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Circa woes...

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by WeCax49, Jul 28, 2022.

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  1. alexm

    alexm VIP Whale

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    @VPSue I do apologize for the lack of clarity. The statement on 21+ came from this article https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Insights/Circa-Resort-Casino-serious-about-enforcing-adults-only-rule which I know is older, but haven't seen any contradiction to it. I have never traveled with kids so couldn't test it personally. Doing some digging I did find the review journal article that states Barry's is the only place in the whole property where under 21 is allowed, so I apologize for the error. I would also say need security to escort you to a specific place on the property and, I would assume, back out again is the definition of a hassle.

    I'm not sure what else you disagree with as I think my points were that Circa made some missteps in thinking downtown was clamoring for a strips style resorts, that they will likely be just fine, but also that all the other properties won't be rushing to do the same thing for a large variety of reasons including but not limited to space and structural capabilities. If any of that was unclear, I apologize.
     
  2. SunshineSlayer

    SunshineSlayer High-Roller

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    Yeah, they have definitely been tight with those rooms. I'm a strip person (Cosmo is my home base, fully comped 4 night fountain view terrace) that needs an incentive to stay downtown. Otherwise, it just remains a fun day trip. I've tried seeding Circa for a teaser offer the past two trips, but have only gotten free room offers for The D and Golden Gate - places I've barely played at and not the type of rooms that as typically a strip player would get me to go stay downtown.

    Me. Me. I'm that person. They just need to give me an offer....
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2022
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  3. DegenasaurusRex

    DegenasaurusRex Rage,rage against the dying of the light

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    I think it’s a good casino. The levels just kill me. I just don’t like the levels. The top bar with drinks is fantastic.
     
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  4. Headache 21

    Headache 21 i don't wanna grow up, i'm a toys'r'us kid

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    End of the day... If I want a strip like property? I'm going to the Strip. I don't want a strip like property downtown.

    I expect a discounted experience with better rules downtown. If I'm not getting that, why even leave the Strip?
     
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  5. rallen

    rallen Low-Roller

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    I'm glad that Circa is attracting those that have different interests to mine. Derek Stevens is in the process of opening up convention / meeting room space in Circa with it's own integrated catering. That's more that doesn't interest me and might make what's provided in the other casinos, more available to me.
     
  6. SAll11

    SAll11 High-Roller

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    I love Circa but don’t stay there bc MGM comps me. Barry’s is fantastic. When I stay at MGM I usually go for 5-7 days and spend one day between downtown and the arts district
     
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  7. TexLawyerlarry

    TexLawyerlarry Tourist

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    Our group, the Lawrence Group, will staying for our first trip at the Circa starting on September 22nd. We visited Circa last trip, have never stayed downtown, but most of our group wanted to give Circa a try. We should be a bullseye in their marketing plan, a large group of men that bring a fair amount of money and pick our hotels based on the sportsbook. We never go to shows, we eat one nice meal per trip and just bet serious football and play serious BJ and Craps and some machines. . I am excited but wary to be going off strip and hoping it works. When we visited the music was loud, but it did not seem too over the top, more fun than obnoxious. We shall see on that one. It was hard to get away from all of our MGM free rooms and comps, but definitely different. Will give a trip report.
     
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  8. FullBoat

    FullBoat VIP Whale

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    Are they at least quiter than The D?
     
  9. Hogman

    Hogman VIP Whale

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    I don’t think so.
     
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  10. jcooper911

    jcooper911 Low-Roller

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    i would contend that Circa has a better sound system and bigger volume to fill that maybe makes it seem a tad quieter. the D has a horrific reverb on heavy bass songs, can be brutal.
     
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  11. Hogman

    Hogman VIP Whale

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    I think that if you like loud you will like both. If you don’t like loud you will dislike both no matter quality of sound system. We went in the afternoon it was loud and generally volume goes up the later it gets. I’m sure Derek likes it this way and I’m fine with that it’s just not for me.
     
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  12. vegasdev

    vegasdev VIP Whale

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    Stupid loud.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2022
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  13. HornBet

    HornBet Just waiting on the RF

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    I guess I fit into the demographic that Circa is looking for - a green chip Strip player who ventured downtown to check out Circa soon after they opened. I've stayed there 3 times since then, and my other trips I've stayed at Encore. Nothing beats the customer experience at Encore, and I don't really even try to compare it to Circa, they're too different. I stay at Circa because I like the younger energy there, have respect for D. Stevens, love their VP bar tops, and like how fun and friendly the bartenders are. The rooms are good, the food choices are great, and the noise level? Well, that's just what it is. I'm visiting Vegas, not Des Moines.
    But here's the rub: My room is comped at Encore, and I'm only at the base level player's club tier. I'm at the Legend level with the One Card, but only get comped room offers from The D and GG. I have to message my host directly to get my room comped at Circa, and it seems like she has to do some finagling to make it happen.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2022
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  14. FullPay

    FullPay When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

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    Maybe Derek needs to keep the room revenue up at Circa to make the financing work.
     
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  15. Renaldow

    Renaldow VIP Whale

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    I go about 4 times a year and always stay downtown. I usually hit Circa at least one per trip, but I don't play or stay there. I like Vegas Vickie's Bar as a quiet place to get away from the noise and I occasionally get a Reuben at Saginaw's. I don't play there because I've never found the machines very loose. I play at the the D often and usually do well. At Circa, I've had the exact opposite experience.

    I try to re-evaluate it every time I'm there.

    On the good side, I like that there's no kids. I like that the floor vents suck smoke away very quickly, I like the aforementioned restaurant and bar, and I like that there's a different option for downtown.

    On the bad side, I hate the ID checks, I think Barry's is overpriced for a steakhouse compared to the rest of downtown, it might as well not have bathrooms, it's easy to go upstairs but not back down, and the cavernous of it seems to make it louder than it otherwise should be.

    Over all, I don't think it's a bad property, I just think it's not for me. In that area, I play at Plaza and Cal, and I don't see any reason to play at Circa or GG; but I prefer the other end of the canopy with D, Fremont, 4Q and Binion's tbh. I feel the odds are better, and in the amount of time it takes to find a down escalator at Circa, you can go from D to Binion's.

    The friends I went to Vegas with in the 90's would absolutely love the sportsbook at Circa. They'd be buying the $250 recliners for Sunday football. I can see it being a place for a lot of people who want to like downtown, but don't like the hotel choices. I know some people think GN is that place, but really, GN is not that place. It's a 3 star hotel with chain restaurants. Nothing wrong with that, but nothing 'classy' about it either.

    On my trip last month I asked myself, would I prefer Circa there, or would I prefer Vegas Club, Glitter Gulch and Mermaids. Circa lost that one.
     
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  16. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    I've been on this board for at least 10 years, and here I thought that I was the only one that felt that way. I've never stayed there as I've never been motivated to. But their casino floor is cramped, the slot selection isn't special and none of those chain restaurants call my name. We did dine at Vic and Anthony's once with their long-gone Distinctive Dining Menu and it was a great meal. But to me, the only thing special about the Golden Nugget is their signage history.
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2022
    USBC Nationals are back in Vegas
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  17. PRC

    PRC Tourist

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    I appear to be in minority here - as we just got back from Circa. I just posted a detailed trip report in that forum. We've stayed on strip every trip to Vegas the past 15 years - always within MLife - with Mirage being our go to. We decided to venture out given Mirage will be no more. After our long weekend, can say that we loved Circa. I’ll admit, we are likely in the bullseye of their target demographic – upper-middle class, casual gamblers, attracted by pool scene, like it higher energy, will dine on property and spent on drinks at pool/bars, heavy sports guy, and strip devotee. I would not have thought of staying downtown before Circa. I was that strip 'snob'. No more. I can honestly say we are unlikely to stay anywhere else in our forthcoming Vegas trips. Circa has everything we could ask for in terms of a pool scene. We love the rooms. We love the casino and casino bars. The energy with the music makes me feel like I’m on vacation. Anything I want in the world of sports is there. They have 3:2 BJ at all tables. Video BJ at the Mega Bar has surrender, splits, dd, and a $2 minimum. Can sit there for hours. We’ve always loved the variety of casinos w/ lower minimums on Fremont – and the fact we can simply walk to any of them in 5-10 minutes is awesome. I’m not going to Vegas for fancy meals – I can get plenty of those in Chicago. We like the mid-range stuff on/around Fremont (Pizza Rock, Le Thai, etc...) Do I like the smattering of homeless in the mornings on Fremont – no. However, it’s no different than the walkway bridges on the strip or by Carnival Court.

    I see a lot of folks saying Circa is a disappointment – that its not the Wynn. I guess I don’t understand that comparison. I don’t think it is trying to be the Wynn. I think it’s a solid 4-star, in the realm of Aria – but with a more loose/high energy feel. Both have a modern feel, but we didn't care for the Aria pool or location. It just wasn't, fun. Circa hits the sweet spot for us and is just fun.

    And my wife and I may be a demographic that isn't large enough for Circa. We shall see. I think it will be settle into a good spot with a few adjustments over the years. At least I hope so.
     
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  18. WeCax49

    WeCax49 Low-Roller

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    I may be wrong, but the Aria is to another level of Circa in every way. It is a far superior property. Circa has this lingering feeling of cheapness that permeates the property: from the substandard fixtures in the rooms, to the black lattice ceilings in the public areas. It has the look and feel of a Circus Circus Enterprises property, like the original Monte Carlo or Luxor.
     
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  19. thebeachbum

    thebeachbum High-Roller

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    As this thread grows, I’m seeing I have woes too. Why? Because, I like Circa.
     
    Need a good trip this time
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  20. Dms79

    Dms79 VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the informative post!
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2022
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