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The High-End Era: Present Nostalgia

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Snowbelle3, Dec 9, 2012.

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  1. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    I have a couple of gripes about it...but I can't say I don't enjoy it!

    The high-end renaissance comes at a great cost to customers yet I pretty much get to enjoy all the ambiance and all for free. :evillaugh :cheers:

    In the event that I do pay, the rates are so low compared to other cities that I can get a 5-star hotel for the rate of a 3-star somewhere else. In Los Angeles, California I paid $100/night for a bit of a roach motel (for some reason, I could not find anything cheaper). For the same price, I could stay at Bellagio.

    I can say that I am "spoiled" by the current Vegas experience. The possibilities are bountiful with so much "class" in a 4-mile stretch (and beyond). Though I have my problems with it, I like to appreciate what I have while I still have it. Sometimes when we look back on "what we had", we get nostalgic, forgetting that we are currently making memories.

    What are some good memories you are currently making in this era of Vegas that you would hope to look back on? (By the way, "present nostalgia" was meant to be contradictory and I know "high-end" concepts/properties will be around for a while...)
     
  2. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    Well...,


    Ummm....


    I don't 'get' the question?
     
  3. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    I absolutely appreciate a good room, and am the polar opposite of the "just need a room to sleep" majority.

    If not for the recession and Wynn reaching out, I would probably still be staying at Circus Circus and gambling at Slots A Fun. We did that for years after everyone had good jobs cause I guess we hadn't realized the other Vegas was even out there.

    Now I've got great memories from Wynn Salon suite and Fairway Villa stays to Palazzo patio with fireplace, Bellagio 2 BR penthouse, NYNY Carlisle Suite, Mandalay Media Suite, Aria 2BR Sky Suite penthouse, and finally Cosmo Wraparound Terrace suite.

    I could very easily have gone unaware of the luxury renessaince, but im glad I got the chance to test the shower occupancies and build memories in all these fancy suites.
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2012
  4. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    I don't really understand the question either but agree that outside of possible gambling losses, Vegas is an incredibly inexpensive place to enjoy higher end hotel/resorts. I typically get comped rooms at nicer properties even though I'm barely a mid-roller, but even if I had to pay I always see prices for rooms at places like Wynn, Bellagio, etc. for about the same price you'd pay for a crappy motel where I live. Sometimes a lot less. Just looking at the Bellagio basic rate calendar right now and rooms are only $149 and highest is just $179 on Saturday night. And this is one of the more expensive properties. Plus if you're even a moderate gambler its pretty easy to get a discounted price if not comped.

    And to BeeeJay's point I wholeheartedly agree that once you stay at the nicer properties the idea of a "room just being a place to sleep" goes completely out the window.
     
  5. Polemarch28

    Polemarch28 Tourist

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    I appreciate Las Vegas specifically for the luxury.

    I have no true memory of the old, gritty, dirty Vegas being the norm. When I go downtown, I gag. I love the ceilings at the Venetian, the conservatory at the Bellagio. I appreciate the scents and details. Without the money money aspect, I wouldn't even go.
     
  6. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    lol

    Like the kids thing the other day, this topic has been explored and explored (often explosively) time and time again. A room is a room vs. a room is much more is really no different than the food is fuel/food is an experience divide.

    We all have our unique needs, wants and tastes, and if we're satisfied with our choices ... job done.

    Try pricing a room at a Vdara-grade hotel in Wailea this time of year! Hell, any time of the year.
     
  7. Gaggles

    Gaggles VIP Whale

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    I haven't acquired Beejay's fine tastes where rooms are concerned despite having shared accommodations with him at Wynn, that Bellagio Penthouse, and Cosmo (thank you for your hospitality Beejay).

    I respectfully disagree that a room is a room but I agree and support 100% all opinions. My floor for a room is now a Go Room at Flamingo and if I have to pay some day for something I will. Luckily I am dumb enough to lose enough money that I am currently getting better than that.

    I don't have fond memories of the Manor Rooms at Circus Circus where I once stayed. And I do not long for an old school stay at the IP, although I am going to stop in there this weekend with or without our crew for one last bar top session before they change it to The D. What a stupid, vacant name for a hotel.

    As to current memories...I am having the time of my life. Which is not to say I don't recall fondly my low rolling days. But I get treated much better now and I get a kick out of that. And I get much more enjoyment out of the Augustus Tower than any room I have had from back in the day.

    I do hate 6:5 BJ but I do not have a problem with the hot dealers/dancers that are often dealing these games or dancing from a pole in the pit. The vig includes the view! That is a good part of Vegas as long as your not playing the game!
     
    I Like to Drink and Gamble
  8. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Well said!!!!

    I don't see the question as having that much to do with rooms at all... I'm 54 and I've seen and done my share. I wish I had the waistline and energy I did 30 years ago, but I'll take today's Vegas, (or anywhere) for that matter, all day.

    I don't miss rotary dial phones, or shower/tub combos w/shower curtains at all
    thank you... I love my smartphone and a nice jacuzzi tub! I love today's Vegas nightclubs, as opposed to the old style "showrooms". I was in the old (and much loved here) Stardust and frankly, I'll take the Wynn, Encore and yes... The Hard Rock anytime!

    I prefer "modern" to "old school", but mostly what I prefer is quality and friendly service and I pay a premium for it. I'm not a "penthouse" level guy anywhere, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna spend a night of my life in a room at the IP next to the elevator... no thanks!

    I spend my time looking ahead, not fixated on the rearview mirror...:peace:
     
  9. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    I think BeeJay and smartone are sharing their current "memories". One day, particularly if Vegas changes again (and it will), we will look back on the good times we are making now.

    This is not just about rooms, although that may be a person's favorite parts of this era. I am just asking you to think about the things that you love about the high-end era that you may take for granted...or would miss if you "lost" it. For example, the ambiance and luxury of nightclubs today are simply mind-blowing and dazzling.

    I love "old-school" places but I can not deny how much I adore the luxury. It's not necessarily either-or for me.
     
  10. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    But Vegas always has had a high-end component. That the bar has risen as to what is expected of luxury in c.2005 versus c.19xx doesn't mean Vegas ignored luxury back in the day. The dress then seems to say they had it figured out a bit more than we do, with black-tie food service not Denny's. It could be argued that Vegas has the fancy footprint of "luxury" but hasn't yet discovered the service component that necessarily goes with that.

    Sizzle not steak.

    We were rather late to the game, but even when DI, for instance, was going out before Wynn came it, DI had chic and cachet. I've said it often here, give me DI, that spa, the golf course, the service, those eats, and ya'll can keep Wynn and Encore (and I'm big Wynn fan).
     
  11. atom

    atom High-Roller

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    I don't believe that this is, or will be looked back upon as, the "high end era" of Vegas. What it is is an economic recession, a bubble bursting in Vegas. Las Vegas property holders were going full bore into the recession with bigger more expensive projects than ever. The result is many stalled projects and a lot of rooms, both new and old, with not enough people to fill them. Factor in the law of supply and demand and those of us lucky enough to have the discetionary income for travel are able to get better accomodations for our dollars. I think history will write this story as Las Vegas rising from the ashes (hopefully) after near economic collapse.
     
  12. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    As for comparing old and new memories.

    I do have great memories of Vegas before I enjoyed the more luxurious offerings. We still had a blast with 8 guys in a suite at The Frontier, or in 2 rooms at Circus Circus Manor Cell Block D.

    One of my best memories from 2006 was when we all chipped in $50 to get Brad, who would eat anything, to eat a crinkle cut french fry half stomped into the carpet in the walkway behind the Frontier sportsbook.

    Classic memories. Still I do enjoy losing thousands and staying in nicer digs more than the old days, but probably just because we are better funded to roll that way now.

    And it would appear Gaggles is already hitting the bottle since he can't tell The D from The Quad. But I've got to agree with him that there is no going back now, and the floor is probably right at Flamingo Go Room for me as well, although going less often now, even if the comps dry up I'll be willing to pay to set the floor a lot higher than that. If I start going more often again, Flamingo Go or equivalent is more than adequate.
     
  13. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    I think what is confusing people is you labelling this as the "high end era". What makes it that?

    Seems to me Vegas has always had a high end element. And new properties will always target that end of the market, while aging properties will slide towards the value market.
     
  14. MangoPort

    MangoPort High-Roller

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    The High end era ended in 2008/2009 in my opinion.

    Now it's all about clubbing and partying. The more exotic dining options have given way to Dinner and a show prix fix. The Wynn isn't even really setup to cater to gamblers anymore (a $25/hand player will get the same service as a $500/hand player - of course everything is different at $50k/hand).

    Vegas is still luxury but I don't think we're going to see another 3 star michelin restaurant open up there anytime soon. I think as restaurants close you'll see them replaced by "hotel" restaurants or a celebrity chef's chain restaurant. The launch of the Palazzo's "all suite" hotel is another example. Still high end, but no longer the epitome of luxury.

    Comp systems are all calculated. You get what you deserve and not a penny more - not to go all "Casino" (the movie) here but the level of service and attention you used to receive went hand in hand with your gambling. Now you'll get the comps like you used to but everything has to go up the chain of command.
     
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