OK, outsiders. You're here. Welcome to Nevada, welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, and welcome to Netroots Nation 2010!
So Erin has some advice for you. It all sounds good. Still, let me give you some more advice you'll need.
1. As Erin noted, Rio is part of the Harrah's empire. And since Harrah's is all union, 100% pro-LGBTQ equality, and good to Nevada Democrats, you're fine staying and playing at any of the Harrah's casinos on or near The Strip (Rio, Caesars, and everything from Planet Hollywood to Harrah's along the east side of Las Vegas Blvd.).
2. MGM Resorts is also good, as they're also pro-union, pro-equality, and good to local Democrats. You're also allowed to stay and play at MGM Grand, Mirage, Circus Circus, and everything from Mandalay Bay to Aria to Bellagio along the west side of Las Vegas Blvd.
3. But whatever you do, DO NOT PLAY at Venetian or Palazzo! Not only are they hosting the "right-roots" this weekend, and not only were they slated to host the teabagger convention before it was postponed, but owner Sheldon Adelson is VERY anti-union, anti-progressive, and pro-Republican.
4. RTC is fairly good for transit. The ACE Gold Line is fantastic for traveling up and down The Strip, and even to Downtown! But if you want to come out here to the 'burbs, watch out... Some routes don't do late night service and/or only run on an hourly frequency.
5. For good grub, The Rio has... Oh hell, who am I kidding! Go across the street to The Palms for Simon, or across The 15 to Caesars for Serendipity, Rao's, Bradley Ogden, Guy Savoy, or Munchbar! Oh, and don't forget the sweets at Payard!
6. For more good eating tips, check out the foodie fun files of this blog and my Urbanspoon reviews.
7. Cirque du Soleil has a number of great shows worth seeing. "Mystere". "O". "Zumanity". "Love". Now trust me on this, "Criss Angel Believe" is NOT one of them! Really, your significant other would rather have the gambling money.
8. And speaking of gambling, bon chance! No really, you'll have really good luck at the video poker machines at The Palms... They're 99% payback! Whatever you do, don't expect to win much at The Rio. (Their machines can be a little on the tight side.)
9. If high prices really piss you off, just go Downtown already and be done with it! Fremont Street is the one place left abounding in "Old Vegas spirit". That's why it often smells like puke, you don't have to venture too far away to find the "working girls & boys", and most of the food sucks. Oh, and did I mention there are tons of penny machines and $5 blackjack tables there?
10. Believe it or not, the Las Vegas you will most likely be experiencing these next few days is FAR DIFFERENT from the Las Vegas I live every day. It may be 24/7 party central at your hotel room, but my 'hood is quiet as usual... Except for the occasional rowdy kiddies at our community pools. Over here in the 'burbs, we socialize, do grocery shopping, go to church/synagogue/mosque/temple/insert-other-house-of-worship, get ice cream, and go hiking like any "normal town". But again, I don't suggest staying out here in "Real Vegas" too late if you're relying upon RTC... ;-)
(And don't worry, I'll have more travel tips ready for you in the next day...)
Showing posts with label luxury travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label luxury travel. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Are Strip Malls "Dressed for Success"?
Is everything changing at The Strip's malls?
Well, it makes sense. So many of us have changed our spending habits, so it makes sense that a number of tourists have, too. Maybe five years ago they would have splurged on a Burberry scarf, but now they just want an "I Got Lucky in Vegas" t-shirt.
But wait, are we over-simplifying this? Is the uber-high-end really dead? Actually, no... Far from it!
Come on, let's face it. High-rollers and big spenders do NOT come here to "save money and be thrifty"... They want the most lavish and extravagant experience of their lives! So as long as those big spenders keep coming back to Vegas to live out their fantasies, I guess there will always be a need for Prada and Chopard.
So where does it all fit in? Diversity. That's it, diversity.
Vegas has all sorts of people coming here for all sorts of different experiences. Some just want $5 blackjack tables, cheap dinner buffets, and that "I Got Lucky in Vegas" t-shirt, while others want private gaming salons, exquisite multi-course haute cuisine dinners, and that perfect Chanel little black dress.
The Strip's retail scene needs all sorts of stores to please all sorts of people. Perhaps the malls were in over their heads packing in the same ol' luxury brands four years ago, but now it would be foolish to completely drop them.
This is probably the key to The Forum Shops' continued success. They have ultra luxurious boutiques, kitschy souvenir shops, and everything in between. They seem to have something to target any tourist stopping by.
This makes me wonder how Crystals can keep going as is. Have they tied themselves too tightly into just one niche (luxury clothing & accessories)? Or are they being smart in sticking with the big spenders who just need to make their regular splurges to keep them afloat? We'll have to wait and see...
High-end retailers along the Strip — think Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and Chanel — are mourning the loss of splurgers — vacationers who reach deeper into their wallets for a big-ticket purchase because that’s one of the frills and thrills of the Vegas escape.
These days, Macy’s is the day’s fancy outing.
And it helps explain why Strip malls are branding down, and a new retail center planned across the street from the $8.5 billion CityCenter and its uber-posh Crystals mall will be anchored by Walgreens.
“The success of high-end luxury retail before the Great Recession was attributed to those who could afford it, and the aspirational consumer who wanted to trade up to luxury,” said Pamela Joy Ring, president of the Ring Retail Advisory in Las Vegas. “Those aspirational people are gone. They are spending within their means and patronizing the middle market.”
Well, it makes sense. So many of us have changed our spending habits, so it makes sense that a number of tourists have, too. Maybe five years ago they would have splurged on a Burberry scarf, but now they just want an "I Got Lucky in Vegas" t-shirt.
But wait, are we over-simplifying this? Is the uber-high-end really dead? Actually, no... Far from it!
The Forum Shops, which kicked off the move to luxury when it opened in 1992, said the upper-end market shouldn’t be written off. It cited recent remodeling and expansion by some of its retailers.
Versace, Gucci and Ermenegildo Zegna have recently expanded their stores, and others that are expanding include Burberry and Cartier.
The Forum Shops reports its sales were up double digits during the first quarter of this year, coming off a down 2009 when sales were about $1,400 per square foot. Even though sales dipped from $1,500 a square foot in 2008, the mall kept its No. 1 ranking in the country. [...]
Crystals’ operators say they are not second-guessing their high-end tenant-mix strategy, even in the face of the recession and competition from other luxury stores in town.
“We leased the building in the worst economic time ever and we know that,” said Farid Matraki, vice president and general manager. “But despite that, we had a mission, and we stayed on course on that mission. We knew we wanted a certain type of client and we pursued (that client).”
“I think our tenants appreciated the strategy as well. You don’t want to put a magnet souvenir store next to a Louis Vuitton.” [...]
“Las Vegas continues to draw high-end customers who enjoy certain dining and shopping,” Hermes USA President and CEO Robert Chavez said, citing high-end domestic and international travelers. “We are very optimistic about the potential upside of our business in Las Vegas.”
Come on, let's face it. High-rollers and big spenders do NOT come here to "save money and be thrifty"... They want the most lavish and extravagant experience of their lives! So as long as those big spenders keep coming back to Vegas to live out their fantasies, I guess there will always be a need for Prada and Chopard.
So where does it all fit in? Diversity. That's it, diversity.
Vegas has all sorts of people coming here for all sorts of different experiences. Some just want $5 blackjack tables, cheap dinner buffets, and that "I Got Lucky in Vegas" t-shirt, while others want private gaming salons, exquisite multi-course haute cuisine dinners, and that perfect Chanel little black dress.
The Strip's retail scene needs all sorts of stores to please all sorts of people. Perhaps the malls were in over their heads packing in the same ol' luxury brands four years ago, but now it would be foolish to completely drop them.
This is probably the key to The Forum Shops' continued success. They have ultra luxurious boutiques, kitschy souvenir shops, and everything in between. They seem to have something to target any tourist stopping by.
This makes me wonder how Crystals can keep going as is. Have they tied themselves too tightly into just one niche (luxury clothing & accessories)? Or are they being smart in sticking with the big spenders who just need to make their regular splurges to keep them afloat? We'll have to wait and see...
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
A "Photo Essay" of My Orange County Sojourn
It was good to visit friends & family in OC this month. I needed a little break from the usual Vegas, but just a temporary break. I'm happy to be home in Vegasland now.
But anyway, take a look above and enjoy... And check out my Photobucket and YouTube for more OC goodness. :-)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Weekend @ The Beach, OC Style
Ah, good times. Here is where I enjoyed the sunny Saturday yesterday. Take a look below and smile along with moi. ;-)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
My Local Mall...
At least while I'm at Dad's house.
Just another OC experience...
Happy Monday, y'all! ;-)
Just another OC experience...
Happy Monday, y'all! ;-)
Monday, June 7, 2010
Goodbye, Vegas... And Hello, OC!
At least for the next couple weeks. I'll be off in a far away land, a place where the land ends and the seemingly endless Pacific begins...
Friday, May 28, 2010
Casinos: Encore Beach Club Is OPEN!
It's here! It's here! It's finally here, bitchez!
Encore Beach Club is HERE! And Surrender. And the newly remixed Switch.
Here are the deets, via The Sun.
Hopefully soon, I'll have a chance to see it all for myself and give a better, more accurate assessment of it all. But so far judging from the pics and vids I've seen, I'm liking it. Everything looks so sexy and sumptuous and sensual and oh so luxurious.
I know the design, along with the whole entire pool day club concept, have generated some controversy. But for me, it's all a perfect fit.
Why? Well, why not? Las Vegas is the 24/7 fun party town... Or at least The Strip is. And we're already known for our more notorious pool day clubsRehab @ Hard Rock . Why not let Wynn & Thomas glam it up with their own fabulous day-into-night luxury party spot? I'm all for it.
Score another WIN for Steve Wynn and Roger Thomas! :-)
Encore Beach Club is HERE! And Surrender. And the newly remixed Switch.
Here are the deets, via The Sun.
The Las Vegas Strip today has another nightclub and adult pool to add to its growing list. Encore Las Vegas will open its Encore Beach Club and Surrender nightclub, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend crowds.
The $68 million pool-nightclub complex is replacing Encore’s porte-cochere, so those walking the Strip will be able to peek in on the action.
Opening festivities will begin when Surrender’s resident DJ Steve Aoki takes over the turntables and will continue through the weekend with musical guests Ne-Yo, Kaskade and LMFAO. The 5,000-square-foot Surrender nightclub will open to the outdoors as weather permits.
The 60,000-square-foot Encore Beach Club will be a 21-and-over pool complex. The pool will feature 26 cabanas, eight two-story, 350-square-foot bungalows, a restaurant and poolside blackjack and craps.
Sean Christie, who operates Blush Nightclub and Society Cafe, will operate both the pool and the nightclub. Wynn Design and Development Executive Vice President Roger Thomas is responsible for the design of both the Encore Beach Club and Surrender.
Hopefully soon, I'll have a chance to see it all for myself and give a better, more accurate assessment of it all. But so far judging from the pics and vids I've seen, I'm liking it. Everything looks so sexy and sumptuous and sensual and oh so luxurious.
I know the design, along with the whole entire pool day club concept, have generated some controversy. But for me, it's all a perfect fit.
Why? Well, why not? Las Vegas is the 24/7 fun party town... Or at least The Strip is. And we're already known for our more notorious pool day clubs
Score another WIN for Steve Wynn and Roger Thomas! :-)
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Crazy Fun Video Night: My "Vegas Uncork'd Staycation" Vids!
In case you couldn't get enough of my Vegas Uncork'd adventures from last weekend, I saved the best for last...
YOUTUBE! YES, MY YOUTUBE!
My THEhotel suite:
A glimpse of the Vegas Uncork'd Grand Tasting (specifically, Pure's lounge/pool party):
And Mandalay Bay's famed beach (pool complex):
Enjoy! :-)
YOUTUBE! YES, MY YOUTUBE!
My THEhotel suite:
A glimpse of the Vegas Uncork'd Grand Tasting (specifically, Pure's lounge/pool party):
And Mandalay Bay's famed beach (pool complex):
Enjoy! :-)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Vegas Uncork'd: Conclusion
(Also at TWHT/RateVegas)
On Sunday, I suddenly had to resume my "normal life". No more being waited upon hand and foot. No more "beach" pools. No more celebrity chefs cooking for me. Nope, it was back to "normal living" in the very "un-Vegas-y" (that's how my State Senator, Joyce Woodhouse, describes it) town of Henderson.
But as I sit here in "un-Vegas-y" territory, I just want to reflect upon the amazing weekend of delicious activities I just experienced.
(Day 1 of Vegas Uncork'd)
This was really a chance for us to explore a different side of Las Vegas. Not that long ago, "eating out" mostly consisted of generic steakhouses, dull diners/coffee shops, and cheap buffets. The buffets were especially "legendary" (or should I say notorious?) for "food" that may not have been fit for serving in school cafeterias, and the diners and steakhouses weren't all that better.
But about twenty years ago, it all started to change. When Steve Wynn built The Mirage, he was looking for restaurants worthy of a world-class resort. When Caesars Palace built The Forum Shops, they invited Wolfgang Puck to open a Las Vegas branch of the famed LA hotspot Spago... And ignited the first of many "waves" of "celebrity chef invasions" to come. In the late 1990s, new resorts like Bellagio, Paris, Venetian, and Mandalay Bay looked to New York and Chicago to bring even more culinary star power to town. And just in the last five years, "The Great French Invasion" has brought international superstars like Joel Robuchon, Guy Savoy, and Pierre Gagnaire to Las Vegas to give us even more foodie clout and Michelin Stars than ever before.
Meanwhile, Vegas has also seen the rise of "homegrown talent". Rick Moonen left the hubbub of New York to open RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay and stay here to run it. Kerry Simon actually became a "celebrity chef" here in Vegas, and has since opened a branch of Simon in LA. Signs of life have even appeared out here in the suburbs, as real Neapolitan style pizzerias, funky sushi houses, classy French bistros, and cool gastropubs have popped up from Summerlin to Henderson.
So with Vegas Uncork'd here for its fourth year, it really feels like we were celebrating something quite special. Las Vegas truly has arrived as a sophisticated culinary destination.
(Day 2 of Vegas Uncork'd)
Think about it. The world's best and finest chefs were just here in Las Vegas. They were here to feed us. They gave us cooking classes. They served us lunch. They pulled out all the stops for elegant multi-course dinners. They all gathered at Caesars Palace's new pool complex to let us sample their offerings. Hell, they even threw us a big barbeque at Mandalay Bay's beach!
It's incredibly difficult for me to pick a favorite moment from last weekend, since there were so many. There was Charlie Palmer serving me pork hot off the BBQ. There was Cat Cora personally offering me a lamb burger from her booth. There was Joel Robuchon doing a champagne toast with me, silly lil' moi!
And after all these great meals, I'm ready for more. The Grand Tasting gave me a chance to sample some great restaurants that I know I'll need to visit (or try again) soon. Sage tasted very promising. Nobu (as usual) had great sushi offerings. I must admit, even Bobby Flay's seafood at Mesa Grill tasted good. (Last time I was at Mesa, my meal was on the underwhelming side.)
Meanwhile, the full sit-down meals confirmed to me some of my favorite restaurants that I know I will be visiting time and again. Bradley Ogden is a real "hidden treasure" at Caesars Palace. Joel Robuchon is a breathtaking experience never worth missing at MGM Grand. And over ten years later, Aureole is still dazzling us at Mandalay Bay.
(Day 3 of Vegas Uncork'd)
Vegas Uncork'd was the perfect opportunity to explore more of what Las Vegas has to offer, especially the great restaurants serving phenomenal food and drinks here. But even if you couldn't make it here last weekend, fear not. There is always something good cooking here.
Just give me a call, and we'll do dinner. Trust me, you'll have fun eating here. :-)
(OK, just one more thing: I need to thank some very important people who made this all happen. Much thanks to Bon Appetit Magazine for hosting Uncork'd and making it yet another fabulous success! I also need to thank Hunter again for giving me the opportunity to be your eyes and ears at Uncork'd. Thanks to my "table partners" at Bradley Ogden on Thursday, including Bon Appetit Executive Ediotr Victoria Von Biel, for the enlightening conversation and great company. Thanks to my new friends from Seattle, jsmeeker, and David Ross for guiding me through The Grand Tasting. Thanks to THEhotel at Mandalay Bay for such an enjoyable stay last weekend. Oh, and thanks to YOU for bearing with me these last few days. I hope to keep seeing you here!)
On Sunday, I suddenly had to resume my "normal life". No more being waited upon hand and foot. No more "beach" pools. No more celebrity chefs cooking for me. Nope, it was back to "normal living" in the very "un-Vegas-y" (that's how my State Senator, Joyce Woodhouse, describes it) town of Henderson.
But as I sit here in "un-Vegas-y" territory, I just want to reflect upon the amazing weekend of delicious activities I just experienced.
(Day 1 of Vegas Uncork'd)
This was really a chance for us to explore a different side of Las Vegas. Not that long ago, "eating out" mostly consisted of generic steakhouses, dull diners/coffee shops, and cheap buffets. The buffets were especially "legendary" (or should I say notorious?) for "food" that may not have been fit for serving in school cafeterias, and the diners and steakhouses weren't all that better.
But about twenty years ago, it all started to change. When Steve Wynn built The Mirage, he was looking for restaurants worthy of a world-class resort. When Caesars Palace built The Forum Shops, they invited Wolfgang Puck to open a Las Vegas branch of the famed LA hotspot Spago... And ignited the first of many "waves" of "celebrity chef invasions" to come. In the late 1990s, new resorts like Bellagio, Paris, Venetian, and Mandalay Bay looked to New York and Chicago to bring even more culinary star power to town. And just in the last five years, "The Great French Invasion" has brought international superstars like Joel Robuchon, Guy Savoy, and Pierre Gagnaire to Las Vegas to give us even more foodie clout and Michelin Stars than ever before.
Meanwhile, Vegas has also seen the rise of "homegrown talent". Rick Moonen left the hubbub of New York to open RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay and stay here to run it. Kerry Simon actually became a "celebrity chef" here in Vegas, and has since opened a branch of Simon in LA. Signs of life have even appeared out here in the suburbs, as real Neapolitan style pizzerias, funky sushi houses, classy French bistros, and cool gastropubs have popped up from Summerlin to Henderson.
So with Vegas Uncork'd here for its fourth year, it really feels like we were celebrating something quite special. Las Vegas truly has arrived as a sophisticated culinary destination.
(Day 2 of Vegas Uncork'd)
Think about it. The world's best and finest chefs were just here in Las Vegas. They were here to feed us. They gave us cooking classes. They served us lunch. They pulled out all the stops for elegant multi-course dinners. They all gathered at Caesars Palace's new pool complex to let us sample their offerings. Hell, they even threw us a big barbeque at Mandalay Bay's beach!
It's incredibly difficult for me to pick a favorite moment from last weekend, since there were so many. There was Charlie Palmer serving me pork hot off the BBQ. There was Cat Cora personally offering me a lamb burger from her booth. There was Joel Robuchon doing a champagne toast with me, silly lil' moi!
And after all these great meals, I'm ready for more. The Grand Tasting gave me a chance to sample some great restaurants that I know I'll need to visit (or try again) soon. Sage tasted very promising. Nobu (as usual) had great sushi offerings. I must admit, even Bobby Flay's seafood at Mesa Grill tasted good. (Last time I was at Mesa, my meal was on the underwhelming side.)
Meanwhile, the full sit-down meals confirmed to me some of my favorite restaurants that I know I will be visiting time and again. Bradley Ogden is a real "hidden treasure" at Caesars Palace. Joel Robuchon is a breathtaking experience never worth missing at MGM Grand. And over ten years later, Aureole is still dazzling us at Mandalay Bay.
(Day 3 of Vegas Uncork'd)
Vegas Uncork'd was the perfect opportunity to explore more of what Las Vegas has to offer, especially the great restaurants serving phenomenal food and drinks here. But even if you couldn't make it here last weekend, fear not. There is always something good cooking here.
Just give me a call, and we'll do dinner. Trust me, you'll have fun eating here. :-)
(OK, just one more thing: I need to thank some very important people who made this all happen. Much thanks to Bon Appetit Magazine for hosting Uncork'd and making it yet another fabulous success! I also need to thank Hunter again for giving me the opportunity to be your eyes and ears at Uncork'd. Thanks to my "table partners" at Bradley Ogden on Thursday, including Bon Appetit Executive Ediotr Victoria Von Biel, for the enlightening conversation and great company. Thanks to my new friends from Seattle, jsmeeker, and David Ross for guiding me through The Grand Tasting. Thanks to THEhotel at Mandalay Bay for such an enjoyable stay last weekend. Oh, and thanks to YOU for bearing with me these last few days. I hope to keep seeing you here!)
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Vegas Uncork'd: THEexperience at THEhotel
(Also at Rate Vegas' Two Way Hard Three)
So I have arrived at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. In fact, I am now writing from "THE wifi" at "THE desk" at "THE Living Room" at "THE Suite"... And I'm listening to "THE Beyonce" as I write from "THE Macbook" on "THE desk". Am I sounding annoying yet?
I digress.
Anyway, I'm now here and I'm getting ready for my first Vegas Uncork'd event of the weekend: dinner at Bradley Ogden, WITH Bradley Ogden! Yes, I know, this is exciting and I'm so excited that Hunter was gracious enough to let me be a guest contributor this weekend so I care share this and other adventures with you at Las Vegas' biggest and most fabulous culinary action-packed weekend, with celebrity chefs from all around the world descending upon our humble 'burg to give us a taste of what they're all about.
However since I know you're also interested in hotel and casino design, I'll also be providing some of my observations of the Strip casinos I go in and out of. So let's start with my home base for this weekend: Mandalay Bay.
Honestly, "THE Suite" is quite sweet. Sure, there aren't the types of fun electronic gadgets you'll now find at any room at Aria, Encore, or Palazzo. But as a "boutique hotel", it works nicely with three flat panel TVs, a fully loaded wet bar, floor-to-ceiling windows, plush carpeting, chic furniture, and plenty of room to roam. And for a hotel that opened in 2003, my suite at THEhotel has minimal damage.
The decor is very hip. The color palette is mainly earth tones. The furniture really looks like the kinds of items I'll find at my yuppie friends' pads in Manhattan and West Hollywood. If you want to take a look at where I'm staying, check out my homemade "sweet suite tour" video (which I'll also upload to YouTube later), as well as my Twitpic.
And the actual Mandalay casino? It's still looking good for someone in Vegas going on eleven. I only found minimal chips in the marble. The water features were all working properly. And THEhotel lobby still looks as stunning in its uber-chic minimalist postmodern way (although that could just be the dim lighting!). For some reason, it seems like MGM Mirage is taking better care of Mandalay Bay than Bellagio. Weird, right?
I'll write more today as I explore, and expect a full review tomorrow morning of all the action at Bradley Ogden's Vegas Uncork'd event. I'll also be listening to other "eyes and ears on the ground" to let you know about the other events tonight. And as always, please feel free to follow me @atdleft on Twitter all weekend as I explore more at Mandalay Bay, take a glimpse at the other Strip casinos, review more restaurants, and follow all the Vegas Uncork'd madness for you.
So I have arrived at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. In fact, I am now writing from "THE wifi" at "THE desk" at "THE Living Room" at "THE Suite"... And I'm listening to "THE Beyonce" as I write from "THE Macbook" on "THE desk". Am I sounding annoying yet?
I digress.
Anyway, I'm now here and I'm getting ready for my first Vegas Uncork'd event of the weekend: dinner at Bradley Ogden, WITH Bradley Ogden! Yes, I know, this is exciting and I'm so excited that Hunter was gracious enough to let me be a guest contributor this weekend so I care share this and other adventures with you at Las Vegas' biggest and most fabulous culinary action-packed weekend, with celebrity chefs from all around the world descending upon our humble 'burg to give us a taste of what they're all about.
However since I know you're also interested in hotel and casino design, I'll also be providing some of my observations of the Strip casinos I go in and out of. So let's start with my home base for this weekend: Mandalay Bay.
Honestly, "THE Suite" is quite sweet. Sure, there aren't the types of fun electronic gadgets you'll now find at any room at Aria, Encore, or Palazzo. But as a "boutique hotel", it works nicely with three flat panel TVs, a fully loaded wet bar, floor-to-ceiling windows, plush carpeting, chic furniture, and plenty of room to roam. And for a hotel that opened in 2003, my suite at THEhotel has minimal damage.
The decor is very hip. The color palette is mainly earth tones. The furniture really looks like the kinds of items I'll find at my yuppie friends' pads in Manhattan and West Hollywood. If you want to take a look at where I'm staying, check out my homemade "sweet suite tour" video (which I'll also upload to YouTube later), as well as my Twitpic.
And the actual Mandalay casino? It's still looking good for someone in Vegas going on eleven. I only found minimal chips in the marble. The water features were all working properly. And THEhotel lobby still looks as stunning in its uber-chic minimalist postmodern way (although that could just be the dim lighting!). For some reason, it seems like MGM Mirage is taking better care of Mandalay Bay than Bellagio. Weird, right?
I'll write more today as I explore, and expect a full review tomorrow morning of all the action at Bradley Ogden's Vegas Uncork'd event. I'll also be listening to other "eyes and ears on the ground" to let you know about the other events tonight. And as always, please feel free to follow me @atdleft on Twitter all weekend as I explore more at Mandalay Bay, take a glimpse at the other Strip casinos, review more restaurants, and follow all the Vegas Uncork'd madness for you.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Casinos: Caesars Palace FINALLY Opens Octavius Tower... For Super-Duper High-Rollers!
And this villa can be yours for only $40,000 per night! So it looks like Harrah's decided to finally open Caesars' Octavius Tower... Well, only the uber-high-roller villas at Octavius so far. So for now, we'll just have to admire from afar until the rest of the tower is open to the rest of us. But hey, I can't complain about the look. If one's into "European Neoclassical Elegance", this place was certainly made for you. :-D
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Travel Promotion Act Is Here. It Can Really Help. Oh Yes, and Harry Reid Delivers Again.
Last week, President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act into law. I know I usually don't give Johnny Casino much credit for anything, but at least he was of use this time in sponsoring it. And of course, Harry Reid did all the heavy lifting over these last few months to make it all happen.
And today, The Strip's big players are feeling quite good about the prospect of even more foreign tourists visiting Las Vegas.
Las Vegas tourism officials believe the Travel Promotion Act legislation that was signed into law last week will lead to a marked growth in international visitors, one of the gaming industry's few positive market segments in the challenging economic climate.
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President Rossi Ralenkotter, resort industry leaders and members of the organization's board took a few moments at the outset of Tuesday's scheduled directors meeting to praise the act and Nevada's congressional delegation for pushing its passage.
"The one bright spot we've seen in the past few years has been the interest from international visitors," said MGM Mirage Chief Marketing Officer Bill Hornbuckle, who is involved with much of the casino company's overseas visitation. "This act will help."
Under the legislation, signed into law Thursday by President Barack Obama, a program will be created that will allow the United States to advertise the country as a destination for international travelers. It creates a public-private partnership for travel promotion that is partly funded by a $10 fee paid by international travelers.
"The fee is .002 percent of what an international traveler spends on their trip," Ralenkotter said. "Many countries have entry and exit fees so the United States is doing what the rest of the world has been doing."
So how exactly will this help us? The LVCVA calc'ed it out and presented these estimates.
BY THE NUMBERS
Estimated benefits of the Travel Promotion Act
5%
increase in international visitation to 20 percent of the total visitation
1.8 million
new international visitors to Las Vegas
12,000
new jobs
So do you now see why all those Strip casinos posted "Thank You, Harry Reid!" messages on their electronic billboards? We badly need the tourists, and this will enable the US to do more outreach to bring more travelers into the US. And since Las Vegas is increasingly becoming more of an international destination, this can really help us market ourselves around the world.
Tourist marketing had previously been left just to local authorities (like LVCVA) and private companies. But now, we'll have the full weight of the US of A behind us!
And once again, the radical right teabagger looney tunes don't know what to say as Harry Reid delivers Nevada yet another needed lifeline. :-)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Betting on Michelin Stars: Amazing, Awe-inspiring Aureole!
When my father's birthday was approaching in December, I knew I wanted to do something special to celebrate. So what to do? Where to go? What should we eat?
Then all of a sudden, I had an idea. Yes, this was the place. ;-)
And quite simply, this is the one of the best restaurants I've ever been in so far! I knew this would be special, but I never expected the spectacle we would find inside. We started off with wine in the bar before moving to the main dining room.
The design inside is just stunning! The wine tower is the centerpiece, and for good reason. There are thousands of fine wines stored inside, and it was fun to watch the "wine angels" climb up and down to retrieve our wine!
Oh, but don't worry... The food is just as stunning as the ambience! My dad and I both ordered the baby iceberg wedge salad with blue cheese and "bacon vinaigrette". I'm obviously not a bacon person, but I very much enjoyed the flavor of everything else... And I'm not even an iceberg person, either! My dad also enjoyed the salad.
We constantly received fresh bread service, and all the breads were soft and tasty. The focaccia was my favorite, but the pretzel and baguette were also delectable.
Next up was the main course. My dad ordered the mahi mahi, and he said it was the best seafood he's ever eaten. I did the ricotta ravioli with a light spinach and red bell pepper sauce, and I was blown away by the delicate flavors all working together in harmony.
And finally, dessert! Both my dad and I did the caramelized banana bread pudding. He found it a bit awkward, but still enjoyed it. I, however, was really digging the flavors and the "just right" sweetness. We were also served a complementary dish of petite mini cookies and petit fours, and all tasted wonderful.
This was one of the best experiences of my life, and I was so glad to treat my father to a spectacular birthday dinner at this marvelous restaurant! And believe it or not, for a big, fancy Charlie Palmer steak place, there were some simply fabulous vegetarian dishes. Oh, and what's even better is that they're now serving $55 prix fixe menu specials... So eating here is more affordable and approachable than ever before!
So what are you waiting for? Wouldn't you like a taste of what makes Las Vegas so amazing? :-D
Then all of a sudden, I had an idea. Yes, this was the place. ;-)
And quite simply, this is the one of the best restaurants I've ever been in so far! I knew this would be special, but I never expected the spectacle we would find inside. We started off with wine in the bar before moving to the main dining room.
The design inside is just stunning! The wine tower is the centerpiece, and for good reason. There are thousands of fine wines stored inside, and it was fun to watch the "wine angels" climb up and down to retrieve our wine!
Oh, but don't worry... The food is just as stunning as the ambience! My dad and I both ordered the baby iceberg wedge salad with blue cheese and "bacon vinaigrette". I'm obviously not a bacon person, but I very much enjoyed the flavor of everything else... And I'm not even an iceberg person, either! My dad also enjoyed the salad.
We constantly received fresh bread service, and all the breads were soft and tasty. The focaccia was my favorite, but the pretzel and baguette were also delectable.
Next up was the main course. My dad ordered the mahi mahi, and he said it was the best seafood he's ever eaten. I did the ricotta ravioli with a light spinach and red bell pepper sauce, and I was blown away by the delicate flavors all working together in harmony.
And finally, dessert! Both my dad and I did the caramelized banana bread pudding. He found it a bit awkward, but still enjoyed it. I, however, was really digging the flavors and the "just right" sweetness. We were also served a complementary dish of petite mini cookies and petit fours, and all tasted wonderful.
This was one of the best experiences of my life, and I was so glad to treat my father to a spectacular birthday dinner at this marvelous restaurant! And believe it or not, for a big, fancy Charlie Palmer steak place, there were some simply fabulous vegetarian dishes. Oh, and what's even better is that they're now serving $55 prix fixe menu specials... So eating here is more affordable and approachable than ever before!
So what are you waiting for? Wouldn't you like a taste of what makes Las Vegas so amazing? :-D
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Betting on Michelin Stars: My New Series on Eating in Las Vegas
It's all their fault. My La Vida Locavore friends have inspired me to do this. Starting next week, I'll be working on an ongoing series on my culinary adventures in this town.
Why? Well, why not? A whole bunch of progressive bloggers will be "invading our town" in July, so they'll need some advice on where to go. And even if that weren't happening here, I'm still a crazy foodie who likes to chat about food.
Oh, and did I mention I have this insane habit of dining out at what I think are some of the most interesting spots in town?
So there you have it. "Betting on Michelin Stars" is born. And by the way, I'll also be talking about my hotel and casino experiences, so we'll have plenty to talk about. :-)
Why? Well, why not? A whole bunch of progressive bloggers will be "invading our town" in July, so they'll need some advice on where to go. And even if that weren't happening here, I'm still a crazy foodie who likes to chat about food.
Oh, and did I mention I have this insane habit of dining out at what I think are some of the most interesting spots in town?
So there you have it. "Betting on Michelin Stars" is born. And by the way, I'll also be talking about my hotel and casino experiences, so we'll have plenty to talk about. :-)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Best of 2009 #1: "CityCenter, CityCenter, CityCenter!"
Come on, you knew this was coming. It's the largest private construction project in the nation's history. It's created at least another 12,000 jobs for Nevadans badly in need of work...
And will likely come in handy to save Harry Reid's job in DC...
And it's refueled a long simmering controversy over the death of "Old Vegas" and whether a CityCenter-like business model is better for the Nevada gaming industry than the type of business model "one of the boys" would "think up".
Well, we know for sure that "one of the boys" wouldn't think this up!
Or this...
Or this...
Or this...
And especially this!
An environmentally friendly Vegas casino? REALLY??!!
So obviously, there is plenty to talk about CityCenter. And going into 2010, this will still be a major development in the ongoing saga of The Las Vegas Strip.
So first, let me remind you of something I wrote late last month about how quintessentially "Las Vegas" CityCenter really is.
....
So The Sun has a big story today on City Center's grand opening. Jim Murren's putting on his confident face for the grand occasion. MGM Mirage continues to reassure us that Dubai World's debt crisis won't send Las Vegas' newest attraction crashing to the ground. So City Center starts opening this week and all of Vegas holds its breath.
I really think Jim Murren's heart was in the right place with City Center. Despite what all the critics are saying, it is exactly what Las Vegas needs. Until very recently Las Vegas has lacked an urban center, an artistic edge, and forward-thinking design. But now with City Center, we finally have something to call our own... Not just another carbon copy of yet another world landmark, but a stunning collection of postmodern architecture that we can really call our own.
It just seems like this was cursed with bad timing and bad financing. MGM Mirage has relied on Dubai World to help complete this project, but now Dubai is collapsing on its own debt load. MGM Mirage has also taken on more debt than it could handle in trying to monopolize almost all the west side of The Strip. In many ways, the tale of City Center so far is a reflection of the George W. Bush era of unbridled corporate greed let loose to cannabalize our economy.
I guess in many ways, City Center is a reflection of Jim Murren himself. We see his beautiful artistic side with the whimsical design of the buildings, the public art adorned all over, and the "green" defining this entire project. However we also see Murren's darker corporate side with the construction death scandals, the now hot mess with the Dubai World financing, and the constant reminder that the era of "New Vegas", started 20 years ago when Steve Wynn opened The Mirage and brought the "Wall Street Raiders" to conquer Las Vegas, has come to a brutal end here as we contemplate how to move forward in a "New New Vegas" with a more sustainable, both environmentally sustainable AND economically sustainable, future.
I still hope for success with City Center. We need some success in Las Vegas for a change. I guess I'm now also hoping that this become a wake-up call to all of us that Las Vegas needs to change. "Old Vegas" left the building long ago with its mafia history and Old Hollywood glory, and "New Vegas" didn't quite work out as planned, fueled as it was by unsustainable real estate speculation and "construction begetting construction" that was long doomed to fail. Now the cynics and skeptics that always predict the fall and demise of Las Vegas have somehow always been proven wrong, as we somehow always adapt for survival and undergo a metamorphosis to ultimately thrive. But that's just it, we succeed when we change what's wrong and do what's right.
Las Vegas could have died when the luster of the new railroad wore off, but instead we legalized gambling and made marriage (and divorce) so damned easy that almosr anyone could do it. Las Vegas could have died when World War II ended and the military build-up eased off, but instead The Strip was born and Hollywood glamour transformed our once sleepy outpost in the Mojave Desert into the cutting edge of "cool". Las Vegas could have died when the mob was driven out of town by the feds and the gaming regulators, but instead Howard Hughes ushered in a new era of "corporate casinos" that led Kirk Kerkorian to build bigger and inspired Steve Wynn to build better. Las Vegas could have died with the post-9/11 tourist slump, but instead this town became the "it destination" that's now made us the most visited place on earth.
I really think Las Vegas is at another turning point today. And interestingly enough, City Center may lead us to our future. We will be reminded of Wall Street greed gone wrong, but also inspired by eco-friendly design done right. We will be horrified by the massive corporate debt loads and shady "wheelin-dealin'" enabled by the corporate right and conservative wet dreams of hyper-deregulation, but we will also be awestruck by the moving public art that will encourage us to let our imagination run wild and free.
City Center now embodies Las Vegas. It tells the story of our past, warts and "beauty marks" and liposuctions and facelifts and triple bypass operations and all. It reflects our present, a jarring contrast of celebrity panache and inglorious economic collapse. It shows the way to our future, hopefully one that includes living in concert with Mother Nature and building a stronger community with a sound economy.
So let City Center open and start a new chapter in the great Las Vegas story.
....
And now, I'll move onto something I wrote this month when I was a little miffed at MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren "dissing" us Vegas locals.
....
Jim Murren is now in the hot seat over City Center. It's just starting to open up, and people are starting to wonder what will be next for MGM Mirage's big bet.
Will it fail?
Will it succeed?
What happens now to Las Vegas?
We'll all soon be finding out in the coming days, weeks, and months. In the mean time, a mini-scandal is emerging over what Murren said in the last video clip above. Steve Friess first caught this in the transcript of last night's "Face to Face", when Jon Ralston asked Jim Murren about what he had earlier told Friess for his LA Weekly write-up on City Center.
Here's the original clip from LA Weekly:
And in case you haven't yet started uploading that second video, here's how Murren made it worse.
Donde los yikes??!! Does Jim Murren really want to kick sand in the locals' faces? And worse yet, does he really want to hand over all these potential customers to Boyd Gaming and Station Casinos on a silver platter? Many of my neighbors already complain all the time about how expensive everything on The Strip is, how much traffic always plagues The Strip, and how snooty all those fancy-schmancy hotels on The Strip are. By Jim Murren adding to "the snooty factor", how will he ever get my neighbors out of Green Valley Ranch, Sam's Town, or The M to venture to The Strip to see City Center?
I guess if he's really not all that upset if locals never visit Aria, Tony Marnell will really appreciate keeping more local business at The M.
But really, this is just one of the many concerns MGM Mirage should still have about City Center. I toured Crystals with my dad last weekend after I gave him an intimate "birthday celebration" at Aureole at Mandalay Bay. (By the way, I'm obviously NOT one of those Strip-hating locals!)
Now let me say that I just LOVE the design of this place! It's very "eco-chic", and I'm digging it. However, my dad wasn't...
That is, he wasn't finding Crystals all that attractive. For one, not all the stores are open yet. Furthermore, most of the ones that are open have already set foot in Southern California (where Dad still lives), in exclusive "shopping resorts" there like Orange County's South Coast Plaza and LA/Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive. So not only might Jim Murren have a problem with Vegas locals, but he may also have trouble finding Californians to jump up the 15 to see something that they think they've already seen in LA and OC.
So what's his plan to lure in travelers who aren't all that into postmodern architecture and/or high-end designer label shopping? Does he have one?
I hope he does... And he thinks of one fast. I really think City Center can be a huge success, but only if it actually entices people to come and spend money in it.
And guess what? This means making it easy to move around City Center. This means making gamblers feel comfortable gambling in Aria. This means not alienating locals and SoCal weekenders. Oh yeah, and this means keeping up with the competition! I'll let Steve Friess explain that last bit some more.
Again, don't get me wrong, City Center is a great concept. I'm even liking the new ad campaign for Aria.
I just think MGM Mirage needs to remember that this needs to offer great products, great comfort, and great service for this to be a real success.
....
And I'll finish with this piece from November, when I shocked y'all here with my "commie lovin' socialist pinko!" self agreeing with Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson on something: Viva Las Vegas! :-D
....
Well, we have some bad news and some good news. First, the bad: MGM Mirage's bottom line REALLY bled red last quarter. The good news? They're looking at a better 4th Quarter so far.
Yikes! Those are some serious losses. So why the hell is Jim Murren still so upbeat? MSNBC (via Stiffs & Georges) provided some answers earlier this week.
And so far, even Murren's cross-Strip rivals are cautiously optimistic about City Center's ultimate success.
I guess this is one of those rare times when I'll agree with both Steve Wynn AND Sheldon Adelson! I may be perceived as some "crazy extreme left socialist", but in reality I'm also rooting for MGM Mirage and City Center right now. I really do hope they ultimately succeed.
And so far, there's good reason to hope. The worst of "The Great Recession" is over, and once unemployment turns around more people will have more money to spend on such discretionary items as trips to Vegas.
Still, everything isn't coming up roses just yet. Again, unemployment is still high and even a lot of people with jobs are focusing on saving money right now just to stay on top of the bills. Unfortunately for the big casinos (but good for savvy travelers!), room rates are likely to remain in the bargain basement just to lure all those tourists here to see the shiny new Vegas attraction next to what was our shiny new attraction 11 years ago.
So don't fret too much, Las Vegas will very much survive the rest of this recession and ultimately recover. Just don't expect a return to 2000 or 2005 hey days so quickly. There may be some bumps along the way, but City Center will bring in the tourists and Sin City will go on.
And will likely come in handy to save Harry Reid's job in DC...
And it's refueled a long simmering controversy over the death of "Old Vegas" and whether a CityCenter-like business model is better for the Nevada gaming industry than the type of business model "one of the boys" would "think up".
Well, we know for sure that "one of the boys" wouldn't think this up!
Or this...
Or this...
Or this...
And especially this!
An environmentally friendly Vegas casino? REALLY??!!
So obviously, there is plenty to talk about CityCenter. And going into 2010, this will still be a major development in the ongoing saga of The Las Vegas Strip.
So first, let me remind you of something I wrote late last month about how quintessentially "Las Vegas" CityCenter really is.
....
So The Sun has a big story today on City Center's grand opening. Jim Murren's putting on his confident face for the grand occasion. MGM Mirage continues to reassure us that Dubai World's debt crisis won't send Las Vegas' newest attraction crashing to the ground. So City Center starts opening this week and all of Vegas holds its breath.
I really think Jim Murren's heart was in the right place with City Center. Despite what all the critics are saying, it is exactly what Las Vegas needs. Until very recently Las Vegas has lacked an urban center, an artistic edge, and forward-thinking design. But now with City Center, we finally have something to call our own... Not just another carbon copy of yet another world landmark, but a stunning collection of postmodern architecture that we can really call our own.
It just seems like this was cursed with bad timing and bad financing. MGM Mirage has relied on Dubai World to help complete this project, but now Dubai is collapsing on its own debt load. MGM Mirage has also taken on more debt than it could handle in trying to monopolize almost all the west side of The Strip. In many ways, the tale of City Center so far is a reflection of the George W. Bush era of unbridled corporate greed let loose to cannabalize our economy.
I guess in many ways, City Center is a reflection of Jim Murren himself. We see his beautiful artistic side with the whimsical design of the buildings, the public art adorned all over, and the "green" defining this entire project. However we also see Murren's darker corporate side with the construction death scandals, the now hot mess with the Dubai World financing, and the constant reminder that the era of "New Vegas", started 20 years ago when Steve Wynn opened The Mirage and brought the "Wall Street Raiders" to conquer Las Vegas, has come to a brutal end here as we contemplate how to move forward in a "New New Vegas" with a more sustainable, both environmentally sustainable AND economically sustainable, future.
I still hope for success with City Center. We need some success in Las Vegas for a change. I guess I'm now also hoping that this become a wake-up call to all of us that Las Vegas needs to change. "Old Vegas" left the building long ago with its mafia history and Old Hollywood glory, and "New Vegas" didn't quite work out as planned, fueled as it was by unsustainable real estate speculation and "construction begetting construction" that was long doomed to fail. Now the cynics and skeptics that always predict the fall and demise of Las Vegas have somehow always been proven wrong, as we somehow always adapt for survival and undergo a metamorphosis to ultimately thrive. But that's just it, we succeed when we change what's wrong and do what's right.
Las Vegas could have died when the luster of the new railroad wore off, but instead we legalized gambling and made marriage (and divorce) so damned easy that almosr anyone could do it. Las Vegas could have died when World War II ended and the military build-up eased off, but instead The Strip was born and Hollywood glamour transformed our once sleepy outpost in the Mojave Desert into the cutting edge of "cool". Las Vegas could have died when the mob was driven out of town by the feds and the gaming regulators, but instead Howard Hughes ushered in a new era of "corporate casinos" that led Kirk Kerkorian to build bigger and inspired Steve Wynn to build better. Las Vegas could have died with the post-9/11 tourist slump, but instead this town became the "it destination" that's now made us the most visited place on earth.
I really think Las Vegas is at another turning point today. And interestingly enough, City Center may lead us to our future. We will be reminded of Wall Street greed gone wrong, but also inspired by eco-friendly design done right. We will be horrified by the massive corporate debt loads and shady "wheelin-dealin'" enabled by the corporate right and conservative wet dreams of hyper-deregulation, but we will also be awestruck by the moving public art that will encourage us to let our imagination run wild and free.
City Center now embodies Las Vegas. It tells the story of our past, warts and "beauty marks" and liposuctions and facelifts and triple bypass operations and all. It reflects our present, a jarring contrast of celebrity panache and inglorious economic collapse. It shows the way to our future, hopefully one that includes living in concert with Mother Nature and building a stronger community with a sound economy.
So let City Center open and start a new chapter in the great Las Vegas story.
....
And now, I'll move onto something I wrote this month when I was a little miffed at MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren "dissing" us Vegas locals.
....
Jim Murren is now in the hot seat over City Center. It's just starting to open up, and people are starting to wonder what will be next for MGM Mirage's big bet.
Will it fail?
Will it succeed?
What happens now to Las Vegas?
We'll all soon be finding out in the coming days, weeks, and months. In the mean time, a mini-scandal is emerging over what Murren said in the last video clip above. Steve Friess first caught this in the transcript of last night's "Face to Face", when Jon Ralston asked Jim Murren about what he had earlier told Friess for his LA Weekly write-up on City Center.
Here's the original clip from LA Weekly:
I’ve never been in Encore, when did it open up? I’ve never been into Palazzo. It’s not that I don’t care, I just don’t need to go. But I do know – I have nothing against either one of those guys, especially Steve Wynn, I like him a lot. But [CityCenter] is not going to be, for most people, the same as just another resort opening up. I know it won’t.
And in case you haven't yet started uploading that second video, here's how Murren made it worse.
"I live in Summerlin. I have a great community. I coach my kids. I have a lot of restaurants out there. If I didn't work in the resort community, I probably wouldn't come down here much. That was my point. That is my point as a counterpoint to CityCenter. I really believe it is not a casino-hotel. I really would not be upset at all if people never visit Aria that live here. ... ." [Emphasis mine.]
Donde los yikes??!! Does Jim Murren really want to kick sand in the locals' faces? And worse yet, does he really want to hand over all these potential customers to Boyd Gaming and Station Casinos on a silver platter? Many of my neighbors already complain all the time about how expensive everything on The Strip is, how much traffic always plagues The Strip, and how snooty all those fancy-schmancy hotels on The Strip are. By Jim Murren adding to "the snooty factor", how will he ever get my neighbors out of Green Valley Ranch, Sam's Town, or The M to venture to The Strip to see City Center?
I guess if he's really not all that upset if locals never visit Aria, Tony Marnell will really appreciate keeping more local business at The M.
But really, this is just one of the many concerns MGM Mirage should still have about City Center. I toured Crystals with my dad last weekend after I gave him an intimate "birthday celebration" at Aureole at Mandalay Bay. (By the way, I'm obviously NOT one of those Strip-hating locals!)
Now let me say that I just LOVE the design of this place! It's very "eco-chic", and I'm digging it. However, my dad wasn't...
That is, he wasn't finding Crystals all that attractive. For one, not all the stores are open yet. Furthermore, most of the ones that are open have already set foot in Southern California (where Dad still lives), in exclusive "shopping resorts" there like Orange County's South Coast Plaza and LA/Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive. So not only might Jim Murren have a problem with Vegas locals, but he may also have trouble finding Californians to jump up the 15 to see something that they think they've already seen in LA and OC.
So what's his plan to lure in travelers who aren't all that into postmodern architecture and/or high-end designer label shopping? Does he have one?
I hope he does... And he thinks of one fast. I really think City Center can be a huge success, but only if it actually entices people to come and spend money in it.
And guess what? This means making it easy to move around City Center. This means making gamblers feel comfortable gambling in Aria. This means not alienating locals and SoCal weekenders. Oh yeah, and this means keeping up with the competition! I'll let Steve Friess explain that last bit some more.
Whoa, whoa, WHOA! [City Center President Bobby] Baldwin said Aria's casino is the economic engine of the whole she-bang and Murren knows that. But Murren doesn't even care if his neighbors ever see it and, if he didn't have to because he gets millions to do so, he might never bother either! This is not a ringing endorsement of the most significant financial element of your new endeavor, is it?
So let's remove Aria from CityCenter. Without it, you're left with four buildings containing private residences, two of which are also hotels that contain no shows or casinos. And you have a 500,000-square-foot "retail and entertainment district" with some of the most expensive products anyone can sell anywhere in the world, not exactly a locals-friendly shopping experience. Plus a whole lot of terrific art and an oft-mentioned pocket park that Murren recommends as a neat place to sit even though there's no place (yet) to sit. [...]
Again, there are lots of elements of CityCenter I love. But it is worrisome when a massive gaming company is being piloted by someone who isn't personally aware of his competition and seems so personally uncomfortable with the heart of his business.
Again, don't get me wrong, City Center is a great concept. I'm even liking the new ad campaign for Aria.
I just think MGM Mirage needs to remember that this needs to offer great products, great comfort, and great service for this to be a real success.
....
And I'll finish with this piece from November, when I shocked y'all here with my "commie lovin' socialist pinko!" self agreeing with Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson on something: Viva Las Vegas! :-D
....
Well, we have some bad news and some good news. First, the bad: MGM Mirage's bottom line REALLY bled red last quarter. The good news? They're looking at a better 4th Quarter so far.
With its CityCenter resort set to open, MGM Mirage today reported a loss for the third quarter as revenue fell on the Las Vegas Strip -- but also said its results are improving in the fourth quarter.
"We continue to show sequential improvement in our operating results over the course of 2009,'' Chairman and Chief Executive Jim Murren said in a statement.
MGM Mirage lost $750.4 million, or $1.70 per share in the third quarter vs. a profit in the year-ago quarter of $61.3 million or 22 cents per share. Net revenue of $1.533 billion was down from $1.785 billion.
The results include previously announced noncash accounting charges against earnings of $1.17 billion. These include a $956 impairment charge for the company's investment in CityCenter and $203 million to write down the value of condominiums under development there.
Yikes! Those are some serious losses. So why the hell is Jim Murren still so upbeat? MSNBC (via Stiffs & Georges) provided some answers earlier this week.
[Union Gaming Group analyst Bill] Lerner and others also predict a rebound in visitation of up to 5 percent next year as people check out CityCenter, take advantage of the ongoing bargains and begin to feel better about their own financial situation. International visitation is also increasing, says Jicinsky, and now accounts for about 15 percent of the total. (Last week, British Airways started daily, non-stop service from Heathrow; next May, XL Airways will start twice-weekly charter service from Paris.)
All of which bodes well for both CityCenter and Las Vegas and, perhaps, for travel in general. “We’re a good microcosm of the broader business community,” says Murren. “The next six months are going to be muted, but business travel and consumer activity are going to improve, particularly by April or May of next year.”
And so far, even Murren's cross-Strip rivals are cautiously optimistic about City Center's ultimate success.
"We hope it grows the market," said Steve Wynn, chief executive at Wynn Resorts Ltd (WYNN.O). "But so far, the talk has been about its problems, instead of about what an incredible, unusual place it will be." [...]
Rival Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS.N) is also rooting for MGM. "It think it will succeed," said Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson. "If it doesn't, they will lower the room rates and that will affect everyone."
Wynn said he is unable to predict 2010 hotel rates "with any degree of confidence," given the wide number of market variables related to CityCenter and the general economy.
I guess this is one of those rare times when I'll agree with both Steve Wynn AND Sheldon Adelson! I may be perceived as some "crazy extreme left socialist", but in reality I'm also rooting for MGM Mirage and City Center right now. I really do hope they ultimately succeed.
And so far, there's good reason to hope. The worst of "The Great Recession" is over, and once unemployment turns around more people will have more money to spend on such discretionary items as trips to Vegas.
Still, everything isn't coming up roses just yet. Again, unemployment is still high and even a lot of people with jobs are focusing on saving money right now just to stay on top of the bills. Unfortunately for the big casinos (but good for savvy travelers!), room rates are likely to remain in the bargain basement just to lure all those tourists here to see the shiny new Vegas attraction next to what was our shiny new attraction 11 years ago.
So don't fret too much, Las Vegas will very much survive the rest of this recession and ultimately recover. Just don't expect a return to 2000 or 2005 hey days so quickly. There may be some bumps along the way, but City Center will bring in the tourists and Sin City will go on.
Friday, December 4, 2009
City Center: Inside Crystals, Inside Vdara, Mandarin Oriental Opens Today
So far, so good? Crystals is opening, shops will soon fill up the mall, and Strip watchers are feeling bullish about December tourism. Yes, we have even more City Center news!
Stiffs & Georges gives us what may be the best casino commercial ever. No really, it is. Honestly, the ad is pretty abstract in that you see random people in various locations making hand movements... But it doesn't take you too long to figure out what they're describing with their hands when the ad starts to reveal design elements of Aria. "Joe Sixpack" may not be intrigued by City Center's first major ad buy upon opening, but it should work well for its target audience of international jetsetters.
Mandarin Oriental, meanwhile, is next to open today. This will be the "creme de la creme de la creme", as the luxury here will be even far and above the rest of City Center! Expect room rates at Mandarin Oriental to START at around $300 per night for a 500 square foot room.
And after this weekend, we'll actually be able to catch our breath... Which will be nice, since Aria wants us to "remember to breathe". The crown jewel and centerpiece of City Center, as well as the only hotel there with a casino, will open on the 16th.
Oh, and remember Vdara? I do. It may now seem like "old news" with the barrage of Crystals, Mandarin Oriental, and Aria stories coming at us, but Rob at VegasCasinoInfo.com wanted to make sure we have a first glimpse of the actual "suites" at Vdara. They look pretty roomy, and the design is pretty groovy. Just don't expect much convenience in the form of being close to basics like food, sundries, and gambling. Isn't there supposed to be tram service starting soon?
Oh well, another day, another chance to be awestruck at everything City Center. :-)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
My Two Fave Casinos Are Honored by Forbes
Congratulations to our newest absolutely fabulous luxury resorts!
Hooray for Encore & The M! I stayed at BOTH places earlier this year when I was buying my condo, and I really think both deserve their respective stars.
Encore may now be the most luxe resort on The Strip. The "standard" resort suite I stayed in was HUGE at over 700 square feet, and they are beautifully appointed with great amenities! I felt like royalty staying there, and that's how one is supposed to feel when one stays at a five star resort.
Meanwhile here in Henderson, The M is new favorite "locals' casino" because it really feels like anything but with all the luxury I expect at the top Strip resorts... But without all the pretentiousness and much more comfort. My room here was pretty large at over 550 square feet, and honestly the room looked just as luxurious as my suite at Encore.
(Btw, I have pics of both hotels at my Photobucket. I'll post some here later).
Even if I don't always agree with Steve Wynn's politics and even if I think Tony Marnell is missing a major opportunity with "Top Chef", I still enjoy both casinos and I hope both will show the way forward in "New Vegas". One need not skimp on the luxury so long as one provides real luxury and real value.
The Forbes Travel Guide, formerly known as the Mobil Travel Guide, unveiled its four- and five-star recipients for its first-edition travel guides. The brand transfer from Mobil to Forbes was announced earlier this fall.
Forbes awarded five stars to 14 new properties nationwide, two of which are in Las Vegas.
The latest additions in the lodging category include the Tower Suites at Encore Las Vegas for the five-star listing and the M Resort and Encore Las Vegas for the four-star listing.
Hooray for Encore & The M! I stayed at BOTH places earlier this year when I was buying my condo, and I really think both deserve their respective stars.
Encore may now be the most luxe resort on The Strip. The "standard" resort suite I stayed in was HUGE at over 700 square feet, and they are beautifully appointed with great amenities! I felt like royalty staying there, and that's how one is supposed to feel when one stays at a five star resort.
Meanwhile here in Henderson, The M is new favorite "locals' casino" because it really feels like anything but with all the luxury I expect at the top Strip resorts... But without all the pretentiousness and much more comfort. My room here was pretty large at over 550 square feet, and honestly the room looked just as luxurious as my suite at Encore.
(Btw, I have pics of both hotels at my Photobucket. I'll post some here later).
Even if I don't always agree with Steve Wynn's politics and even if I think Tony Marnell is missing a major opportunity with "Top Chef", I still enjoy both casinos and I hope both will show the way forward in "New Vegas". One need not skimp on the luxury so long as one provides real luxury and real value.
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