Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

Also, Norm in Monday's Review-Journal mentioned, "On another front, an insider tells me New York nightclub operator Andrew Sasson, a part owner in Light and Caramel nightclubs and Fix restaurant, all at Bellagio, and Panorama Towers, is getting his own boutique hotel in the MGM Mirage City Center project. Not bad for a former nightclub doorman."

Andrew Sasson should be credited with keeping Mirage properities current and relevant over the past 3 years - this "post-Wynn era". A guy like this is a missing "X Factor" for Mr. Wynn. No doubt his stock continues to rise at MGM and he is an essential check & balance to the "corporatization" (for lack of a better term) of their vast portfolio of assets.

charlie,

The question I have about MGM-Mirage is: Is Sasson succeeding in balancing the corporateness? Bellagio is my favorite property and I can see a day coming when the corners start to fray. I have not been back to LV in 5 years and won't be able to go until next year at the earliest. I am concerned that the bottom line driven mentality of most corporations tends to dilute the quality of the casino product. I think Wynn gets this more than anyone else in the industry. I do enjoy this blog because I feel it is more fair in commenting on each property than most of the chatter I read in the forums.

I think that's a huge issue.

MGM MIRAGE doesn't have any visionaries that I can see to handle design issues, quality, etc... They have some great operators but higher profits at what expense?

Bellagio may emerge from its current construction phase as a stronger property but there are what I see as some serious challenges there.

Hunter & Tom,

Yes this is a fun discussion forum...good ideas too...

While I give props to Sasson for bringing some much needed vibe to Bellagio, don't get me started on the downside of Bellagio over the past few years. Last 4th of July weekend on the Fontana patio, the fountains played to Faith Hill's "This Kiss". No disrespect to Faith, but she does not belong alongside Mr. Sinatra, and certainly not at Bellagio. It was an utter low-point for the hotel. I thought to myself, "This would never happened on Steve Wynn's watch." The fountains sprayed tears that day.

Also, as great as Light and Fix are, Caramal is equally as bad. I miss Allegro...what nice cozy place to listen to live jazz and play video poker.

While we are all excited about Wynn/Encore/Golf Course and 'City-Center' In 10 years, Bellagio may stand alone like no other hotel in Vegas. While 5000, 7000, 10,000 room/condo 'Super-Mega-Resorts' have scale, the strip is becoming so crowded - urban, and in danger of losing its very identity - a place in the desert. In 10 years, Bellagio will continue to be self-isolated, behind its 9 acre lake and fountains, and in a world all to itself.

Charlie, you have just said what I've been trying to express since the events of September 11th--the fountains have become too Americanized. I'm all for patriotism... but for a month, or maybe a year. Giant belt buckles, cowboy hats, and USA praise songs seem somewhat out-of-place in a resort resembling an Italian village. Now it's a crap shoot as to whether or not the fountains can really stir your emotions like all the songs in Wynn's original line-up did.

Why spend your money on hotel rooms at Bellagio when you can own a Panorama Towers residence? Believe me, I know how much money those casinos can suck up. I used to be a casino host before I entered into real estate. Steve Wynn did not build Bellagio on winners!! Panorama Towers will be footsteps away from MGM City Center and Bellagio. The luxury high-rise neighborhood is destined to be the finest address in Las Vegas. With the recent poker craze, many Bellagio poker players have chosen Panorama Towers as their vacation home residence. Take advantage of this opportunity with a VIP Tour at http://www.michellelorenzo.com.