Resort World

So does that mean that LV has fully bounced back from the pandemic?

yum-oooooooooo!

Lots of homeless at that end of the strip.

Love the way it looks, much better than that city center monstrosity

OP, if you stay at TI or Circus Circus and expect more than a dump, you're a fool. And likely low rent, cheap trash.

Shircush Shircush.

Sheejsharsh Palasche.

Exciting. City Center, while boring, it did at least replace a bunch of ugly. The Resort World property was run down for so long before the Stardust demolition, then it sat empty & partially built for a long time. This looks promising and more ‘Vegas’ than City Center turned out to be.

I think the jet-set still prefer Cosmo, the older sophisticated go to Belagio or Winn, some elder gays like Encore and the straight, hunky, drinkers (and their female, titty admirers) to Mandalay or MGM Grand. On the way north strip end, this place lacks the loyalty programs of the existing Vegas Companies, so unless they offer really competitive rates, the shine will be dulled on this place quickly.

But something new, is something new, so it may draw the curious lookie lookies for a bit.

Interesting photo, R4.

It looks very similar to the new Circa Hotel in downtown, except bigger.

I also like Circa's design better. It's more artistic.

As for R1. I just got back from Vegas on Sunday, and it is BOOMING. Just hordes of people.

Sorry, here's a photo of the Circa Hotel.

Circa's Stadium Pool is pretty cool, too.

It's on a rooftop, and there's a huge tv screen in full view from the pools.

Quote[OP, if you stay at TI or Circus Circus and expect more than a dump, you're a fool. And likely low rent, cheap trash]

Not sure why you feel it is necessary to be so nasty. The TI stay was a gift from my Mom. She said it looked like it was close to many big name casino/resorts. As I subsequently found out later, TI is also owned by the same man, a big Trump supporter, who owns and runs Circus Circus. Both need renovation.

You must be just having a bad day.

New York New York always smells weird. Like burned coffee, BO and cigarettes.

Here, OP.

The nice thing is that even though Vegas is getting tons of visitors, the airport and casinos all have strict mask requirements.

The attendants and security and even the waitresses will all descend upon you, if you're not wearing a mask.

They take it seriously a) because the state's Democratic governor requires it, and b) because the last thing the casinos want is an outbreak.

They also have hand sanitizing stations everywhere.

Dear R14... I can’t watch a minute listening to that douche better yet an hour and seven minutes.

Shut the fuck up dude!

You fucktards, it's Resorts World. - Fucking Plural. It's 3 hotels in one!

I love Circus Circus. It’s a fun place to spend time in Vegas.

I always stay at the Flamingo, it is the best casino in Vegas!

A problem is that there are too many bosses. hotel run by hiltons casino by someone else and restaurants by someone else however the asian hawker food court based on the Singapore model sounds pretty impressive

I prefer the Venetian, and I'm so glad that Sheldon Adelson sold it.

Who owns Resorts World? Theyre all over Asia.

Last time I was in Vegas we stayed and the Sands and it was wonderful!

r22 Resorts World is owned by The Genting Group, which is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has casinos in Asia, Australia and the UK.

I usually end up staying at Harrah's.

I've heard the gay scene in Las Vegas sucks. Not that it's anti-gay... just that it doesn't have a gay sensibility. Is that true? I imagine it's like the straight equivalent to a gay cruise.

The gay scene in Vegas is on hookup apps, R26.

I've met quite a few guys through Grindr.

The interesting thing is that many of them are in Vegas to play, so you may find married guys from out of state, or bi guys, or whatever.

There's really a mix of people at any given time in Vegas.

I hooked up with a guy a couple of weeks ago. He was older and seemed straight. My profile basically said I'm a bottom looking for a top, we were about 500 feet away from each other. So we met up fairly quickly and were fucking in my hotel room, shortly thereafter.

One of the fun things about meeting on Grindr in Vegas, is that you can literally be feet from each other in the same hotel. So it's just a matter of walking to meet up.

r27 You SLUT!

What hotel was that?

Wanting to conclude your life on earth should be an acceptable alternative, OP. Just want to make sure you know.

Now they need to get that blue lump across the street up and running.

It's fucking hideous. Evidently the architecture budget consisted of a modest allowance for red lightbulbs.

Venetian, R28. lol

New great spot for mass shooting

[quote] New great spot for mass shooting

Ummm......

Vegas already had one just a few years ago, R33.

Lest you forget. Still, you sound like a fucking horrible person to be wishing for something like that.

I *hate* Las Vegas. So vulgar and ugly.

This hotel will fit right in.

I was looking at the restaurants listed there, it’s Very Oriental so you’d have to trek quite far to find something that isn’t noodles.

Waterworld, Westworld. Resortsworld.

[quote]it’s Very Oriental

Are you a HUNDRED?

[quote]Last time I was in Vegas we stayed and the Sands and it was wonderful!

Was the Rat Pack there at the time?

The worst hotel I’ve seen in Vegas has to the Flamingo. I actually saw feces walking past the lawn.

[quote] The worst hotel I’ve seen in Vegas has to the Flamingo. I actually saw feces walking past the lawn.

I take it you haven't visited the Bellagio restrooms...

I feel like it's been a hundred years since that part of the strip was worth visiting. The stretch between the Encore and the Sahara is a slightly scary wasteland. They tore everything down and all the new construction seemed to halt at some point. What's that big blue thing across the street from Resorts World? Is that ever going to open?

r42 Originally that was supposed to be the Fontainebleau, then it was sold and became the Drew. Recently it was sold again and it's still under construction with no opening in sight.

[quote] Originally that was supposed to be the Fontainebleau, then it was sold and became the Drew. Recently it was sold again and it's still under construction with no opening in sight.

[quote] Witkoff Group founder Steve Witkoff named The Drew after his deceased 22-year-old son, Andrew Witkoff, who died of an OxyContin overdose in 2011.

[quote] Soffer bought back the project through his company Fontainebleau Development, with Koch Industries as a partner.

Honestly, the whole project sounds cursed.

They should just tear it down.

The Drew is named for a kid who died of an Oxy overdose and it’s owned by Koch Industries now.

R44 has always been just a little prettier, a little bit more popular, and a minute faster. Mom always liked her more.

Are you happy now??

Thanks, r43.

I was there once, 20 years ago with friends as silly weekend outing because none of us had been there. The casinos were curious but mostly horrible. The most interesting was Caesar's Palace because the interior architecture with its Roman Empire theme was so outrageous. Many architectural details were reproduced with considerable care, yet the effect was always crazy. Amazing/horrible, horrible/amazing.

In addition it was the one hotel casino that not only had a theme in spades, but it had more of a cohesive feel, a mood to the place that had a solid footing in a Sixties sensibility.

I had no desire to go back but that left the biggest impression on me and it wasn't all terrible, just mostly.

Isn't that horrible Trump place in this neighborhood?

[quote]How massive does it look from the street? A worthy competitor to Wynn?

I read that Wynn sued the developers because the building looked too much like the exterior of Wynn and Encore.

That location is really bad...it's farther north than the Dump International building. There's no reason to venture up that way. The only reason to stay there would be if you don't plan to leave the resort at all.

As far as the gay scene, it's kind of pathetic that there's not even one gay-themed bar or club on the Strip. There used to be a club called Krave that was in the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood, but that closed several years ago. You would think there's a market for at least one gathering spot like that along the Strip.

[quote]The only reason to stay there would be if you don't plan to leave the resort at all.

That's kind of what they want you to do.

The was originally a Time Share condo building but the guy's company went bust. It was sold to the Hilton I think? then split up into this. It's not really right on the strip I think,. The MGM towers are much nicer if you want something high rise. I prefer the Venetian. Every room is a suite.

Are you talking about Resorts World, R54? It was originally developed by Boyd as Echelon Place, a mixed-use property similar to CityCenter. Construction began in 2007 and stopped almost exactly a year later. It then sat as a construction-site wasteland (along with a doomed grove of trees saved from the Stardust and waiting to be replanted) until Genting bought it in 2013.

Since we're talking about the northern part of the strip, what's the Sahara like these days? I have respect for it hanging around, but talk about a place that violates the location-location-location rule.

I thought Hotel Paris was alright. Good spot yo watch the Bellagio fountains from is the Mon Ami Gabi restaurant.

[quote]The worst hotel I’ve seen in Vegas has to the Flamingo. I actually saw feces walking past the lawn.

Where were they going?

R55 and his other comments are all on point. I work in Vegas on the Strip, which naturally means I'm white trash to most of you aristocratic DL'ers. (Granted, I made over $100 in tips last night at the front desk without even trying, so who's the white trash now?) But here's my two-cents on Resorts World...

Resorts World will do well because it's a Hilton property, and people love using their Hilton points. I work for an MGM branded property and we are partners with Hyatt, which is embarrassing, TBH. Cosmo does so well because they're part of the Autograph Collection of Marriott; again, people's reward points burn a hole in their pocket, and they drop thousands of the points to stay in Vegas on a lark. As with any new casino opening in this town, Resorts World is poaching managers, talent, etc. from everywhere else. Two of my former managers are helping open it, and I've wished them both the best of luck. But I don't envy anyone opening a new property, especially this one and right now during Covid.

From a guest perspective, it's going to be a nightmare having x3 hotels in one building. The self-parking is also terribly far away from the hotel, even by Vegas standards. (They will most likely open with free self-parking and $25+ valet.) And very few of the rooms will have good views, because of the area of the Strip where it's located. Genting has Resorts World properties all over the globe, including in New York. They'll not only easily pull from their loyalty clubs in Asia and NY, but also managers (like my former ones) who bring "whales" along with them when they move from property to property.

Vegas is an incredibly small town in the hospitality realm, so I'd never burn any bridges and say I'd never work there. But I'm content where I work, and I also wouldn't want to be one of the thousands of employees who will be laid off after the grand opening. (Another thing casinos here do is insanely overhire for the opening, and then lay thousands off when business dies down.) This town still needs conventions to be profitable, especially since a conventioneer with an unlimited expense account will always spend more than a casino player on a three-night comp trip. CES alone brings in close to a billion dollars when it's held in January.

I'll link to the talent advert that Resorts World just released on Thursday. It's a bit bizarre, but apparently on brand for them. Celine Dion, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Tiesto, and I believe Zedd are all featured in it. The singers will be alternating mini-residencies, which is smart since they'll be able to demand higher ticket prices. I'd imagine Celine's tix will start at $400, just because of pent-up demand to see her again. Casino whales will also be comped tix to anyone they want to see.

Resorts World talent advert...

Are they really going to have that awful panda exhibit as initially planned?

[quote]Casino whales will also be comped tix to anyone they want to see.

Did someone mention comped tix for whales?

R61, the pandas were ix-nayed a couple of years back. As was most of the very Chinese theming.

Back off Lizzie, bitch. The whale tix are ALL mine you cunt.

"The worst hotel I’ve seen in Vegas has to the Flamingo. I actually saw feces walking past the lawn."

Those shits must've had good leg muscles, from walking up and down the Strip playing the machines, hitting the buffets or cruising trade!

It’s hard to miss what never was, but I had my heart set on the clusterfuckery that we were promised. And now it’s just...screens.

[quote]Where were they going?

We were on our way to Bellagio, to use the ladies’ room.

No one is in the mood for a Chink themed experience right now. Definitely not in the US.

I think there’s enough hotels in Vegas. I lived there years ago when I went to culinary school. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I used to spend a lot of my times at hamburger Mary’s but they closed it. I couldn’t go anywhere without being asked for money.

I once saw a junkie homeless person shoot up in front of the Flamingo. It's not one of the better properties in Vegas.

Another giant glass rectangle. This one red.

I liked Vegas better when the resorts had ridiculous themes like New York New York, Circus Circus and The Orleans. Tacky and funny is much better than tacky, expensive and humorless.

I think a lot of people went out there thinking there was just tons of jobs. There isn’t.

If you have money to spend in Vegas, by the airline ticket to Macao. Enjoy the far superior casinos, wealth, scenery and general better city. Vegas is a useless dump that isn't even best at the only thing it does. Macao makes Vegas look like Reno, and in Macao if you get bored of gambling, you can pop over to Hong Kong, Shenzhen or Guangzhou. Vegas is worth more as scrap metal, might as well tear it down and forget it ever existed.

[R59] Oh no, why is the hotel partnership embarrassing? Is it low class to use points in Vegas? I thought nothing was embarrassing or low class in Vegas :( I travel for a living so those points are just burnin holes.

I have a friend who also works for the MGM brand, she helps when I stay there with food. I'm incredibly acrophobic so I'm one of the people who asks for a low floor which they almost always have, but during the pandemic the Bellagio didn't have any and I ended up at some off strip Hampton Inn.

R74, Hyatt is just a low-brow brand now. Nothing wrong with rewards programs...they drive business! I just wish MGM would partner with Marriott instead of Hyatt.

Virgin looks like it's off to a very rough start. I took a quick walk through the lobby and casino on Wednesday night just to see what it looked like. I knew it was going to be slow but I wasn't anticipating just how dead it was.

I saw maybe 20 people playing slots, another 15 or so at the tables, and a bunch of employees standing around with nothing to do. I was there at around 9:30 and the restaurants that were supposed to be open until 10 were empty.

And this is after the aggressive pushing of staycation deals on locals — 25% off rooms and a $50 food/drink credit.

Is this a new Westworld spinoff? Is it on HBO?

R7 you're correct. And Virgin is part of the Hilton "Curio Collection." Apparently most people are curious enough to walk thru or stay there!

GROSS....HOPE IT FLOPS

Vegas is not a toilet.....so many homeless grifters.....sad

I absolutely agree with r66 and r71 -- the cheesy "Old China" themed original design was eons better and more fun than the boring neon pablum they've ended up with.

"Disneyland for adults" is the whole point of LV -- it's not supposed to look like every other city with corporate hotel towers.

OP, Treasure Island is indeed a dump. This was over a decade ago last time I stayed there, the main restaurant was a freaking Kahunaville. Not to mention, you can't get any sleep if your room happens to be facing that stupid outdoor show which goes on every hour. I had to attend a conference at the Aria across the street at the time but couldn't get a room there because they were supposedly booked to capacity. I nearly missed it because I got no sleep staying at TI.

Never stayed at Circus Circus before, but the indoor coaster in there is fun, much better than the one a New York New York.

I was going to “oh dear” R73 for misspelling “Macao” but I read that spelling is interchangeable with “Macau.”

So instead I’ll say Fuck off R73!! Fuck off suggesting that Americans take their money to spend (waste, actually) it gambling in Macao instead of keeping here in our country where it belongs.

Keep America trashy, gamble in Vegas!

I got an email from Hilton advertising this as the “Las Vegas Hilton”...which is apparently what one of the hotel towers is called. But the whole thing is called Resorts World. I think the marketing is going to be confusing and will fail.

I have no interest in using Hilton points to stay in Vegas. I can get comped or relatively cheap rooms through the Caesar’s or MGM loyalty programs at their nicer, and better located, properties like Caesar’s Palace or Bellagio.

Isn’t Mandalay Bay the “gay” hotel ? I have a embarrassingly closeted acquaintance who stays there when he does his yearly Veags trip. He’s 40 and goes to Disney World with his sister.

I stayed at the dessert inn just before they tore it down. It was a business trip and all the executives stayed in the tower. Serfs like myself stayed in the 1 level bungalows that surrounded the pools. The bungalows were SO much cooler. All Art Deco with tasteful hot tubs separating the kitchen from the living areas. Generous. Lush, outdoor patio areas right outside your doors. After about two days, everybody (including the execs) started hanging out in the bungalow areas.

Circus Circus is a crusty, terrible dump. I wandered in there one Vegas trip mostly out of curiosity since I was staying at Wynn and wasn't used to being that far north on the strip, so I took a walk over to Circus to see how bad it was. It was indeed bad. The casino stunk like old cigarette smoke. The slots and machines were all sticky, covered in cigarette ash and grime and totally outdated. The entire place reminded me mostly of a derelict shopping mall. The clientele milling about looked like total trash. The surrounding buildings are disgusting looking welfare motels. There's some YouTube videos that give a good idea of what a shitfest this place is.

R41 wins the thread

Cosmo, Vdara, that city center collection is nice and self-enclosed. You really don't have to leave it. The best for us is the Venetian/Plazzo which is close to Fashion Square Mall, the Wynn, and other hotels ans the Forum Shoppes, etc. Basically, you can walk to most of the good stuff easily and there is enough to do in a small radius you never have to get a car. DTLV is a whole other experience and some people prefer it over the Strip.

R59: What is your opinion about the future of The Drew? Will it go the way of The Harmon? Some locals once told me the broken windows were indicative of structural problems and wind energy issues.

Is the new owner of The Tropicana going to tear the old bungalow part down?

Vegas is what you seek and then make of it. I would never choose to go to Resorts World because it looks expensive, overwhelming and impersonal. I like $5 blackjack tables and cheap craps with chatty Atlantic City dealers/bankers.

[quote]I stayed at the dessert inn

I need to hear more about this place.

Does Vegas have a saturation point? I would think there isn't enough demand for these gigantic resorts and there's too many of them. I've always wondered what the daily overhead is to operate one of these resorts for a day, just the electricity bills must be astronomical not to mention all of the salaries, health insurance, etc of the employees. Maybe the upthread poster who works for MGM would know a daily operating cost--is it in the millions? I just can't imagine people are spending that much when they go there. Then again, when I go I am usually on the penny or nickel slots. ;)

R90, good questions. Will get back to you this evening...I worked overnight last night and it was Drunk Central at my hotel!

R92 I’ve spent $500 on dinner for two there. Trust me, they know how to get $$$.

r92 look at the Fountainlblu it still sits undone, I think it has been more than 10 years. At this point I don't think new is working, I think purchase and redo is what is happening now. They build a few casinos with Chinese people in mind and they failed or are failing (the M).

R95, the M is a huge hit and will be bigger when it becomes the hotel of the Raiders. You're thinking of Lucky Dragon.

The M was struggling for YEARS after it was built.

It may have been struggling as an off strip casino/hotel but it's thriving now.

R92 here again. Another thing I thought of is that in years past, Vegas had little competition. Now there are casinos pretty much everywhere in the surrounding states so fewer people will go there only to gamble. That said, the Vegas casinos and area has a lot more to offer in terms of entertainment and restaurants than your riverboat casino in bumblefuck, Iowa so there's that.

r98 it is technically on the strip - just waaaaay up there.

They've already got multiple A-list residencies lined up. It will be interesting to see if Celine and Katy Perry can overtake Lady Gaga as the top show in town. From what I've seen, Gaga's show is weird and awful, so I think Celine and Katy can top it.

Why is Celine returning to Vegas with another residency? She made such a big deal about ending her show at Caesar's, only to come back a couple years later. It makes no sense.

The NEW Virgin hotel opened and its DEAD. It was the old Hard Rock hotel. The old Tropicana just sold for like $40 million less than asking price. Vegas just opens new casinos and the older casinos die. There is too much and only so many visitors to Vegas. Vegas doesn't NEED any more resorts - especially beyond the point regarded as necessary or desirable. The market isn't growing..How many high end retail stores does Vegas need? I don't understand it..

Yes, they need to just modernize and update the properties that already exist. Not build new ones at the farthest reaches of the Strip where nobody wants to be.

[quote]From what I've seen, Gaga's show is weird and awful,

That’s pretty much what she does.

[quote]Why is Celine returning to Vegas with another residency? She made such a big deal about ending her show at Caesar's, only to come back a couple years later. It makes no sense.

It’s easy money for her. She doesn’t have to travel, and just belts out the same hits night after night.

That bitch Celine doesn’t need any more money.

Celine is building a huge place in the exclusive Summit Club in Summerlin. She id 100% a Vegas resident and Resorts World is easy money for her. She is home in her own bed every night, no touring and a built in audience.

Britney will hopefully be back at some point. Her show was great and the smaller auditorium gave it a fun, intimate experience.

Not meant as a slur, but I definitely think of Britney as more of a "Vegas" performer than Gaga.

I don’t like the location of this place, it’s far from everything.

R107 and she lip synchs a lot in her show. Not a slam. It's smart for her audience to come to her rather than the other way around.

Has anyone ever done one with dinosaurs? Maybe that’s what this one needs?

For the person asking upthread, the Sahara isn't bad, actually. It was sold some time ago and renamed SLS. They tried to make it hip and young (like a north strip version of the Cosmo) and it failed. They went back to calling it the Sahara and lost some of the loopier decor.

My dad and I used to stay at the Sahara back in the old days; it was his favorite hotel on the strip for some reason. When I go to Vegas now, I always make a point of dropping in and playing roulette (my dad's game) and I almost always win.

R113 I will never forget walking through the Sahara probably 15 or so years ago (when it was the old version with the Nascar shit outside) and some big mafia looking mook that worked there dragged out a guy who was probably counting cards at a blackjack table. I'm guessing they took him out back and broke his kneecaps.

Old style Vegas, gotta love it! You just don't see stuff like this anymore.

When I'm in Vegas I stay far away from the strip. That's the secret. Yes, rent a fucking car.

Does Janet Jackson still have a residency at the MGM?

Man, I wish that had been around when I was in Vegas.

Vegas is my worst nightmare...the stench of cigarettes, fat ugly fraus from the midwest or the inland empire in skimpy clothing, their poor young children who are dragged to an environment wholly unsuitable for them, overpriced chain restaurants, tacky stores, awful music, vulnerable immigrant workers who are routinely denied overtime or health benefits . It's trash whether you stay at the Venetian or Circus Circus. The Hoover Dam however is quite spectacular.

R118 hasn’t stayed at the Wynn suites. They are really good, I need saw a maid or cart in the hallways but they got in and out with minimal fuss. That’s how I judge 5 star hotels, I don’t want to see the staff.

Yeah not all of Vegas is how R118 depicts it. I like to stay at the higher end properties like Wynn, Bellagio, or Venetian/Palazzo (which I boycotted because of Sheldon Adelson but now that he's roasting in hell I'll probably go back sometime). They are more upscale and have better amenities. You pay for it, but its worth it to me to avoid the fat slobs with their screaming crotch fruit.

That aside, if you are outdoorsy, there are lots of great recreational things to do around Vegas (you will need a vehicle)--hiking, mountain biking, kayaking/boating on Lake Mead or the Colorado River, and some skiing in the winter at Mt. Charleston. You aren't mandated to stay at a casino and put money in a slot machine, you know. Just be a little creative on your activities. Red Rock canyon is beautiful and not too far of a drive. I was there at the beginning of April and it was mobbed with people (something I hadn't seen before), I'm guessing because of spring break/Easter and everyone got their $1400 check so they went to Vegas like me.

It looks to me that getting in and out of the RW compound could be a chore. I think once you’re there they don’t want to make it easy for you to leave and see and spend money anyplace else in Vegas.

[quote]The worst hotel I’ve seen in Vegas has to the Flamingo. I actually saw feces walking past the lawn.

At least they were walking and not running.

I always managed to have a good time in Vegas - yes, the element R118 describes is there, but that's not all there is to it. However, after the Mandalay Bay massacre and the rise of BS resort fees, I lost any desire to go back. The idea of paying an extra $30-45 a night on top of the room rate and taxes doesn't sit well with me. What a scam!

That's a shame about the Virgin. I'm a big fan of their Chicago property, and I would think a new casino without a goddamned "resort fee" would be a draw.

Between the resort fees, the often-complex parking fees, and the shady-ass cabbies, it's irritating to be nickel-and-dimed at every turn.

Last time I was there, I returned my rental car full of gas and they charged me $20 for not being able to prove I did it within a mile of the rental car return (a bit of fine print that was never explained, for obvious reasons).

The only thing to do in Las Vegas is spend money. It's a giant machine designed to suck all of the money out of you, and nothing more.

Okay so I have to share that Fremont Street Experience in Vegas is my guilty pleasure.

There are tons of "street performers" doing all sorts of wacky things, and they have money hats where you can "tip" them for doing... whatever it is they're doing. Singing, performing, acting stupid, etc.

But by far, this lady was the most entertaining. I was snapping photos like crazy because she wasn't doing anything. Just... being herself.

And before you say "oh, it's racist," just know that African Americans were BY FAR taking the most photos of her. Everyone was very entertained.

Here's another photo...

Okay, last one...

[quote] Hyatt is just a low-brow brand now.

I’m not sure about the MGM deal, but Hyatt has some good brands: Andaz, Thompson, Park and Grand Hyatt. I like Hyatt Centric, too. I like their points and that the family are Democrats.

Hyatt just hosted the Dump-CPAC event with the Nazi-themed stage at their Orlando resort.

[quote]Okay so I have to share that Fremont Street Experience in Vegas is my guilty pleasure.

I ran into porn star Jaxton Wheeler hanging out at Fremont Street. I told him I was a fan of his work.

I thought the Flamingo was a Hilton hotel at one time...

Higher in the thread, somebody mentioned Circa. Any opinions of the various Fremont Street places?

R90, to answer your questions:

-The Drew will most likely be torn down. Rumours fly around every so often that the city will demand it be torn down. That's not even possible, because that building--like most all of the Strip--is in unincorporated Winchester and not within the actual Las Vegas city limits. So if anyone demanded it be torn down, it would be Clark County. Keep in mind there's an unfinished tower that has been sitting in front of the Venetian/Palazzo for years. Mr. Adelson had it wrapped in a faux facade after the St Regis got cancelled during the 2008 recession, and now the wrap is falling off and blowing in the wind. Since he just died, it's now the problem of the holding corp who bought Venetian/Palazzo.

-If anything at the Trop gets torn down, it'll be the whole complex. But I doubt that will happen any time soon, as it's a cash cow for travellers like you (and locals like me) who like it. They got a lot of flack for tearing down one of the wings of garden/bungalow rooms...I had a friend on the Historic Preservation Committee, and they were actually in the middle of a meeting when they got word about that demo back in 2012 or so. They've renovated the one wing of bungalow rooms--as I'm sure you know--and they're cute. Not sure why they've not done the other wing, except that I doubt they need the room inventory. I believe the third wing of garden rooms are now cabanas for the beach club, but I could be wrong about that. I believe the Trop still has their affiliation with Doubletree by Hilton.

The D is fun, R133.

Circa is nice, too. It's relatively new and only opened last Fall.

Same owner for both hotels, and they have a youthful vibe, even though they're situated in "old" Las Vegas.

[quote]I believe the Trop still has their affiliation with Doubletree by Hilton.

Yes, the Tropicana is marketed as a Doubletree by Hilton.

Does anyone know the story behind the demise of the Hard Rock? All the office douche bags in their 30s loved that place. They called it Pussy ‘o Plenty. Barf.

R137, the Hard Rock had one of the first of the new wave of nightclubs in Vegas in the early aughts. Body English was the place to be...I remember Nicole Richie getting photographed there a lot. Once all the megaclubs opened on the Strip (specifically Pure at Caesars, which is now Omnia), Body English became obsolete. Hard Rock has mainly been known locally for hosting the AVN porn convention each year. In fact, Virgin still has the contract to host it. The jokes write themselves!

Absolute hugs for the info, R92.

When I was at the Trop for 8 nights in 2019 was when locals at the Mob Museum Speakeasy and D gave me the FountainBlue story. I was complaining there appeared no way the FB could be salvaged after watching it sit vacant and broken for years. And seeing The Harmon torn down and a couple old casinos imploded. One local said his parents purchased a condo and then the huge building went up and their view was destroyed. They didn’t know that when they purchased the condo.

I’ve been staying at the Trop bungalows since I was a child in the 50s. It is historic old Vegas but it’ll be amazing if the original place is saved. That 40-acre footprint is worth a lot.

I wish Resorts World well. I get how Vegas is moving away from cheap table games and intimate cocktail shows. I get how clinical Asian dealers and $25 tables are replacing chatty dealers/stickmen/bankers and $5 tables on the Strip.

But Vegas’ downfall will be lack of water. As much as Patricia Mulroy and the SNWA have tried to reshape Colorado River and Nevada groundwater allocations, Vegas’ growth with these huge resorts is unsustainable.

If I ever go back, I’ll probably just sit in the Eiffel Tower or Aria Brasserie French restaurants and be so thankful I got to witness Vegas in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s while I look at my sports betting sheet for a Super Bowl party at the Trop!

[R126] I love freemont street and dirty old Vegas. I don't go there to have a fancy high tone time, I go there to do things an adult would never do in public and might not try in private. I don't love staying in the old hotels like The Flamingo (Gross, so....much...hair...in...tub, room above the stage with an Andrew Dice Clay set all week) I also like to buy a pack of Fantasias and go to Denny's so I can eat and smoke and gamble and drink booze INSIDE AT THE SAME TIME. I don't smoke cigarettes normally but it's fun and they're light. The biggest difference during the pandemic was when I walked down the strip no one offered me drugs, even coke :( I can't wait til I'm relentlessly marketed illegal fun again.

The signature at MGM is a great option if you are staying in Vegas but don't want the garish hotel. They were designed as timeshares - high-end timeshares. They have a studio, one, two and three bedrooms for very reasonable (for vegas) prices and they are tastefully decorated, with Viking appliances, full stoves fridges and sinks. If I go to vegas for business and want to avoid VEGAS!!!! I will stay at the signature.

What id Vegas going to do with these building when all the boomers die off? Most boomers will be dead in 20 years and gen-x and on don't care about gambling or seeing Wayne Newton in concert.

Wayne Newton will be dead too, but Gaga will be playing.

[quote] but Gaga will be playing

🤮

Millennials love to gamble and recreate what they imagine the lives of the Rat Pack were like. But without the smoking, drinking and misogynist attitudes.

Looks like a fire trap.

You know the record - Hilton and Las Vegas. Forty years.

Bum-Bum-BUMMM.

r146 The bigger disaster at that same property.

I miss The Stardust. We stayed there several times shortly before it was demolished. Rooms were dirt cheap and their slots had better odds of winning. I could put a $20 bill into their dollar slots and be there for over an hour playing it. I've left Vegas coming out $$$ ahead from there, enough to cover the whole trip and then some. It wasn't a dump like Circus Circus or Treasure Island either. Rooms were spacious and clean.

Any casinos based on old TV shows? Gold-N-Girls Resort and Casino, gambling on the lovely glassed in lanai perhaps?

I found a couple 5c machines at the Venetian that actually paid out enough to stretch $20 into an hour. You don’t need to go to Circus Circus and damage your lungs.

r149 There are LOTS of slot machines based on TV shows.

It's a Hilton, while I like their properties as a gay teenager i refused to wiling spend my money , will spend my companies, on stays at Hiltons unless absolutely necessary. Fuck Paris and her trashy racist family. Other hotel families are no better but I had the Hilton's thrusted into my face in the 2000s and found them to be worse than the Kardashians.

It's a Hilton, so nope. While I like their properties, based on internet searches, as a teenager I refused to spend my money , but will spend my company's money if required, on stays at Hiltons unless absolutely necessary (stuck in middle of nowhere with only a Hilton hotel nearby). Fuck Paris and her trashy racist family. Other hotel families are no better but I had the Hilton's thrusted into my face in the 2000s and found them to be worse than the Kardashians.

that bitch got to stalk around LA spreading her STDs and living it up while I had to work. Pissed me the fuck off.

I can understand that a city like Vegas isn't for everyone, but the idea that it's some hell is really odd. Do people really have to be so narrow in their idea of fun? You have top line restaurant or you can just have a meal to pig out at a buffets. Its Vegas, no one knows you, where is the harm. You can gamble a bit or watch sports. See shows. Take trips t desert locations or the Gand Canyon. Try to get dick from closeted guys on bachelor parties or college trips (my favorite activities). Go to pool parties and just bask in the idea that you don't need to put on airs. It's ok to be a little low brow once in awhile.

I've done 4 real Vegas trips. Honestly, I'm completely over it, but if there was a special occasion or work trip I'd head back without complaints. At leas all this building means there is something new to see. Just touring the casinos can be a lot of fun. Plus I get lots of walking in.

I'd prefer a cruise to Vegas because any other vacations I feel like I need 3 months of hard dieting to look beach ready as I'm doing now for a summer trip abroad. Gosh I miss carbs.

Vegas is not my cup of tea for travel, but seeing how it's probably single-handedly keeping Nevada blue (and with two [D] Senators), I'm grateful for it!

r152 r153 You do know that the Hilton's have zero to do with Hilton Hotels anymore. Their grandfather absolutely hated Kathy Hilton.

[quote]There are LOTS of slot machines based on TV shows.

"I hit three pivoting Barries on 'Slots a Living' and won $500!"

I won 10K on deal or no deal.

r156 I now that branch of the Hiltons are not involved in the business but they still have trusts and stock. As members of that family they decided to present themselves as racist trash so the don't get my hard earned money. The brand is guilty by association in my book.

know*^

[quote]Any opinions of the various Fremont Street places?

We stayed at the El Rancho, which is very old, even historic, but nothing special. Reasonable price, though, and right on Fremont Street, so it was easy to walk around that area. I wish they had never put the lighted roof over Fremont Street because now it just feels like another shopping mall instead of a real downtown.

^^ I believe you mean the venerable El Cortez, which is still open downtown.

The El Rancho was always on the north end of the Strip. The name was used on two separate hotel/casinos, the second closed in 1992.

[quote]Granted, I made over $100 in tips last night at the front desk without even trying, so who's the white trash now?

If you are only making $100 a day, evidently you still hold the title.

The tips are on top of the salary you snot face R163.

So that poster made an extra $100+ just for doing his job.

However, I do question if all of the tip money went directly to him?

Because my understanding is that tips are always shared by on-duty staff.

Sorry, I haven't been to Vegas in over 15 years... what do you mean by "Resort Fees"? Do all the hotels on the strip now charge extra, above and beyond the room rates, or is it some kind of tourist tax levied by the city?

Upon checkout, you find the hotel has added a "resort fee" for each night you’ve stayed there, usually between $40-60. I think it supposedly covers the fitness center and Internet, but you are never given the chance to decline any of that.

It’s really just a way to make you think you’re getting a great deal when you’re not. It’s there in the fine print, I know, but really just wish they’d tack it onto the nightly rate.

The resort fees are an insult at properties charging $500/night. I always complain, sometimes they comp the fee if I’ve spent a lot.

The last time I stayed at the Wynn, they did ask me if I preferred to pay the resort fee or an a la carte use fee for the internet or fitness room. I opted for the a la carte and just got internet on the second day and didn't use the fitness center because I do other stuff outside of the casinos for exercise (hiking/biking, etc).

Oops, sorry. The El Cortez, not El Rancho.

In addition to the stupid "resort fee," most places also charge a room deposit, $100 or more, which is refunded to you a few days later, if there is no damage or anything missing. So an attractive price of $59 per night suddenly becomes a $200 payment at the desk, once taxes, resort fee and deposit are included.

We usually stay the the Luxor. It's a very weird space but love the diagonal elevator rides. Really, Vegas is fun for about 2 days, then I just have to get out of there.

I wonder if Westward Ho! charges a resort fee?

"New York New York always smells weird. Like burned coffee, BO and cigarettes."

You know the thread is about hotels/casinos in Vegas, not NYC?

r173 New York New York is a hotel on the Las Vegas strip.

I'm aware, R174.

R173 are you posting from the lounge at the Dunes or something?

For me, the best place to stay in Vegas is Vdara, just in back of the Bellagio. Just a hotel; no casino, no smoke, no drunks noisily wandering the hall at all hours. It's quiet and a very nice facility.

[quote]I wonder if Westward Ho! charges a resort fee?

I'm pretty sure Guestward Ho does.

[quote]I actually saw feces walking past the lawn.

Were they using the sidewalk?

I may go to LV in the fall before I go out to see the National Parks down there-

Thinking about Vdara, Aria, Cosmopolitan or Circa, and ResortWorld if the reviews are good

Anybody have a preference among those that are opened?

Cosmo

The Wynn is my favorite. Meticulous service compared to other “5 star” Vegas hotels.

[quote] Millennials love to gamble and recreate what they imagine the lives of the Rat Pack were like. But without the smoking, drinking and misogynist attitudes.

Agree about the misogyny, but millennials still love to drink and we vape instead of smoking, unless it's weed.

Are there any Vegas resorts heavily themed to mid-century Las Vegas? That would be my perfect casino resort. Retro and kitschy.

R183 stay downtown LV. The golden nugget.

Circa is very retro-Midcentury Modern

Have you ever seen a feces walking?

Well, I have!

I can’t remember the name of it, but one hotel had a bar that had a Tiki vibe and the artist Shag’s designs were on the napkins, matchbooks and other things, and they kept getting stolen. I believe they had to change their theme. Does anyone remember this?

The Vegas hotels are like the airlines now, They nickel and dime you to death. They charge a daily parking fee now, resort fees can range from 25-50 dollars a day. that cheap hotel room is suddenly 40-90 dollar a night more.

Five years ago I stayed at Excalibur for something ridiculous, maybe $25 a night with everything included. Granted this was in July when prices were Iow. I see that now there's a $35/day resort fee on top of the room fee which starts at $33. I'm guessing that casinos have realized that millennials aren't into gambling and the cheap rooms aren't encouraging people to come and gamble.

I thought The Aria was supposed to be the nicest place to stay? I like the Wynn. So pretty.

Is Caesars still worth it?

YOU KNOW YOU LOVE IT BITCH @ R118

[quote] feces walking

Coming this fall from AMC....Fear the Walking Feces!

[quote] Is Caesars still worth it?

It’s still my favorite place to stay. The location couldn't be better and it’s the perfect blend of high class Vegas and pure, unapologetic kitsch.

[quote]Is Caesars still worth it?

I’ve always enjoyed Caesar’s. As the previous poster mentioned...the location is perfect. Square in the middle of the Strip. Great pools as well. You can generally find some good deals on rooms there.

It will be a hard year for Las Vegas.

We were there in March and used it as a base for trips to Death Valley, Zion and Bryce. My partner couldn't get out of there any faster. It definitely seemed way seedier with trash from all colors of the rainbow. Then there were the perpetual MAGAT types who needed to be reminded every 5 seconds to put on their mask (all of whom judging by their age and/or weight were at high risk to die).

After Bellagio, the Strip was a zombie zone (even outside the Venetian and Wynne was filled with "street" characters).

And what's with the poster above who said to rent a car? It takes 20 minutes to get from any hotel parking lot if you don't valet (and many places are not offering valet right now), 20 minutes to drive from one hotel to another, and most hotels are charging for parking now.

As for Resorts World, it's a big red blob that might as well be in Reno. However, when travel from Asia resumes it will be a hit.

Sometimes I seriously question the judgment and taste of DLers.

Which of the legacy “themed” resorts is best: Paris, Caesars, Mandalay Bay or MGM Grand?

“Resort Fees” are the perfect summary of American capitalism. Total BS, manipulative, deceptive way of making money by suckering people. Just looked at the Vdara mention above. Good prices $85/night. Then - in small types which you barely notice - “$45/ night resort fee”. WTF!?! A “fee” that is effectively a 50% increase in the room rate. I’ve noticed Florida hotels are doing the same thing. It drives me insane.

R197 here-- we stayed at Vdara and for those resort fees you got closed everything---valet, gym, pool, restaurants. Even the Starbucks was closed and wifi was spotty at best. Teleworkers were all in the lobby because that's where the wifi was reliable.

Also, noticed this time around that lots of people are brining their dogs with them. I love Fido like everyone else, but I don't want to be paying $200/night for a room with fleas or dog urine or even dog hair in it.

The only reason resort fees are charged is that people have accepted them. And collusion. On the other hand, I'm willing to bet that if some major chain opted out of the resort fee scam and just raised their prices, they'd go broke. Americans are idiots.

See also: evangelical churches, robocallers, and the Republican party

Resort fees at some places are now up to $60/night! I can remember them being around $30/night max about 5 years ago. Any room over $300/night should not be subjected to a resort fee.

I'm not a hotel shill, but when I traveled to Chicago on business the Virgin really impressed me.

No resort fee. No password for incredibly fast Wi-Fi. The snacks and drinks in the room were priced like you'd buy them in a store. Early check-in, no problem. Late checkout: "Certainly. Let me rekey your card." Free top-shelf drinks during happy hour for hotel guests.

The lack of nickel-and-diming at every turn was wonderful.

I don't know if the Virgin Las Vegas has the same policies, but I really hoped it would set a trend among hotels.

One thing about resort fees, is that they use it as an excuse for you to sign up for their gaming loyalty programs and going up in status. I'm a member of two of them and when they send me room offers they make a point of saying my status includes waiving resort fees.

What I cannot stand is shitty internet at a hotel that charges a resort fee or wifi fee. I pay 50 dollars a month for gig internet...if you are going ot charge me essentially 300 dollars a month for internet (9.99 a day) it better fucking such my dick while downloading. Nope what do I get. 1 to 5 Mbs shitty spotty wifi and crap downloads. Lump that in with spa access, a local paper and a free bottle water or some shit and charge me 50 dollars a day? fuck...it's bs.

Nothing could match the three cute Mexican guys who worked the back lounge at the old Nugget downtown. They'd blow you in a booth for a dollar, and let you fuck them in the cooler for two. I sure miss them. Maybe their grandsons are working the strip now.

R204 sounds bitter about a made-up bullshit gambling stye daring -DARING, with ellipses to prove her outrage - to treat her like the donkey john she is.

Not sure if anyone mentioned it but resort fees are usually billed per person in the room. So that $40 per night fee becomes $80 if you're two people and both of you want to use the pool.

Las Vegas is not that close to the national parks. The closest is Death Valley NP, 2 hours away. Zion NP, 3 hours away. Grand Canyon NP, 5 hours away. Yosemite NP, 6 hours away only in the summer, otherwise 8 hours. Vegas is really not a good base for national park visits. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is only a few minutes west of Vegas, and Spring Mountains National Recreation area is less than an hour away.

Close-by spots to visit:

Mount Charleston

Valley of Fire

Is anyone in Vegas right now?

I'm here this weekend, and would love to meet for a drink.

r209 What are your rates?

[quote] What are your rates?

Haha funny.

Isn’t Della from Vegas?

I wish the price comparisons sites like Expedia, hotels, bookings, Travelocity would include resort fees in their prices. Resort fees started as a a way to make the listing look cheap on those search engines - until you actually booked. I would patronize a new site that added “resort fees” for comparability purposes - it’s such a scam.

Here’s a list of current resort fees:

Travelocity does cite the resort fee, but it's in tiny, tiny print. You have to work to find it.

Bruno Mars's 6 shows at the MGM Park theater next month sold out in minutes. There's a lot of pent-up demand.

Per Electronic Vegas reports, Katy Perry will be making $168 million from this residency contract. In this residency, Katy will be reportedly performing two nights a week for a period of four months.

I can't believe they're paying Katy that much for 32 shows. I guess it brings the gamblers into the casino, which is where they make the real money. I assume that Celine Dion has a similar contract with them.

[quote]I can't believe they're paying Katy that much for 32 shows. I guess it brings the gamblers into the casino, which is where they make the real money. I assume that Celine Dion has a similar contract with them.

I’ll bet Celine commands a lot more money than Katy Perry.

Expedia also shows the totals including resort fees on the main search page, like Travelocity because they are owned by the same entity. Folks just "grew up" with either (I'm an Expedia kid) but for all intents and purposes they are the same.

When we were researching Vegas rooms scenarios would look like this HUGE PRINT $6 night; TEENY WEENY PRINT ~$50~ resort fee.

More simply, one should expect resort fees in the $50 range (give or take) for any Vegas Strip hotel.

Wynn and Encore have been approved to operate at 100% capacity, effective immediately, because 88% of their employees have been vaccinated.

IF you check that article 99% of the fees are for internet access in room. Ummm isn't the goal of vegas to not have you in your room but out spending money? So if you spend one week at the Venetian you are paying 357 dollars to use the internet. That is my internet bill at home for 7 months.

R220 plus the “internet” is 1990s slow.

Really if you have your phone, why use their internet? Even if you want to use your laptop, just use your phone as a mobile hotspot.

[quote]Really if you have your phone, why use their internet? Even if you want to use your laptop, just use your phone as a mobile hotspot.

You have to pay the Resort Fee anyway, so why waste your data?

R223 I have unlimited data, and my phone internet works better than their shitty service.

I’m checking this thread in the hope to learn the destination of the Fountain Blu (now The Drew). It needs to be torn down. It’s too high and the condo purchasers need to have it and the parking garage gone.

Vegas was glorious back in the day. But The Strip is too pricey now. And yes The Trop in their old bungalows charged me a $29/night resort fee in 2019. You used to be able to just part in the old concrete Trop parking lot, no questions asked.

I’ve moved on to Indian casinos and Blackhawk. But if you want an old Vegas intimate experience, Fremont Street is for you. As well as the off-strip suburbs.

If you want a clinical experience and don’t care to buck up to a $25/50 table, then the Strip (and clinical Aria) is for you.

Update: RW gets regulatory approval to open June 24.

r122 WINS !!!!!!!! LOL !!!!!!

Treasure Island is always a dic magnet if you are intersted in bi-curious or closeted working class guys. I think it's due to the price and the Senior Frogs! Man, i've always been able to pull a 20 something slightly buzz self-identified straight guy from TI. I never stay there but always stop in for a visit. I heard their drag brunch on Sundays can be fun, but I prefer late night cruising for "straight guys".

R228 do tell more. I usually stay at the Wynn which is just across the road. Do you go to that Senor Frogs place to meet them?

Yup, r229! I must say that I have never had a bad time at a Senior Frogs. You just have to get there at a good time. A lot working class of closet cases seem to stay at T.I. since it's cheap. Don't neglect Grindr.

Funny enough, I've never been up in the rooms. But yeah, you just find the one curious guy, usually a lot of people will get up and dance and you just have to find a way to befriend one or a group. Use that gaydar. Maybe buy drink for the two of you after you strike out with a lady (oh shucks). Never anything expensive just a beer or something. When things get really late see if he wants to check out another bar (because you're really desperate to get some pussy). If he follows then he may be a curious. Make it over to your hotel then say you have drinks in your room, I usually offer that as soon as we get out of T.I. (hopefully you're in walking distance).. The offer to head to the room is the moment he can decide what we are doing tonight. From there drink in your place and just talk about being horny. Talk about the the lack of available women and feel out the situation. Obviously, never do this with someone nearly blackout drunk, not looking to rape someone.

You've got to be smooth and make it work. Hard to teach these processes over text. I'm also 30 so hanging with 20 year olds was easy. I'd say I'm in town for my cousin's wedding. Had to get away for some fun.

Probably wasn't very helpful but at the very least Senior Fogs is a fun affordable spot to drink, dance, and enjoy Vegas without going to a pretentious club.

Thanks r230, I’m 40 so I’ll probably have to try harder than you lol.

The Golden Girls slot machine show Dorothy, Blanche and Rose as hot teens.

To alcohol — the cause of, and solution to, all of life's bi-curious problems!

@r83 Macao is actually the modern form used by all English speaking countries and used by the Chinese government when they romanize the official Mandarin name. Macau is the spelling basically only in countries that speak Romance languages. Check whatever map app you use on your phone, where it will be spelled “Macao”

The resort opens this Thursday @ midnight

So hard to imagine Katy Perry getting that kind of dough. Isn't she kind of over?

Anyway, the WSJ chimes in on the new digs.

Well, has anyone hit this place up yet?

I’m going to Vegas in a week and a half. I’m not staying at Resorts World, but plan to walk through and check it out.

they are like malls.

It looks sort of unfinished.

Are you there for 4th of July weekend, R238?

Lets meet up!

No, the following weekend, R241.

The video tours on YouTube make it look ENORMOUS. The most interesting feature is a Singapore-style food hall with a variety of very authentic-seeming Asian food stalls (and a few non-Asian ones as well). Sort of an Asian version of Eataly over the Park MGM.

it looks like it is incomplete, still under construction.

If you go to 8:45 in this video, you can see the semi-private infinity pool with the stunning views of…a construction site. When it’s finished (it sounds like it’ll be a surf pool, kinda like the one at Mandalay Bay), it sounds like it’ll be stunning. But it doesn’t look like it’ll be finished anytime soon.

Any DL in-person visits/reports on this yet?

I was kidnapped and forced to stay the night with a very large man and a Shriner at Circus Circus 5 yrs ago. Luckily, I was wearing my cellular LifeAlert transmitter around my neck. I pressed the button and spoke with a nice young man named Neil. He dispatched EMS responders to the exact room I was being held in against my will. I was rescued and strapped to the gurney then quickly taken to the nearest hospital where I was quickly evaluated and spoke to Las Vegas police detectives regarding the kidnapping incident.

I always have a great time in Vegas. I’m not much of a gambler but it’s a blast to spend a weekend there with friends. My fav hotels are Mandalay Bay and the Venetian.

I live in Vegas, and Resorts World isn't making it. My friend is a Host at Caesars - His friend Jacky quit Resorts World and accepted a job at Wynn as an Executive Host making 65k a year. She took a 30k pay cut. Vegas doesn't pay big salaries. And the Presidents ass is on the line at Resorts World too. The property is one step higher then the Park MGM They get all the Circus Circus clientele, mid range and below. I also just saw this “Eight Restaurants and Bars Still on Their Way to Resorts World This Fall and Winter”. The spa will finally open next Friday. Its a shit show!

"New York New York always smells weird. Like burned coffee, BO and cigarettes."

The casino or the city?

I like Vdara. No casino, no cigarette stench permeating the place, no noisy drunks running up and down the halls.

I always stay at Wilber Clark’s Desert Inn. In the Sky Room, they serve Atomic Cocktails at the “bomb parties” whenever a nuke is tested at the nearby Nevada Proving Grounds. But don’t worry. They say we are safely away. And, in the Painted Desert Room, there’s wonderful dining and dancing to the Desert Inn Orchestra, led by Ray Noble. The hotel is air-conditioned and each of the 300 rooms has its own thermostat!

I love Las Vegas. Tomorrow, my friends and I are going uranium hunting in the desert!

Their cashless system for their Asian theme food court is also a bust. Often, the systems go out and if you've ordered something that is sold out, you have to return to the kiosk to get a refund. So far, there is a fair amount of foot traffic but the hotel stays aren't keeping up.

I like the feel of the new property but I'm skeptical about having so many different corporations under one roof.