Monorail Expansion Talk

It's a slow Las Vegas news day on this Black Friday, so I had to take a look around to find something to blog about.

I came across this article from two weeks ago about the Las Vegas Monorail and a possible expansions to the line.

Everyone wants to know when the monorail will be expanded to the airport, but the article concluded that an expansion to the airport probably isn't economically feasible. Not to mention opposition from taxi cab companies.

An expansion to Mandalay Bay might be on the table soon though, along with a station at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. If those two expansions are completed the monorail would link the three major convention centers in Las Vegas.

The monorail has struggled with ridership due to its out of the way location behind many of the hotels it serves. Ten years after it opened it's still operational though, and seems to have found a niche serving conventioneers. Linking the convention centers makes sense in that regard.

Not mentioned in the article is a possible monorail expansion downtown to Fremont Street. Although it's probably not happening anytime soon due to cost and routing issues, this would be the most exciting monorail route for the average tourist. Being able to travel quickly between the Strip and Fremont Street for cheap would be ideal. Maybe we'll see it someday, but I'm not holding my breath.

MGM set to Charge Parking Garage Fees?

MGM Resorts International will soon charge for parking at their Las Vegas self park garages, according to a report from Vegas Tripping.

Casino companies are willing to nickel and dime their customers endlessly in a quest for higher revenues. Over the years gaming odds on the Strip have declined consistently, and more recently resort fees have become commonplace at almost every Las Vegas hotel.

It's no surprise the bean counters would eventually try to get their hands on one of the remaining free perks left in Vegas.

Gamblers will be upset, but MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren has recently talked about focusing more on non-gaming clientele saying, "Many of them have no interest in gambling and that's perfectly fine with me."

There might be hope though. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has strict rules regarding access to gaming and according to their guidelines:

"...all gaming establishments in Nevada must remain open to the general public and the access of the general public to gaming activities must not be restricted in any manner..."

I'm not sure if charging for parking would count as restricting access, but hey it's something. Could Gaming Control block MGM from charging for parking?

Skyfall Lounge and Rivea Restaurant

Skyfall Lounge and Rivea restaurant are opening this fall at Delano Las Vegas. Skyfall and Rivea will be located at the former Mix Restaurant and Lounge location on the top floor of Delano (formerly The Hotel at Mandalay Bay).

Description of Skyfall Lounge:
Coming Fall 2015 With unparalleled 180-degree views of the city below, Skyfall Lounge will offer an evolving nightlife experience that gradually increases in tempo as the night progresses. The warm and inviting space will make it possible for guests to sip a glass of Champagne while watching the desert sunset or dance the night away as DJs spin Electro and dance music in the vibrant space from 10 p.m.

Description of Rivea:
After Saint-Tropez and London, Rivea comes to Las Vegas offering a renewed take on a French and Italian influenced cuisine from internationally celebrated Chef Alain Ducasse. A breezy, laid back atmosphere of white and maritime blues welcomes guests and sets a relaxed vibe while offering unparalleled, 180-degree views of the city below. Menu items inspired by the delectable food markets of Provence and Italy create the casual and vibrant nature of the Riviera, with a focus on simple, fresh plates by Executive Chef Bruno Riou and the best seasonal ingredients from the West Coast.

Sources: Skyfall Lounge job posting and Delano Las Vegas.

Mandalay Bay - New Resort Rooms

Mandalay Bay has unveiled a collection of new rooms and suites.

The resort tweeted a press release showing the new rooms. It looks like the entire hotel will be getting the new rooms eventually, with the first wave of rooms being available soon (the press release says July 2015 but I couldn't find any of the new rooms available until August 2015). The rooms have a bright, beach-like feel. I think they fit the theme of Mandalay Bay very well.

It looks like the newly remodeled rooms will be $19 more expensive than the "old" rooms.

Looking at a random weekday room in August, an "old" Deluxe King is $76 while a "new" Resort King is $95. An "old" Deluxe Queen is $85.50 while a "new" Resort Queen is $104.50.

A random weekend in October shows an "old" Deluxe King at $280.25 while a "new" Resort King is $299.25. An "old" Deluxe Queen is $289.75 while a "new" Resort Queen is $308.75.

These prices are before the current resort fee of $32.48.

Resort King:


Resort Queen Rust and Gold:


Panoramic Suite Bedroom and Living Room:

Photos: Mandalay Bay.

MGM Resorts Launches M life

MGM Resorts International has launched their new "M life" loyalty program. The program will have a tier structure consisting of Sapphire, Pearl, Gold and Platinum. Each tier comes with its own set of benefits, including the ability to earn points faster at the Gold and Platinum levels.

Another feature of M life will be the ability to track spending outside of the casino, but that won't be available until later this year.

The new program is being touted as easier to use and more transparent when it comes to knowing exactly what you've earned. You will be able to check your balances a variety of ways, including online, kiosks, at slot machines and even an iPhone app.

M life is also aiming to offer guests rewards that they actually want. If you went to a concert in the past, they might offer you tickets to a concert by a similar artist in the future.

We will have to wait and see how well the new program is implemented, but I think any change is for the better. I never could figure out the old MGM Players Club. It was seemingly impossible to know what comps you had or how much you had to play to get anything. M life looks to be combating some of these problems, so hopefully it's a step in the right direction.

Source: MGM Resorts Press Release.

Rí Rá Irish Pub coming to Mandalay

A new Irish pub will be opening on the Las Vegas Strip. Rí Rá Irish Pub is scheduled to open in March 2011 and will be located at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place.

A key component of the restaurant will be a 160 year old, eight foot tall, 500 pound statue of St. Patrick that is currently being shipped over from Ireland.

The pub will also feature live music and a comprehensive drink list. For more information and updates about the new bar, check out Rí Rá Irish Pub on Facebook.

Michael Jackson Cirque Show to Mandalay Bay?

It was announced this week that the Lion King will be ending its run at Mandalay Bay in late 2011.

This likely paves the way for the new Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show to take over the Lion King showroom in 2012. The Jackson show will be on the road touring in 2011 before settling into a permanent home in Las Vegas.

Mandalay Bay has always made the most sense as the home for this show. It is clearly the best MGM Resorts property currently without a Cirque show. The Michael Jackson show will also include a themed nightclub, which could presumably be located in the closed Rumjungle space.

Obama's Motorcade on the Las Vegas Strip

President Obama left Las Vegas yesterday. This video shows the motorcade as it made its way south on the Las Vegas Strip near the Welcome to Las Vegas sign with Mandalay Bay in the background.

Rumjungle is Closed

Rumjungle nightclub at Mandalay Bay closed earlier this week after a two year long battle with Mandalay over terms of their lease.

Mandalay claimed that Rumjungle was short on rent payments, while Runjungle claimed that Mandalay's opening of their "eyecandy sound lounge" violated the original terms of the lease which stated that Rumjungle was to be the exclusive nightclub in the property.

Finally the court sided with MGM / Mandalay Bay and the club was evicted earlier this week. It is likely that Mandalay will fill the space with a restaurant or lounge.

Fleur de Lys to become Tapas Bar

Eating Las Vegas is reporting that Hubert Keller's Fleur de Lys restaurant at Mandalay Bay will close in August. It will re-open later in the year as a tapas bar. Keller and his staff will remain at the new restaurant.

Tapas is becoming a huge trend in Vegas. Many have attributed this to the economy. People are willing to spend a little on appetizer type dishes rather than going for the full dining experience. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the concept. It doesn't really feel like a full meal, and you end up getting so many different things that it can get quite pricey. I like Hubert Keller's Burger Bar though, so I might have to give the new joint a shot if given the opportunity.

Cirque to develop Michael Jackson Show

Cirque du Soleil will develop a show based on the music of Michael Jackson. A touring version of the show will begin in 2011, followed by a permanent show in Vegas starting in 2012.

Part of the deal will also include a Jackson themed nightclub at the hotel where the show will be. That hotel hasn't been announced yet, but it will be a MGM Mirage property.

Off the top of my head the property that makes the most sense would be Mandalay Bay. They are the best MGM hotel without a Cirque show at the moment. Anything can happen between now and 2012 though, so the show really could end up almost anywhere. Monte Carlo perhaps to replace Lance Burton? Luxor to replace Criss Angel down the road? MGM Grand if KA is struggling? Aria if the Elvis show is a flop? Really almost anything is possible. I think Love is pretty safe so it won't be at Mirage. Same thing for O and Bellagio. Excalibur and Circus Circus are off the list just because they are on the low end. I guess time will tell.

Source: Reuters.