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A view of a renovated suite in the Paradise Tower at the Tropicana. The property is going through its first major renovation in nearly 25 years.
Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 | 1:50 a.m.
Tropicana Gets a Makeover
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The Tropicana Resort and Casino is getting its first major renovation in 25 years, and 500 of the 1,700 new rooms are already open. Come along on a tour of the new 3,000-square-foot suites, redesigned restaurants, and four-acre tropical pool area - where Nikki Beach will have its Beach Club, nightclub and restaurant next year.
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Map of Tropicana Las Vegas
Tropicana Las Vegas
3801 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas
Since the Tropicana emerged from bankruptcy in July 2009, the property’s new management team has spent a significant amount of time and money on upgrading the historic resort.
The Tropicana is spending about $165 million to renovate the casino floor, restaurants, convention center, pool and hotel rooms, with plans for future attractions like a nightclub-pool complex and The Mob Experience. The investment might be paying off for the once-rundown property.
The company last week reported a drop in revenue and room rates for the second quarter. But while weekday demand remains soft, the renovations and a marketing effort in Las Vegas and Southern California have brought an increase in weekend visitors, driving up room rates.
Rates at Tropicana range between $99 and $229 for weekends through the end of the year, rivaling mid-level resorts like Luxor and Treasure Island.
Most of the weekend rates fall between $129 and $159 per night. Tropicana’s highest weekend rate, at $229, is reserved for New Year’s Eve and the last weekend in September, a weekend when a handful of large conventions are in town. That compares to an average daily room rate of $125 for the same September weekend in 2009.
Before the room renovations, rates at the Tropicana were as low as $38 during some weekends in 2009, which is on par with other older properties such as Sahara and Riviera.
Tropicana Vice President of Hotel Operations Arik Knowles said the hotel considered raising room rates as part of the renovation, but decided against it. Instead, he attributed the recent increase in room rates to the spike in demand, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
“We are very optimistic because we are a very different hotel than we were a year ago,” Knowles said. “It’s a better product and people are responding in kind. On the weekends especially, we are seeing a lift in demand, which is leading to a higher rate.”
Until this round of renovations, Tropicana’s rooms, like the rest of the property, had remained untouched since 1985. Tropicana announced earlier this month that room renovations are complete, and every room offered to guests has been remodeled.
The resort’s rooms, once plagued with rumors of uncleanliness, were updated to match the resort's new South Beach theme with a new color scheme, furnishings and carpeting. Rooms also feature new mattresses and 42-inch plasma TVs.
Aside from a hike in room rates, the new rooms have resulted in more positive feedback in online reviews, Knowles said, which he said played a role in increasing online bookings.
“A lot of people we talk to when they come to the hotel say they heard about the change and that the construction is done and wanted to check out the new rooms,” Knowles said.
The Tropicana also gave credit to its new logo and “We’re Changing Everything” marketing campaign, primarily focused on reaching Southern Californians and locals in Las Vegas.
Knowles said the increased weekend bookings have brought in a younger crowd, typically 25- to 45-year-olds. The resort will be adding the Nikki Beach adult pool and nightclub next spring in hopes of bringing in more younger visitors.
By the end of the year, Tropicana expects to be finished with its casino floor renovations and expanded sports book, complete with mobile gaming.
Tropicana Las Vegas sits on the south-east corner of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, an intersection which has the most adjacent hotel rooms in the world, also making it one of the most busy. The hotel has 1,658 rooms, three restaurants, a 62,011-square foot casino and a spa.
The Tropicana's five-acre pool complex stretches throughout the center of the the hotel/casino and remains it's most recognizable feature. It features swim-up blackjack during the summer months, a swim-up bar, dining areas and a wedding chapel. The Tropicana is also home to Brad Garrett's Comedy Club. For pre-show dining, take advantage of one the casino’s dinner and a show packages or just head over to Cafe Nikki, Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine or Bacio Pasta & Vino.
The new rooms will definately allow them to charge more, as more people hear good things about it. It's a classic "old Las Vegas Strip" property with a known name. Glad to hear the investment is paying off.
I seriously doubt that the new logo has caused any increase in business. Actually that new logo is in no way unique and looks like half of the other corporate logos out there. The same boring "script" with no serious thought to originality.
The increase in rates is solely attributed to the quality improvements and of course advertising in Southern California.
Nikki Beach!! All Nikki Beach does is cause problems and mayhem. Why dont these casino operators understand that nightclubs and things like this only attract those with no money and actually keep gamblers away. Big Egos at work at the Trop. Speaking of big egos, where is Alex Y in the article?
I recently went to the trop to check it out and i will call it lipstick on a pig. Staff was super unfriendly, food quality wasnt any good and an overall bad experience. To bad, i used to love the tropicana.
these prepackaged bankruptcies should not be allowed, lots of business lose out, while the bankrupt company is allowed to trade and get itself back on its feet, whilst its suppliers suffer...
The Tropicana Resort was at one time "The Tiffany Of The Strip" but again the focus was ALWAYS on the gambling experience. Until the owner/operators understand fully that the rooms, dining, and entertainment is all ancillary to the CASINO these places will not be profitable without the players.
Looks like the set of the Golden Girls. Or South Beach in 1977.
Congratulations to the Tropicana for having the vision to upgrade during a tough economic period. It takes time to change the nature of a business, especially one that is unionized. I'll wait to judge until the renovations are complete and management has had time to turn their team around. I know, it's odd in this forum that someone doesn't want to jump to conclusions and force their negative opinion on people ...
I just love the negativity on here! environprotector is ALWAYS talking smack about the big mega resorts, and the 6/5 bj and tight slots. Then, there are the lipstick on pig comments. How the beach clubs, and night clubs are destroying vegas. Well guess what people, EVERYONE is upgrading their pools and night clubs. Can each and every casino operator in Vegas be wrong? I totally understand what the old Vegas was like, and miss it, but these are changing times. Obviously the demographics have changed, and the casino operators are focusing on a younger crowd. People whom enjoy the night life and are willing to pay for excessive bottle service fee's.
I wrote a letter over a year ago to Alex Y. and let hm know that I had been a loyal customer of the Trop for many years, but my last stay there in 2008 was horrible. I thought this letter would be filed away (in the trash) but to my surprise, not only did I get a HAND WRITTEN response from him, I received a call from a very friendly woman that asked me to stop by the property on my next trip, for a personal tour of the renovations. My wife and I along with our 2 friends did just that, and she did take us on a tour. This was back in May, so many of the renovations were not complete, BUT what they were doing was amazing for this property.
I truly believe that this property in headed in the right direction. They are focusing on the younger generation, which is fine because that's the way Vegas is heading. The ones that aren't following this pattern will become history in the very near future. Riv and the Sahara will be imploed soon if they don't jump on the band wagon.
Glad to see they are at least trying!I'll take a peek this month be for I start the negative comments.
I applaud any company - big or small - that spends money during a negative cash flow period. Think how many people KEPT their jobs...
Hotels actually make more money from rooms and food than they do gambling now-a-days,,the business model has changed since 2005 - just read their reports..
As for certain posters on this and other articles, they wouldn't be happy even if you gave them $1 million ! They have nothing better to do than beetch...
Its actually surprisingly nice, I got the tour of the new suites and all the construction. Impressive, especially the final product if it goes that way. This place will definitely cater to the gen-x type party crowd.
Good for them!
Sunfish60 :
I applaud your youth and positive position on the Trop. But you must be able to understand that myself and many others like me who you call "negative" are GAMBLERS We don't care if there is sawdust on the floor as long as a good gamble is offered. Whether you like it or not, it is us PLAYERS who built this town, thus unfortunately created the monster it has become. There is plenty of room for both of us here, however and obviously so, the corporate know nothings just grab the tail of the elephant in front of them with no memory of what made this city the # 1 GAMBLING destination since the demise of underground gambling across the country and in Havana Cuba in the late fifties. It's no surprise that the local Indian casinos across the country have been so successful because they understand the play has to be good. So you can have your juvenile nightclubs filled with gangsta types and celebrity wanna be's, and three hundred dollar a bottle booze.
environprotector You are entitiled to post on here, and to your opinions. I can't say that I am a huge proponent of the new Vegas, but do support it. Vegas is and always will be the greatest most exciting city in the world, we (the visitors) will demand it. Without the visitors, Vegas will fail, and I don't see that happening! And as far as you applauding my youth, might I say, I just turned 50 in August, and am greatful that SOMEONE out there thinks I am youthful!
i stayed at the place before the renovation and it was a dump - i have seen the rooms since the renovation (admittedly have not stayed in them) and don't think they have been improved that significantly. it's cleaner, yes, but it's the same cheap feeling on the inside. anything more than $50 a night is not worth it at a low-budget place like this
i've been watching the renovations and loving the
look & feel Trop is bring back to it's property. not the "over the top" theme casinos, but a smaller, "exclusive",(without it being one)that the Strip had 20yrs ago.,before the mega corps built thier "theme park" casinos & pushed out the locals. i felt welcomed @ the Trop, from the valet to the casino fl., including having staff ask if help was needed as i was waiting.P.S. to vegasreader,less than $50.night/wkend on the strip?!
I, as a local really appreciate this remodeling job. Thanks to the trop alot of guys that have been out of work have a job. Thanks trop! we appreciate it
It is not a bad idea to read reviews of any hotel establishment BEFORE reserving a room. For example, google - tropicana las vegas reviews - and read for yourself. You can also check out restaurants. Very recent reviews show happy customers here.
It is always interesting to read reviews of a business, especially when an employee is a jerk, and the customer mentions them by name in the review.
I understand that customers are not always right, but you have to be better, especially when reviews are easily and hastily published on the internet.
The Trop is an awesome renovated place with a great tradition, which I do like very much.
Ok, here's my joke of the day:
Finally when the hookers gave up on a resort and have left it forever, the owners start the renovations and make the resort even look much brighter, they make it look shiny and new ...:).
I was in Las Vegas for the Startrek Convention at the Hilton where I stayed 3 nites and moved to the Tropicana for the last nite so I could experience their changes. I must say they have done a great job in updating the rooms. I am in the hotel business & know first hand how difficult it is to update an older property to make it look like a newer one. They have spent some big bucks to get it done. The answer is not always to implode & rebuild. Give them a break. If you think otherwise, I suggest you purchase an older property & try it yourself. Then you may have more respect for those of us who do. The obvious lack of people was the only downside to my stay.
guess they realized that knocking it down for the property was no longer an option
Tripling room rates after such a minor face-lift doesn't sound too reasonable.
Good point about the room rates Ranni. They increased much quicker than they should have. Maybe that's why I was so lonely there.
The last time I stayed at the Trop was in 1985. You mean to tell me millions of bodies have slept on those same mattresses since then? Dear God!
I walk through the Trop about 2x a month and noticed many changes for the better .... especially the pool area.
But just recently I'v made a decision to not support any Las Vegas Hotel/Casino that pays less than 3 - 2 for a blackjack or charges a resort fee for services I never use.
I have not looked lately but can anyone tell me if the Trop has cut down on the blackjack payoffs or has initiated a resort fee?
I want to book a couple of the poolside rooms for a small group of people but definitely not if either of the above is now standard policy.
stuntmovie, the BJ here is the same as anywhere on the strip, 6/5. The trop does have a resort fee, but if you "call" to make the reservations, and request they waive the resort fee, they will. They offered it to me. Their customer service is getting better and one could benefit by staying here. Give them a try is what I would suggest!
Now that Rudy has done his damage in the Trop. they can finally start over again. Good Luck to you Trop! The city center monstrosity wont give you any competition!
The Trop Rocks! It is bringing in the new and keeping "Old Vegas " alive. Keep up the good work:)