I visit about every 5 to 6 weeks typically mid week. My last stay at night it was hard to get on a craps table at the Venetian and they were all going. During the morning and day it seemed slow and the pit crews were commenting on it. Vegas is pricey and not the deal it once was in my opinion. I’ll keep going though 😂 I’m just a damn degenerate.
Actually room prices have increased slightly to offset the drop in occupancy. It really doesn’t make sense to lower room rates in large properties unless there is a major slump like we saw during Covid days.
As an example, MGM Grand has around 5000 rooms. Let’s say they can sell a room for $200/night. At full occupancy that would be a million dollars. Now let’s say they are only running at 90% occupancy but they maintained the same price. That gives them $900,000. Now let’s say they increased the rate to $215. They would have $967,500. Just a small reduction in income. But what if they dropped the rates as an incentive to book? They reduced the rates to $150. Chances are that they still would not attain full occupancy, but let’s say they did. Now they have only $750,000.
All that to say that you probably shouldn’t count on room prices coming down unless there is a major reduction in visitors.
100% correct about room rates.
The issue I think is along the lines of table games and prices. That is why "downtown" is seeing more people than the strip. Table games are less expensive down there....more $10 tables. On the strip good luck finding $10 tables.
I know about the cost effectiveness of machines and what not. But people like the interaction of table games. The excitement of craps, roulette, black jack, etc. Look how many people sit around and watch when a craps game is hooting and hollering.... same goes for a loud black jack table. I know I have stopped and watched. The excitement has fizzled on the Casino floor, IMHO compared to years past. I used to see around 11 pm all craps tables full, black jack tables full, etc. People having a good time. Now about half are full. Half the strip casinos have replaced old gaming pits with machines.
I will also add in that Vegas went away from the "gaming" towards more of the day clubs, pool party, etc during the summers. I am older now so I don't do that scene or even the club/bar scene. I would rather hang out at a lounge. But I dont see the long lines waiting to get into clubs on the strip like I used too.
Again maybe I am old..... but are the Clubs busy like in the early 2000's.... I mean Drea's after hours used to have a line out the door, Pure, Tao, Coyote Ugly, Ghost Bar, Studio 54, etc. Just to name a few. You had long lines or had to know someone to get in. Or if a guy... made sure you had about 3 girls with you. Or I would offer to buy a bottle for a group of women so I could get in. Is it the same?
Las Vegas is not good deal anymore and people know it
Only thing that draws people are events like WSOP or Formula 1 or something else like that
Casinos are getting rid of all useless amenities like concierge services and some spas at lower end casinos
So they will continue to cut and give less but not bring down prices
Better shot going to other states to gamble or get better offers..
So is girls that means having to travel 🧳 more for work
I can only stay around at home if it's busy but lately it's not the case
But something like the WSOP
Will keep me in Vegas
So if the casinos need to rethink the issues or the system maybe in trouble...
that has been going on for years out here in Vegas. Vegas we have always been known as a hospitality town.
But at some point it changed. Every client I see I talk to them about their Vegas experience and also readig comments online. Visitors that come here don't feel the warm welcome. I hear alot about staff having attitudes,rooms dirty,and a very nonchalant attitude. Instead of the upbeat and happy that the visitors are here.
I was in the Excalibur recently they have layed-off concierge,bellman,and all valet. Moreso at the lower end MGM properties.And other hotels are laying people off as well. However,the fees the hotel charges is going up.
Quick story right after covid I was seeing a long time regular client who happened to be a higher up in executive level for a certai hotel group. This is right after the hotels/casinos on the strip reopened after covid closures were lifted.
I recall him mentioning about the hotels being concerned about visitors attendance and how they were offering free parking for locals and visitors that should help. I remember laughing and saying "Sir please excuse my language no one gives a f**k about free parking . What they care about is being nickel and dimed. I speak to clients from all over the world and US . "This is their #1 complaint over other issues.
His response:Well if they do not have any $ they should stay home.
My response":You and the hotels do not get it how about waive resort fees for like a year. ?"
I am sure you would get a better response and increase in attendance if you waived those fees."
He thought that was funny until he was lay-offed.
Just my .long .02 lol
He has no empathy. And Karma got him.
Besides the constant rising of the resort fees, Now, some pools (Bellagio) have courted off a section of the pool area, which was open before and now have made it a "Reserved" section with a fee. Years it use to be, you see a chair, you throw your towel and bask in the sun...now its per reservation$$$. But they are nicer loungers but....I still hate it.
But they are pinching you wherever they can.
ahhhh the reserved pools ... love them .. no fee for higher status guests ... like moi 
nice and quieter, better service by hotter waitresses, and no kids peeing in the pool !
Vegas is definitely a what have you done for me lately place, and they have great rewards when earned ... one night i cut to the front of a miles long taxi line. as the valet called for my car, guy at front of line complains, valet turns and says , hey you drop $100k you can cut too!
i always treat my regular ladies there to spa, massages, $$$ dinners, i tell them i am only sleeping with them for the reward points they earn me! LOL
That I know is private, no kids, bed lounger and its geared more for the adults. I was referring to the regular/main pool. They sectioned off an area, and put nicer loungers and they now charge a fee.
That sucks.
And don't get me started on turn down service at night.
Recall me and date was waiting in a long taxi line and was going to miss our concert. Date said he would be back walked to the front of the line.He spoke to the taxi guy I saw cash exchanged discreetly.. Walked back to me and said hey we are next for a cab. We walked to the front of the line and people were cussing,looking at us like they wanted to kill is. lol
Once we are on our way he said it pays to have a higher status and take care of the taxi line guy,taxi,uber drivers
I usually tip the valet up front and ask for my car to be kept upfront. I could be in the hotel the whole or half of the day my car is still in the front.
. I do not pay that valet fee just what I spent to the actual valet guys to keep my car upfront. Had one hotel I paid the $50 for valet used my credit card. Machine malfunctions after it says car was on its way. Valet says your credit card not billed. I use the machine right next to it this time pay with cash $50. Get home and look they did charge me on my credit card! I call everywhere they are directing me to security,valet,left messages as they said they had to look at the cameras to see if it shows me paying. I had to call back for them to say they could not make a determination. Really?$100 paid for valet for like 2hrs! You talking about pissed I was red hot. Thanks Resort World.
I talk to the valet guys you would be surprised how many people do not tip.
Visitors always get better rewards than the locals. Sounds like it is working out for you quite well
Was speaking about the pool and the changes. Like you said you used to be able to get to the pool early and throw down a towel on a chair. My friend stayed at the hotel you mentioned she sent a picture of her drink $42.00 margarita in a plastic cup she paid at the pool. That is crazy.
Some of the hotels I hear are charging $50-100 for you to reserve just a chair at the pool!
I saw Red Rock just opened a 21 over pool Rouge I think it is called.
I know you are a gent who likes the Strip but have you ever thought/stayed at Red rock? They charge a resort fee as well
I miss the good Ole days...like the IP days. I know it was a dive but it was so much fun. I used to come out 3 or 4 times a year. Now I'm down to once a year. I used to stay 4 to 5 days at a time and meet a lady every night. Now its 3 days and only meet a lady once. Im no high roller just the average working man. Hope you are doing well 😊
Been going to Vegas for years but didn't go this past year.
The issue isn't so much the "room rates". But that isn't helping. The major issue IMHO is table game prices. Myself and people i go with like to play table games. You can't find a $5 table or even a $10 table at night at most Casino's on the strip. Even downtown it is hard to find them. If you do those are the tables that are packed. You are seeing more and more "video" table games. yeah I know the cost effectiveness and what not of that. you dont need to pay a dealer, pay benefits, pay them to stand there when nobody is playing, etc. But people like that interaction, the excitement, etc. The last time I was there only 1 crap table was busy. When years past you couldn't get on crap tables and they were $10 min and maybe one was $25. Now they all are $25 min at night. All Blackjack tables used to be full when most were $5/$10 tables and a few that were $25.... now lot of them are empty. The "excitement" of the casino floor is fading IMHO. When all you have is machine after machine. I wont even get into the fact of how hard it is to get a drink while playing machines compared to in the past. But again... I understand the cost savings of that as well.
I also know it is all about analytics for casinos. They know that a person can press a button faster than any dealer can run thru a shoe of cards. IE: a person can lose $100 faster pushing a button than playing black jack. Example.... at $5 a hand that is 20 straight losing hands. It would take about 30 mins to lose that amount of money in 20 hands at the black jack table. Betting $5 at a penny slot max bet in 20 push of the buttons..... about 10 mins. That is if you dont fast play/push. Yes that is losing every roll of the machine and every single hand of black jack. Casino's know this and that is why more and more machines are on the floor. But that is killing the customer experience.... IMHO.
OK.... I will get off my soap box.
This I hear alot as well about the tables and the minimums.
I don't know anything about the tables but I have mentioned to some they might want to check downtown for lower minimums
Yeah downtown you can find 10 dollar craps. MGM casinos you can get 15 in the morning.
you are correct about downtown. That is why Downtown is seeing increase in visitors and in gaming income compared to the strip. You would think the strip would learn... but they are not. They are just jacking up FEE's.
Vegas strip is down 10-15 percent. Didn’t sell out for EDC or for Memorial Day. June July August will be down. All from a very reliable source. Economy and being overpriced are the reasons. It’s no longer what it used to be, a reasonably priced premium vacation. With gaming off, resorts impose fees on everything and laying off employees. They need to reverse course.
But my experience has not been the same. The casinos are crowded. The parking garages are full. The phone is still ringing. I am not sure what the disconnect is.
Last night I seen 34 girls available now on p411 in Vegas. I have never seen that many before. It’s either busy,slow or just an anomaly. 😂
I agree with Heather that when I am down on the strip, it is busy, but I think people are spending their money differently than before. I don't think as many are gambling when here. They are looking for cheaper ways to entertain themselves, and sometimes that means not indulging in the hobby as much, if at all. Some women are seeing a slowdown, and others haven't been affected as much by it.
