Everything Las Vegas: Issue # 727
June 29th, 2010.
Las Vegas visitor volume increases for the eighth straight month. BY: Howard Stutz/ Las Vegas Review Journal.
But even with the steady rise, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is not ready to declare an end to the economic crisis that has gripped the tourism industry.
More from The LVRJ here:
Disney to close Las Vegas ESPN Zone restaurant, four others. From The Las Vegas Review Journal.
The Walt Disney Co. plans to close five ESPN Zone restaurants in Las Vegas, Baltimore, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., saying the economics of the business were “very challenging.”
The sports bar and restaurant had arcade games and big-screen TVs and served up burgers and beer.
More from The LVRJ here:
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Comedy scene gains one, loses one. From The Las Vegas Review Journal.
Louie Anderson is leaving, but not before Brad Garrett opens a new comedy club, ensuring audiences won’t miss a single joke on a comedy-choked Strip.
Anderson bows out of the rat race on Aug. 1, closing his “Larger Than Life” residency at the Excalibur.
More from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/comedy-scene-gains-one–loses-one-96035469.html
Burlesque Hall of Fame museum unveiled for first time.
Grand opening draws scores to downtown location.
BY: Alan Choate/Las Vegas Review Journal
Sequins and feather boas are as much a part of Las Vegas’ history as mobsters and neon, and now a museum celebrating part of that culture has made downtown Las Vegas its home.
The Burlesque Hall of Fame has taken over a small space in the newly christened Emergency Arts building on Fremont Street, across from the El Cortez.
More from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/burlesque-hall-of-fame-museum-unveiled-for-first-time-95668754.html
Aria competes with larger pool parties by being ‘a little more high-end’ BY: John Przybys/Las Vegas Review Journal.
There’s never a second chance to make a first impression, as the saying goes, and when guests visit the new Liquid Pool Lounge, a good first impression likely will be a given.
This marks the first season for Liquid, located at Aria at CityCenter. And, in crafting the pool event’s maiden season, the goal was to “create a great atmosphere,” says Jodi Myers, president of The Light Group.
More from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/liquid-courage-95599334.html
Lolita¹s Cantina and Tequila Bar Set to Open July 2010.
Lolita’s Cantina and Tequila Bar, the latest concept created by The Medusa Group, is set for a July 2010 within Town Square, an outdoor retail and entertainment district located on South Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas. This new restaurant and nightclub concept fuses the style and energy of South Beach, the spirit of Baja and the tradition of Mazatlan all under one roof to create this one-of-a-kind eatery by day, nightclub hotspot by night.
Lolita’s Cantina and Tequila Bar will offer lunch, dinner and after-hours fare with seating available both inside the restaurant or out on the patio where patrons can people-watch from the second floor into the bustle of Town Square. The 10,000-square-foot venue will also transform into a high-energy nightclub complete with choreographed dancers and featuring a state-of-the-art dance floor, sound and lighting system and promotions hosted nightly. Lolita’s Cantina and Tequila Bar will also have a take-out menu and catering division.
“Las Vegas is the obvious choice for this special type of restaurant and nightclub concept,” said Eric DeBlasi, President and CEO of The Medusa Group, the parent company of Lolita’s. “Lolita’s Cantina and Tequila Bar will transform from a casual, fun dining spot by day into a vibrant, over-the-top nightlife destination by night. We are bringing the same festive atmosphere and sensory experience that makes Cabo a favorite party destination to the heart of Las Vegas.”
Photos: It’s Vegas the Show vs. Vegas! the Show. By Robin Leach/Las Vegas Sun.
Producers of two Las Vegas history-themed song-and-dance shows will continue their dispute now that both have set opening dates and were unable to reach a compromise. The titles of both shows are very similar, with only an exclamation point to separate the difference!
First to open was Tony Sacca’s Vegas the Show yesterday in The Embassy Theater of downtown Las Vegas Rocks Cafe. Tony says his show is a story in song featuring music and comedy and is a multimedia journey through the history of Las Vegas. It starts from the 1930s and progresses to present day, and also predicts the future as to how Las Vegas entertainment will look in 2050.
Tony heads up the cast with comic impressionist Tom Wallek; Laurie Caceres, principal singer and dancer from Jubilee! at Bally’s; and singer-dancers Nellie Norris and Amanda Kaisert. Grammy winner Gary Anderson arranged and orchestrated the music for the production, which also features decade-by-decade video from the past 75 years.
Tony’s show is an afternoon affair that can be combined with lunch at his cafe.
Rival producer David Saxe has announced that he’s nine days from opening what he’s calling Vegas! the Show. He says it’s “the must-see official show” of Las Vegas. It re-creates the greatest moments in Las Vegas’ history and is the story of the most influential and exciting entertainers who made Las Vegas … Vegas!
David, who wrote and developed the show, said Vegas! the Show is like all of the shows on The Strip rolled into one. From vintage Vegas icons like The Rat Pack and Elvis Presley to today’s hottest performers, this amazing cast, big band orchestra and beautiful showgirls make Vegas! the Show one of the biggest stage productions on The Strip in nearly two decades.
Full dress rehearsals begin next week at the former Steve Wyrick Theater in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile — now known as The Saxe Theater — under the direction of Broadway choreographer Tiger Martina.
Photos here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/10/photos-its-emvegas-showem-vs-emvegas-showem/
Is human mermaid swimming onto Strip in show? BY: Robin Leach/Las Vegas Sun.
Gorgeous Australian model Hannah Fraser is known as the “human mermaid,” and she’s swum ashore at the Luxor today to investigate possibilities of bringing her underwater mermaid show to The Strip. Hannah has modeled and worked in film and television the past 12 years specializing in underwater mermaid performances. She recently appeared in the Oscar-winning film The Cove and is starring in a National Geographic special swimming with Great White sharks this year.
Hannah, who’ll be at Luxor through Thursday, holds her breath up to minutes at a time and swims to depths of more than 30 feet in her mermaid costumes. She has performed in top aquariums around the world, from Siam Ocean World, Sydney Aquarium and the Chicago museum and at Coachella and Burning Man.
In addition to meeting with Luxor executives, Hannah tonight talks with Fantasy producer Anita Mann to explore possibilities of staging an underwater sequence for the topless cabaret that stars Angelica Bridges. Hannah also travels the world speaking at events and conventions about ocean environmentalism and her experiences swimming underwater with Great White sharks, whales, seals, dolphins, turtles, manta rays and other marine life.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/07/strip-scribbles-human-mermaid-swimming-strip-new-s/
Vince Neil opening Tres Rios Cantina in Las Vegas Hilton. BY: Robin Leach/Las Vegas Sun.
Hometown hero and Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil is opening a themed bar at the Las Vegas Hilton, and he’ll throw the doors wide open next Saturday night. It features his Tres Rios tequila along with memorabilia and photographs from his extensive collection of awards, costumes and instruments from his storied career.
Motley Crue has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, and Vince has turned his off-stage time into a business empire of Vince Neil Ink tattoo parlors, the Feelgood’s restaurant chains, his private charter jet Vince Neil Aviation and now Tres Rios Cantina.
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/04/vince-neil-opening-tres-rios-cantina-las-vegas-hil/
Nightclub Crawl BY Rick Garman.
Vegas does not seem to be wanting for places to go out and drink and dance and generally test out that “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” mantra. But it seems like there are new places opening almost every week and it is virtually impossible to keep up with them. I went to go check out seven (!!) night spots that are either new or that I just hadn’t gotten around to visiting before.
Haze Nightclub
I have to admit that I really don’t understand the appeal of places like Haze at Aria Las Vegas. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good nightclub – one that plays a good mix of dance beats, has a fun and lively energy, and serves up some wicked cocktails to keep things interesting. Heck, I worked in nightclubs for more than a decade so I know the scene inside and out.
What I don’t enjoy is the trend most Vegas nightclubs are following, which is to put people into ridiculously long lines to get in, charge them exorbitant cover and drink prices, and then cram them into a space so crowded and overwhelming that the idea of “fun” is overtaken by one’s instinct for basic human survival.
Or maybe I’m just getting old. That’s possible, too.
Haze is the latter type of club, which means of course that in Vegas it is insanely popular already. Done by the same company that manages Bank at Bellagio and Jet at Mirage (along with several others), I could waste a lot of space talking about the decor (dark, multi-level), seating (only for VIPs getting bottle service), or sound system and lights (state of the art) but at a place like this it really doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the crowds are coming in droves and they seem to be enjoying themselves immensely. It is worth noting that very few of them fall into the “getting old” category unless you consider 25 old.
Haze Nightclub
Aria Las Vegas
3730 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-693-8300
website
Open Thu-Sat 10:30pm-4am
Cover varies
Vanity
The premiere club at the
The main room is divided into a series of cozy spaces with lots of lounging areas, a fireplace, and a big dance floor. Most of the seating is reserved for VIP bottle service so if you aren’t a very important person, wear comfortable (but still stylish) shoes because you’ll be standing on them all night long.
I liked the more intimate vibe of the place but it does create some traffic pattern nightmares. The upper level has the throngs trying to get to the main bar on one side, roped off VIP banquette seating on the other, and big support columns right in the middle. This leaves roughly 11 inches of room for people to try to get from one side of the club to the other and so major gridlock ensues.
One cool feature is the chandelier over the dance floor. Made of more than 20,000 crystal LEDs, the thing amorphous shape curves across the entire ceiling and down into the floor. Sort of like Viva Vision at the Fremont Street Experience, it can broadcast images so it turns the space into a dazzling display.
There is also a large outdoor patio with VIP cabanas and a fire pit overlooking the Hard Rock’s expanded pool area.
The crowd is squarely in the young, pretty, party set so dress to impress.
Downsides include a chaotic horde trying to get in – the concept of lines seems to have escaped them – and very high cover and drink prices, which means it’s just like every other club in town.
Vanity
Hard Rock Hotel
4455 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89169
702-693-5555
website
Open Thu-Sun 10pm-4am
Cover varies
Piranha Nightclub and 8 1/2 Ultralounge
First off all, the piranhas are gone. It involved the city and animal laws and concern over the well-being of either the fish or the people who were near the man-eating beasts.
But the club still remains and still reigns as probably the best nightclub for other types of man-eating beasts.
The complex serves as two very distinct experiences in one streamlined package. 8 1/2 is the cheekily named ultralounge portion, which includes a full bar, lots of comfy booths and chairs, TV screens, and a fireplace. It’s dark and cozy the way a good ultralounge should be. There’s also a big outdoor patio with more lounging opportunity. It’s nice to look at but may not be the best place to actually be, partly because of the weather (often too hot or too cold) but mostly because of the planes landing at nearby McCarran airport, so low over the building that it appears that you could reach up and touch them. Loud too. Really loud.
The other part of the facility is Piranha, the high-energy dance club. You access it through 8 1/2 down a hallway lined with now fishless aquariums. The two-story space features a sizeable dance floor (not so big that you’ll feel like an idiot if there aren’t many people out there but big enough for you and several dozen of your closest friends), booths and tables, and a ring of VIP lounges on the second floor overlooking it all.
The crowd is a mix of tourist and local but definitely leans more tourist because of the place’s proximity to The Strip. It also skews young and pretty, so 40-somethings need to have a good sense of self and/or an active gym membership to not feel out of place.
Cover prices can be high – $20 on weekends – but of the three major gay dance clubs in Vegas (Krave and Gipsy being the other two) this one is probably the best from an atmosphere, energy, and design perspective so it may just be worth it.
Piranha and 8 1/2
4633 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89169
702-791-0100
website
Open daily 10pm until dawn
Cover varies
Eve
This nightclub at
There are big VIP booths on several tiers around the dance floor, which is pretty much just a big space in the middle of the room that you will probably have to pass through to get from one side to the other. Hold onto your drinks tightly.
Along with the requisite pounding sound system and dazzling lights are a ring of monitors above the dance floor that display videos, images, and other distractions. It’s a nice touch that makes this particular boogie spot a little more memorable.
Despite being owned by one of the “Housewives,” the crowd this club draws seems to be a little less desperate meaning that it feels more grown up than some of the other party pits in town. That doesn’t mean that the patrons are significantly older or less stylish than what you’ll usually find but they seem a little less inclined toward the drink-until-you-fall-down behavior that rules at most trendy clubs.
But Eve does have one thing in common with those places – cover charges and drink prices are high. Bring a big wallet.
Eve
The Crystals at CityCenter
3720 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Suite 260
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-227-3838
website
Open Wed, Fri-Sat 10:30pm-4am
Cover varies
Lavo
I’m going to keep this one short and simple because I don’t want to be mean. Actually I do but I will allow my better nature to take over and try to keep the snarky comments about this nightclub at
Located above a restaurant, there is absolutely nothing about this club that I could find to recommend. It’s located above a restaurant, which means several flights of tricky stairs to get to it unless you can fake a limp and/or charm your way into the elevator.
Once inside, the relatively small room is basically a bar area and a dance floor with some VIP booths and tables scattered about. Taking up every single square inch of space (at least on the night I visited) was a human being. I will set aside my concerns about things like capacity limits and simply say that there were entirely too many people in the place and it felt less like a nightclub and more like Thunderdome, where your only mission is just to make it out alive.
I stepped inside and was literally swept into a line of people, pressed into someone front and back and continually pushed, poked, and prodded in less than enjoyable ways. Having no choice but to go with the proverbial flow, I suddenly found myself by the service area and had to get a big, burly security guard to help make a path back to the exit.
The crowd – what I could see of it in the blur of humanity – was not exactly what you might call high end. I’ll let you have your own interpretation of what that means, sort of like the finale of “Lost.”
At last count there were roughly eight and a half billion nightclubs in Las Vegas (give or take a billion) so you have many, much better choices than this one.
Lavo Nightclub
Palazzo Las Vegas
3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-791-1800
website
Open Sun, Tue-Thu 11pm-4am and Fri-Sat 10pm-4am
Cover varies
Fun Hog Ranch
There is absolutely nothing special about the Funhog Ranch and that, precisely, is what makes it noteworthy.
This is the kind of bar found in just about every American city or town tolerant enough to have a gay bar. It’s a single room dominated by a big central bar and a few cozy booths along one wall. That’s pretty much it other than the video poker, darts, and jukebox providing the entertainment. No dance floor, no DJ, no velvet rope, no VIP booths with pricey bottle service. It’s just a bar.
The clientele leans toward the levi/leather variety and its appreciators, definitely skewing a little older than your average trendy nightclub and a whole lot more casual. Friendly is the watchword; the kind of place where you can strike up a conversation with the bartender or the guy sitting next to you without breaking a sweat.
Prices are rock bottom – no such thing as a $40 cover and an $8 domestic beer here. Think free and $4 at most. What a welcome change.
By the way, in case you are wondering, the Funhog Ranch was the name of the establishment before it became a gay bar. Quite frankly it makes more sense now.
Funhog Ranch
495 E. Twain
702-791-7001
Open 24 Hours
No Cover except for special events
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Awards. BY: Rick Garman.
The Not All By Myself Award of the Week goes to singer, and future returning Vegas headliner, Celine Dion who announced that she is pregnant with twins. If I’m doing my gestation math correctly, she should be due sometime in November-ish, which should give her time to make her scheduled March re-debut at Caesars Palace.The Hmmmm Award of the Week goes to Penn National Gaming, the east coast casino powerhouse that has long been eyeing an entry into Vegas. Last week they got preliminary approval for a Nevada gaming license even though they don’t actually have a casino in the state. Does this mean they might be ready to pounce on one of the hotels that may be up for sale in Vegas? Like I said, hmmmm…..
The A Duck Walks into a Bar Award of the Week goes to comedian/actor Brad Garrett, best known for his stint as the long-suffering brother on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” will be opening up his very own comedy club at The Tropicana at the end of June. The new club will take place of the Comedy Stop, which closed earlier this year. Garrett will not be headlining the small showroom – it will mainly be traveling comics, most of whom you have probably never heard of unless you are a stand-up junkie – but he may make occasional appearances. The club is scheduled to open on June 28th.
Best Casino Slots – Part 11 BY Victor H. Royer from www.accessvegas.com
The Sky’s the Limit!
Many years ago – and it doesn’t seem so many years ago to me – there was a casino on the Las Vegas Strip called: Vegas World. It was built, owned, and operated by Bob Stupak, a legendary Las Vegas gambler, entrepreneur, and visionary. I knew Bob, and spent time with him at Vegas World, in a little booth in the coffee shop that served as his de-facto office. I also spent time with him at his house, a sprawling old-Las Vegas mansion with the décor to match. I wrote an article about him and his vision for “The tallest tower in the West.” That was about 18 years ago. Bob died on September 25, 2009. He was one of the icons of Las Vegas, and I miss him, and people like him.
But the reason that I begin this article with his story is because at the front of Vegas World, Bob had a huge rocket pointed skyward, with the slogan: The Sky’s The Limit! That was his motto, and his knack for promotion. He once said that he would pay $1 million to anyone who would jump from the top of his casino and land safely. One such skydiver took him up on it, climbed to the top of the casino, jumped off, and landed safely in Bob’s parking lot. Cameras rolling, Bob proudly presented the man with a check for $1 million – and then handed him a bill for $999,999.00, as the landing fee! So, for essentially $1 Bob got all of this publicity for his casino. Well, that was Bob alright.
Today, the Vegas World casino is history, and the Stratosphere now stands in its place. Bob got his tower, and the world can thank Bob Stupak, and others like him, for making Las Vegas the greatest gambling city in the world. He was one of the best.
Speaking of best, there is a new multiline video slot machine from Aristocrat, called: Hit The Heights. I saw this game at the recent gaming convention in Las Vegas, and by the time you read this article the game will be in your favorite casino. Like Stupak’s rocket, this game also reaches for the sky, and that’s why it reminded me of the story of Bob, his casino, his rocket, and his motto: The Sky’s The Limit!
Because there is so much to say about this great game, I will divide this article into two, beginning here with some of the main game descriptions, and continuing in the next issue with some more of the details.
Hit The Heights is a new game that is big in design and fun. Customized with a tower topper that stands out anywhere on the casino floor, the rocket-style theme and bonus features give you a complete interactive and entertaining experience. Hit The Heights incorporates two video wheel bonuses, one unique to the game, and a second Hit The Heights bonus common in all games.
When you enter the Hit The Heights bonus, you are prompted to touch the screen and launch rockets up to the video wheel in the top box. When the wheel is filled with possible prizes, it spins, shooting fireworks. As the wheel spins the dynamic prizes get bigger, and the higher you go up on the level at the top rocket. The number of times the wheel spins is random, increasing the anticipation of the win. If the fireworks stop on a credit prize, you win that prize. And if the firework stops on a Hit The Heights prize, you are awarded a mystery bonus prize based on the level you achieved in the top rocket. The game is a minimum of 35 credits (25 credits + 10 credit ante-bet) to be eligible to win the Hit The Heights bonus feature, or another wheel bonus feature unique to each base game.
Hit The Heights is powered by Aristocrat’s GEN7™ platform, housed in Aristocrat’s award-winning VIRIDIAN™ cabinet and comes with choice of four base games: Jungle Beat™, Space King™, Wild Ned™ and Wish Big™. I will write more about these four games in the next issue.
Hit the Heights Wheel Feature
This feature can be triggered with any bought game, and won at random on any of the 4 Hit The Heights base games. When you begin, you first shoot the fireworks, as I described earlier. When the wheel fills up with prizes, it spins. The longer it spins, the bigger the prizes get. The top tower of prizes displays 6 different Firework bonus prizes, and the higher up the tower you are able to get, the greater the bonus prize will be. You can also win either a credit prize, OR trigger a Hit the Heights Firework Bonus prize.
I will write more about this game – and the world of the great new slots – in future issues.
More on this great game in next month’s issue.
Big News!
I am pleased to announce that I am writing a new book on slots. It will be available about April 2010. I will have more information here in this column in the coming issues. Stay tuned!
http://www.accessvegas.com/gambling/hit-the-heights
‘Legendary Ladies of Rock & Roll’ Gore, Alston Reeves and March to Play The Orleans Showroom 7/24-25
Music icons Lesley Gore, Shirley Alston Reeves and “Little” Peggy March, Legendary Ladies of Rock & Roll, will perform their chart-topping songs on The Orleans Showroom stage July 24 and 25, each evening at 8 p.m.
The good news is, he isn’t going far.
The rotund comic – one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet – will disappear from the castle-like casino on Aug. 1 and, like magic, re-appear at the Bonkerz Comedy Club inside Palace Station the first week in September.
“I have truly enjoyed my time with Excalibur and am grateful for the opportunity that MGM MIRAGE and SPI Entertainment have given me,” said Anderson in a prepared statement. “I will miss all of my friends at Excalibur and will leave a lot of great memories behind. I look forward to the future and to concentrating on some new projects that are near and dear to my heart.”
Anderson began at Excalibur on Valentine’s Day 2006.
In between dates headlining in “Larger Than Life,” he has helped start “Stand-Up Boot Camp” with co-founder comedian Kyle Cease. The two men have been holding interactive seminars across the country to help mentor aspiring comics in everything from presentation to career advice.
Excalibur President and Chief Operating Officer Felix Rappaport said, “Louie is one of the best and most recognizable comedians in the world and we will certainly miss him. He has been headlining on The Strip for more than 25 years. We certainly wish him well with his future endeavors and know that he will find continued success.”
Adam Steck, producer of SPI Entertainment, said, “It has been an honor to work with a comedy icon. Louie Anderson has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met and he has been a pleasure to work with over all this time.”
Joe Sanfelippo, who owns the Bonkerz Comedy Club chain, says Anderson will be the resident headliner at the Vegas venue.
When Louis is away, other comedians will play the 250-seat club.
The numbers are in for April 2010 and things are looking up (a little) for Las Vegas, which may mean things are looking down for people who go there.The number of people coming to the city was up for the month, the eighth consecutive increase. It was less than 1% but an increase is an increase. For 2010 so far it’s about a 1.3% rise, which is anemic especially considering the fact that this is in comparison to 2009 numbers, which were down significantly from earlier in the decade.
Hotel occupancy rates are up also, meaning that fewer of the rooms are sitting empty, even with the addition of several thousand at Aria Las Vegas and the rest of the CityCenter properties.
Here’s where the bad news comes for you: The more people there are the more hotels will charge for their rooms, so the average daily rate has increased by 3% over last year at just under $100 (this is city-wide, not just The Strip). Rooms are still cheaper than they have been in a long time but things are creeping up slowly.
But more people doesn’t necessarily mean more money for Vegas in the long run. Tourists are spending less on just about everything especially gambling. Both the money wagered and the money kept by the casinos is down, although by less then they have been over the last year or so.
All of this is to say that there are signs that the worst of the economic crisis may be behind Las Vegas but it could be years before the city returns to the tourism and revenue numbers it enjoyed before.
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Brad Garrett in ‘control’ of his new comedy club.
A celebrity can lend his name to a club or restaurant without day-to-day involvement, but Brad Garrett says that won’t happen with his new comedy club at the Tropicana.
Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club opens June 28, in the space for years occupied by The Comedy Stop. Garrett will headline through July 4, then perform at least 12 more billed dates as headliner during the year.
More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/brad-garrett-in–_x91-control-_x92–of-his-new-comedy-club-96546709.html
“Greg London’s Icons” BY Mike Weatherford/Las Vegas Review Journal.
Greg London was a big fish in a small pond, specifically Harrah’s Reno, where he performed for two and a half years until November. The first two were strong but “obviously with the recession, last year it got really different,” says the singing impressionist.
“Greg London’s Icons” instead opens today in the Mardi Gras Showroom at the Riviera, the upstairs venue best known for its long run of “An Evening at La Cage.”
More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/brad-garrett-in–_x91-control-_x92–of-his-new-comedy-club-96546709.html
Article follows the Brad Garrett story.
MGM responding to online reviewers’ criticism of Aria.
Taking comments seriously, MGM making an effort to improve service. BY: Liz Benston/ Las Vegas Sun.
Shortly after CityCenter’s Aria opened in late December, a rash of bad reviews of the five-star resort went worldwide on Tripadvisor.com.
That travel information website has rapidly become required reading for hotel managers across the country. It ranks hotels according to customer ratings that accompany anonymous reviews and gave Aria a 62 percent satisfaction rating, behind many low-frills properties around town, including The Orleans, the Eastside Cannery and the proudly down-market Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall.
“A train wreck,” one review began. “A disaster of a place,” another said.
More from The Las Vegas Sun here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/17/online-reviewers-nd-flaws-aria-taking-comments-ser/
A strange little indie movie house.
Spending a day at the Hilton’s Giordano Theatre. BY: Josh Bell/Las Vegas Sun.
At 10:45 a.m. on the Sunday before Memorial Day, Angelo Giordano sits outside his namesake screening room, ready to welcome customers to the Giordano Theatre. Unfortunately, this morning’s only customer is me, about to embark on a full day of movies via Giordano’s $30 day-pass offering, just one of a number of unique qualities about this strange boutique theater tucked away on the second floor of the Las Vegas Hilton’s showroom.
More from The Las Vegas Sun here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/06/strange-little-indie-movie-house/
NORM: Employees get tested for drugs. From: The Las Vegas Review Journal.
The move comes less than a month after the Hard Rock hired a new president and CEO, Joseph Magliarditi.
More from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/employees-get-tested-for-drugs-96780474.html
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Shows recall Vegas of old. From The Las Vegas Review Journal.
Remember the old Vegas? Some still miss it, even if they are not the people in line for the Encore Beach Club. But the summer show scene is taking a look at the Strip through a rear-view mirror.
Old Vegas by design: Friday saw the soft opening of “Vegas! The Show” in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort.
More from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/shows-recall-vegas-of-old-96747389.html
NORM: Two decades of fun, swordplay marked. From The Las Vegas Review Journal.
Billy Werk has seen his share of wild knights during the 20-year run of the “Tournament of Kings” at Excalibur.
Rowdy fans of the medieval extravaganza often show up in period costumes, Werk said, “but the craziest night was the bachelor party when all of them dressed as super heroes.”
More from The Lvrj here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/two-decades-of-fun–swordplay-marked-96713144.html
Heidi’s Picks BY Heidi Knapp Rinella/Las Vegas Review Journal.
The picks this week are:
MACAYO’S
McCORMICK & SCHMICK’S
SINATRA
SMASHBURGER
You can read the mini reviews from The LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/eats-of-the-week-96639279.html
SHOW REVIEW: ‘Sgt. Pepper Live’ and Don Barnhart. BY Mike Weatherford from The Las Vegas Review Journal.
Cheap Trick makes it a Beatles holiday on the Strip while a comedy club hopes to hypnotize locals through a slow stretch.
Take a friend or three if you plan to see comedy-hypnotist Don Barnhart, and make sure someone wants to go up and volunteer. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long, hot summer at Bonkerz comedy club, where Barnhart is stationed through July 3.
The entire article from The LVRJ can be read here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/-_x93-sgt_-pepper-live-_x94–and-don-barnhart-96637974.html
Bellagio exhibit takes ‘Survey of the Human Form’ BY Steve Bornfield/Las Vegas Review Journal.
“Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form”
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (through Jan. 9)
The entire article from The LVRJ can be read here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/bellagio-exhibit-takes–_x91-survey-of-the-human-form-_x92–96637999.html
In The Mix.
Stunning views, stellar vibe from TheHotel’s 64th floor.By Jack Houston/Las Vegas Magazine.
Only nine of us in this world know what it’s like to have stepped on the surface of the moon. The rest of us can dream, or watch movies, or elevate ourselves as far as we can go without blasting off. Mix inside TheHotel at Mandalay Bay takes you higher than most and satisfies the nocturnal thirst better than Tang ever could, with an out-of-this-world view, or at least a view of this out-of-this-world city.
Hovering 64 floors above the Strip, the Mix lounge is the entrée to chef Alain Ducasse’s award-winning restaurant but also makes a damn fine night of it on its own. Stepping off the elevator, the focal point of the room is an organic, two-story moon rock that sits in the center of a circular bar. Seating is plentiful, with dark brown faux leather banquettes and glowing orange tabletops emitting a decidedly swank vibe.
Step outside for a dynamite view of the city from vantage points on both sides of the lounge. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels give everyone, from people at the bar to night owls perched on the outdoor patio, unparalleled sights from the south end of the Strip.
The lounge regularly welcomes some of the top local and visiting DJs, including DJ Frankie 808 and DJ P-Nut, spinning top 40, hip-hop and house.
With its head in the stars and its feet on the desert floor, Mix offers the best of both worlds, from the top of one of them.
http://lasvegasmagazine.com/2010/06/19/in-the-mix/
Magical Miracles. By Kiko Miyasato/Las Vegas Magazine.
I was sitting front row, dead center. David Copperfield was just an arm’s length away from me. He looked out into the audience and asked for everyone to raise their right hand. I raised my left. He looked down at me, caught my mishap, smirked at me and then smiled. Wow, I just had a playful exchange with David Copperfield! And that’s how his show is—he engages the audience, makes you laugh, gets you riled up and makes you smile. But, the biggest reaction he garners from the audience is awe.
To be seated in an intimate showroom with the man whom millions of people watched on the television as he walked through the Great Wall of China or made the Statue of Liberty disappear is somewhat surreal. But the smaller setting does not dwarf his persona. In fact his illusions are still grand, the magic just as incredible, and you get the added bonus of being just feet away from one of the world’s greatest magicians.
His sleight-of-hand tricks confound the mind. How did he get that woman’s wedding ring tied to a baby’s shoe sitting in his back pocket? How is he levitating that piece of tissue paper over that audience member’s hand? Ambitious illusions get equal time, too. He compacts all six-feet of himself into a small box, walks through a steel blade fan and makes a Lincoln convertible appear onstage.
MGM Grand, 7:30 & 10 p.m. June 24-Aug. 4; additional 4:30 p.m. show June 26, $69- $99.25.
http://lasvegasmagazine.com/2010/06/19/magical-miracles/
$1.2 billion in Fontainebleau construction permits pulled. BY Rich Velotta/Las Vegas Sun.
Some $1.2 billion in construction permits were pulled for the idled Fontainebleau casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip this month — but no one is saying if that means construction will actually resume anytime soon.
Clark County Development Services, the county office that tracks the issuance of building permits, reported last week that a company that acquired the Fontainebleau property on the Strip pulled 47 permits for projects at the development’s 2777 Las Vegas Blvd. South address.
More from The LV Sun here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/22/12-billion-fontainebleau-construction-permits-pull/
Strange magic.
Magician Steve Wyrick built a career on a so-so act. How did he get $54 million in debt? BY Rick Lax/Las Vegas Sun.
Steve Wyrick and I have a lot in common. Both of our dads wanted us to practice law, but both of us wanted to practice magic. We both watched David Copperfield on TV, and we both wanted to become the next David Copperfield.
The difference between us is this: Early on, I realized I wasn’t Copperfield-caliber material; Wyrick never did.
His failure to realize that cost him dearly. Specifically, it cost him $54 million — that’s how much debt he’s got, according to a May 17 bankruptcy filing.
Fifty-four million dollars in debt, $93,000 in assets.
More from The Las Vegas Sun here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/22/strange-magic/
California Hotel. BY Eileen Di Rocco/Gaming Today.
DOWNTOWN DELIGHTS: One of our favorite places downtown is the California Hotel. It was built by Boyd Gaming (BYD) in 1975 and is a delightful casino. It is bright and cheery with a definite relaxed island atmosphere since Boyd markets it, along with its sister property Main Street Station, mostly to Hawaii, and they get a great return for that effort.
We decided to stop at The Cal over the weekend, but opted to valet at Main Street Station because we wanted to take a look at some of the beautiful antiques in this casino fashioned after a late 19th or early 20th century train station. There are gorgeous stained glass windows, exquisite wooden doors, chandeliers, statues and more. (We hear there is also a piece of the Berlin Wall, but it’s located in a men’s restroom so we cannot confirm.)
After our little self-guided tour, we took the up escalator and headed toward the skywalk connecting Main Street to The Cal. Although skywalks are typically just a means to an end, this one houses the Golden Arm Wall of Fame.
The Golden Arm award in craps was created May 28, 1989 when Stanley Fujitake picked up the dice at the California Hotel and held them for an incredible three hours and six minutes, rolling the bones 118 times. Since then, anyone who holds the dice for more than an hour is awarded the Golden Arm. If someone repeats the feat they are upgraded to platinum status.
It’s impressive to see how many plaques are on the wall. The most recent award was given to Ed “Rocky” Hiraki of Honolulu on Feb. 5.
The Cal has long been known for its craps games and Saturday morning was no exception; there were two packed tables in full swing. If you want action this is the place.
We decided to have lunch at the coffee shop, the Market Street Café. As expected there are several Hawaiian menu options, but we went for a traditional soup and salad bar. For $6.95 we got all the soup and salad we could eat. Now that’s a bargain, especially when you realize the salad bar includes shaved salmon, shrimp and crab salad, and sushi, along with traditional salad fixings.
Everything on the salad bar was fresh, our corn chowder was delicious and the service was excellent. We love this place!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nagim “Moose” Moosa, who turned 89 last week. Moose, a top-notch handicapper from New Orleans, used to have a second home at the Fair Grounds racetrack. But after hurricane Katrina he relocated to the suburbs and now the OTB parlor in Kenner is more convenient.
In addition to betting horses, Moose loves to have fun. When he came to Vegas a few years ago, he was quite the partier and we definitely had trouble keeping up with him.
When asked by some of his friends recently when he was going to grow up he replied, “Never, I’m having too much fun!”
FRENCH TOAST? While walking down Fremont Street we noticed a sign outside Mermaid’s Casino, a small hole-in-the-wall joint. It boasted of “Deep Fried Twinkies” and “Deep Fried Oreos.” We definitely intended to walk right by since the thought alone was enough to put our stomach in distress, but Ron had other ideas. So we waited patiently while he went in to order and came out with his prized Twinkie.
We watched dubiously as the confection disappeared in three quick bites, leaving just a trace of powdered sugar on the corner of his mouth.
How was it?
“Delicious!” Ron bragged, “It kind of tastes like French toast. Really good!”
See you around town.
AROMA THERAPY? While walking toward the entrance of an off-Strip casino recently we were hit with the aroma of sandalwood (at least that’s what it smelled like to us) about 100 feet from the door. As we got closer the scent got stronger, and when we entered the casino it was almost overpowering. By the time we left, less than 30 minutes later, we had a splitting headache, which cleared up quickly in the fresh outdoor air.
Several employees, when asked, suggested the smell was being used to cover the odor of cigarette smoke.
While we’re all for getting rid of cigarette smells, we know a number of casinos who seem to manage the problem quite well without the use of added odors. Maybe a little less sandalwood and a little more fresh air would do the trick.
CUTTING EDGE: Harrah’s has always been a leader when it comes to new technology. A recent guest at one of their properties was asked by a floor manager if she and her spouse would like a drink. They replied yes and placed an order, which the manager quickly typed into an iTouch pad. In just a few nano seconds the bartender on the other side of the casino had the request and mixed the drinks, which were promptly delivered by a cocktail waitress.
“Very cool,” said the guest.
See you around town.
http://gamingtoday.com/articles/article/26271-California_Hotel
Slots slump. BY David Stratton?Gaming Today.
Can hi-tech games turn it around?
Even though Nevada casinos have posted modest gains in gaming revenue this year, slot machine play continues to decline.
For the first four months of 2010, Nevada casinos raked in $3.552 billion, about 1 percent more than they won during the same period last year.
However, slot machine revenue declined 5.5 percent, from $2.382 billion a year ago to $2.252 billion in 2010.
Moreover, slot machines’ share of total gaming revenue continues to shrink. Last year, Nevada slots accounted for 67.7 percent of all gaming revenues in the first four months of 2009, compared to 63.5 percent this year.
So, why are slots seemingly losing their appeal?
Some slot manufacturers suggest that casinos are in dire need of new and more innovative machines, which could stimulate play.
A recent poll by Wall Street investment firm Goldman Sachs found that nearly 43 percent of U.S. casinos devote at least half their floors to slot machines that are at least five years old, which by manufacturers’ standards are out-of-date.
“Floors are due to be updated, but may not be until more capital is available or there is a technological reason to do so,” Goldman Sachs analyst Steven Kent wrote in the firm’s annual survey of casino slot managers.
Kent said that the last time slot floors were this old was in 2001, just before a three-year period of upgrades, fueled mostly by the advent of ticket-in, ticket-out technology.
He added, however, that just a small number of casinos will be replacing older slots this year.
But are the newest, technology-driven slots the answer casinos are looking for?
WMS Gaming, a cutting-edge manufacturer of electronic gaming machines, believes they are. “As technology continues to proliferate, it will make robust content offerings available everywhere,” said Rob Bone, WMS Gaming’s vice president of marketing. “Operators must use technology in unique ways to create competitive advantages.
“Active gamblers will elect to bypass the ‘easily accessible’ offerings to get those that are new and different,” Bone continued. “By spotlighting innovation – Community Gaming, Transmissive Reels Gaming, Sensory Immersion Gaming and Adaptive Gaming, alongside networked technology, for example – operators will deliver more exciting and relevant gaming experiences.”
Manufacturers such as WMS Gaming are betting that high-tech innovations will attract younger slot players, members of the so-called Generations X and Y.
“As they age and gain more disposable income, this audience of ‘Millenials’ will become a much more attainable and profitable market,” Bone said. “Having grown up with video games, the Internet and large-screen home entertainment, the next generation of players will bring new and considerably different technology and entertainment preferences to gaming, including experiences enhanced by interactive platforms, cutting-edge visuals and audio systems.”
Even if the “millenials” represent the next generation of slot players, they are still in the minority. According to WMS Gaming’s own Active Gambler Profile Survey, 70 percent of active gamblers are “Baby Boomers” and older.
That would make the majority of gamblers aged 45 and older.
“The players who have most of the disposable income still continue to be between 50 and 75 years old,” gaming expert Victor Royer wrote in an article for Casino Enterprise Management. “Generally, these older gamers enjoy games and themes that are familiar to them.”
Royer said that, for the most part, high-tech innovations can create interest in new machines, but “traditional” slots will be the ones that receive continued and loyal followings.
“While everybody is interested in video gaming experiences, the old ‘pull the handle and see what happens’ spinning reel machines still offer the kind of excitement that players look for – and come to expect – from any casino they visit,” Royer said.
Royer said slot players are still looking for some of the thrills that are now part of the great old casino lore.
“Overall, the current trends among players appear to be a demand for fewer gimmicks, more adult themes, bigger bang for the buck, recognition that slots are gambling machines and not entertainment consoles, and a definite sense of nostalgia,” he said. “(They want) to recapture some of the great excitement of the old-style casinos.”
http://gamingtoday.com/articles/article/26260-Slots_slump
Nightlife In The Afternoon. From Whats-On Magazine.
When you’ve been partying on a Saturday night in Las Vegas, what better way to keep up your energy (or at least begin your recovery) than with a vibrant Sunday brunch of food, fun and cocktails?
Decorated in bright pink and purple, with pulsating tunes and servers in colorful, skintight bustiers and fluffy tutus—giving a sexy, funhouse quality to the festivities—Nove Italiano inside the Palms becomes a playful dayclub with haute cuisine known as High Society.
With food served buffet-style, allowing guests the chance to mingle, High Society offers a wealth of breakfast and lunch samplings, including fresh fruit, Italian sausage and pepper hash; crispy pancetta and chicken apple sausage; poached eggs served with crab cake, spinach and béarnaise sauce on ciabatta and drizzled with a Hollandaise sauce; pizzas with all of your favorite toppings; and Panini sandwiches, as well as sweet pastries, cake and mini desserts. There is also a frittata station, which guests can customize to their own taste.
And no party atmosphere would be complete without a variety of specialty cocktails (priced separately from the brunch menu). The Pimmp’s Cup is made with Pimm’s Hendrick’s gin, cucumber, mint, strawberries and apple gastrique; the Mango Mary is a twist on the Bloody Mary with Absolut mango and fresh lime; and a selection of peach, strawberry-passion fruit or mango bellini’s provide a fruit-filled treat for thirsty diners.
High Society | Sun., from 1 p.m. | $30 | Nove Italiano, Palms | 702-942-6800
http://whats-on.com/nightlife/nightlife-afternoon
Bigger Dreams, Bigger Tigers. BY Natalie Symes/ What’s-On Magazine.
Impossibly tall with Sinatra-blue eyes and an engaging, “aw, shucks” persona, Rick Thomas stands alone as the Strip’s last big cat magician.
Though he works with birds as well as Siberian tigers (the world’s largest subspecies of the breed) and traditional orange Bengal tigers, Thomas is probably best known for his use of white Bengals in his act, which he raises alongside his other cats from birth in a special habitat.
The seasoned illusionist, who has been performing as a ballroom dancer and magician since he was just a kid, has been a fixture in Las Vegas since he started performing in Sin City nearly 15 years ago. Thomas has commanded stages on and off the Strip—from The Orleans to the old Stardust—and now his show, The Magic and Tigers of Rick Thomas, is nearing its first anniversary at the Sahara.
In the intimate Sahara Theater, which also houses impersonator production Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show (daily, 5 p.m.) and The Comedy Stop (daily, 9 p.m.), Thomas makes magic nightly at 7 p.m. The theater’s size works for Thomas, heightening the audience’s experience of the show by magnifying how close the magician’s mammoth tigers are to the crowd, especially when they roam free for small portions of the show. The theater also works to facilitate a good rapport between Thomas and the audience. Between each trick Thomas pauses to speak to the crowd, segue between tricks and pluck assistants from the audience—a feat easily managed because they’re seated so near the stage.
In fact, the aspect of the show that sets Thomas’ show apart from other magic shows with animal sidekicks is, surprisingly, not the tricks—though they are just as impressive as you might imagine. No, the best part of the show is Thomas himself and the way he easily interacts with his audience.
At multiple points during the show, Thomas calls upon various members of the audience to join him onstage and become a part of his act. And while some of his would-be partners are less than eager at first, Thomas is easily able to convince the shy guys and girls to step onto the stage in front of the packed house, quipping and joking to set them at ease.
Kids are the star assistants for many of Thomas’ best tricks. A young boy joins him for a lesson in magic during one trick where Thomas teaches the youngster how to balance a broom (the first trick Thomas learned) and then allows him to take credit for a trick that leaves one of Thomas’ bedazzled, striking assistants levitating in the middle of the stage.
Another audience favorite is Thomas’ shrinking cat trick, which he explains as a solution for how he’s avoided the big luggage fees associated with touring and flying his sizeable tigers along with him. The trick is a mind-boggler that transforms Thomas’ oldest white tiger, the venerable Samson, into an adorable housecat wearing a white tiger suit.
The running theme of Thomas’ show is, at the core, about following one’s dreams and he reminds the audience often that the key to happiness lies in being true to yourself and dreaming your future into existence. Coming from anyone else the suggestions might come off as a little saccharine, but it’s an easy lesson to learn from Thomas who is clearly the successful product of his own good advice.
The Magic and Tigers of Rick Thomas | nightly, 7 p.m. | children 12 and under, $19.95; $39.95; $49.95 VIP Tiger Encounter includes poster and post-show photo opportunity with tigers | Sahara Theater, Sahara | 866-830-0287.
http://whats-on.com/onstage/big-dreams-bigger-tigers
Updated Review: Planet Hollywood. BY Rick Garman.
When the bankrupt Aladdin was purchased by the twice bankrupt Planet Hollywood restaurant chain people, like me, rolled their eyes. When that company promised big changes that would totally revamp the hotel and make it competitive with more luxurious and trendy offerings in town people, like me, had a hard time not laughing out loud. As years went by without much happening people, like me, shook our heads and figured that nothing would ever happen and if it did it would be a major disappointment.
I am very happy to admit when I’m wrong and in the case of Planet Hollywood, boy oh boy was I wrong. Well, mostly wrong. The fact that the hotel went bankrupt again and was purchased by Harrah’s Entertainment in 2010 doesn’t really change the fact that they did things right when they revamped the place.
Eschewing the kind of over-the-top Tinseltown idolization that puts their restaurants in theme park territory, the look and feel of Planet Hollywood is upscale and modern, at times even dramatic, and a vast improvement over the Arabian Nights detail of the past. Dark woods line the walls of the casino and act as accents to the vibrant colors and warm lighting details, infusing the entire space with an air of classy energy. Notice the support columns – all gauzy cream fabrics, backlit to give them a healthy glow, and then offset by iron and ebony stained wood. It is design details like this that set this gaming space apart from ones that focus more on the games themselves than what surrounds them.
Even the slot carousels have been turned into works of art, many of which topped with eye-catching sculptures and flat panel televisions. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the gaudy “Quartermania” type slot toppers that adorn most rows of one-armed bandits.
The casino floor is well laid out, with plenty of space between machines and tables and they kept the soaring 100-foot high ceilings so the claustrophobia level is near zero.
All of the usual slot machines are offered in the main casino along with all of the popular table games. In addition there is a poker room and a race and sports book in you are so inclined.
I have done very, very well at this casino, which doesn’t necessarily mean you will also. You could say that it makes me more inclined to like a casino and you’re right. Winning money makes me happy, sue me.
With the transfer to Harrah’s Entertainment, the casino is now a part of their very popular Total Rewards players club program so you can earn and use points at any of their hotels such as Caesars Palace and Paris Las Vegas to name a couple.
A mezzanine level surround the casino and features several restaurants, a theater, a wedding chapel, and a spa.
Back down on the main floor are several bars and lounges including one with the “eXtra” entertainment television show branding. It features live remotes for the show whenever special occasions happen at the hotel.
There are plenty of places to eat. Restaurants include the popular coffee shop style Planet Dailies; a branch of the Chinese favorite PF Chang’s; a tremendous steakhouse, the bordello themed Strip House; the Asian inspired Koi; and the Earl of Sandwich, a deli-style concept from the descendents of the guy that first put meat between two slices of bread about 400 years ago; and more. Out front along The Strip are even more eateries including the Las Vegas branch of the famed Pink’s Hot Dogs and Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina.
The locals’ favorite Spice Market Buffet, located on the lower level below the casino, is still in business and although it received a cosmetic overhaul, the new owners have wisely decided to leave everything else alone. It remains one of the best buffets on The Strip.
Also on that lower level is the lobby area done with sleek marble and a color-changing backdrop behind the check-in desk plus stunning draped chandeliers that resemble no less than a ’40s era ball gown.
The whole thing is surrounded by the Miracle Mile shopping mall featuring more than 100 boutiques, theaters, and more restaurants. It used to be fun when it was the Arabian themed Desert Passage, and although some of that detail work still exists, much of it was replaced by bland, sleek marble and white walls. Kinda boring. But there is an H&M, a Sephora, and a Bettie Page Boutique so who cares about the hallways?
When you book your stay, be sure to request an upgrade to the “Hollywood Hip” room. These are the remodeled accommodations, each of which features its own Hollywood theme, from movies like “Pulp Fiction” and “Die Hard” to music or television and beyond. Although there may be multiple “Pulp Fiction” rooms, each has its own set of glass-encased memorabilia meaning that no two of these rooms will be exactly the same.
So far I’ve seen a Judy Garland room, a “Blade” room (the Wesley Snipes vampire movies), and a “Universal Soldier” room (Jean Claude Van Damme). Whether you’re a fan of the particular subject or not, the memorabilia and photos are undeniably more interesting than yet another seascape watercolor or whatever is passing for high-end décor these days.
When you throw in the rest of the upgrades it becomes almost irresistible. Oversized headboards are covered in crushed velvet, chairs come in leather or suede, giant armoires contain flat-panel televisions and closets, and full-sized desks have high-speed Internet hook-ups and dual line phones.
The bathrooms don’t get as much attention as the sleeping area but that’s okay – they were pretty good to begin with; spacious with plenty of marble, deep tubs, and separate shower stalls.
The more standard “Deluxe” rooms still contain the movie memorabilia and the nice beds, but the furnishings aren’t quite as luxe as the “Hip” rooms so if the price differential isn’t too great for you go for upgrade.
New as of late 2009 is the PH Tower, a separate building located along Harmon Avenue on the south side of the complex. Built as a time share, most of the rooms are rentable as hotel accommodations and they are quite swank. Done in bold red, white, and black decor with more Hollywood touches, the rooms are big, comfortable, and undeniably modern. Check out the projectors that will broadcast the TV on the blackout shades – cool! Each comes with a litany of standard features that includes a kitchenette.
Downstairs in this tower is a separate lobby, all marble and multi-hued lights that change color, a lobby bar, its own pool with a cafe, a fitness center, and its own valet parking.
There were only two complaints I could come up with about the resort as a whole, and they are both fairly minor. The window shades in the older part of the hotel don’t do a very good job of blocking out the bright desert sun and when you check in, be sure to ask for a room away from the elevators; they can be noisy if you are right next to them, but even two or three doors down is fine.
And as far as the overall hotel, there was only one serious thing that I could find wrong with it – the parking situation. The main valet parking service was a disaster every time I drove past, with lines and waits that are simply unacceptable. Try the PH Towers valet, which offers significantly shorter lines but will mean more of a walk to the main hotel tower.
And unfortunately self-parking is not much better. The garage is located at the back of the property and requires a very, very long walk through a crowded shopping mall to get to the front desk. If you’re toting luggage it isn’t fun. A solution here is if you stay at the PH Towers the parking garage is much closer.
So how much is all of this newfound glory going to cost you? I am seeing rates as low as $79 during the week and $149 on the weekend for the standard Deluxe rooms, although $150-250 weekdays and $180-$300 for the weekends is more common. The Hollywood Hip rooms are running about $40 more per night with similar costs for the PH Tower. Those kinds of rates are more expensive than I had hoped to see here but are very competitive with similar hotels on The Strip, especially for what they are offering.
Service has been fantastic every time I’ve visited, especially in the casino where the dealers and slot attendants are extremely friendly.
Although not as wildly over-the-top as past Las Vegas hotels, Planet Hollywood does the best job in recent memory of balancing an upscale ethos with a fun and funky atmosphere. Instead of the bland luxury preferred by most new hotels on The Strip, this one does luxury without getting all serious about it.
Planet Hollywood
3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
877-333-WISH
STOPPED IN LAS VEGAS: Rocker arrested on DUI charge.
The prime-time show was shot at the Las Vegas Hilton and heralded performances by the casts of “KA,” “Jersey Boys” and “The Lion King,” the Blue Man Group and Marie Osmond — with presentations from Wayne Brady and David Copperfield, plus video of Garth Brooks, Cher, Donny Osmond and even Don Rickles, who got a plug for playing The Orleans.
More from THE LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/and-the-winner-is—–las-vegas-97289259.html
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Medieval show marks milestone. From: The Las Vegas Review Journal.
Walk the Excalibur’s main floor on a Friday night and casino dancing girls gyrate to Nelly’s “Hot N Herre” across from a place called Dick’s Last Resort, where grown-ups, not kids, wear wacky party hats.
But down in the basement? A midway arcade still bombards you with bells and buzzers before you enter a 900-seat arena to find a flurry of hoofs, “Huzzah!”s and knightly jousting in “Tournament of Kings.”
More from THE LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/medieval-show-marks-milestone-97255339.html
Producer says ‘Vegas! The Show’ is highlight of his career. BY: Mike Weatherford/Las Vegas Review Journal.
Probably a coincidence, but the band rehearsing onstage does play the Rat Pack anthem “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” just as David Saxe escorts visitors across the stage to take a mindful seat in the audience.
Saxe is chairman of this board, and his Vegas bona fides are inscrutable.
More from THE LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/producer-says–vegas–the-show–is-highlight-of-his-career-97140909.html
Saxe debuts “Vegas!” BY: John Katsliomentes/Las Vegas Sun.
“Vegas! The Show” opened at Saxe Theater on Saturday. The still-in-development show was performed twice, at 7 p.m. and later — much later — at 10 p.m. (9 p.m. was the scheduled start). Producer David Saxe says he is exhausted, mentally and physically, after pulling a series of 20-hour workdays to bring the show to the stage at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. The exhaustion is evident. Saxe looked like he was about to drop from pure fatigue at Saturday’s after-party, but he did present the cast with gift certificates for massages. They will need a good rubdown after the manic run-up to this spectacle.
Full-scale reviews will come later, but what can be said is this is one of the more ambitious productions I’ve covered in Las Vegas. Saxe has poured his heart — and resources — into this dream of a show. It’s a sprint — the sets were being painted even up to opening curtain, and the show is not nearly what it will be in a couple of months.
The history-of-Vegas variety production is sprinkled with names familiar on the local entertainment scene. Former Danny Gans bandleader Pat Caddick and Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns front man Jerry Lopez (whom we’ve covered extensively) are directing the production’s 11-piece band. Reva Rice, late of “Menopause The Musical” and who understudied Lady of the Lake in “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” is a featured vocalist, as is a woman we’ve I’ve recently interviewed, Trina Johnson-Finn. Two of the featured dancers are both late of “Peepshow,” Tara Palsha and Carolyn Price (Palsha was also for years a member of the “Fantasy” cast at Luxor, and Price was also backing dancer for Brady at the Venetian).
That’s just a sampling of the entertainers Saxe has recruited. He’s not going on the cheap, that’s for sure.
Saxe is a Vegas native whose father, Richard, was once bandleader for the Rat Pack. His mother, Bonnie, danced for “Folies Bergere.” As expected, the show borrows from those iconic acts, and from Elvis and Tom Jones and Wayne Newton. He uses Neon Boneyard signs in the set and embraces Vegas in all its grace and even kitsch. It’s an obvious, grassroots counter attack against what Saxe says is the over-”Cirque-ification” of Vegas. We’ll see how the city, especially those who visit, respond to this sample platter of Vegas history.
Gilley’s a laid-back club where patrons can take a spin on the mechanical bull. BY: Sonja Padgett/Las Vegas Review Journal.
It’s not unusual for bull to be the center of a Vegas nightclub, not when club-goers try their best to impress.
But Gilley’s Saloon and Dancehall takes that concept to a literal level with the club’s $100,000 mechanical bull that beckons patrons to try their hand at taming the untamable beast.
More from THE LVRJ here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/going-for-a-ride-97140934.html
Heidi’s Picks. BY: Heidi Knap Rinella from The Las Vegas Review Journal.
The musical legacy of The Beatles celebrated nightly by Cirque du Soleil’s Love at The Mirage marks its fourth anniversary tomorrow. To commemorate the milestone, four cast members traveled to Niagara Falls on Sunday to join Ringo Starr at the launch of his upcoming North American concert tour and were photographed by legendary music photographer Rob Shanahan.
A quote from Ringo, featured in the Grammy-winning documentary All Together Now, explains the catalyst that Cirque director Dominic Champagne used in creating Love with the premise of “four”: “When you hear that (Beatles’) music, there’s always four people. Doesn’t matter that only Paul and I are sitting here. There’s still four people. There are only two of us now, but in spirit there’s four of us.”
You can see and hear Ringo’s explanation in this YouTube interview with the longtime Beatles drummer:
Many of Love’s most notable characters come in groups of four, including the Nowhere Men, Kids of Liverpool, Skaters, Nurses, Bungee Couples, Comets, Crinyls and Gopis. The technical design of Love also was created with four in mind: trampolines, traps onstage, giant balloons, scrims, elevators in the theater and automation control boards.
The basis of four prevailed throughout the creation of Love, so when it came time to choose a name for the show, affection, pleasure, attraction, tenderness and desire seemed to be a recurring message in The Beatles’ music. Coincidentally, these elements were all expressed in just four letters, L-O-V-E. The Love album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in November 2006.
Love premiered to rave reviews at The Mirage on June 30, 2006, and has been seen by more than 3.5 million people. Cirque’s next joint artistic venture is two shows it intends to produce with the Michael Jackson trustees, one a residency show here in Las Vegas and the second a worldwide touring show launching at Mandalay Bay Events Center. It will play there until the world tour and residency show commence.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/29/emloveem-celebrates-fourth-anniversary-mirage-ring/
Masked Phantom fans set record at musical’s fourth anniversary. BY: Robin Leach/Las Vegas Sun.
As Phantom — the Las Vegas Spectacular starts its fifth successful year at The Venetian, the hit musical spectacular is sailing along as strong as ever and hasn’t lost one iota of its extraordinary appeal. The cast is fantastic, and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s story is a timeless wonder of torn love. The majestic music will continue to play for years to come. It’s little wonder that there was a standing ovation last night once again.
To mark its fourth anniversary last night, the audience of the 1,800-seat theater was given masks at the end of the show to become Angels of Music. For one record-breaking moment, it was the largest gathering of Phantoms ever in one place. Photographer Denise Truscello and a video crew captured and memorialized it for the Phantom Web site and its Facebook pages as of this morning — and now here at VegasDeLuxe.com, too.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jun/25/masked-emphantomem-fans-set-record-musicals-fourth/
Las Vegas Top Ten Values. July 2010 from The Las Vegas Advisor.
1. Room Rates – Hooters et al. – - $19 and up
It’s July. And while room rates in general are edging up ever so slightly, every July yields rates that qualify for #1 Top Ten status. Get the all the details in our annual July room-rate survey in Couponomy.
2. Steak Dinner – Ellis Island – 24 hours – $6.95
The complete steak dinner at Ellis Island is the best-value meal deal in a city full of good-value meal deals. It’s a 10-ounce filet-cut sirloin, which comes with salad, garlic green beans, choice of potato, and fresh microbrewed beer, all for $6.95.
3. Happy Hour – Forum Shops Palm Restaurant – Mon.-Fri. – $1-$3.50
The incredible happy hour at the Palm restaurant in the Forum Shops stays in the #3 spot. This could be the best happy hour in Las Vegas, with some of the best appetizers on the Strip available for $1 to $3.50 during convenient hours (4:30-6:30 pm and 9:30 till closing) Monday through Friday.
4. Dollar Days – Sahara – Daily – $1
At the Sahara’s “Dollar Days” (#4), get beers, shots with a souvenir glass, and hot dogs for $1, along with $1-minimum blackjack, in the back of the casino near the NASCAR Café.
5. Buffet – M Resort – Daily – $14.95-$29.95
The Studio B Buffet at M Resort went through another little tweak in pricing a few months ago, for the better. The all-day $29.95 seafood price on Fridays has been rolled up to dinner only, which means Friday lunch is just $14.95, same as Monday-Thursday. Since it’s a good bet that at least some of the weekend seafood extras will be mixed into the Thank God Its Friday lunch, that might be the ideal time to go. And don’t forget that the Member Rewards Book has a 2-for-1 coupon good for all meals at the M buffet.
6. Pizza & Pitcher – Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel – Daily – $10
The pizza & beer deal in Benny’s Bullpen at Binion’s consists of an extra-large 16-inch pizza and a big 60-ounce pitcher of beer, providing enough pie and suds to feed four, and the tab is just $10. We’ve gotten nothing but glowing reviews on this one and it’s good to see Binion’s back in the Top Ten.
7. Beer – Todd English P.U.B, – Tuesday 9-midnight – 5¢
On Tuesdays from 9 pm till midnight, you can get 5¢ beers. Yes, you read that right. No, that’s not a typo. Beers for a plug nickel. And they’re not at some dive bar that only Anthony Curtis could love. Rather, these eight-ounce cups of Pabst Blue Ribbon are served up in the new Todd English P.U.B. in the Crystals mall at CityCenter! Bring a quarter and drink all night.
8. Dinner Show – Fitzgeralds – Nightly – $29.95
“Feast of Laughter” at Fitzgeralds (#8) is a show and dinner for $29.95; the deal works out to $3 off the best price of the Fitz of Laughter with Kevin Burke show and a good steak dinner thrown in. Don’t forget about the $5 LVA discount that you get by using the promo code ADVISOR when you call 702/388-2111 or book online at tickets.fitzgeraldslasvegas.com (dropping the price to $24.95).
9. Prime Rib – South Point – 24 hours – $12.95
We keep trying prime ribs, but we keep coming back to the big slab at South Point for the one-two combo of quality and price. It’s served 24 hours a day in the coffee shop, with your choice of soup or salad, potato, and rolls if you ask.
10. Zumantiy – New York-New York – Mondays – $50.95
New this month is a special deal on tickets to Zumanity that you can get only through us (you don’t have to be a subscriber). How special is it? It’s the lowest price we’ve ever seen on a Cirque du Soleil show: $79 for two. We’ve put it down at #10, because it’s on Mondays only in July, but we’re hoping this is the start of something big between LVA and Cirque. The total price for the two seats, including fees and taxes, is $101.90. Call to book at 866/606-7111 and mention the “Las Vegas Advisor” offer.
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/topten.cfm?IssueDate=7-1-10
Buffet Notes from The Las Vegas Advisor:
Defending the Caveman—Excalibur: As of June 25 the Fri & Sat show time will be 7 pm only. The 3 pm show time has been discontinued.
Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas—Imperial Palace: A $49.99 ticket has been added. Tickets are $49.99/$82.99/$93.99.
Gordie Brown—Golden Nugget: As of July 1 show times will be Fri-Tues, 8 pm instead of Tues-Sat, 7:30 pm.
Playboy Comedy—Palms Lounge: Show time for Thurs & Fri is now 9 pm instead of 10 pm.
Tournament of Kings—Excalibur: As of July 1 show times will be Tues & Thurs, 6 pm; Fri-Mon & Wed, 6 pm/8:30 pm instead of Mon-Thurs, 6 pm; Fri-Sun, 6 pm/8:30 pm.
Wayne Brady Making %@it Up—Venetian: Show is due to end July 5.
Zumanity—New York-New York: As of July 1 this show will be dark Wed & Thurs instead of Mon & Thurs and the 10:30 pm show time will be changed to 10 pm.
Every Thursday at 2 p.m., Variety Toast of the Town will feature well-known Las Vegas entertainers in a 75-minute variety show format. For the launch performance on June 24, special guest emcees Clint Holmes and Domenick Allen (Vocal Soup) will present an array of acts including the ladies of Menopause The Musical, Genevieve Dew and Mark Giovi of Ebony and Ivory, Lena Prima, the magic of Jason Andrews, Fifth Avenue and Leonardo and his Piano Follies’ Hit Parade Band.
Upcoming special guests for Variety Toast of the Town include Ronnie Rose from House of Blues Las Vegas, Mollie Tenant of Jubilee!, Tina Walsh from The Phantom of the Opera, Robin Vincent and The Swing City Dolls, George De Mott of Voce Vegas, Michael Laygo of Society of Seven, Teddy Davey of Las Vegas Tenors, Zowie Bowie and the comedy of Cork Proctor.
Musical director for Variety Toast of the Town is Bill Fayne and Philip Mathews is co-producer.
Little River Band - (3rd Street Stage) July 3 at 9 p.m.
Little River Band will perform a free concert as part of the “Summer of the ’70s” headliner schedule. Concertgoers will relive hits like “Lady,” “Lonesome Loser,” “Reminiscing” and “Cool Change.” Originating from Melbourne, Australia, Little River Band has sold over 25 million records, released 15 albums, and made 13 American Top 40 singles. Featuring Wayne Nelson, Greg Hind, Chris Marion, Rich Herring and Mel Watts, the group’s recent accolades include a 2004 induction into the Australian Industry Recording Association Hall of Fame.
Fireworks Show - (Skyline over Downtown) July 2 at 10:10 p.m.
Launching from the parking garage of the Golden Nugget, a grand fireworks display will please downtown visitors and the Las Vegas community alike. This free show will feature an array of fireworks exploding above the Golden Nugget.
Highway to Hell – AC/DC Tribute Band - (3rd Street Stage) June 29-July 2 and July 4. Three sets each night from 9 p.m. – midnight.
Highway to Hell, an AC/DC Tribute Band, will perform a marathon of free shows. A five-man group from Long Beach, Calif., the band will play a full AC/DC line-up, including the replicated vocals of both original lead singer Bon Scott and his successor, Brian Johnson, in megahits like “TNT,” “Dirty Deeds” and “Back in Black.” The band is featured in the upcoming documentary “Rock ‘N Roll Swap Meet,” which highlights the underground hardcore sound of the 2006 Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet. Portions of the proceeds from video sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
“Fremont Street Fever” – (1st Street Stage) Thursdays – Mondays at 9:15 p.m., 10:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
This original production is a 35-minute show full of high energy singing and dancing featuring the most popular disco songs of the ’70s with such hits as “Shake Your Groove Thing,” “Staying Alive” and “Funky Town.” Produced by Face Productions, this homage to the disco-era music of the ’70s has been dazzling audiences.
Viva Vision Schedule – 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
· 9 p.m. – “The Doors – Strange Days in Vegas”
· 10 p.m. – “A Tribute to Queen”
· 11 p.m. – “KISS Over Vegas”
· Midnight – “Signs of Life by John Van Hamersveld”
· 1 a.m. – “George Thorogood’s Bad To The Bone”
The music and culture from the decade of the 1970s is being featured in downtown Las Vegas this summer as Fremont Street Experience presents the “Summer of the ’70s” festival and free concert series. The 102-day promotion kicked off Memorial Day Weekend and runs through Labor Day Weekend. “Summer of the ’70s” is sponsored by Corona Extra, Corona Light, Cruzan Rum, Modelo especial, Sauza Tequila Hornitos and Stoli Vodka. There are beer and liquor drink specials available at all outdoor bars on Fremont Street Experience every night throughout the summer. For complete information on the lineup of headline concerts and nightly entertainment throughout the summer, visit www.vegasexperience.com to plan an experience that will take you back to the ’70s.
So you’re heading to your hotel from the airport but you want to save your cash for the slot machines instead of handing it over to the taxi drivers. Good news! Come this fall you should be able to pay for your cab with a credit card.
In addition to wracking up interest on your card for the purchase, the cabs will also tack on a $3 “processing fee” so suddenly that $15 ride from the airport has become $20.
The new systems will feature a card swiping device in the back that will allow you to charge your ride to your major credit or debit card. Contingency plans are being worked out that will allow the drivers to manually input the card if the devices fail or you can always pay with good old greenbacks.
Updated Review: Caesars Palace. BY: Rick Garman,
When Caesars opened in the 60’s it was THE place to see and be seen. Its audacious Roman Empire theme was great silly fun – the ultimate in tacky Las Vegas glamour.
For good or ill (depending on your point of view, I suppose), most of the kitschy glitz is gone due to ongoing facelifts and expansions. Don’t get me wrong, the look these days is truly elegant, light, and airy with expanses of marble and detail work done to continue the Roman theme. But Caesars really was the last place on The Strip where you could get a taste of old Las Vegas evoking images of the Rat Pack era.
Okay, I’m done complaining because once I get over those nostalgia pains Caesars is one of the most beautiful hotels in town. Inside and out you’ll find ornate columns, colonnades, statuary, paintings, and toga-clad models walking around to give you that perfect photo opportunity (okay, so they didn’t get rid of all the tacky stuff… Thank God!).
If you’re driving in, you’ll have plenty of time to admire the Caesars scenery as you hike from the parking garage to the registration desk. The fact that they don’t have sherpas standing by to help you make the ridiculously long trek through the casino laden down with luggage seems like a missed opportunity.
The lobby is huge and gorgeous, a rotunda with gleaming statuary and frescos. Even better, they have a single line check-in queue, eschewing the multi-line check-in that has become increasingly more popular for reasons that escape me.
The older rooms in the Forum Tower have gotten a rehab, turning them into simple but sleek charmers. Rooms in the Palace Tower (completed in ‘97) are more palatial – many have his and her baths connected by a dual shower stall. All are generously appointed and larger than average.
If you can, though, you should try to get a room in the Augustus Tower (completed in 2005). These giant 600 square-feet digs feature plush couches, a table and chairs, a writing desk, a sleek dark wood wall unit with a mini-bar, a flat panel television, and a bathroom big enough for the Gods complete with a whirlpool tub, separate shower, and plenty of marble. The beds are silly comfortable and the entire room gives you a feeling that you are staying someplace special.
And one other request you might want to ask for as you are checking in: try to get a room on the south side of the Augustus Tower so you can have an unparalleled view of the Fountains at Bellagio.
By the way, the rooms in the older Roman and Centurian Towers are pretty basic and you can find better accommodations for less money.
Another tower called Octavius is built but not completed and won’t be until sometime in 2011 most likely.
The casino and the rest of the public areas encompass what seems like more square-footage than it actually does. The years of adding on to the property have made this one of the most rambling, most confusing gaming areas in town – I can’t tell you how many times I was sure I was heading for the room only to find myself going in the complete opposite direction. Watch the signs is all I’m saying.
The good news about that rambling layout is that there are lots of options for gaming spaces. The main table area is under a dome that dates back to the very early days of the hotel. Adjacent on both sides are some slots and video poker.
Then you’re off to another land through the Pussycat Dolls casino area which features tables and pole dancers (fully, albeit skimpily clothed). It had to happen.
Next is the big sports book and then more casino with more table games and slots and video poker. You want choices, you got choices.
Of course, I’d be remiss in not mentioning the Colosseum – a 4,000-seat showroom currently featuring Cher with Celine Dion coming back in March of 2011. It’s a nice room but not quite like being in Rome.
There are nightclubs, the adjacent Roman Themed “shopping experience” The Forum Shops, and about a bazillion restaurants. Check the related reviews section of Caesars Palace page for more things to see, do, and eat at Caesars.
The pool area is among the most beautiful in town. Newly expanded in 2010, the Garden of the Gods features eight pools, each with their own style and attitude. One is just for VIPs and overlook all the others, another gets a lot of sun, a third doesn’t get much, one features swim-up blackjack, and one has a covered colonnade in the center for cooling off. It’s good to have options. Adjacent to this is a spa, which among the usual suspects like massages and workout equipment, has a full-service salon, Zen meditation garden, and a rock-climbing wall.
Caesars Palace of yore and of recent is truly a glorious place but what price glory? A lot. I suppose the planets may align themselves in such a way that you might be able to swing a room here for around $100 a night on a very slow weekday but only if they are truly desperate for boarders. Normally you’ll be forking over at least $150 a night on weekdays and a minimum of $200 on the weekends sometimes well over $300.
We love to celebrate the increasingly rare historic hotels in Las Vegas, but usually those places are better in our memories than they are in modern-day reality. But Caesars has created a blueprint for how you can keep an older hotel not just alive, but thriving. These really are Caesars glory days.
Updated Review: Imperial Palace. BY Rick Garman.
Let’s get the rumors out of the way at the beginning: The Imperial Palace is still here and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon.
Yes, the hotel was purchased by Harrah’s Entertainment in 2005 and they made quite a big deal about saying they were going to tear the joint down as part of a major overhaul of their center Strip properties. But then Harrah’s Entertainment got bought by a private investment firm and that delayed things and then the economy kinda went in the toilet and that delayed things even more and so for now, the Imperial Palace thumbs its proverbial nose at all of those who thought it would be a pile of rubble by now. Including me.
So enough about what isn’t, let’s talk about what is…
The Vegas Strip is designed for people with a short attention span. “Hey, look over here!” “No, look over here!” With such grand, attention-getting places like Bellagio, Mirage, Caesars, Treasure Island, and The Venetian just feet away it is easy to understand why The Imperial Palace is often overlooked by Vegas visitors. That’s too bad because while it may not be as flashy or as posh as those hotels, it’s a perfectly respectable place to visit and you can usually save yourself a ton of dough in the process.
The I.P. has not received any serious remodeling since the bulk of it was built in the late ‘70s and ‘80s – at least not to the level of places like Harrah’s or The Flamingo where a series of overhauls has attempted to keep up with the Joneses. The result is the hotel feels old, something that can be both a good and not so good thing. Good because “old Vegas” is rare, especially on The Strip, and the I.P. gives off a comfy Downtown vibe like The Four Queens or the Fremont. Not so good because if you walk from the gleaming marble and muted earth tones of The Venetian for example into the I.P. it’s going to seem kind of dingy in comparison. Step out of the elevators into the hotel towers and the industrial vibe is almost shocking compared to the plush surroundings of other places.
But all you have to do is keep repeating this mantra in your head – “I’m saving hundreds of dollars a night. I’m saving hundreds of dollars a night.” Trust me, it’ll make you feel better about everything.
The Imperial Palace has an Asian theme running throughout from its pagoda style roof to the ornate dragon sculptures. The casino is long, narrow, and has a very low ceiling so it isn’t one of the bright and airy types of places that I prefer but it isn’t an awful place to lose your money. There certainly is no lack of gaming options – all of the table games (with lower limits than most Strip casinos), tons of slots (from penny to $25), a race and sports book, keno, and much more.
Around the edges of the casino are the front desk, a lounge offering live entertainment, a bar or two, and some shopping options. On the fifth floor (accessible by elevator or escalators) are several restaurants, nightclubs and lounges, some entertainment options (shows, etc.), a large pool deck where they host Hawaiian Luaus every summer, and more. Check the related reviews for a selection of the noteworthy things you can do at the Imperial Palace.
The biggest best news for the IP in a long time is the addition of a branch of the fabulous Hash House a Go Go. That’s reason enough to visit the place right there.
The rooms are motel basic and not much more. Most of the standard accommodations come with two double beds (not queens) or one king, small televisions with pay-per-view movies and Nintendo style games, a hair dryer, an iron and board, and wireless Internet. The furnishings are fine but obviously cheap – just keeping repeating your mantra.
There are more expensive and larger suites, including the amusingly named “Luv-Tub” rooms, complete with a large Roman tub for… well, whatever you may choose to use such a tub for.
One cool note is that most of the rooms have very small but functioning balconies, something that is unheard of in this city.
Also similar to Downtown is the service. Everyone I ran into at the I.P. went out of their way to treat me with a great deal of care, even those that didn’t know I was there to review the hotel. Stories I have heard from other sources back up the assertion that this is one of the friendliest places in town.
If you can get over the not-as-nice-as-Bellagio surroundings you will rarely find this good of a deal anywhere in this neighborhood. There are lots of reasons to recommend this hotel but that price thing has to be at the top.
Posted on June 29th, 2010 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter
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