People staying or playing at the Stratosphere may notice some changes at the property. The hotel has quietly been working on a $20 million renovation project.
The biggest changes will come on the casino floor where the carpets have been replaced and marble flooring has been added. The buffet and some of the other restaurants are also getting face-lifts.
New "Stratosphere Select" rooms in the Premier Tower are fully remodeled and seem like a bargain at only $15-20 more than regular rooms. Looks like average rates for these rooms are around $50/night on weekdays and $95/night for weekends. Pretty good prices for a brand new room. You can even request a view of the Fontainebleau.
While this is certainly minor compared to the Tropicana's $165 million dollar makeover, it's good to see some positive changes at the property. Location is a disadvantage, but these new rooms along with the new Sky Jump attraction and a fresh casino experience might give more people a reason to check it out.
For more on the Stratosphere renovations: Las Vegas Sun.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Better Directions at Aria
Aria has been open for a little over a year. Since the opening they have been tweaking the operation of the property in an attempt to solve some less than flattering customer service issues. One issue seems to be that it's hard to navigate your way around the hotel and CityCenter as a whole. In an attempt to make it easier Aria has added additional signage throughout the hotel and casino. They recently tweeted:
U asked for better signage and we listened! Check out the new overhead signage on our Casino level!
In addition to the interior signs, exterior signage has been installed on the incomplete Harmon Hotel pointing the way to CityCenter to pedestrians passing by. This was seemingly done as a direct response to the Cosmopolitan opening.
It looks like Aria is taking steps to improve, but I think there's still some ground to make up before they are hitting on all cylinders.
U asked for better signage and we listened! Check out the new overhead signage on our Casino level!
In addition to the interior signs, exterior signage has been installed on the incomplete Harmon Hotel pointing the way to CityCenter to pedestrians passing by. This was seemingly done as a direct response to the Cosmopolitan opening.
It looks like Aria is taking steps to improve, but I think there's still some ground to make up before they are hitting on all cylinders.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Palms a good fit for Caesars Entertainment?
News has surfaced that Caesars Entertainment parent company TPG Capital, along with Leonard Green & Partners are in talks to take a controlling stake in the Palms. This has fueled speculation that Palms will become part of the Caesars Entertainment "Evil Empire" as some have called it. People are assuming that Palms will join the Total Rewards network as a result of the move.
If this transaction does happen, I have to wonder if the Palms is a good fit for the Caesars Entertainment portfolio. Palms is unique because it is part locals casino and part celebrity hot spot. Caesars on the other hand is known for running tourist casinos with less than favorable odds on their games. If Palms is acquired by Caesars it will be interesting to see if they choose to keep the locals happy, or focus more on pushing tourists off the Strip.
I have a feeling that Caesars will take the latter approach and will concentrate on the tourist dollar. I think they will use the Palms trendy reputation to market to their younger Total Rewards members. It will give them a hip hotel to market at reasonable prices, but will they keep payouts high to hold on to the locals? I guess we'll have to wait and see, if the deal even happens at all.
If this transaction does happen, I have to wonder if the Palms is a good fit for the Caesars Entertainment portfolio. Palms is unique because it is part locals casino and part celebrity hot spot. Caesars on the other hand is known for running tourist casinos with less than favorable odds on their games. If Palms is acquired by Caesars it will be interesting to see if they choose to keep the locals happy, or focus more on pushing tourists off the Strip.
I have a feeling that Caesars will take the latter approach and will concentrate on the tourist dollar. I think they will use the Palms trendy reputation to market to their younger Total Rewards members. It will give them a hip hotel to market at reasonable prices, but will they keep payouts high to hold on to the locals? I guess we'll have to wait and see, if the deal even happens at all.
Friday, January 07, 2011
Visitation back to 2006 Levels?
According to McCarran airport officials, a record 14,495 taxis were loaded on Wednesday, January 5th. This broke the previous record of 13,927, which was set on January 4th, 2006. Both records coincided with the Consumer Electronics Show.
While one day of taxi data is a very small sample size, it has to say something that the record was broken. 2006 was the heyday of Las Vegas boom time, and the fact that we are now approaching these numbers (if even for only one day) shows that visitation is fairly robust.
Some people would argue that visitation has always been strong. Even in the worst of the recession there were many people in Las Vegas, but they were spending less money. This is true, but I have a feeling that is about to change. I think visitation numbers are going to be pretty strong in 2011 and room rates are quietly going up.
Source: Las Vegas Sun.
While one day of taxi data is a very small sample size, it has to say something that the record was broken. 2006 was the heyday of Las Vegas boom time, and the fact that we are now approaching these numbers (if even for only one day) shows that visitation is fairly robust.
Some people would argue that visitation has always been strong. Even in the worst of the recession there were many people in Las Vegas, but they were spending less money. This is true, but I have a feeling that is about to change. I think visitation numbers are going to be pretty strong in 2011 and room rates are quietly going up.
Source: Las Vegas Sun.
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