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The Palms Las Vegas is one of the hottest Las Vegas hotels available. Perhaps the most spectacular thing about this hotel is the fantastic views offered from the highest stories. With views of Las Vegas from above, you'll be able to see the sights that many can only dream about. Palms Hotel Rooms When you stay at the Palms, you can expect some of the most comfortable rooms on the strip. Each room has a wide variety of different amenities that are designed to make you feel at home while submersing you in luxury. Room Features: Palms Las Vegas Casino The Palms Las Vegas Casino is a 95,000 square foot casino complete with high limit rooms, card tables, slot machines and other games. Your comfort is a top priority here, and the staff go out of their way to ensure you have the best time possible. Restaurants There are several restaurants that you have to choose from when you stay at the Palms hotel and casino. Among them are Gardunos, Alize, N9ne Steakhouse, Sunrise Cafe and Little Buddha Cafe. Clubs, Shows, and the Nightlife One of the highlights of visiting the Palms is participating in the nightlife. From the Ghostbar, the show room, to the Rain Club, you can expect to spend a fantastic evening dancing, partying, and socializing. Show hours and club hours vary, as do cover charges. The Ghostbar This spooky, futuristic bar has the capacity to seat 325. The walls are glass, offering a 180 degree view of the city below. The outdoor deck offers a fantastic view from the 55th story of the Palms tower. The Rain Nightclub This club lives up to its name. With large screens showing images of falling water, coupled with a moat, this club is a trendy, fun place to go while having a night on the town. Important Palms Hotel and Casino information Hours of Operation: |
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One of the most unique experiences in Las Vegas is visiting the Luxor hotel Las Vegas. The building, a 30 story tall pyramid, brings you into an Egyptian paradise with a mysterious air. Over the course of your stay, you will see awe-inspiring sights that will remain with you after you leave from your vacation. The Luxor Las Vegas is one of the well known hotel and casinos that help give Vegas such a shining reputation. Luxor Hotel Las Vegas Rooms When you stay in the Luxor, you can expect to be in some of the classiest Eastern decor rooms available on the Strip. The large rooms make use of the Egyptian theme, further burying you within the sights, sounds and feel of the East. In each room, you will also find a variety of amenities designed to make your stay more enjoyable. Room Features: Luxor Casino When you are staying at the Luxor, you will most likely end up visiting the 120,000 square foot casino. This casino keeps with the Egyptian theme, while remaining one of the largest and most elegant casinos in Las Vegas. There are a wide variety of games available for play, which allows everyone to find something of interest to them. Local Attractions When you stay at the Luxor, there are a wide variety of things to see and do. When you stay at the Luxor, you will want to make certain that you make enough time to visit all of these things before you leave. The Tomb of Tutankhamun This replica of the tomb discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter is a great sight to see if you are interested in the history and glamor of Egypt. It is open daily from 9 A.M. to 11 P.M. Admittance is $5. Criss Angel Show The Luxor Hotel Las Vegas is home to the Criss Angel Believe show. Known for his daring, and sometimes controversial illusions, the Criss Angel show is paring up with Cirque du Soleil to create an amazing act that interacts with the audience. Criss Angel tickets sell quickly, however, even if you get the furthest seat in the custom built theater, you're still under 110 ft away from the stage. In Search of the Obelisk This motion simulator ride is one of the attractions many individuals visit the Luxor to see. Considered one of the best motion simulator rides in Las Vegas, it is well worth the $7.50 to ride. In order to be able to ride this ride, you will need to be over 42 inches tall. Luxor IMAX This 68 foot by 48 foot screen lets you see some of the most interesting shows on a huge screen that pulls you into the action. Admission fees to see the show is $9.95, and you should purchase your tickets at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the show. With so much to see and do at the Luxor Las Vegas, you can have the perfect vacation you deserve in a beautiful atmosphere that will awe you throughout your entire stay. |
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The Bellagio Hotel is one of the two certified five diamond hotels in Las Vegas. When you enter the Bellagio Las Vegas, you are completely submerged in the grandeur and beauty of the structure. When you first enter, you experience a splash of natural light from the massive ceiling sky light, which is a rarity in Las Vegas. There are massive glass structures, fountains and elegance in every aspect of the Bellagio Las Vegas hotel, letting every guest be as comfortable as possible while surrounded by beauty. Each room in the Bellagio Hotel is cleaned daily, and designed to show off comfortable elegance, providing everything that you might need through the duration of your stay. With three thousand suites, you will be able to select the type of room that you want. Room Features: Activities and Attractions There are many activities and attractions at the Bellagio Hotel that outshine many of the ones available at other nearby Las Vegas hotels. Ranging from spectacular fountains to unique shows, you can find an activity that can suit those of all ages. Bellagio Fountains These fountains are perhaps one of the most famous of the Bellagio's landmarks. Situated on the picturesque lake, the light and sound show will awe you with its grandeur and beauty. The show is free to the public, and located outside of the Bellagio hotel and casino. O Show - Cirque du Soleil Show The O show is a unique aquatic show that shows off the unbelievable ability of the performers, entertaining those of all ages. Featuring 81 swimmers, acrobats and other performers, this show takes you on an adventure you will not forget. It covers all aspects of life, taking each observer on a wild ride full of light, sound and emotion. Bellagio Casino In between shows and other activities, you can visit the Casino. This massive structure, covering 116,000 square feet, lets you unwind and gamble in a comfortable environment. Bellagio Conservatory The Bellagio Conservatory is the perfect place to go if you want to see one of the most beautiful gardens in Las Vegas. With over 100 gardeners maintaining it daily, the garden evolves with the seasons, and provides the perfect backdrop for those seeking a little natural beauty during their day. Admission is free, and the gardens are open 24 hours a day. Shopping No vacation is complete without shopping, and the Bellagio Las Vegas has some of the most glamorous stores on the strip. From Chanel to Tiffany and Company, you can find quite a few stores to accompany your experience. These stores are anything but cheap. You can spend thousands of dollars within an hour here, and on one piece alone, if you can afford it. If you want to spend a great deal of money, or observe people spending enough to cause sticker shock, this is the place to visit. Bellagio Pools There are six pools available in this spectacular area, letting you sun bathe, swim or party. Full pool services accompany the beautiful grounds, letting you to be as comfortable as possible. If you are looking for a place to go for some sun, this is the best place possible, as the Bellagio maintains its five diamond reputation, even on the pool grounds.
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Las Vegas Circus Circus is one of the most popular hotel and casinos for families to visit. By providing a wide range of entertainment that people of all ages can enjoy, families are able to stay here without worrying about trying to find activities that are appropriate for those of younger ages. When you stay at the Circus Circus Hotel Las Vegas, you can expect clean rooms with a wide variety of amenities designed to help you make the most of your stay. Room Features: Air conditioning Manor style suites include refrigerators Activities at the Las Vegas Circus Circus There are many activities for adults and children at the Las Vegas Circus Circus. Ranging from rides and games at the Midway to the Casino, you will be able to spend quality time in an enjoyable atmosphere. Permanent Circus Above the Casino, near the Midway, the Permanent Circus resides. High above the floor, acrobats, trapeze experts and performers show off world-class ability. The show is free, but there are only 60 seats in the stands. There is plenty of standing room so you can see the show even if the seats are all taken. Each show lasts about ten minutes, and is performed every half an hour between 11 A.M. and Midnight. Circus Circus Adventure Dome This pink structure, despite the color, is one of the most entertaining places in the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. Within this five acre complex, you will find a variety of roller coasters that defy gravity and thrill the senses. Some of these include the Sling Shot, the Inverter, Chaos, and the Canyon Blaster. In addition to these rides, you will find a wide range of skill and chance games for all ages, bumper cars, and the Rim Runner. Circus Circus Casino Adults will find good entertainment at the Casino, where gambling can be done in a comfortable, yet exciting environment. Circus perform around the clock, letting you take a break from the slots to watch their high level of ability and flexibility. Circus Circus Pool If you are planning to stay at the Circus Circus hotel Las Vegas, you will want to make your reservations in advance. This lets you get the price of cheap Las Vegas hotels while being able to stay at a quality establishment. There are few Las Vegas hotels that have as many activities and things to do for families as the Circus Circus possesses. |
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Excalibur Las Vegas
The Excalibur Hotel Las Vegas is one of the most exciting and different themed hotels in the southern portion of Las Vegas Boulevard. Nestled between the trendy and vibrant New York New York and the exotic Luxor Hotel, there are few Las Vegas hotels with a perfect blend of unique atmosphere and great location. When you enter the large lobby, you will encounter the sights that you would expect from the renaissance period. Coats of Arms, and 'antique' decor greet you and submerse you in the festivities from the start. If you arrive before check in, you can visit one of the many floors, one of which includes a faire that will awe and delight you with the bright colors, medieval style music, and performers. Some sections of the hotel have entertainers you can watch for free. When you make reservations at the Excalibur Las Vegas, you will be able to experience the medieval era while having all of the modern amenities expected in Las Vegas. In order to accomplish this, there are a variety of room features available for you. Room Features: In order to be able to reserve a room at the Excalibur Hotel, you need to be 21 years of age or older. Children 11 and under stay free with an adult. There is a limit of four people per room, and check-in is at 2 PM. Check-out is at 11 AM. Entertainment at the Excalibur One of the highlights of visiting the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas is seeing one of the many shows and other attractions the hotel and casino has to offer. Ranging from a true dinner theater to roller coaster rides and thrillers, you will be able to find an activity suited to people of all ages. The Tournament of Kings If you are looking for a themed dinner experience, this is the place for you. Each meal includes a full length show, as well as full course meal that not only tastes great but is filling. Meeting with the theme, there is no utensils, which makes dinning an interesting affair. The show is greatly crowd driven, which helps make it a memorable evening. The cost is roughly $50 per person. Children three or younger are admitted free if they are seated on a parents lap for the entirety of the show. Children above the age of three are required to have their own seat. Merlin's Magic Motion Machines Merlin's Magic Motion Machines are roller coaster rides that are designed to send you for the journey of your life. For $4 a ride for Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, you can experience terror in an action packed four minute ride that will leave you breathless and wanting more. You should make certain you heed the caution signs, as these rides are really intense. Excalibur Pools The Excalibur pools are highly popular with younger crowds, as it possesses a water slide and a lot of swimming space. The concrete area is surprisingly nice, accented with a variety of rock based waterfalls and plants to break the monotony of the concrete. The pool further from the pool area entrance sports extra shade, and there is no shortage of chairs for those wishing to bask in the sun. |
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Service Quality: What You Get Bottles of in the Bathroom: Shampoo and lotion. Clientele: Service Quality: Good, but it is a smaller hotel, so they don't have a lot of amenities. They will happily deliver an iron or extra towels, but there is no spa or masseusse you can call to your room. Check-in and check-out are quick thanks to the hotel's size. Staff is friendly. What You Get Bottles of in the Bathroom: Shampoo and lotion. How's the Pool? There is none. But you are allowed to use the crappy little pool across the street at the California. Seriously, it's a crappy pool.
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Night to Remember 
Relax and recover from the daily grind with an overnight getaway at Wynn.
********************** The Suite Life 
Experience The Suite Life at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.
The exterior of the Wynn Las Vegas takes elegance to a whole new level. The sleek, 50 story tall structure forms a quarter circle, using darker materials to contrast with the small mountain of trees and the white accents used in the hotel tower. From the Wynn wedding chapel to its excellent Ferrari Maserati dealership, this hotel can indulge your desires, whatever they are. The Wynn Las Vegas, designed by Steve Wynn, is the first Mega hotel to be build in Las Vegas in the past 5 years. Taking the place of the Desert Inn, which was torn down in 2001, this 2.7 billion dollar hotel is designed to surpass the grandeur of the Bellagio, the Mirage and Treasure Island, all of which Steve Wynn designed. The hotel has approximately 2,700 rooms, a 111,000 square foot casino, an 18 hole Wynn Golf Course, as well as many other attractions. From the superb Resort Room that raise the bar in standard rooms on the strip to the plush Wynn Suite, any room you stay in will impress you. The European style Wynn pool is the place to be seen during the daylight hours, either in the main area or the topless section behind the pool bar. The Wynn Cabanas are some of the most impressive on the Strip, with complimentary IPODs and a television set. Included in the shopping centers of the Wynn Resort Las Vegas is a full fledged Ferrari and Maserati dealership. This dealership caters to the rich and the famous, as Wynn shopping is aimed to serve those willing to spend the money to stay in the newest hotel on the Strip. One of the hottest new night clubs in Las Vegas is the Wynn Blush boutique nightclub. Attractions Circular Showroom/Theater A 2,000 seat circular show room is in the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas. Marble, and rich velvet continue the luxurious theme you will find at this hotel. The center stage allows many more individuals to get a good view of the great shows at the Wynn. The Le Reve Wynn Show is a fantastic show at the Wynn. Combining many of director Franco Dragone's previous shows, he is famous for working on many Cirque du Soleil productions, the Le Reve Wynn Show creates a hallucinatory narrative. Lake of Dreams The Wynn Resort sports a 150 foot tall fountain that contains five different tiers. The fountain falls into a man-made lake. This is named the Lake of Dreams. There is a light show that changes the color of the lake a variety of bright, rich hues. Restaurants There are 18 new restaurants located within the Wynn Resort. The Wynn Hotel Lobby is decorated in bold red, green and brown hues, and is decorated with rich fabrics and fine fixtures. The restaurants are no less impressive. Inside the resort, aside from the main tower of the hotel is a suites structure. This suite tower is home to Tableau, which is a semi-private restaurant. Dinner here is open to the public, however, breakfast and lunch use is limited to guests of the suites. Casino Spanning a massive 111,000 square feet, The Wynn Resort and Hotel has a variety of different slot and card games, as well as dice games. It is designed to be as elegant as the rest of the structure, with intricate woodwork and delicate chandeliers, matching the fame and beauty of the Venetian and the Bellagio casinos.
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Night to Remember
Relax and recover from the daily grind with an overnight getaway at Wynn.
********************** The Suite Life
Experience The Suite Life at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.
*********************************** Just north of the Wynn Hotel and Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard, the Wynn Encore echoes the look of Wynn inside and out with a shimmering, curved glass façade and a classic interior done in bold reds. Sometimes more of a good thing is just what's called for. Both Wynn and Wynn Encore challenge the idea that free, glitzy entertainment outside must be present to lure passers-by in. The newer concept behind these hotel casinos is to invite guests in and then let them see exactly what there is to see. After all, most people who stop to watch the free Bellagio fountains performance probably just keep on walking. With over 2,000 Encore suites measuring in at a comfortable 700 square feet each, the Encore Las Vegas is designed for guests who want a comfortable and luxurious stay. If you don't want an upscale room with all the trimmings (or you don't want to pay for it) look elsewhere. If what you seek is a VIP experience, try an Encore VIP suite featuring a two-story layout and 5,800 square feet of space. The suites at the Encore Hotel Las Vegas have a multiple-room layout with a large-screen, flat panel television that swivels to face into the sleeping or living areas. Amenities and décor in the Encore suites are top of the line to ensure that the Encore Hotel Las Vegas parallels Wynn's high standards and outstanding service. Of course, the Encore Las Vegas is not only created for sleep, but also for play. The casino covers 72,000 square feet. A number of fine dining experiences are available, as is an array of shops and boutiques. Bars and lounges ensure space for casual nightlife, while chic Encore nightclub options splash onto the Vegas scene. Few other Vegas resorts challenge the Wynn for style and presentation and this is sure to leak over into the nightclub experience at the Encore Hotel Las Vegas. When you are done playing, try a relaxation session in the fabulous Encore pool or spa. Aside from Wynn, the Wynn Encore is located close to several other Vegas hotspots. Just across the street is Fashion Show Mall, a great destination for shopping or dining. Several delicious restaurants line the front of the Mall just along the Strip, providing a lovely outdoor view of the Wynn, Wynn Encore, and Las Vegas Boulevard. Just a short walk away are Treasure Island and the Mirage with more dining and nightlife options as well as excellent shows to see at each. With a range of amenities and a fine attention to detail, the Encore Las Vegas is sure to please even the pickiest of guests.
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Vegas buffets that are offering an all-day pass to dine
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In Las Vegas, 21 ideas -- all under $21 For the budget-minded, the list of free or low-cost events includes Mandalay Bay's weekly blues concert, a carriage ride on Mt. Charleston and dueling piano competitions. By Steve Friess Once upon a time, Las Vegas was synonymous with bargains. Then cheap buffets, lounge acts and inexpensive hotel rooms gave way to Michelin Guide star-rated restaurants, Cirque du Soleil extravaganzas and luxury suites at the Bellagio. But all is not lost, even in these tough economic times when gas prices alone may make you reconsider a Vegas trip. These 21 ideas, each for less than $21, show that Vegas is still the land of the cheap and home of the free, if you know where to look. 1. THE SUNBELT CLASSIC AND ANTIQUE AUTO MUSEUM Jim Rogers, the owner of Sunbelt Communications, has more than 300 restored vehicles on display in his car barn. But he doesn't advertise the collection, and tourists can see it only by appointment. Call (702) 649-0110 to arrange a time or join a scheduled tour. The museum opens at 6 a.m. weekdays, except holidays, at 1420 Gragson St. Go to www.sunbeltcars.com for details. Free. 2. FREE STUFF AT THE MALLS The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority offers the Shop Vegas Passport. Print out the coupon book from www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas /pdf/shopping_passport.pdf and redeem it at one of the seven malls listed on the book. Free. 3. WIRELESS INTERNET The lobbies and casino areas of the Palazzo and Venetian are among the few spots on the Strip where you can find unfettered access. Power up and log on. Free. 4.-6. DUELING PIANO COMPETITIONS At three locations, pianists play and the audience chooses a winner by applause. Check out the Piano Bar at Harrah's Las Vegas (9 nightly), Kahunaville restaurant at Treasure Island (9:30 nightly) and the Bar at Times Square at New York New York (8 nightly). Free at Harrah's and Treasure Island; $10 at New York New York. 7. TOUR LAS VEGAS HISTORY Las Vegas City Hall has a historic walking tour, displaying such items as Mayor Oscar Goodman bobbleheads, a 1959 map of the city and the 1923 city budget. Ask the city clerk for a brochure for the self-guided tour. City Hall is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, except holidays, at 400 Stewart Ave. Free. 8. CASINO COLLECTIBLES ON THE CHEAP To find great casino memorabilia, go to the Broadacres Swap Meet in North Las Vegas, a 20-acre, open-air market with 1,150 vendors. The meet runs 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 2930 N. Las Vegas Blvd. Fridays, 50 cents; Saturdays and Sundays, $1; kids under 12, free. 9. BETTE MIDLER'S BAND Instead of spending big bucks to see Midler's "The Showgirl Must Go On," you can hear six members of her band performing as Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, a weekly act at the Lounge at the Palms. The band performs at 10:30 p.m. Mondays. Free. 10. THE BIRDMAN COMETH Joe Krathwohl, a.k.a. the Birdman of Las Vegas, does astonishing bird tricks with a menagerie that includes Hawaiian cockatoos, Amazon parrots and the endangered Andean condor at 1 and 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays inside the 80,000-square-foot Hawaiian Marketplace, 3743 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Free. 11. RIDE MT. CHARLESTON Las Vegas Carriage offers 20-minute rides around the 11,000-foot mountain, about 40 minutes northwest of Las Vegas. Take a horse-drawn carriage in summer or a horse-drawn wooden sleigh during the winter. The rides start from the Mt. Charleston Lodge, 1200 Old Park Road. Call (702) 596-6715 for reservations. $20 per adult, $10 per child. 12. FLOAT ALONG WITH MASQUERADE SHOW IN THE SKY Twenty-five members of the public can ride the floats during an hourly show of dancers and musicians who parade on elevated tracks over the casino floor at the Rio All-Suite Hotel-Casino. The shows run hourly from 7 p.m. to midnight Thursdays through Sundays. Make reservations at harrahs-web.vegas.com/rio/masquerade.html. $13. 13. WEEKLY BLUES CONCERTS At 9 p.m. every Wednesday, the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay offers "Nothing but the Blues" concerts inside the Crossroads room. Bands change weekly, and there's no cover charge. To find out more, go to www.myspace.com/ nothingbuttheblues2007 or call (702) 632-7600. Free. 14. THE GAY DISCOUNT CARD You don't have to be gay or lesbian to get a Q VIP discount card. Q Vegas, the town's major GLBT magazine, distributes the card, which provides discounts to the Atomic Testing Museum and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, among other places. Send an e-mail to vip@qvegas.com with your name, e-mail address, mailing address, phone number and birth date, and the mag will send the card to you. Free. 15. THE PINBALL HALL OF FAME This 4,500-square-foot storefront is a hidden treasure where you can play 200 or so vintage pinball machines. It's a nonprofit effort run by Tim Arnold, a former arcade chain owner with a collection that dates to the 1940s. The Pinball Hall of Fame is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily at 3330 E. Tropicana Ave. For more information, visit www.pinballmuseum.org. 25 cents to 50 cents per game. 16.-17. EAT AT VEGAS COOKING SCHOOLS If you hunger for an inexpensive gourmet meal, try one of the two local cooking schools where some of those vaunted Strip chefs trained. The Culinary Institute of Las Vegas currently serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays at Opus Too, 2350 Corporate Circle in Henderson (www.artinstitutes.edu/lasvegas/aboutus_facility.asp?facid=69). To confirm days and hours and make reservations, call (702) 369-9944. $9.95. Also try Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, which has a 10,000-square-foot restaurant called Café Bleu (www.vegasculinary.com/onsite_restaurant.asp). It is open 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch Tuesdays through Fridays and 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. for dinner at 1451 Center Crossing Road. Call (702) 851-5322 for reservations. At both places, the students cook and wait the tables. $19 to $21. 18. LAUGH AT IMPROV STUDENTS Aspiring comics training with the Second City comedy troupe perform at 9:30 p.m. Mondays at the Onyx Theatre, 953 E. Sahara Ave. The theater ( www.onyxtheatre.com) is behind a clothing shop called the Rack. No advance ticket sales. $7. 19. SUNSET VIEW OF THE STRIP Rather than pay up to $13.95 to see the Strip from the Stratosphere observation deck, head to the bar at Mix atop THEhotel at Mandalay Bay before 10 p.m. for a better view. Free. 20. VISIT THE FISH A major tourist draw in Vegas is the 50,000-gallon, horseshoe-shaped saltwater tank at the north end of Caesars Palace's Forum Shops that houses more than 500 colorful fish, including zebra sharks and cownose rays. During educational tours, you can handle live starfish and observe other sea life. The tours start at 1:15 and 5:15 p.m. weekdays near the Tower Records side of the aquarium. Free. 21. GET INTO VEGAS NIGHTCLUBS FREE Grab free passes to two of the Strip's hottest nightclubs, the Bank at Bellagio and Jet at the Mirage, at such stores as Metro Park and Marciano at Fashion Show, Ted Baker and BeBe at Forum Shops and Marciano and BeBe at the Miracle Mile Shops. The passes can be worth $20 or more. Free. |
In Las Vegas, 21 ideas For the budget-minded, the list of free or low-cost events includes Mandalay Bay's weekly blues concert, a carriage ride on Mt. Charleston and dueling piano competitions.
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Downtown Fremont St Experience Coupons
Click above to Print Coupons |
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An essay on high-end food sourcing in Las Vegas A review of Ping Pang Pong at the Gold Coast A review of the Steakhouse at Excalibur Take a virtual walk around Fremont Street, Las Vegas in this essay from VegasMavens.com "A Random Walk Around Fremont Street"
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Casino Comps An essay on VegasMavens.com "Its All About Theo" is really all about casino comps, the freebies casinos give customers to encourage their patronage. |
More Casino CompsQ:Question 1: As a follow-up to your answer to today's question (QoD 4/9/10) about casino hosts, my question is, how much do you need to bring to Vegas in order for the casino hosts to be interested in hosting you? Question 2: What size bankroll does one need in order to feel they can enlist the services of a casino host? If you tell them you have a certain size bankroll and you don't put it in action, what can you expect the repercussions to be, if any?
A:We received a number of similar questions after running yet another Q&A on casino hosts, a topic that solicits regular questions and never fails to inspire a flurry when we run one.
Actually, there’s nothing mysterious about bankroll requirements in terms of a casino marketing executive’s criteria for hosting players. Fact is, the requirements and criteria not only aren’t set in stone, but differ from casino to casino and sometimes host to host; they can also change over time. Always remember that hosts are there to service you. You need to play their games, but they need to give you good reasons to do so. You can probably find a host (or a boss, who doubles as a host at the smaller casinos that don't have dedicated marketing execs) for whatever your level of action. It all depends on what you play, where you play, and what you’re looking for in return for your play. If you’re a baccarat enthusiast who brings $2 million and likes to make $50,000 bets, call the MGM Grand and talk to a host about flying in on a company jet and staying at the Mansion with a butler and personal chef. If you’re a crapshooter who makes $10 pass line bets with single odds, call the Hats and Horns and talk to a boss about a buffet for two and comped tickets to Nudes On Ice (a fictitious example in order not to quote any real numbers at a real casino). Say you’re looking for a nice $250 dinner at Hugo’s Cellar for your 25th anniversary. Call a host at the Four Queens and ask for the play requirement. If the answer, $50 a hand for four hours, is a little rich for your blood, ask about a $150 comp. If it’s still too much, call the Golden Nugget and ask about dinner at the Grotto. (Or if your heart is really set on Hugo’s, pay retail; that way you know exactly what you’re buying and how much it’s going to cost.) Or say you want to stay at the Mirage in a mini-suite. Call ’em up and ask. The $50 a hand for four hours is too much? Ask about a slow night -- Monday or Tuesday. Maybe the average bet times play hours will go down somewhat. Or maybe you decide you’d just like a standard room. Or maybe you realize you don’t mind staying at the Monte Carlo after all, where they want four hours at only $25 a hand. Are you a dollar slot player? Call around; see what you can get from various slot hosts. Start low and bargain up. Are you a five-dollar video poker player? There might be a limited number of casinos with good schedules (hopefully, you’re playing positive expectation games using proper strategy), but you should qualify for pretty decent comps at that level. Shop and compare for best results. Another idea is to frequent online message forums, such as the Comps board at LasVegasAdvisor.com. A quick look just now reveals that dinner for two at Second Street Grille at the Fremont goes for $25 for four hours. With that information, you can call up a host/boss at the Fremont and compare what he says to what you know. Once you find a host who appreciates your play at a property you like, cultivate him. The "care and feeding" of a host is an art form and a lot’s been written about it -- by Jean Scott in her Frugal series and Deke Castleman in Whale Hunt in the Desert, to name a couple. But the better you get to know hosts, the more conversant you’ll be with the systems at the casinos you frequent and the better your relationship with the casinos will be. A good host, meanwhile, will be cultivating you in return. As for the repercussions for not living up to your end of the play-comp bargain, you won’t be visited by security or the police. Your kneecaps won't have a little chat with a sledge hammer. But you will burn a bridge and if it’s at a multi-casino company, hosts at all the other company casinos will be able to call up your info and see that you’re a deadbeat. It’s bad form to overstate your bankroll and/or minimum bets or your intention to play for more hours than you do. Remember, a host can do a lot of discretionary things for you. Jean Scott is a master at befriending hosts and getting all kinds of goodies, whether her play merits them or not (usually it does, but not always) and she has plenty of tips in her books. So if you want to make a study of the host game, that’s the place to start. If you just want to jump in and see how it works, start calling the casinos, ask for the VIP departments, and ask ask ask. |
How to Get More Casino Comps with
gambling author Jean "Queen of Comps" Scott