Sunday, November 28, 2010

Harrah's now Caesars Entertainment Corporation

Hi Vegas fans,

Harrah's canceled its IPO and has officially changed its name to Caesars Entertainment Corp. You can read the details of the transaction in the LA Times and Las Vegas Sun articles.

By any other name, it's still the same megacorp with Gary Loveman at the helm. As you may have read in my previous posts and in my forums, I'm not a huge fan of entertainment and gambling at Harrah's (oops, I mean Ceasars Entertainment Corp or CEC). The rules are not good for players, and the experience tends to be very generic.

The hotels in the chain (Bally's, Paris, Caesars, Harrah's) are pretty nice. The rooms I've stayed in are clean, comfortable, and a good value. Well, with one exception: the Imperial Palace, or as my wife calls it, the "IP freely" (because of the smell), which is a below par for a mid-Strip hotel. Now as the old saying goes, "how much time do you spend in your room in Vegas?" Not much, but people do typically associate their vacation with their hotel or hotel chain. Vegas Today and Tomorrow has a good map of Who Owns What.

For example, if you're staying at the Flamingo, you are probably going to spend time there and in surrounding properties for convenience, and they are all owned by CEC. Most of your other options on the Strip include MGM properties, Wynn, or Sands (i.e. Shel Adelson... think Venetian and Palazzo). MGM has a huge grip on the South Strip (Excalibur, NY NY, MGM Grand, etc.) and is a better proposition than CEC, but I'd like to see more $5 tables at their properties. A lot more.

The funny thing is that it doesn't have to be like this. I prefer to play at the Stratosphere. Now, it's not the most glamorous place in the world, so if I'm going with my wife and want a nicer hotel, we may book somewhere else. However, I can gamble at the Strat all day - either at the blackjack tables, the sports book or the craps tables. If I want to venture out to other places to eat, see stuff, or take a break, I just hop in the car.

On our last trip, my buddy Steve and I drove out to M Resort. Nice place, good rules for gaming. A little bit out there, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I don't mind cruising to to other places - like downtown, the Riv, the Trop, Excal - for a change, but it would be nice to have even more opportunities on the Strip to spend my entertainment dollars.

I would guess that I'm typically the exception rather than the rule; I would bet that most people play where they stay. But remember the Golden Rule; you have the gold in your pockets, and you decide where to spend it (which should be the places with the best rules). It's time we start telling these megaresorts the real deal. We're educated. We know that CEC owns a majority of the mid-Strip properties and MGM has a lock on the South Strip. We're not going to be held hostage by limited options. Give us better gaming, good deals, and a unique experience. Otherwise, we'll go somewhere else.

Vegas fans, I urge you to think about these things the next time you book your trip to Las Vegas. Regardless of where you stay, please don't play somewhere that has bad gaming rules. Don't eat in a restaurant just because it's in your hotel. Don't go see a show that's not really your style just because it's within walking distance. My biggest Vegas tip? Rent a car. It will open up your world to other venues and will remind you that Las Vegas is more than MGM and Caesars.

Viva!
Mike

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Thankful

Hi all,

I hope you are all recovering from too much food and family. If you are a gambler, may all your bets on college football cash.

I am relaxing at home this weekend and have been reflecting on this past year, the book, the website, and Las Vegas. It's been a fantastic year, and I have been very fortunate to have such great support. First, I'm thankful for friends and family. Second, I'm thankful for the Las Vegas Advisor, and particularly Deke Castleman, who has been very kind to me, offering great advice and support. If you are going to Las Vegas next year, I urge you to check out their website and become a member.

Finally, I'm thankful for you, my readers and followers. You've been so supportive and kind, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. I so enjoy sharing my thoughts and experience about Las Vegas with everyone, and I hope it makes a difference in your travels. I also hope that you all will share your ideas and experience with me, too. I love all things Vegas, so keep the comments coming, even over the holidays!

As you are sipping a bowl of turkey soup (again) and watching the big game on the tube, remember how good it feels to take a break from work and other responsibilities, even for a short time. Notice how much it means to your soul, and then think about how fun it would be to get away from it all in Las Vegas. You deserve it, so start thinking about planning a trip now!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Viva,
Mike

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Simplifying Las Vegas 2011 - A Travel Guide for Everyone

Hi Vegas fans,

You may have noticed since my last post that it's been a while since my last post. Have I been lazy? Sick? Tired? Sick and tired? Well, yeah, but those are not the reasons I haven't posted a blog entry in a while. I've been busy.

I've been feverishly updating my travel guide, Simplifying Las Vegas, for 2011. It is now available in several different formats:

I may be biased here, but I think this travel guide gets better every year. Although it's not easy to provide this book in so many different formats, it's worth it. Variety is the spice of life, and this close to Thanksgiving, we all like a little spice.

You can see a taste of SLV's spice on the home page of my website. I've included a small sample of the new flipbook so you can see what you'll be getting if you purchase it. I hope you enjoy it. It is a labor of love. As always, feedback, questions and discussions about all things Vegas (including my site and book) are welcome.

Thanks and enjoy!
Viva,
Mike

Sunday, November 7, 2010

2011 Simplifying Las Vegas

Hi Vegas fans,

I'm putting the finishing touches on the new version of my travel guide, Simplifying Las Vegas 2011. I'll have it available as a PDF flip-book, a Nook book and a Kindle book. It will have new information, updated tables, and tons of tips to help you save your gambling dollars and keep out of long lines and traffic.

If you are going to Las Vegas next year, my guide will really help you plan and enjoy your trip. Stay tuned!

Viva,
Mike