Google Maps Comes To Las Vegas Buildings

Most people are familiar with Google Maps and recently they have started to map indoor buildings such as airports and convention centers to help you get around inside them. Now in time for the huge CES Convention going on at the moment in Las Vegas they have mapped a large number of the big hotels public areas so now you will be able to look at your cell phone map and, walk in to a slot machine while you are looking for the buffet. Some hotels have touch screen wall maps but with this new feature you will be able to navigate wherever you are which is really a plus at huge properties such as the "MGM".

Elvis Is Leaving The Building

A Cirque du Soleil show is due to close next year and no its not the creepy 'Criss Angel Believe' show at the "Luxor." There are reports that Cirque has been asked by MGM to replace their struggling 'Viva Elvis' show at "Aria" with a new production after next year. The show at City Center's "Aria" resort has struggled since openning although after a retool seemed to do better but there was still reports of half empty theaters. The question for the long term did the 'Viva Elvis' show because of lack interest in the show or subject or is there a bigger problem with the "Aria" resort being so far back from the strip that people forget it when thinking about entertainment choices. 

M Life New Ways To Earn Tier Credits

For a long time MGM's slot card was no where as good as Harrah's now Caesar's Total Rewards card but since introducing the new card called M Life that is slowly changing. Now you can also get tier credits when you spend money at some of there restaurants, bars and entertainment places which is a nice addition to the slot club. Total Rewards has had this feature for a long time but its nice to see M Life adding ths so you now can earn comps on non gambling things at MGM properties.

Brad Garrett Comedy Club Moving

"Tropicana" Walkway Over PoolIn a recent article we mentioned that one bright spot at the "Tropicana" right now is the Brad Garrett Comedy Club and now comes news that the club is moving to the MGM Grand across the street. The current location at the "Tropicana" is to remain open until Jan 2012 and then the new location at the "MGM Grand" is set to open in March 2012. This latest development seems to be another blow to the "Tropicana" although you cannot blame Brad Garrett who should get more traffic for his club in a bigger resort.

Editors Notebook: Five Hundy & MGM

'Five Hundy By Midnight' one of my favorite Las Vegas podcasts has just hit its 300th episode so congrats to the hosts Tim and Michelle for this milestone. If you don't already listen check out the link on the center column to their website the show is informative and entertaining. In other Las Vegas news MGM Resorts International has announced they will present at the Wells Fargo Gaming & Lodging Conference in Las Vegas today. 

"Sahara" To Close Today

The legenadary "Sahara" tonight is going to go dark today and close for good to make way for a possible new project the SLS hotel in 2014. SLS Hotel is the name of the new hotel resort that maybe will replace this legendary property which originally opened in 1952. The owners of the "Sahara" have said the resort will be knocked down to make way for it. I have been at Las Vegas resort closings before and they are a sad affair as people are out of a job who for some cases have worked at a property for decades. The last of the guests check out and secuirty does sweeps of the hotel floors you will also see employees grouping together and talking as well as hugging. The security personnel and casino management then put tape over sections of machines as people arn't in that area and close them for good. As table games become empty they are closed while guests remain playing at the remaining tables. As the closing time draws near security or hotel staff will go around and say no more money put in slots or at close they will ask you to cash out your money. Playing table games as the closing time draws near can be strange with pit bosses saying final bets or hands and after final hands are played there can be clapping or crying by the employees. I won't be there for the "Sahara" closing but this is how it happened at other properties in town such as "Maxim", "Stardust" and the "New Frontier' and im sure this will be similar. The "Sahara" owners SBE have been working with MGM to place former "Sahara" employees and i hope that happens for most of them. As another historic property is razed for a resort that may or may not be built the North Strip becomes an area littered with empty lots or half finished hotels and for the next few years this doesn't look like its going to change.

Will The "Gold Strike" Close?

The announcement that the main hotel tower of the "Gold Strike" in Jean, NV will close with the loss of a reported 64 jobs isn't really a surprise as the whole Las Vegas market still struggles. I like many forgot that MGM still owned the resort after it had sold off its Stateline properties a few years ago. If you arn't familar with Jean its between the Stateline resorts and Las Vegas  and used to also include the "Nevada Landing" across the street which was knocked down by MGM for a resort which never happened. The idea with Stateline or Jean resorts is you get gamblers to stop for the first gamble as they enter Nevada from California or there last gambling before they leave the state. The problem for both places isn't just the bad economy its also the lots of new native american casinos in California which diminishes the drive in traffic and hurts both places. Because of "Gold Strikes" location it makes it even harder to compete and after the "Nevada Landing" was closed the "Gold Strike" became even more isolated because with a property oppersite on each side of the interstate travelers are more likely to stop as its easier to get traffic from both directions. I wouldn't be surprised if MGM looks for a buyer for this property which isn't part of its M Life slot program or if continues to struggle its future may not look great. The best option would seem to be for it to link with the Stateline properties so they could share staff etc but with issues there it may not happen in the near future.
 

Are Comps Dead In Las Vegas?

Comps have been a long staple in Las Vegas but some recent events at two big resort companies may mean they are threatened for lower budget gamblers. Comps is short for complementary which is all the rewards and benefits that a hotel may give to a player for their patronage. When you use your slot card the hotels track what you gamble and then depending what that amount is they give you a percentage back as a reward such as drink coupons, free or discounted buffets, shows or rooms but can include other things too. Earlier this year the Venetian and Plazzo who are owned by the same company said they were getting rid of comps for all but their highest budget gamblers; Then in the last few days MGM anounced their expenses were less because they spent less on comps for the lower limit gamblers with their new M Life card. Does this mean that people gambling less money won't get comps in Las Vegas? I can see the comps cut back at some properties which means you might get only offered the casino room rate instead of getting a free room for example if you are not a big gambler but they will still be there. So far i haven't seen Caesars mention cutting comps and also i would be surprised if operators like Boyd did as they do build brand loyalty. 

Harley Davidson Cafe Still Going Strong

When the Harley Davidson Cafe opened ten years ago there was a trend towards themed restaurants with most most of them not lasting. The food for most of these was overpriced and only okay so most of these places didn't last because once people had been once they didn't go back. In a city like Las Vegas there are so many great places to eat so to survive the food has to be good. The food at the Harley Davidson Cafe is pretty good American Food with a decent breakfast menu and worth a stop if you want to visit a theme restaurant in town. The Harley Davidson Cafe aso has a wedding chapel called 'The Chopper Chapel' as well as a retail shop to get Harley merchandise the location is very easy to find its between "Planet Hollywood" and the "MGM" on the strip.

Location:

Map

3725 Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas

(702) 740-4555

The Strip To Go Dark Saturday

This Saturday night between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm a lot of the strip lights, signs and famous marquees will go dark in honor of Earth Hour a global event to highlight global warming. All the Caesar's and MGM properties on the strip will honor the event by shutting off their lights as well as other Caesars properties around the country.