Maybe the Grand is getting their act together- a little bit, anyway

Just my two cents...

I am not one to count the ten or twenty bucks difference in 3/2 or 6/5 blackjack in a session, I don't play video poker, I sometimes play slots. I pick a hotel for the atmosphere, location, pool, and price. The thing that gets me to stay downtown is usually on a weekend night(s) for a lower rate than the Strip. So what would get me to the Downtown Grand?

First, my favorite casino downtown is the Fremont. Why? Because I have won there, plain and simple. It had nothing to do with odds or paytables. It was simply because of luck. The dealers were busting and the seven stayed asleep. The one time I went to the Grand, in March, I lost $100 on one of those horrible runs of blackjack. Not enough fun in a short amount of time. If it would have taken two hours to lose it I probably would have had more fun. I've got at least ten offers in the mail. Sometimes two a day. Usually for two nights and $25 free play. Is it enough to get me back?

Second, location in Downtown is pretty much irrelevant. The whole area is about as big a Caesars. I will probably stop in to throw in another benjamin, but will only stay if there is a restaurant worth staying for. Put me down for one who feels like one or two go-to restaurants would make a HUGE difference in the success of the hotel and casino. There aren't any restaurants downtown that are must-visits for me. None that I tell friends they gotta go to.

The biggest reason I stay on the Strip is for a pool. We visit during the spring and summer. I like the lagoon style pools of Mirage and Flamingo, something with shade. Downtown doesn't have very good pools. The Shark Tank is too small for the size of the hotel. It is way too crowded. The Plaza should put one on the south roof. I see (read) that the DTG's pool is a parking lot with astroturf (see: Harrah's and Ballys) with bumping music. I could be wrong, but that is my impression from this board and their marketing. I appreciate that they are trying to attract the youth market and their dollars, but they currently aren't.

The price for two days can't be beat. I may check it out, I may not. But with restaurants closing, I may not eat there much. I may not gamble without a fun atmosphere. My total spend may not be as much as it is in other hotels.

My solutions? Nothing really original. I like the idea of having a band on the street to attract people off Fremont St. A "wonder"ful entrance wouldn't hurt. Something like Ballys had, something that makes it feel like you are in the casino before you actually are. Maybe rooftop bands with exterior elevators to get you there. Elevators like the Rio's.

However they do it, I hope they are successful. I feel like the more success hotels have, the better Las Vegas is.

 

I took advantage of the 100.00 airline credit and the 40 credit i got on another offer at the same time over 4th of July weekend. Just make sure to bring the mailer and the airline confirmation that shows how much you paid for the flight. Take it to the players club and they add it right to you card. I proceeded to cash out about 300.00 and went elsewhere LOL.

 

They just don't get it. Today, 7/14 I got a mailer for 2 free nights & $50 food credit. Offer good July 18 - 20.

 

Has any Canadian tried using their phone app yet to see if they have any offers? I downloaded it to my phone, but it asks for my zip code and when I try to enter my postal code, I get an error. I saw the app mentioned in a trip report so I thought I'd try it but had no luck.

 

We stayed there in May and must have done something to piss them off. Stayed on a comp off and played quite a bit of low-limit blackjack and pai gow, as well as throwing away a couple of twenties in the slot machines. We were getting offers at least once a month prior to that trip. Haven't heard from them since. From other's comments here, there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to how they distribute their offers.

 

Did you actually have to have a room booked in order to get the $100 in free play for the air fare?

 

Nope, I was actually staying at the Plaza. I did not have any type of reservation or room at the DTG. I should also note that it took a little while to get the free play added on as the manager at the desk was sure it should be more than 100.00. Apparently they are also sending out 250.00 flight reimbursement free play mailers and 100.00 gas reimbursement mailers to members in western states in addition to the 100.00 free play one several from here have received.

Also, this offer is good once per month according to the person who added it on so you can use it in july, august and september.

 

I just got that same mailer today.

Gotta wonder what the hell they are thinking.


TFK

 

Well, the Prime Rib got rebranded.

 

Teaser offer I'm sure...My wife just got an offer from them for 2 nights + 2 nights for a friend (ALL FREE). We've only stepped FOOT in once, to get the $3 freeplay, which we played out in 2½ hands of 25c video poker.
I have full intention on using up the rooms in October for our wedding party..however I ALSO intend to absolutely give them ZERO play.

 

news from vital vegas twitter yesterday -

Big moves at Downtown Grand: Tony Bender, former VP of Marketing & Advertising at Riviera, has been hired as Director of Casino Marketing.
Downtown Grand has also hired a new Director of Table Games, Ken Mumby, formerly VP of Casino Operations at Planet Hollywood.
Downtown Grand has also hired a new CFO. Serious shake-up!

They also posted a pic of the west tower - the DTG banner that was on the tower is gone..

 

Big shakeup, that's for sure. Now we'll see what changes.

 

Don't get your hopes too high IMHO. If you notice, they hired one person from a casino that many consider on life support (Riv). That person was VP of marketing so I guess he wasn't able to turn it around for them, not sure what he can do with the DTG.

The other person was hired from a strip hotel so probably has the strip mentality with regard to table games.

I would have been more hopeful if they hired away some downtown bosses, esp from the boyd hotels or EC. At least they seem to understand downtown enough to bring in the crowd.

We will see if they can turn it around but I'm not getting my hopes too high. I think it's the upper management that is making the decisions to be more like a strip hotel than a downtown hotel, these new guys can make suggestions for changes but upper management has the final say IMHO.

Sorry for being so negative but the DTG hasn't lived up to my hopes and expectations and I don't expect them to get any better, JMHO.

 

Why wouldn't they copy the downtown location that's in the exact same boat of being a block off of Fremont? Main Street Station has made a business plan of excellent VP and a couple of craft beers. Word of mouth on good gaming is a good thing. You don't need to understand 10/7 DDB or $5 S17, just the general idea that it's a property with "good odds".

The opposite of all of this is true. They opened with word of having bad odds. No number of $5 tables will overcome that when they are dealing with the word of mouth of message boards, cabbies and a reputation.

They should replace the banner with one advertising the confirmed best VP in town, low-limit tables, free beer and dancing girls. Aren't these the reasons to go to Vegas.

 

I'm in!

 

It does seem strange that they've hired these guys. The last good gambling deal at the Riviera was a couple of years ago when they had their $200 loss matching free play. Planet Hollywood is a totally different customer demographic than both the Riviera and downtown. Probably says something about what they're shooting for. They'll need some real staying power (i.e., deep pockets) to have a chance of pulling that off. But I still wish them well. It's a nice property, and downtown is better for having them than a decaying empty Lady Luck.

 

You pose a very good question. MSS seems to do quite well. We normally stay at the D or Fremont but always go to play at the Boars Head Bar. Tradition even though I don't always had a craft beer. We've had a couple royals at the bar and many good times over the years. A trip downtown isn't the same with out a few hours there.

So what can the Grand do to reinvent itself? I have only been there once but hate to see the place close again.

 

At least they have a sense of humor about things...

 

I swear they will go bankrupt just from their mailing expenses. My wife and I both get something every week. I don't think I am kidding. Lots of things are for 7-10 days from getting them too. Just so dumb.

 

I was there just a week ago. Stayed at the GN, but made my way to the DTG every day for a week for a little bit of gambling as the dealers and staff are outstanding with a capital O. I hope this place makes it but they need a total reboot on their business model. The DTG started with a major flop and it's been slowly but surely been bleeding to death ever since. Too nice of a place to not last; if/when they go under hopefully someone with successful downtown experience will buy it and realize its' true potential.