1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Red Rock: Observations from a first trip

Discussion in 'Off-Strip Hotels' started by h_upmann, Jun 17, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. h_upmann

    h_upmann Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2012
    Messages:
    275
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    70
    I stayed at Red Rock for a couple of nights back in May. I am a die-hard off-strip type and have stayed at M Resort about 10 times since they opened.
    I thought I would give Red Rock a little play for a couple of days and hopefully get on their radar offerwise.

    Rather than a detailed review, I'll just post a few observations. I've included comparisons to the M Resort (my home base) since these two along with GVR fill the trifecta of the nicest off-strip properties.

    Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to help.


    Good
    • Awesome view. Best in Vegas if you're on a high floor on the Canyon (even numbers) side.
    • Very nice rooms but I wouldn't say they're better than the M.
    • Summerlin is a nice neighbourhood. I like the proximity to useful stores, restaurants, and of course Red Rock Canyon itself.
    • Guaranteed $25 Blackjack in high limit room.
    • 10X odds on craps.
    • Lots of full pay VP. However, VP bars are not as nice as those at the M and they don't comp Grey Goose. Curiously they do comp Belvedere (which I thought was around the same price.)
    • Many nice restaurants (although I only tried the coffee shop). Their lineup is getting better too: Lucille's BBQ is opening shortly.
    • Great food court including Capriotti's, Fatburger, Rubio's, etc. This is a nice alternative to room service for a solo guest like me.
    • Graveyard specials in coffee shop, e.g $5.99 Steak and Eggs
    • Hotel guests can use priority line for buffet. M Resort needs to add this.

    Bad
    • It seems to be tough to get a good room deal here. My casino rate was $80 + $25 resort fee for Sun/Mon. I did get one night picked up in the end but I could have stayed lots of places for free those nights. I was trying to get on Station's radar but this has not worked out. It appears that maybe Canadians don't get room offers from Station props.
    • Overall, I did not find the staff very friendly. M wins this in a landslide.
    • Long walk from hotel elevators to some parts of casino (like the sportsbook which is a lot of people's starting point).
    • Flat panel TVs without HD signal? Really? Perhaps they could invest some of my $28 resort fee in that...
    • Casino host situation is a nightmare. No hosts physically on site as far as I can tell but I was told they will send one over if you need a face to face. No late night or early morning coverage even by phone.
    • Casino was very smoky even in the afternoon. They do have a small non-smoking slots section.
    • All staff were wearing tacky T-shirts promoting Station's new on-line poker site
    • RR cocktailers are not in the same class as those at the M. I'm talking pulchritude here, not proficiency, BTW.
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2013
  2. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

    Joined:
    May 31, 2008
    Messages:
    3,505
    Location:
    None
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    I cannot make a comparison to the M because I have only played (have not stayed) but your thoughts on Red Rock are consistent with my experience. They (and GVR) expect a lot more play, even for weekdays, for their rooms and you also have to deal with the resort fee on casino rate. I also like the staff and "talent" at M resort. They do have nice restaurants and better VP.

    I booked on a two night groupon deal last year and was able to get one of the nights refunded but there were no on site hosts both times I searched (Sat around midnight, Sunday around noon) though I pit boss was able to talk to the host.

    I did receive decent offers for the remainder of 2012 (second half) w/ 3 nights comped, but I only get random weekdays or casino rate offers in 2013. I booked for August but their website confirmation marked a room rate when it comped. When I called the Red Rock phone number, I ended up getting transfered to Vegas.com reservations (I guess they have some reservation phone center sharing arrangement). I ended up canceling as I didn't feel like going out there for a few days during my long trip (will stay half downtown / half Rio). They still tried to charge a "reduced" resort fee.

    I plan on seeding a future stay at Suncoast and hopefully M resort during my August trip.
     
  3. Danny1970

    Danny1970 Tourist

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2012
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    the Netherlands (Europe)
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    The M has great Italian donuts stuffed with pud at the bakery called "Baby Cakes" and it's the only place I made $76,- out of $1,-
     
  4. LAV

    LAV Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2011
    Messages:
    593
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Well, here is my experience with Stations Casino, specifically Red Rock and GVR.

    Last year, I decided to drop by Red Rock to check it out since I have been curious about it.

    I dropped by on a Friday night and started playing Pai Gow there. There maximum was $3,000. I started off smaller, but quickly ended up playing table max. In the end, I played about 12 hours, and my cumulative avg was $2,200.

    They did not have a Pai Gow game in the high limit area, and I have yet to see a Vegas casino that has one. Anyhow, my action drew attention of various pit bosses, and they all huddled and whispered whatever amongst themselves. At one point, one of the head pit boss (perhaps casino manager) approached me and ask me for my SS #. I asked why and she said that I was have reached that limit. I assumed she meant that I kept buying in and it surpassed $10,000. Anyhow, my point is that this seems to be the only area where I drew any attention, and not much beyond that.

    While playing a pit boss asked if I had a host, and gave me two names to call the next day.

    Being that I actually already had two rooms booked on the strip, one at CET and one at an MGM prop, I was not much interested in driving another 25 min back just to eat or whatever. Yet, I was curious to see what kind of things they could do for me. I called one host who said he could maybe hook me up for dinner at about $150 or $200 (Really?). I decided to call the other one who asked me how many people in my party and I said 4, and he said he could offer $400 for meals. Needless to say, I was not too impressed. I was curious what kind of offers I would get after. I got mostly $200 fp, $150 f&b, and 3 comped nights for coporate offers after that. I did take advantage of the offer that offered either $1,000 Macy's gc or $1,200 slot play. I called the second host who hooked me up with room and $200 (whoopee) f&B per day.

    While they did have various food options, I found that their steakhouse was way overpriced for a local joint. If I had taken someone else with me, the $200 daily would not have covered.

    My experience told me that my level of play was valued much more by MGM and CET than this local joint. Heck, when I asked for some smokes, the host issued me like 2 packs, or at the table it's one pack per shift. AT CET, I could get a whole carton.

    When I decided to try GVR, the host I spoke with set me up on the corporate offer of $150 f&b and $600 table play, one time play rather than play till you lose. When I was playing at GVR, I asked the host if I could get something to eat, and he said that I had $150 in my acct and that perhaps in the future I could get something. Needless to say, when a host who was cruising the casino saw my play, at that time, it was 6 hours at $1,000 avg, he gave me his card and I asked him to take the other host's name off of my reservation. Ultimately, I found that I was not too impressed with GVR and decided to leave after just one day. I called the new host to help check me out, and lo and behold, did not get a response back.

    What's worse is that the $600 table play that I got, it could not be used as free slots play as they informed me that slots and table plays are offered by two different departments.

    Here's the kicker. While it's petty, it annoyed me enough that I did not want to return. The internet charge cannot be comped off. Heck, I have never paid for internet at any of the CET or MGM prop. As 7 stars at CET, I always got unlimited media (unlimited movies and free internet) and at MGM, it was part of resort fee, but I was never charged a resort fee.


    The Bottomline was, after just 2 times of playing there, I achieved President's Level. However, I did not stick around to see what that offered me though.

    My observation is that my level of play at RR and GVR is not as highly valued as the strip porperties operated by CET and MGM. Therefore, I have not been back.
     
  5. Tubbs

    Tubbs High-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2009
    Messages:
    849
    Location:
    Leicester, UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    This is all interesting stuff. I'm sure most players assume that places like Red Rock and GVR, although comparable with many strip hotels, have lower requirements for free rooms and F&B. Not having hosts on site seems very strange. I would not be happy having to make a call to some faceless name.

    What were the rules on the games in the HL room?
     
  6. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2011
    Messages:
    3,282
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    I used to get offers from both RR and GVR, this was after one stop at Sunset Station where I ran about $500 thru the high limit slots. I no longer get offers from either, Sunset Station sends me free nights and so does Palace Station. I am staying 6 nights COMP at Sunset Station beginning Wed., no resort fee. I will write a report, I am interested in how much play it takes to keep the COMP status. I really want to break away from CET and find a home off strip, we will see I guess.
     
  7. h_upmann

    h_upmann Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2012
    Messages:
    275
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    70
    I played a $25 double deck pitch game. 3:2, H17, DAS, RSA (.40%, I think.)

    There were no other BJ tables open in the HL room at the time. Just a midi-bac table.


    RR Poolside tables were 6:5 BTW. M has 3:2 $5 tables by the pool.
     
  8. Tubbs

    Tubbs High-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2009
    Messages:
    849
    Location:
    Leicester, UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Thanks. I'll play a H17 game for up to $25 but try to find better rules for $50+. But that's just me. :beer:
     
  9. suecasey

    suecasey Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2006
    Messages:
    160
    Location:
    North Las Vegas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    "I was trying to get on Station's radar but this has not worked out. It appears that maybe Canadians don't get room offers from Station props. "

    You stayed there in May. It's too soon to expect mail offers. Station offers are generally based on play 2 months back.
     
  10. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2012
    Messages:
    2,078
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    The M is my favorite Vegas casino, hands down although I have never stayed there. If they sent me free rooms, I would in a heartbeat. I love everything about the place.

    I have been to Red Rock once and it is also a very nice facility, I just don't think it is as nice as the M. The pool is a tad nicer at Red Rock, in my opinion but I am not a pool guy, so it doesn't matter to me.
     
  11. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2012
    Messages:
    3,414
    Wow LAV that is pretty crazy. 12 hours at over 2k per hand and they're that tight with comps??

    I always though local joints would be more liberal, especially to a non-local who you'd figure they want to entice. Pretty crazy. I get what you're saying about the internet charge, its not petty for you to be pissed though, it's petty for them to not waive it.

    We're going to visit Red Rock to check it out after a trip to the canyon next week. I thought I'd sign up and play to see if I can trigger any offers to use for a stay in the future if we decide to hike the canyon. Maybe I won't bother now.

    I didn't know Seven Stars gets unlimited media. That can end up being a lot of free porn.
     
  12. LAV

    LAV Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2011
    Messages:
    593
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Actually, it was GVR that said that they could not "comp" the internet charge. I don't remember about Red Rock though.

    As for unlimited data for CET 7 stars, it is in most locations--including Vegas, but not all of them offer unlimited. Some may have a daily limit of $50 a day for media, or free internet with 2 free movies a day. But in Vegas, as well as some other CET locations, it's unlimited.

    But, getting back to the two top Stations properties, I still laugh at how even when I came in after two very solid trips of play that my upfront food is $200 offered by the host, with no comping of the internet, and the pricey steakhouses that were at least the same if not higher than some of the steakhouses on the strip.

    And to add insult to injury, their free table play is not play till you lose, and unlike CET or even MGM where they have allowed me to choose slot play, I could not have that option since they were two different marketing departments.

    Still, I did observe that they did take care of their "regulars" even if they played $10 a hand average. However, it's just I am used to getting a certain type of service at strip hotels for my level of play, and I thought that RR and GVR not only fell short, but did not seem to value my play as much as the strip hotels.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2013
  13. azplayer

    azplayer Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2013
    Messages:
    33
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    GVR and a Low Roller

    I found this thread interesting as GVR is our favorite casino. Up front, we are low roller slot players and have visited GVR twelve times in the past ten years, and RR twice. We like GVR a lot better.

    As far as comps go We have never been charged a resort fee from either property. I know our comps are not near what higher rollers receive but it is consistantly three nights in a row, up to $200 FP and multiple free buffets.
    We usually stay for three days and spend very little for food but never a resort fee. Maybe that's a benefit of low rolling!:woot:
     
  14. 33X

    33X Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2013
    Messages:
    25
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    M is my favorite place and main hotel/casino in Vegas. M's offers to me are good and my host there is very easy to deal with. My #2 Places used to be GVR & RR. Over a year ago, RR stopped the offers and a host tried to charge me for a comped night; goodbye RR. I continued to go to GVR until this year when their offers dried up. I had a host at GVR, but they were close to impossible to deal with. GVR is now sending me offers of free rooms again, but no food or freeplay. I won't go back to any Stations property.

    M beats out RR and GVR, in my opinion, in almost every way. The people at RR, like most Stations properties, are not very nice, and the buffet and restaurants at RR are lousy. Food at GVR is a little better, but no where near M's level. Of the two, I always preferred GVR over RR, but Stations now has one of the worst slot clubs and offers for non-locals in Vegas.

    I'm looking for a new #2 place and will be trying out the Palms a few times over the summer.
     
  15. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2006
    Messages:
    5,109
    My wife + I used to get free room offers from both.
    We liked RR better + stayed there -
    the offers dried up.
    We played the same every trip.....not sure why it dried up ?
    At one time - we got a phone call -
    to come out in January for free rooms.
    It snowed !
    I guess, it was REALLY slow that January.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.