Hi Vegas fans,
I am concerned. I have high hopes for the Tropicana. There were promises made. There were grand plans. But it seems to be on a path of uncertainty. After several new beginnings, including Nikki Beach and the Mob Experience, the projects have stalled and there's trouble in Trop town.
They can still turn it around. Even if the current theme isn't working yet, they don't have to bail and implode. But there is still a lot of work to do. They have to decide if the Miami/Havana theme is going to work, or if they need to play that down a bit. If they abandon it, what is the next step? How do they attract top talent and the clientele they need to pay the bills?
Part of the problem is that they are not part of a chain hotel, so they can't bank on help from another property. But they can make it. It will take a little luck, but at least they are in the right city.
Viva,
Mike
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
400 and Counting
Hi Vegas fans,
A quick note just to say thanks very much for your support! Simplifying Las Vegas 2011 has sold over 400 copies this year. I'm still working on SLV 2012... it is really coming along and I'm very excited about getting it published. I'm targeting a November 1 date, but it depends on how well the html conversion goes. That is always the time-consuming part! It has a good deal of new stuff in it and I hope you will enjoy it.
I will make it available for Kindle, Nook, and in PDF format. Of course, if you have a tablet or a smart phone, you can download the Kindle or Nook app for free and then view my book on your mobile device.
In the mean time, please visit my site and let me know if you have Vegas-related comments or questions. I gotta go... gotta get back to writing. But look for a new Vegas Halloween post soon.
Viva,
Mike
A quick note just to say thanks very much for your support! Simplifying Las Vegas 2011 has sold over 400 copies this year. I'm still working on SLV 2012... it is really coming along and I'm very excited about getting it published. I'm targeting a November 1 date, but it depends on how well the html conversion goes. That is always the time-consuming part! It has a good deal of new stuff in it and I hope you will enjoy it.
I will make it available for Kindle, Nook, and in PDF format. Of course, if you have a tablet or a smart phone, you can download the Kindle or Nook app for free and then view my book on your mobile device.
In the mean time, please visit my site and let me know if you have Vegas-related comments or questions. I gotta go... gotta get back to writing. But look for a new Vegas Halloween post soon.
Viva,
Mike
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
How Many Observation Wheels Does Las Vegas Need?
Hi Vegas fans,
A recent Las Vegas Advisor Question of the Day has me thinking... "How many observation wheels does Las Vegas need?" My answer is "none" but obviously there's something wrong with me. I am not a developer. There are currently two pending observation wheel projects under consideration on the Las Vegas Strip. The Skyvue wheel proposal is located next to Mandalay Bay. Ok - so this one does kind of make sense. You can see a long way down the Strip from here, and there is plenty of open space. If I had to vote for a wheel, I'd vote for this one.
The other is part of Caesars' misadventure into retail-dom with its infamous Linq project, due to be completed in 2013. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in this conversation: "We're going to take the most valuable gaming property in the U.S. and build (get ready) a giant retail space! I know what you're thinking - Las Vegas already has a ton of upscale shops, bars and restaurants. And some amusement rides. And lots of other entertainment outside of the casino. And although gaming is available in other states, there's really nothing like it anywhere but Las Vegas, but instead of improving our casinos or building new ones, we're going to add dining and retail space. And a ginormous wheel. Great idea, eh? Eh?"
No. Not a great idea. Their argument is that Las Vegas has tons of gaming and that it doesn't need another casino. Well, it doesn't need a lousy casino with unimaginative space, lousy odds, few games, and surly dealers. It needs more good gaming.
Right now, good gaming is limited to the very northern and southern ends of the Strip, downtown and the outskirts. The heart of the Strip is sadly missing that element. It is not uncommon, for example, to see a $10 blackjack table with a 6 deck shoe with a 6-5 payout at Harrah's. Horrible. Why would I go there when I can get a spot at a $5 blackjack table with 3-2 payout at the Strat, downtown, Circus Circus, or Excalibur? I wouldn't.
Visitation in Las Vegas continues to rise, but people are not spending as much as they would during a better economy. The powers that be have decided that people would rather shop, eat, drink, and ride around on a giant wheel.
Here's an idea: why not make gaming more attractive? Better video poker. Better slots. 3-2 blackjack in 6 deck shoes. Craps tables with 3x odds. Casinos are still going to make money, and in fact they might make more with a surge in people who are hungry for decent gaming. Come on, casino execs. This should be easy.
Las Vegas went away from its core during the whole "family theme" once in the 1990s. Up went the amusement parks (MGM Grand), water slides, themed resorts, mega pools, and games for kids. They soon realized that children under 21 cannot pull the handles on the one-armed bandits. So down went many amusement parks, water slides, etc., and the pools are now party zones for the (barely) over 21 crowd to draw them to... the casino! Las Vegas revamped itself back to Sin City (see Sirens of TI) and the only reason the pyramids and castles still stand is because they have (get ready) casinos! That's right, gambling.
Stay close to your core, my friends. While variety is good and necessary, there are already plenty of options for shows, bars, shopping and restaurants in Las Vegas to keep everyone busy. What makes Las Vegas unique is gaming - and the abundance of it. Make it great again and people will gladly spend their entertainment dollars right there in the belly of the cash cow.
Viva,
Mike
A recent Las Vegas Advisor Question of the Day has me thinking... "How many observation wheels does Las Vegas need?" My answer is "none" but obviously there's something wrong with me. I am not a developer. There are currently two pending observation wheel projects under consideration on the Las Vegas Strip. The Skyvue wheel proposal is located next to Mandalay Bay. Ok - so this one does kind of make sense. You can see a long way down the Strip from here, and there is plenty of open space. If I had to vote for a wheel, I'd vote for this one.
The other is part of Caesars' misadventure into retail-dom with its infamous Linq project, due to be completed in 2013. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in this conversation: "We're going to take the most valuable gaming property in the U.S. and build (get ready) a giant retail space! I know what you're thinking - Las Vegas already has a ton of upscale shops, bars and restaurants. And some amusement rides. And lots of other entertainment outside of the casino. And although gaming is available in other states, there's really nothing like it anywhere but Las Vegas, but instead of improving our casinos or building new ones, we're going to add dining and retail space. And a ginormous wheel. Great idea, eh? Eh?"
No. Not a great idea. Their argument is that Las Vegas has tons of gaming and that it doesn't need another casino. Well, it doesn't need a lousy casino with unimaginative space, lousy odds, few games, and surly dealers. It needs more good gaming.
Right now, good gaming is limited to the very northern and southern ends of the Strip, downtown and the outskirts. The heart of the Strip is sadly missing that element. It is not uncommon, for example, to see a $10 blackjack table with a 6 deck shoe with a 6-5 payout at Harrah's. Horrible. Why would I go there when I can get a spot at a $5 blackjack table with 3-2 payout at the Strat, downtown, Circus Circus, or Excalibur? I wouldn't.
Visitation in Las Vegas continues to rise, but people are not spending as much as they would during a better economy. The powers that be have decided that people would rather shop, eat, drink, and ride around on a giant wheel.
Here's an idea: why not make gaming more attractive? Better video poker. Better slots. 3-2 blackjack in 6 deck shoes. Craps tables with 3x odds. Casinos are still going to make money, and in fact they might make more with a surge in people who are hungry for decent gaming. Come on, casino execs. This should be easy.
Las Vegas went away from its core during the whole "family theme" once in the 1990s. Up went the amusement parks (MGM Grand), water slides, themed resorts, mega pools, and games for kids. They soon realized that children under 21 cannot pull the handles on the one-armed bandits. So down went many amusement parks, water slides, etc., and the pools are now party zones for the (barely) over 21 crowd to draw them to... the casino! Las Vegas revamped itself back to Sin City (see Sirens of TI) and the only reason the pyramids and castles still stand is because they have (get ready) casinos! That's right, gambling.
Stay close to your core, my friends. While variety is good and necessary, there are already plenty of options for shows, bars, shopping and restaurants in Las Vegas to keep everyone busy. What makes Las Vegas unique is gaming - and the abundance of it. Make it great again and people will gladly spend their entertainment dollars right there in the belly of the cash cow.
Viva,
Mike
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Same As It Ever Was
Hi Vegas fans,
I'm feeling quite nostalgic lately. It kind of came to a head tonight when I heard about the passing of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and visionary, after a long bout with cancer. A lot of what I do is possible because of the iPad, iPhone and other Apple innovations, thanks in large part to Jobs. I am already missing his next big idea; I am already missing his vision for what is possible.
Apple will continue to invent, improve, and move forward with design. It is a great company, and they have a solid foundation. There are those that will say it will never be the same without Jobs. They may be right, but Apple will still be Apple.
It's kind of the same with Vegas. This may seem like a leap, but hang with me here. The new casinos are hip and cool, but many say that they miss old school Vegas. Classic Vegas. The Stardust, Desert Inn and the Sands. The Rat Pack, Elvis, and Folies Bergere. Cheap buffets and 25 cent roulette. You get the idea.
Vegas does not let history get in the way. It implodes it. But there are still hints of the old Vegas in plenty of places. Just this past weekend I stayed at the Riviera. They have been promoting all of these cool changes and upgrades.
Honestly, it didn't seem all that different to me. The room was nicer than the previous one I had, but the casino and restaurants seemed the same, and the sports book (now called Lucky's) is a little smaller and less comfy than the old one (Crazy Leroy's... which was also a better name).
Pictures of classic movie stars and moguls lined the hallway on the way to the elevators. The Riviera has not forgotten its past. Or imploded it. It is just attempting to upgrade it a little bit without making some kind of grand statement. Honestly, I'm ok with all of this. There's something comforting in staying in a place that is familiar. I think that's a good thing.
I still see signs of the old Vegas all over the Strip and downtown. It's mixed in with the new. You have to look, and you have to know what you are looking for, but it is there. It's there in the old Landmark sign that still lights up - on Paradise Road just past the Riv - although the Landmark was leveled years ago. It's there in the older dealers who love to tell stories about how it used to be. It's there in the Golden Gate and El Cortez downtown. It's there, trust me.
But here's the funny thing. It's even there in the newer casinos. It's there because as we continue to visit Las Vegas and have fun, we gather our memories and share our photos and tell our tall tales. I have plenty. And for me there are just as many in the Stardust and Aladdin as there are in Bellagio, Stratosphere, TI and Fremont Street. What I think I am nostalgic for is not so much a building, a game, a restaurant - although those are all things I miss - but more so a feeling I get when I think about them and the people with whom I shared all these great things. Sure, you can call me sentimental.
What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but it stays with you, your friends and family for a long, long time.
Viva Las Vegas,
Mike
I'm feeling quite nostalgic lately. It kind of came to a head tonight when I heard about the passing of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and visionary, after a long bout with cancer. A lot of what I do is possible because of the iPad, iPhone and other Apple innovations, thanks in large part to Jobs. I am already missing his next big idea; I am already missing his vision for what is possible.
Apple will continue to invent, improve, and move forward with design. It is a great company, and they have a solid foundation. There are those that will say it will never be the same without Jobs. They may be right, but Apple will still be Apple.
It's kind of the same with Vegas. This may seem like a leap, but hang with me here. The new casinos are hip and cool, but many say that they miss old school Vegas. Classic Vegas. The Stardust, Desert Inn and the Sands. The Rat Pack, Elvis, and Folies Bergere. Cheap buffets and 25 cent roulette. You get the idea.
Vegas does not let history get in the way. It implodes it. But there are still hints of the old Vegas in plenty of places. Just this past weekend I stayed at the Riviera. They have been promoting all of these cool changes and upgrades.
Honestly, it didn't seem all that different to me. The room was nicer than the previous one I had, but the casino and restaurants seemed the same, and the sports book (now called Lucky's) is a little smaller and less comfy than the old one (Crazy Leroy's... which was also a better name).
Pictures of classic movie stars and moguls lined the hallway on the way to the elevators. The Riviera has not forgotten its past. Or imploded it. It is just attempting to upgrade it a little bit without making some kind of grand statement. Honestly, I'm ok with all of this. There's something comforting in staying in a place that is familiar. I think that's a good thing.
I still see signs of the old Vegas all over the Strip and downtown. It's mixed in with the new. You have to look, and you have to know what you are looking for, but it is there. It's there in the old Landmark sign that still lights up - on Paradise Road just past the Riv - although the Landmark was leveled years ago. It's there in the older dealers who love to tell stories about how it used to be. It's there in the Golden Gate and El Cortez downtown. It's there, trust me.
But here's the funny thing. It's even there in the newer casinos. It's there because as we continue to visit Las Vegas and have fun, we gather our memories and share our photos and tell our tall tales. I have plenty. And for me there are just as many in the Stardust and Aladdin as there are in Bellagio, Stratosphere, TI and Fremont Street. What I think I am nostalgic for is not so much a building, a game, a restaurant - although those are all things I miss - but more so a feeling I get when I think about them and the people with whom I shared all these great things. Sure, you can call me sentimental.
What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but it stays with you, your friends and family for a long, long time.
Viva Las Vegas,
Mike
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Kindle Fire
For those of you who enjoy Vegas on the go, there is a new electronic reader on the market. Amazon has introduced Fire (what is it with these folks and lighting things aflame?) to their line of Kindles. It is kind of like a Nook color and kind of like a tablet, too, with advanced web-browsing technology.
The market for all of these devices is getting pretty crowded, and it will be interesting to see if one comes out on top as the leader. I think the important thing is that whatever device you use, for whatever purpose (reading, browsing, gaming, etc.) that developers have to make their applications work well on multiple platforms.
That is why I am working so hard on SLV 2012. It will be available on all devices because I write it in HTML and I also have it available as a PDF. I can't wait to publish it!
Viva,
Mike
The market for all of these devices is getting pretty crowded, and it will be interesting to see if one comes out on top as the leader. I think the important thing is that whatever device you use, for whatever purpose (reading, browsing, gaming, etc.) that developers have to make their applications work well on multiple platforms.
That is why I am working so hard on SLV 2012. It will be available on all devices because I write it in HTML and I also have it available as a PDF. I can't wait to publish it!
Viva,
Mike
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