,Mandalay Bay is still my favorite "resort experience" hotel in Vegas

Anyway, I've heard out of a whole month Steve Wynn spends 3 weeks in Macau and 1 week in Vegas,up until a couple of years ago it was exactly the opposite. You can tell when the boss is not around and there's a lot of cost cutting involved....

Interesting. The colors are just too bright and garish for my taste, I prefer the Bellagio. That being said, I do believe that the Wynn has one of the best spas I have ever been to anywhere.

[GothamG8or]

Originally Posted by bewithabob

Although I haven't been back since 2001, and can't say I miss it, but had more than my share of fun there. During my 25+ years in the television business, I used to go to Vegas on average, four to five times a year, mostly for televised championship boxing. Between these events, after-parties, huge dinners, casinos, hotels, pools and golf it was always a top drawer venue.

Just speaking for myself, I've seen enough and now would rather spend my time with family and close friends in locations where we can talk without distraction. But I have heard from some friends who used to visit there with me about their experience after they went back recently. They raved about their entertainment experience as a whole.

One thing I would go back for now is to see Cirque du Soleil tribute to The Beatles at the Mirage. I hear it is fantastique! http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/sho...e/default.aspx

I've seen Love (the Beatles tribute) & it really is outstanding. Highly recommend. My favorite Cirque show is "O", but Love is a close close 2nd.

[gettocard]

This used to be my casino dealer school back in 2001. And look now,January 2012....
But even back then was already a place packed with weirdos,no big deal anyway.... Oh boy,good times..

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by bewithabob

Although I haven't been back since 2001, and can't say I miss it, but had more than my share of fun there. During my 25+ years in the television business, I used to go to Vegas on average, four to five times a year, mostly for televised championship boxing. Between these events, after-parties, huge dinners, casinos, hotels, pools and golf it was always a top drawer venue.

Just speaking for myself, I've seen enough and now would rather spend my time with family and close friends in locations where we can talk without distraction. But I have heard from some friends who used to visit there with me about their experience after they went back recently. They raved about their entertainment experience as a whole.

One thing I would go back for now is to see Cirque du Soleil tribute to The Beatles at the Mirage. I hear it is fantastique! http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/sho...e/default.aspx

Me and my wife enjoyed it, but then again we have enjoyed all of the Cirque du Soleil shows we have been to so far.

[Gaijin]

Love Vegas. Good memories...

[Maxtor]

Have stayed at the Aria twice. Highly recommended.

[davestan]

Platinum Hotel & Spa. Non Smoking , non gaming, reasonable price, views of the Strip. IMHO best Hotel in Vegas. Was there last year and don't think I'd rush back. The sidewalks of the Strip are a seedy, alcohol saturated, sex peddling area, that even the excesses of the glitz can't sanitize, (a world of unreality to the economic depression/unemployment that is suburban Vegas).
At least the Platinum is a bit of an oasis, being just off the central Strip area.
www.theplatinumhotel.com/

[Submarino]

I am surprised to hear people calling Wynn and Encore dusty!!!! Those two places are spotless with great service, upscale gambling experience and great dinning and shopping areas. Where else do you see so many Rolex watches displayed at a Boutique? Nowhere. Just at the Wynn shopping area. If any of the two casinos were to be dusty, Hermes, Chanel, Dior, Alexander McQueen, etc. would've already moved elsewhere.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

[gettocard]

Originally Posted by Submarino

I am surprised to hear people calling Wynn and Encore dusty!!!! Those two places are spotless with great service, upscale gambling experience and great dinning and shopping areas. Where else do you see so many Rolex watches displayed at a Boutique? Nowhere. Just at the Wynn shopping area. If any of the two casinos were to be dusty, Hermes, Chanel, Dior, Alexander McQueen, etc. would've already moved elsewhere.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Watches are the new currency!

Honestly I see those names just as appealing brands for the masses. Upper middle class-newly rich masses,but still brands that are after big numbers,so I don't see their presence as a measure to evaluate a resort. Again,the fact that most of the boutiques between Encore and Wynn are now shut means that something is missing in the bottom line. Those boutiques were Wynn Resorts owned, other big shot names can pay their rent to have their display in Las Vegas, If they will fail to sell a Deepsea in Las Vegas they are selling 20 of them per week between Paris and Shangai.
I'm sorry but when your carpets are not as fluffy as they used to be something is missing.
Of course we all know that Steve Wynn knows what kind of customers puts in his resorts,still 10$ minimum at Encore on a friday night is quite scary (and the place was empty).

[figbo]

I'll see you guys in april!There is a little restaurant in the Bally's basement that serve a nice and inexpensive breakfast.That was 2 years ago,though.A block or less,there is a Burguer King too.

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by gettocard

May some of you will reming this topic :
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=159111.

Well,I've just came back from Vegas again and unfortunately I have to say that things have not improved since my last year visit. Of course I did not expect to improve dramatically so quickly,but getting even worst ??...what the heck !!!

First of all the obnoxious resort fee most resort "mandate" in your final bill. Well,let me tell you this : are you guys serious ?? Stop it already !! Or make it a one time 20 bucks at check in,not for every day of my stay.

Since we had 2 weeks to spend in Socal we decided to avoid most pricey hotels, also because we came to a point that in Vegas it doesn't really make any sense,unless of course we're talking about places like Circus Circus or Riviera. Stayed at Bellagio many times and loved it,but 149 per night plus and extra 20 bucks for the extra fee no thank you,Mr Lanni. By comparison,it does a lot more sense to stay at Wynn and pay $199 per night. Either way we opted for the good old Treasure Island where I've scored an unbelievable 3 nights for 150$ including resort fee. Comfy enough mattresses for me too,wich is what is most important. Smokey casino,old carpeting and room furnitures falling apart ? They've got you cover !!!

Now,last year I came to a conclusion that while gambling became cheap,food became very expensive and service has gone down the drain,this year it seems the gambling is still cheap,food is still very expensive ( TI breakfast buffet is one dollar more than the Bellagio breakfast buffet !! But don't worry,they are both to avoid imho.) but most important hotels in general are kept in an unbelievable state of disarray an seediness. And I mean all of them.
Let's take the hotel that stands as a force to be reckon with : Wynn . Wynn and Encore suddendly looks like very old and dusty establishments. At first I've thought the new standard set by Aria made me feel like that but no,that's not the case. It is clear that Mr. Wynn is spending a lot more time in it's Macau casinos and his places here in Vegas are falling apart. Of course I do understand most of the shut down boutiques in the corridor between Wynn and Encore are due to a bad economy,but what hell...keep the damn place clean and tidy !! And,bottom of the barrel....I've saw a mexican kid selling chewing gums on the bridge between Fashion Show Mall and Wynn....now you know Steve is not in town !!!

Least but not last : I don't feel safe on the Strip anymore like I used to feel few years ago or during the "good years" 1998-2007 when I've lived in town for 3 years. The area between the Aladdin ( it's Planet Hollywood now but I'm and old timer ) and the Harely Davidson Cafe' is filled with very mean individuals giving you aggressive stares,offering you drugs or singing their hip hop stuff with each other. No,I don't feel safe on the Strip anymore,take it from someone that knows this town better than himself.


But ...is there a positive note ? Yes there is ! There is that new resort in town most older resort should now learn from : The Cosmopolitan . Hated it last year,understanded and loved it this year. The place is clean and smallish,smallish because of the multilevel thing,and it has a general feel of intimacy. We really loved the idea of being able to grab a slice of pizza and eating it while inside the hotel sitting on a wooden bench and NO slot machines in sight !!|

Other than this positive note it's sad to say it but I don't see any more reason for me to go back to Vegas for a while,not until resorts will pick up on the economy again. It's funny tho, because Vegas newspapers reports 10% increase in room occupancy and room prices month after month,while an insider very good friend of mine tells me most hotels with 3000 and plus rooms inventory keep at least 2000 rooms closed during the week or during very slow weekends.....is that how you make +10% occupancy every month....... ?

What else ?? The Las Vegas Hilton is now called LVH and it's bank owned,so is the good old Palms. Lot's of half built and not completed buildings throughout the valley,a true sad vision.
The Loft 5,a trendy apartment complex I was very interested in few years ago sits in the middle of the desert and poor maintenance is taking a toll on it's facade,here and there you can see some curtains open or closed,a sign that someone managed to buy a small unit unit for a whopping 170K$ back in 2003 or 50K$ in 2011....

Never been.

Curious about going.

Is there anything you can recommend in the way of Vegas and good deals?

[TheDude]

I was there in July. I agree that things are lagging, but what else could be expected? The town is beleaguered at best.

I agree with the comments about the strip feeling unsafe.

The new Walgreens pharmacy under the Venetian/Palazzo is a shocking reminder of the glut of prime real estate there. Can you imagine that much space on the good part of the strip being wasted on a pharmacy before?? Guess what? That Walgreens was packed to the gills all the time. Think of the lost room service revenue.

I am sure the rise of Macau has done a lot of damage. Macau is nice. It's a quick hovercraft ride from HK. I am sure the huge Asian market simply doesn't bother making the trip to Vegas anymore - or at least nearly as often.

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