So, I'm a day early.
"In Business Las Vegas" has a story on a new hotel pricing website, Farecast, which sounds intereresting. I haven't spent much time on it yet, but it may be helpful for Las Vegas hotel rates.
New Web site uses science to gauge hotel pricing
The website itself is:
Farecast.com
Comments
Huh?
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=101502&p=IROL-NewsText&t=Regular&id=1047050&
Wynn really wants to pack 'em in this weekend. I just got an offer for 5X points on Sunday and Monday. You don't hear that kind of multiplier outside of the Station and Sam's Town kind of places, really.
Neat find detroit.
Mike, I just received a marketing offer from Wynn. $119 isn't all that great for a Resort Room, but it's upgradeable to a Parlor for only $150 more. That's a steal. Too bad I have no plans on returning anytime soon.
Anyone else notice that Stephen Kalt left Wynn? The site claims they put Stratta in charge of Corsa, but somehow I doubt Alex is really overseeing two kitchens.
Hey, Mike and Mike. I got an email from Wynn yesterday offering me three nights in a 1-bedroom suite plus some FreeCredit. Good many weekdays in Sept and early October. Remember, I haven't been there in ten months now.
When locals told me about the unbelievable points offers this weekend in Vegas, I thought something's not right with this picture.
That's interesting about Kalt leaving Corsa. I hope Wynn's restaurants don't lose their individuality and become corporate outlets like at MGM Mirage properties. I met the chef from Tribute, near Detroit, where Okada's chef, Takashi came from when Wynn opened. He told me Takashi liked the opportunity Wynn gave him, but he and his wife and children didn't like Las Vegas. They've since moved to Chicago and opened a 50 seat restaurant.
Same here got the 5x pints offer plus $119 resort room with 2 free txi to La Reve
Don't know if this has been mentioned before, but in the MGM Q2 Earnings Conference call they said that the mall at CityCenter will be called the "Crystals Retail District". So far the working title had been "Sobella" which just means South of Bellagio and earlier referred to the entire PCC site before they came up with the Project CityCenter name. Daniel Libeskind is serving as a design consultant to Adamson Associates to design the retail mall. Libeskind also recently completed the new extension for the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto that has a similar design with sharply angled walls and roofs jutting out in odd directions and, coincidentally, is also called the "Crystal".
Wow! I hope the CityCenter retail will be as dramatic as ROM. Very interesting. Thanks, Mark.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://z.about.com/d/gocanada/1/0/E/4/-/-/Michael_Lee_Chin_Crystal.jpg&imgrefurl=http://gocanada.about.com/b/a/257213.htm&h=296&w=500&sz=139&hl=en&start=20&um=1&tbnid=3Tiyko4Q8BgSoM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=149&prev=/images%3Fq%3Droyal%2Bontario%2Bmuseum%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-US%26sa%3DN
Press Release on Bellagio's website:
Light Nightclub Closes, Reopens as The Bank
Las Vegas, Friday, August 31, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Light Nightclub at Bellagio Will Undergo a Remodel to Make Way for New Light Group Concept The Bank
Set To Open New Year�s Eve �07 The Bank Will Transform Las Vegas Nightlife
Las Vegas � The Light Group, which redefined the Las Vegas nightlife landscape when it opened Light Nightclub at Bellagio six years ago, will close the club�s doors for renovations Monday, September 3. The space will be remodeled into a revolutionary nightlife concept named The Bank. Set to open New Year�s Eve 2007, The Bank will transform the Las Vegas nightclub experience yet again.
�The Bank will defy the typical nightlife experience in Las Vegas,� said Andy Masi, Managing Partner of The Light Group. �With The Bank, we will raise the bar once again by introducing Las Vegas to the most sophisticated and exciting nightclub experience yet.�
Offering unrivaled service in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, The Bank will cater to a discerning audience with higher sensibilities. The exquisitely chic and stunning 6,600 square foot space will make The Bank the most sought-after club experience in Las Vegas. Guests will be greeted by a sensuous foyer providing a warm welcoming space. The entrance into the nightclub's main room will present a dramatic aerial perspective: elegant VIP booths layer the dance floor in an impressive multi-tiered environment. A glass encased dance floor, set at the lowest tier, will be slightly raised creating a brilliant focal point in the center of the room.
Like its namesake, The Bank will be a sanctuary for all things precious � the d�cor and design are no exception. Attention to detail abounds where combinations of rich textures and carefully thought-out elements will create a harmoniously paired aesthetic. A rich kaleidoscope of colors will complement the club�s intricate details creating a luxurious yet contemporary vibe. Vivid one-of-a-kind ambient and mood lighting on both the ceiling and floor will create an ultra-sensory experience and a state-of-the-art sound system, built to suit the needs of all music types, will bring the club to life. Simply stated, The Bank will be cosmopolitan, exclusive and one of Las Vegas� most desirable party spots.
Overseeing the management of the The Bank will be managing partners: New York club owner and international promoter Danny A and The Light Group�s Jodi Myers. Danny A, part owner of New York hot-spot Marquee, and Myers, a six-year VIP Marketing veteran, will oversee the venue�s overall operations, marketing and brand development.
�The Bank will offer an atmosphere of sophistication and exclusivity,� said Bill McBeath, president of Bellagio. �Our guests will experience a level of energy and service consistent with The Light Group.�
I'm sure everyone over there knows way more about what people are looking for in a nightlife venue than me, but I'm not sold on "The Bank" as a concept. When I think of a bank, I think of waiting in line, service fees, and general hassles--exactly the stuff that you want to avoid when you go out for the night.
It could be fun--maybe they'll try to cross-sell you on timeshares or something every time you go up to the teller...er, bartender to buy a drink.
If it's successful, maybe they'll open "DMV" next.
The 9/4/07 NY Times had an op-ed column by Bob Herbert. It's only available to subscribers, but the opening paragraphs set the tone:
"There is probably no city in America where women are treated worse than in Las Vegas.
The tone of systematic, institutionalized degradation is set by the mayor, Oscar Goodman, who told me in an interview that the city would reap �tremendous� benefits if a series of �magnificent brothels� could be established to cater to johns from across the country and around the world."
The column prompted Jon Ralston to write about it in today's LV Sun:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/commentary/2007/sep/05/566672466.html
I agree that Mayor Goodman's "schtick" hurts Las Vegas.
I would like to be able to say that I am surprised by Goodman's comments as written in that opinion piece, but I am not surprised at all. Appalled, but not surprised.
Wynn tip issue won't go away:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/consumer/2007/sep/07/566677072.html
Marnell Corrao is out as contractor at Pinnacle Las Vegas condo-hotel project. Will it get built in this market?
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2007/09/07/news/iq_16483925.txt
In Buainess Las Vegas has a long interview with Don Marrandino who talks about the Flamingo and Harrah's plans on the Strip.
http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2007/09/07/qanda.html
I that In Business interview, Don Marandino says this:
"At the Flamingo, we have Margaritaville, which is Jimmy Buffet's dream. It's been just amazing. It's the highest grossing restaurant in the country. It does north of $40 million in gross sales in its partnership with the Flamingo."
Someone from Tao may want to give him a call to correct him on that.
Just some trivia. Marandino's wife was my dentist for a couple years.
A somewhat different look at Sheldon Adelson in London's Sunday Times:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article2412748.ece
Hmm, that Times article says Adelson wants to build a third resort in Vegas with 5,000 rooms and 1,000 condos near the Venetian and Palazzo. Where's he gonna put it?
Mark, my guess is Adelson will build east of Koval on the south side of Sands. His nemesis, Steve Wynn, built an employee garage on the sliver of land that Wynn owns on that corner, but LV Sands owns the property to the east of it. I thought it was going to be for another expansion of the Sands Expo Center, but maybe it will be for a hotel and condos.
Just a few months ago, somebody on this site told us Wynn stock would never see $100 again. I can't recall who it was....? :) Man were they right. Wynn is $137 today! I have to agree with them now, I don't think Wynn stock will ever see $100 again either! Man, am I an idiot or what?
Brian, I'm the idiot who sold LVS at $91.78 and WYNN at $108. Good gains, but I should have held them.