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The Cromwell - Lipstick On A Pig?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by VegasGroove, Mar 31, 2016.

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  1. VegasGroove

    VegasGroove VIP Whale

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    A coworker approached me this morning stating she is planning a trip to Vegas. Upon plenty of arm-twisting from a couple of her friends, she is keen on booking The Cromwell. She asked what I thought of the property, its location, dining options and the fun factor. I admitted to her I have not stepped foot in the place since it was Barbary Coast so I cannot speak to its current state. I also told her of the in-between stage of Bill's Gambling Hall. But I did encourage her to check out TripAdvisor and Yelp for reviews.

    I went to Yelp myself to see what people are saying about The Cromwell. Reviews run the gamut, but I gather they did absolutely nothing to the core of the building. It seems they only hung a few chandeliers, lowered the lights and hired surly bartenders/front desk agents.

    I have no problem with a property being a pig. But don't draw lipstick on it, call it a "boutique" and charge inflated room rates and $21 sliders at the pool.

    Is Cromwell considered CET's upscale property?
     
  2. abraxis

    abraxis Low-Roller

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    I've not stayed there since it's become the cromwell, but Caesars's marketing seems to push the idea that it slots in above Paris and below Caesars palace in their brand hierarchy
     
  3. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    The building was completely gutted, and it is completely new for all intents and purposes. The standard rooms are small since they retain the old footprint. There is only one restaurant, Giada. In other respects, it is a stylish, new boutique property with great vibe and service. Not a typical CET "renovation" which is as you say, of the lipstick on a pig variety.
     
  4. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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  5. phantomfj

    phantomfj High-Roller

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    Can't say anything from experience about the rooms, but it is one of my favorite casinos in the CET line up.........maybe because it is not so huge as many? I like the decor, have won a bit there, the drink service has been awesome for me:beer:, and the eye candy is not too shabby either :wink2:...........I was never in it before it became the Cromwell, so I don't have a preconceived view of "what it once was" either...........I do wanna try it out for a stay sometime, but can never seem to get any rooms comped....I will just keep on watching and someday it will be there for me.
     
  6. Loluvsvegas

    Loluvsvegas Low-Roller

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    I've never stayed there...always stay next door at the Flamingo in a "GO" room but tend to do my slot playing at the Cromwell. Here is why...
    They have all the latest slots, and seem to be able to play for quite a while on a low budget.
    THE DRINKS ARE AWESOME! It's not well vodka, or rail. I drink Absolut Mandarin and cran when there, or Jack and Coke. It's very good cocktail service.
    The rooms from what I've heard are dark...not well lit, and a bit small for the price. However, for the location and the feel of "boutique" I guess it's cool. But for the price, I'd rather just stay at Flamingo and walk over. =)
     
  7. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    There have been some threads re: the CET hierarchy lately. Here is what a recent offer I received included, as far as rooms:

    3 nights at Caesars, Paris, PH, or Linq
    4 nights at Ballys, Harrahs, Flamingo, or Rio

    So Cromwell is the only property that wasn't included. Now obviously CP is and always will be considered the flagship property, but they consider Cromwell to be on the same level and its even a tougher comp, due to room supply.

    Also interesting was how they appear to be positioning Linq in the second tier with Paris and PH.
     
  8. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Never stayed there, but been in it when it was Bills (loved it then) and when it has now been Cromwell.

    If you like dark wood tones then you'll like the decor.

    it isn't the party atmosphere of Bills, you won't see college guys walking around with pitchers of Miller.

    There' only 1 restaurant...but who cares? Unless you are an 80 year old lady that never plans on leaving the resort. I'm always baffled why people care about dining options, it's Vegas - you'll have a good dining option close by if it isn't in your own hotel (although they brand these things as 'resorts' it's not like an all-inclusive resort where you are stuck with whatever dining options they offer).

    I think they are going for a vintage feel...without the rundown-ness of vintage. Servers look elegant, atmosphere certainly caters to it.

    From my understanding the rooms are small and dark (go to Youtube).

    The roof top pool is cool. I went their during the day in the middle of the week and it was dead. It transforms into a pool club at night, but I've never been to that.
     
  9. Hogman

    Hogman VIP Whale

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    The Cromwell is very nice inside, the staff is very friendly. I think the rooms are nice but smaller. The dealers seem nice. I haven't had any luck there but it is nice. They do have a lot of club traffic because of Drais.
     
  10. jcombs

    jcombs Low-Roller

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    I stayed there last year and loved it. Nice (albeit a little small) rooms, great drink service, quick (like <5mins) checkin for the room, and it takes you all of 3 minutes to get from your room to the strip. I don't know where the "surly" bartenders and front desk folks are you mentioned. Everyone I dealt with there was about as personable as it gets in LV.
     
  11. aaisack

    aaisack VIP Whale

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    I haven't stayed there, but I would if I got an offer. The employees there are excellent. Very good drink service at the bar or on the floor. I also like the fact that they put some quarter full pay on the floor. Now I have another option besides the bubble craps for comp drinks when I can't stomach the short pay bartop.
     
  12. GustavsBar

    GustavsBar Tourist

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    I've not stayed there, but I make it a point to visit every trip.
    The bartenders are the furthest from 'surly' - the ones I've encountered are very outgoing and friendly.
     
  13. lazytaper

    lazytaper Tourist

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    I consider it to be lipstick on a pig. I would rather stay in Paris.
     
  14. Knucklehead69

    Knucklehead69 Low-Roller

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    To answer your question directly... It is NOTHING like it was as Barbary Coast or more recently Bill's. This is a very nice place and I would recommend it.
     
  15. VegasGroove

    VegasGroove VIP Whale

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    Thank you, everyone! Like I mentioned, the reviews on Yelp were good to bad. I told coworker to do her research.
     
  16. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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    i miss the old BC and even Bills. they had character, and characters.
     
  17. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    I was surprised reading about surly staff too. I haven't stayed at Cromwell but I always go in to gamble and have found the staff to be very friendly. I wondered if the cocktail waitresses check to see who has their card in a machine after the order is taken as twice the CW who brought my drink called me by name. I thought it was a very nice touch and though I recognized the CW from previous trips, I doubt she would remember my name. They do introduce themselves to you; also a nice touch.

    The only negative I have heard is that the rooms are dark in terms of lighting.

    The casino renovation is very nice!
     
  18. fenway68

    fenway68 VIP Whale

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    loved Cromwell last fall..one noisy night from some hip hop stuff in the club on the roof, and noted you could hear hall conversations easily, but other than that, clean, comfortable, yes smallish room, but well appointed. Easy elevator right into the center of the casino, with steps to the strip and across to Caesars and Bellagio if you wanted. Gaming was great and I encoundered no surliness at the bar what-so-ever! I was treated to my room by a comp'd friend, but if I could afford it, I would stay there again.
     
  19. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

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    I like Cromwell a lot. I wouldn't stay there as I'm not in the demographic they target but it's a great casino and great location. Been there about 3-4 times and the bartenders know me. One in particular and she takes good care of us.
     
  20. pfunk

    pfunk Low-Roller

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    Part of the reason why the reviews run the gamut is because this is a boutique hotel. It is a great boutique but you have to be able to appreciate that. Its the same as going to Paris, pay $1000 a night to stay at the Vendome and complain that the rooms are too small and air conditioning too loud.
     
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