I think I'm "over" Vegas

As the OP, maybe this was just my way of saying "Shit, I'm old and the stuff I used to love to do isn't as fun anymore." I still feel like I'm in my 20's. Until I drink like a 20 year old and am hungover for a week. I love day drinking by a pool, dancing like a maniac and meeting new people everywhere I go. Vegas is still the one place that a guy my age can go to a club and not look (completely) out of place. My complaint is more that the service in Vegas is not on par with what you get in other places for a similar cost structure. I can get a $65 rib eye in Newport Beach just like I can at Wynn. The difference is in Newport Beach, the people working at the restaurant (valet, host, waitstaff, bus staff) act like they are happy to help you. And if they don't act that way, they are out of a job pretty quickly. In Vegas, there seems to be a lower acceptable standard of service. Maybe it's because it's a tourist town and people aren't typically regulars, so they are treated as a 1 time shot.

 

You don't need to keep apologizing. I think almost everyone has a tipping point if they see enough changes in Las Vegas. 25 years from now, there will be plenty of today's young guests complaining about how much the place has changed from the "good old days" of 2016.

 

I'm not trying to fault you. Different strokes and all that. I'm just saying that the experience at Marquee, and the experience at La Quinta are targeted towards completely different demographics. It's not surprising that you would favor the one that's targeted towards you rather than the 20 something crowd.

 

I guess ill put my 2cents in. I have been to Vegas maybe 7-8 times over the past 30 years. Vegas is not for everyone, but I so enjoy the thrill of going. It seems like I always see something I didn't see before. But also keep in mind I am one of those players who can sit for hours on end at a machine or table. As far as value, you don't always have to spend a lot to have fun. My last trip last September I had a great time with a small budget and received a decent offer to come back, free 4 nite stay,free food and a little slot money to boot. If your not having fun in Vegas then its time to try something else.

 

If I'm not in the ground, I'd be close to 90. I'd love to see Vegas in 25 years.

 

To the OP..
Few strange things about this thread

1. Quality of the post and responses are excellent
2. You have been to Vegas & VMB many many times..and still one of your initial posts is about "over vegas"? Natedog, is that you?
3.You were unhappy over so many things, but not a mention of RESORT FEES or 6/5

Thank god, you don't have to fly to Vegas, else that would be another can of worms..

 

I can't think of a whole lot of places we visit that don't have resort fees, and it has been like that for years.

 

We stayed on the Big Island in a condo and saved a lot of money just being able to cook and not eat out. And most of the state and national parks we visited were just free, they didn't even ask for a donation. Most of the privately owned attractions were cheap. And once you pay for accommodations, it really doesn't cost more to stay at the pool for a day. It balanced out. The service was the icing and it was worth every penny we spent there because people appreciated us coming and taking interest in the culture and natural beauty. If everyone had been jerks, we would have resented the cost of lodging, air, plus the long flight there. People praise Vegas for being cheap but seem to miss that sometimes you are getting a lot more for the extra money you are paying for hotels elsewhere.


As for some of the other comments, please re-read the original post. The OP probably wouldn't have commented at all if he had been treated well by the folks charging so much money. It amazes me still that the best service experiences I tend to have in Vegas are in places that are considered low end. Maybe you guys need to get to 40 or at least work in a demanding customer service environment to understand that the people who are serving you are supposed to make you feel welcome, that they value your business, that they are happy to take the extra step to make your visit enjoyable and that they want you to come back. It doesn't make sense that the more you pay to do things in Vegas, the worse they treat you.

 

I can see both sides to the coin. I myself enjoy the way it was 10+ years ago. Although for some strange reason I still find an excuse to go once a year. I am on the low budget side, so I try to find "The deals" that are still out there. I am by no means A high end player & it's not my personality. The service was better back then. The resort fees are a major pet-peeve of mine, especially when I don't use any of the things the "resort fees" are supposed to cover.
I still like to go to Vegas, but I could possibly see not going as much in the future. I have gone with a group of 5, 3, 2 & solo.

 

1. Thanks.
2. No Natedog here. As someone mentioned before, this past weekend was my tipping point to "let it out," I got great service at a similar cost to my last few Vegas trips.
3. Lots of places tend to have resort fees lately. It sucks. I hate it. I don't need to "print my boarding pass at the hotel." I rarely use the gym. And I've never made a local phone call from my room. 6/5 blackjack- It sucks but I've actually won more times in the past few years that I did when I was younger. That's because I've learned how to play a bit smarter. Not counting cards, but knowing when to walk away and stop chasing. And knowing when to press when on a streak. I've rarely gotten much in the way of comps (I did get comped rooms at Red Rock from a trip from a year ago. I turned a $75 BJ buy-in into $2,500 on a 45 minute hot streak). But I don't play to chase comps and I prefer a low limit table to start at. I can build up if things go well and I can rake it back when I'm getting hammered.

 

Well, technically it was the Teamster's Central States Pension Fund who gave corrupt loans to the mafia, therefore screwing untold thousands of teamsters a chunk of their retirement money. But why quibble?

 

Roger that Ovojake! I too am stoked for what I get in Vegas, and I am really, REALLY thrilled to see you catching your stride in Vegas. Is everything overpriced? Absolutely. Are there loopholes? Absolutely. I think that's why I love Vegas, its a complex, convoluted creature...but for me (and you now), I am getting vacations way grander than anything I'd ever get if I "spent" the same amount elsewhere. (BUT I didn't play on the old system, so it's not frustrating for me. I can totally see where the "New Vegas" would annoy the crap out of people who have been coming for a long time.)

Your father in law cracks me up though, he knows how to have a good time...reminds me of my father in law!

P.S. you mentioned the Oregon Coast....i.e. Chinook winds I am guessing. They give back-end comps too---if you ask. GO to they're player desk before check out and ask if you've won any room comps. If not, ask about food comps. Though, you still pay for drinks, which makes it less fun as I have to dip into bank roll...

 

IMO, part of the reason for the degraded customer service is due to the customers themselves that the staff have to deal with day in and day out. People in general seem to be much more rude today than they were even 10 years ago and certainly more so than they were 20 or 40 years ago. And it's not limited to Vegas either but it is probably more evident in Vegas because of the feeling and the sometimes advertised attitude that "you can come here and do anything and say anything you want and it's acceptable".

If you're a Valet at a Palm Springs Resort. you're dealing with people all day and night that are polite and have some respect for others and realize they are sharing the resort with others also on "their" vacation. A valet in Vegas is more likely to see people obnoxiously drunk, puking in a garbage can, slurring, swearing and not tipping. After a while, that is going to jade you.

That said, I'm 61 and I still love Las Vegas and they way it accommodates people with such varied interests. I'd just love it a lot more if people could just be a little more respectful of others around them. I don't get why that's so hard?

 

A great observation and I agree with you. But from an employee's standpoint, it seems as if corporations are run by bean counters who expect more with less. It was someone in upper management who implemented early check in fees, resort fees, late check out fees, but it's front line employees who are the face of the company.

How many folks have written about long check in lines, poorly trained employees, and problems trying to redeem or use points/coupons/vouchers? These are management issues.

 

My first visit to Vegas was with friends in 2008. And since then, I made 9 other trips. My 11th is coming up soon. I always love the idea of a Vegas vacation as it makes me get away from the status quo, and I feel like a kid in a candy shop.

I definitely feel the changes such as higher prices and lower service levels, however, I try not to let them affect me. And I have been mostly successful too. So, despite all the changes, I can still enjoy a Vegas trip, at very reasonable costs. The way I managed this is:

1. I go to Vegas because I like gambling, but I am a low-roller. Being a low-roller helps a lot in terms of keeping the total cost of the trip under control. I take full advantage of comps, but never play for comps. I never even thought of getting a host.
2. I try to stay on the strip Sunday-Thursday. If I have to be in Vegas over the weekend, I try to pick alternative hotels to the strip.
3. I am very knowledgeable about the game rules and minimums, and I don't mind walking in Vegas (I actually love walking in Vegas).
4. 8 out of my 10 trips were solo. Going solo helps to really enjoy yourself, do what you want to do, and avoid peer pressure (or SO pressure) to spend tons of money for the frills. I don't have any must-do such as a fancy dinner or a high-roller slot pull etc. I just eat and play the way I'm comfortable with.
5. I take advantage of discounts, promos (MyVegas, Happy Hours etc.), players clubs etc, and I am a smart organizer. Before I set my travel dates, I check for the overall prices, and I avoid inflated prices. I consider myself to be a travel organizing expert, can optimize the cost and time of the year based on available flight and hotel deals and promo offers.
6. I'm in late 30s, and do not enjoy clubs as much. So, I avoid expensive clubs as well as day parties, as pools don't mean much to me (I live in a country with Mediterranean beaches). The pools are great for eye candy or meeting others obviously, but there are lots of attractive women at the free pools of the resorts that I stay at.
7. I don't drink. This helps to cut down costs in so many ways and places. And I rarely drink soda as well. I am a big believer in water being the best beverage in the world
8. I'm a low maintenance guy, can do most stuff self service and I don't get annoyed from that. This saves me a lot of money on extra services and tips.
9. I rarely take cabs in Vegas, I try to utilize alternatives (Deuce, rental car, shuttles, walk etc.).

I still eat well, gamble a lot, and have fun. And I don't think one needs to spend shit load of money to be able to do these.

 

That's a great post to read. You clearly know what you want when in Vegas and how to get the most out of it. Good for you. What's your game of choice?

 

We started going to Vegas in mid-lower 80's and it HAS changed. It should. That was 30+ years ago. Run of the house rates of 20$ at Imperial Palace got you in the back lot some trips and a suite (with a 2 a.m. arrival) on one trip. Lots of things are gone that we enjoyed. Many things we have discovered since we still enjoy. That said, I don't think there is a trip we have returned from that we were unhappy with Vegas; our budgeting of gambling dollars and poor return, unhappy, yes. But whose fault was that?
Those living close to us always comment on the pleasantness and attention granted to the visitor by employees of the casinos and restaurants; cabbies? Not so much. But the WAX drivers are always very courteous.
When I buy a $9 six pack of a craft beer from Oregon or Utah because I like it or want to try it some of my golfing buddies will recoil with shock and confusion. Coors / Bud / Miller etc. are much cheaper and do the trick as well (for them). But when we eat at Chuy's (Tex-Mex) in Austin, I have ice tea rather than inflated beers from the bar. It is me. I do things that satisfy me.
I agree with the OP's loss of "thrill" as he relays 18 x 200 $ minimum + 20% tip on top for dinner. I couldn't enjoy a meal knowing someone in my group (regardless if they could easily afford it) was picking up a tab like that. For many that is just an example of (as well as the pool crowd) what they love about Vegas.
Things change. Our son is 26. Haven't been back to Disneyland in 20 years and don't miss it. Last trip there we discovered they had taken out the Carnation ice cream and substituted another. Didn't float our boat. Times change and so do tastes. Hopefully as stated earlier, you will try Vegas again in a few years and reclaim the fun times you once had. If you do, post a countdown timer and get a wristband. Just don't wait 25 years.

 

I agree! There is still plenty of value out there if you just look for it.

 

With regards to your experience at Marquee and Marquee Dayclub, I can tell you it wasn't handled properly from the get go. Your group should have been dealing directly with a host at both venues who could have taken care of all of your issues. You would have never waited in line and would have had someone checking on your group throughout the day and night.

 

But what is "value"? For the OP, seeking high-end entertainment and food experiences, I don't think it's about a two-fer or an afternoon comedy show. He had certain -- understandable -- expectations to go with a big bankroll. It wasn't about the cost, rather bad service and unfulfilled expectations.