Miss USA At “Planet Hollywood”

This weekend the Miss USA pageant is broadcasting live from “Planet Hollywood” on Sunday night when Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella will crowd the new Queen. The contestants from all fifty states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories of swimsuit, evening gown and the always interesting interview segment. If you in Las Vegas this weekend and want to check out the show live tickets are being sold you will just have to contact the “Planet Hollywood” box office for more information on availability; The tickets are $20 for the 11am dress rehearsal or $75 to $150 for the actual 6pm live television event.

Earl Of Sandwich Coming To The "Palms"

For months in Las Vegas it has been rumored that a second location of the popular 'Earl Of Sandwich' was being added in Las Vegas to add to its existing location at "Planet Hollywood." The rumor became certain a couple of months back when i saw a banner at the "Palms" announcing the new location there at their food court. Even though the planned restaurant hasn't been added to their website it looks like soon Las Vegas visitors will have a second place to eat the tasty and fairly priced sandwiches. If you want some back ground on the company check out the video above from the CBS Sunday Morning show.

‘Vegas Stripped’ Out At South Point?

It looks like the behind the scenes reality television show ‘Vegas Stripped’ may not return to the “South Point” for a second season. This show was similar to other shows before filmed at “Caesars Palace” or “Green Valley Ranch” as it showed employees in their day to day jobs at the properties. The problem with all these types of shows is sometimes they don’t show the resort staff in the best light which may be why “South Point” is having second thoughts but it will be interesting to see if the free publicity of this show is worth the trouble of a second season at South Point. The first season of this show only consisted of six half hour episodes which aired on the Travel Channel this spring and is produced by the same producers of the huge History Channel hit ‘Pawn Stars’ which is filmed near downtown Las Vegas. If Michael Gaughan and the team at “South Point” decide to pass on a second season at the property I’m sure it will pop up again at a different resort in town as the exposure is good especially for a lesser known Las Vegas property.

World Series Of Poker Started

The World Series of Poker is now underway at the "Rio" which is located just off the Strip next to the "Gold Coast" and across from the "Palms." For many years the to gambling competition used to be held at Binion's Horseshoe (now called just Binion's) before it was moved by the then Harrah's to its current home at the "Rio." The World Series of Poker has got much bigger over the years and draws large crowds over the six week competition so if your in town you might want to check it out.

Man Unloads U Haul On The Strip

A man loses it and empties his stuff out the back of a U Haul truck on Las Vegas Blvd as crowds from both sides look on with amazement. In this day and age where everyone has a camera phone and, it happening in such a public place numerous other videos of this are on You Tube.

American Storm Heads Downtown

If hot oily men are your thing then you might want to check out male dance revue ‘American Storm’ which has now set up shop downtown at the newly renovated “Plaza.” The show was previously at the V Theater and before that was at the “Riviera” the show is playing Thursday through Sundays at 10:30pm with tickets starting at $29.95. The show if you are interested is 70 minutes long and according to the “Plaza” is fully costumed but my guess is those don’t stay on for long.

Tickets:

By phone (702) 946-8934 or (800) 793-9332

Online link or at the “Plaza” box office

Editors Notebook: Site Layout & Hotel Surveys

The news section was getting longer and longer so instead of clicking back through page after page now after the news has been up for a while if will move to the correct section to the right under links which will make it easier to find. After a brief trip to the "Stratosphere" where i lost $40 very quickly i got home from the trip and noticed i a survey from the "Straosphere" asking how i enjoyed my visit to the property. I didn't stay at the property but because of using their slot card the survey was generated which i have noticed more and more from Las Vegas properties. It seems the Las Vegas resorts are surveying their customers more than ever and, not just the old basic hotel surveys now they are asking about what you would like to see at a property not just your experiance. The times in Las Vegas are tough which may be why the resorts are more open to your feedback but lets hope after things improve they will still listen to the customers feedback.

Construction At Las Vegas Resorts

Even with the bad economy and a Las Vegas market that has gone through bad times with stalled projects there is construction going on in town at the resorts; Generally the properties try to shield hotel guests from the noise but it is worth noting if you are going to stay at one and, often you can get low rates at properties being remodeled.

"MGM Grand"

This property is undergoing room renovations as well as some of the public areas.

"Imperial Palace" & "Flamingo"

As part of the Linq project a new entertainment district between the two properties lots of construction is going on. The construction has mainly affected the "Imperial Palace" with is main entrance closed as well as some things such as the Rockhouse Bar closed and an area of the casino blocked off. A guest who just stayed there mentioned the construction noise but said it was managable but it could disturb others, also the fact he paid $22 a night may have offset the noise issues for him. 

"D Las Vegas"

The former "Fitzgerald's" is being transformed in to the "D Las Vegas" with rooms being remodeled as well as work going on in the public areas and the hotel facade.

"Golden Gate"

New larger rooms are being added to the back of the property.

"Binions & Las Vegas Club"

"Binions" hotel is closed but its rooms according to some reports are being remodeled and also at the "Las Vegas Club" the hotel has been mostly closed except on some weekends and holidays but work is about to begin on its rooms if it hasn't already.

H & M Store At The Forum Shops

Las Vegas is now a huge shopping Mecca and one of the draws is the huge 55,000 square foot H&M store located in the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. If you are not familiar with the store its part of a chain who's actual name is Hennes & Mauritz and is known for inexpensive ladies clothing. The location at the Forum Shops is the largest in the United States but there are also two smaller locations in Las Vegas. So if you need an outfit for your night on the town in Las Vegas you might want to check this place out.

Hours: opens at 10am daily

Location: 3500 Las Vegas Blvd South

Phone: (702) 207-0167

"Orleans" To Strip Shuttle

Parked shuttles still in their old Coast Casinos liveryThe off Strip property the "The Orleans" does run a free shuttle to the strip and back a nice choice if you are visiting that property and want to save on cab fare. The shuttle picks up about every 30 minutes from 9:30am to midnight the shuttle runs to the Strip at the side of "Bills Gambling Hall & Saloon" and to the "Gold Coast" which is another off strip property owned by the Boyd Group before returning to the "The Orleans." The "Gold Coast" is next to the "Rio" and across the street from the "Palms" which also makes the shuttle a good choice if you are visiting these properties. The shuttle bus pickup at the "The Orleans" is out front of the South Entrance doors. In the picture you see a row of parked shuttles which are still in their Coast Casino's livery which is the name of a group of properties such as the "The Orleans" and "Gold Coast" before Boyds took them over.