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StumbleWynn Resorts tacks on mandatory $20 resort fee
Friday, June 11, 2010 | 2:12 p.m.
Following some of its Strip neighbors, Steve Wynn’s resorts are the latest in Las Vegas to institute a mandatory resort fee on its hotel guests.
Wynn Las Vegas and Encore on Thursday began implementing a $20-per-night fee for use of resort amenities. The fee includes use of the fitness center, in-room Internet access, local and domestic phone calls, and allows guests to print their boarding passes. The fee is tacked on to a guest's final bill regardless of what amenities are used.
"In an ongoing effort to enhance our guests’ resort experience, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore will implement a $20 resort fee to all reservations," Wynn Resorts said in statement today. "Responding directly to extensive customer feedback, the resort fee will offer value to customers with a bundling of the most sought-after amenities."
The resort fee is mentioned in the fine print on the Wynn and Encore websites before making a reservation. Details can be found by clicking on the “terms and conditions” link before checking the “agree” box when completing a tranaction. The agreement says the $20 fee covers “certain complimentary select hotel amenities,” but does not specify what amenities the fee includes.
Station Casinos charges guests resort fees ranging from $10 to $25 per night. MGM Mirage has resort fees at some of its resorts on the Strip.
Harrah’s Entertainment is still holding its ground on its no-resort-fee policy and is trying to use its competitors’ resort fees against them. The site advertises “no resort fees” on the front of its Las Vegas booking page and on its reservation pages when guests are booking rooms.
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Why not enhance it more for $40? And the special, high-class air at the Wynn must be worth at least $5. But I'd have to charge the Wynn $20 for the garish color scheme throughout the place.
"In an ongoing effort to enhance our guests' resort experience, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore will implement a $20 resort fee to all reservations," Wynn Resorts said in statement today. "Responding directly to extensive customer feedback, the resort fee will offer value to customers with a bundling of the most sought-after amenities."
Come on now, we are all not stupid. This is a joke.
This is a resort fee but it is actually a Macau resort fee.
It will never last in Las Vegas..
What would I use for $20.00 a night?
Fitness Center...maybe
Internet...No, I have my own air card.
Local calls...No, I have a cell phone.
Print my Boarding Pass..uh, no thanks.
Sorry Mr. Wynn, I see no value there for me, but I do get that you want to prop up finances and create additional revenue.
I think it would be more palatable to just raise rates.
I would not stay at his hotels and pay $20 a night for stupid crap. He needs to make some money to pay for his Macau resort
The stealing continues. The marketing gurus believe this is the right way to maximize profits. I tell you what: It will backfire. Even if people staying at the Wynn do not necessarily have to turn every dime twice, they are usually smart thinking people and nobody with halfway common sense likes to be robbed blind. This strategy will back fire some day. I will visit Vegas and save on tipping and other expenses, ....till I have my resort fee compensated. The poor people not receiving my tips may thank their bosses for ducking around with the tourists. I know better than burning my money like that. And I will make sure that somebody else will pay these ideas set-up by the casino bosses. Sorry for the ones that will surre, but somebody has to bite the dust.
From Switzerland
P.s. I am curious about the response of your president once he has spoken with premier minister Cameron from the UK about the oil disaster. Will the UK pay for the clean-up now, or will the US tax payers have to help the "poor BP company"? Watch the news for additonal info.
Funny, I remember that before the room tax increase went into effect all the resorts were up in arms that the small amount would deter people from staying on their properties and now they go ahead and tack an additional $20.00 on top of that! Greedy people!
It's not enough that the rooms only "appear" being cheap, during the week. The weekend rates usually are doubled-up or even worse than that, plus, with all the taxes, and the big crowds walking around , blocking the hallways, gambling very little but making a lot of noise, this combo altogether makes visiting Vegas on the weekends less and less fun. Sorry again to come up with such negativity, but it's just the way it is, pure and simple. The casinos try to make as much money as possible without forcing the people to gamble , or better, without incentive for the tourist to gamble, it's a shame. What tourist comes to Vegas to visit the gym or spend all day in his room surfing the www? gimme a break, but this resort fee story needs to be eliminated. Some casinos treat their patrons like real customers. One of the few casinos that doesn't have resort fee, that's the Southpoint. That's where I will stay. Where I will not have to pay resort fee I will tip normal. All the other resorts will see my consequences.
From Switzerland
How many people do you know that come to las vegas to work out in a gym? Granted they probably need to after refusing to push themselves away from the buffets...If people want it charge them,,, if they don't,, don't charge them. Why not charge customers for cigars??? I know not all people smoke but using their logic it will pay for those that do.
People are so cheap. Whine about a lousy $20 to stay in first class resort. Stay home cheap-o's!
Everybody is doing it! An extra $20 to stay at the best place in town no big deal I do think they should disclose these fees in the advertised room rate however.
lp, it's not about the 20 dollars. It's a matter of principles. They add this and that and this and that and on top of it you pay taxes on the resort fee bla bla bla and this and that. And people getting pissed of these add-ons everywhere. When you order a steak in the restaurant, very soon the restaurant will charge you a "table fee" and a "set-up"-fee and and a "table-linen-surcharge". The filet mignon is available for 5.99, but with all fees and surcharges your filet now comes to 45 dollars. A baked potato on top is 7.95 plus tax and sour cream for the potato costs 2.50 plus tax. And the sugar in your coffee costs 55 cents per sugar bag. Plus, creamer per portion is 65 cents. How would you like that?
lynusun, EXACTLY. Casino Hotels reserve the right to gouge customers for the greater good of their bottom line. But if an extra couple bucks goes towards educating the young people who will someday work at their resort, then all bets are off.
Resort fees are just a way to falsely advertise a rate that is lower than their competitors. Tourists are not necessarily cheap but they are savvy. They want the best deal and now the Wynn can advertise a low two digit price on travel sites to draw people in and add a back door fee once they already have people on the hook. It's wrong and there were better laws to protect the consumer in Nevada, it would be illegal.
Station Casinos is doing exactly the same thing. You can go on any hotel search engine and compare rates. Station Casinos' rates seem to be very very good, but once you book your reservation, somewhere it's written that resort fees apply and get due upon check-in, and this will be the moment of bad surprise for everybody who has no idea about this. A warm Vegas welcome.
jaycooke got it just right: The casino-hotels are advertizing low rates falsely by later on adding all kinds of fees that make the rate anything but super low.
And picture this: I have always wondered how come the supermarkets still do not show the grand total. Everybody knows that there's a tax being added on it, but the supermarket managers know that this tax usually stays on the same level for a certain period, sometimes for years. So why then don't they put the total price on a product instead of showing the price without tax? I think this is the only country I know that follows this policy. Anywhere else in the world you see the price you have to pay. Think about.
That's what I am saying, it has more integrity to raise the rate.
Why should I pay for things I don't want or use?
If the "Complimentary Resort Amenities" are the only ones mentioned, it's a deterrent.
If there are other things included, I'd want to know what they are.
I agree, it's not about the $20.00, it's about what am I getting for my money?
If you charge for "Complimentary Resort Amenities", THEY ARE NOT COMPLIMENTARY!
Some Casinos give you "special discounts" in a booklet, and also add these discounts on the list of "amenities". Some of these coupons are valuable, for instance, I remember having received a 25 dollar match play at Santa Fe Station last years. That one was good, althoug it lost, unfortunately. But I know about the +EV when betting a 25 dollar match-play, and from this point of view, a resort amenity fee is not that bad.
Stevie is learning fast from the airlines, charge ticky-tack fees with fancy names to give the illusion that there's value. I'm waiting for the hotel out there that will advertise like Southwest, one price, no surprise fees, no weird titles that translate to "give me your money".
Look folks, people staying at the Wynn do not necessarily have to turn every dime, they are usually smart thinking people. That's why...
The Wynn is such a classy stylish balanced one, the finest on the Strip, being always in such a good shape. Why not charge some extra from folks who will hardly care about that little tip and keep the whole place in great shape every day.
I think it's extra smart, because it also shows a lot of common sense: Wynn and Encore are definitely in charge when it comes to room rate levels meaning any change of room rate levels affects all other depending classy ones' room rates like The Bellagio, The Mirage, T.I., The Golden Nugget, to name just a few.
By this extra charge for guests at Wynn and Encore all the other L.V. guests can still afford their room rates at their favourite hotel without a suddenly upgraded room rate for the other hotels, what would currently diminish the guest counter of the other hotels and would not be smart. Wynn only charges the wealthy ones.
Ok, here's my little riddle for you folks:
...only charges the rich and wealthy ones... remembers you of which "Ole English" figure?
You got it!! Damn right, folks.
Just like Robin Hood. Thank you Mr. and Ms. Wynn.
If it is a mandatory fee and charged to everyone, just include it in the price and don't jack us around. I make sure before I reserve any room any where to ask the taxes and fees over and above the room fee. So trying to fool us with the advertised "low" price is really just bait and switch.
"...responding directly to extensive customer feedback..." What that means is that wifi users complained about the charge, noting that it is usually free elsewhere, and "free wifi" is used as a come-on. Rather than providing free wifi the management turned it around, and will see a profit because wifi had been $12. All the other "amenities" are largely ignored.
When booking a hotel room on line, you do not become aware of the odious "resort fee" until the very end of the process. By then you've made several decisions through the process and are "invested" in your choice. Clever marketing but lousy for return business. Why would you stay a second time after the con job pulled on you at the end of the booking process?
I told the hotel desk clerk I didn't want and promised I would not use any of the services covered by the resort fee. I discovered that was not an option.
Is that why there are hardly any cars in the photo?? I remember being bumper-to-bumper on the strip before all these expensive room rates, etc.
The Luxor did the same; we were sent a room-rate 'cut' @ $88/night, but with the room tax and resort fee added in, it came to $128.33.
If it weren't for out of town family visiting Las Vegas, I wouldn't even go up to Las Vegas - here in Laughlin, we're paying $20/night for a nice hotel room - decent prices for food, and plenty of fun.
Reminds me of TV ads. "It's Free! Just pay addtional shipping and processing."
Come on, commenters in this "Wynn Resorts..." section: now it's your turn to show some common sense, because The Wynn already did it by not including the charge in the room rate.
relax; nobody will visit vegas for the next 3 months because of the heat. let the casinos sit there while no one buys what they are selling.
Made reservations in February and chose the Wynn over my other choice because they didn't charge a resort fee...bought package through US Airways Vacations and paid in full. Now I have to pay $100 more dollars? Bait and Switch. If they can charge me for a resort fee, what keeps them from raising my room rate as well? Will I have to pay for this fee since I have already paid? Very unprofessional if they do.
I don't use these services and I gather from the fact Wynn is now charging EVERYONE...no one is using them either.I don't even use room phones these days.Hotels used too allow local calls for free.I guess I'm dating myself.I make NO calls from a hotel phone,way too expensive.
I thought he was going to the "capitalist paradise" of PRC?
People will go to San Diego or Palm Springs or some Native American Casino to gamble.
Looks like we need a truth in hospitality pricing law in Nevada so tourists won't get ripped off.
"everybody is doing it"
Yeah, great...everybody is ripping of the consumer and somehow that makes it ok.
Don't use gym
Have a cell phone with Internet
I drive to Vegas
Exactly why do I need to pay this fee?
Another ripoff of the consumer hidden in some jargon called resort fees.
I'm reminded of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry buys a car from Puddy and Gets charged extra for the keys, with Puddy asking "how are you going to start the car"?
Personally, anytime I'm in a financial quandary, not sure if I will have a job tomorrow and my 401K is nose-diving, I always spend my expendable cash at establishments owned by billionaires jacking their prices up for fictional 'services'.
Obama was right - it's time for Americans, and tourists in general, to forsake this cynical, shyster city once and for all.
Just raise all the room rates $20 and give out the amenities for free, nobody will be any wiser and they'll get nothing but praise. Nobody likes to see unexpected charges.
Mr. Gaughan at the Southpoint may well be the smartest operator in town right there alongside Mr. Wynn.
Wow! Only $20 per night for the priviledge of paying the rack room rate at Wynn/Encore! Cut me a slice of THAT!
Conservative numbers = $20x3000 rooms. This allows for some comps, vacancies, etc.
Anyway that's an additional $60,000 per night revenue.
Times that by 365 days and you get around $22 million in the first 12 months. As I said, that's conservative. The actual revenue is almost certain to be considerably higher as my 3000 room number is on the very low end.
A couple of points....
- $20 per night for people who can afford Wynn & Encore won't mean anything to them.
- There are no cars in the picture because that's not the Strip.....that's the Fashion Show Dr that rarely gets any traffic, so it's not indicative of visitor levels.
Most of the people who will be staying there won't care about this surcharge. It is a common practice and when you're talking about a vacation or business trip budget in the 1000's of dollars, it is irrelevant.
S711
The people commenting on this site are complaining about $20!!! They obviously don't have the money to even set foot inside the Wynn so stay at your Motel 6!! They will leave the light on for your for no charge cheap-o's!! The view of all the hot women inside the casino is worth more than $20!!!
I am not "Wynn" or "Encore" material, since I am a budget traveler who prefers Downtown Las Vegas.
Therefore, I really have no business chastising Steve Wynn for his decision to commence a $20.00 mandatory resort fee (plus taxes I presume).
However, I am going to make a comment anyway.
Why not just increase the room rate by $20.00 per night? In my opinion, this type of semi-hidden fee will cause an average of much more than $20.00 per night in customer dissatisfaction. Mr. Wynn is no longer the astute businessman he once was. For someone who has a hard-earned reputation as a hands-on hotel/casino owner who is concerned about every minute detail of his establishment, he appears to have lost his mind. Most successful, wealthy patrons of these hotels are themselves very astute, and they will certainly notice this small-minded con that Mr. Wynn is trying to perpetrate. My guess is that the ill-advised resort fee will be discontinued before Christmas, after Mr. Wynn gets sick of trying to explain it to so many of his customers.
another rip off from mr weinberg. Just another reason to never go to this con mans properties. Everything is ALWAYS
overpriced and the service is always below average. OVER RATED!
Sinatra...it's not about $20. It's about being charged for something I don't use. This isn't rocket science. In the grand scheme of a 5 day stay, a $100 bucks is a $100 bucks. I'd rather play red or black for one roll than donate it to services I don't want, need or require.
People won't care about a surcharge? What kind of nonsense statement is that? If that's the case, why not just make it an even $50 for these "complimentary services".
Has society become that obtuse where they don't care about paying for a service they don't need or want?.....laughable
They're also offering complimentary kicks in the groin to "enhance your experience". The reason that they don't just adjust the room rates higher is that resort fees are non-taxable.
It is absolutely the princple of the matter. When my wife and I go out to eat she laughs at me when I refuse to pay $3 for a glass of tea. It is not the $3 but I refuse to pay that for something that probably cost 25 cents. Just how I am.
Steve Wynn (weinberg) is a business man and if other major Casinos don't charge resort fees he will discontinue it. As for fees what about entertainment fees and taxes . A $100 ticket becomes $150 with the Extras!
Scene:
1977 - Braniff fight attendant, boufant hairdoo standing near the exit door -
A'BY-BY! A'BY-BY!
SteveBerg, It's the old buy low, sell high routine! HA!
Be a menche and raise the price to $120.00 night service charge.
Bat, from Alabama
I stayed at Encore two weeks ago for the first time. Nice room, but I probably won't stay there again unless it's a full comp. Stay at another hotel that doesn't charge the resort fee and eat and drink at Wynn/Encore. Forget gamblin' there, the slots are very tight!
He would be better off raising his rooms rates than creating a seperate charge. I'm a little disappointed in his approach but I confess: I will defer to his proven judgement. I don't mind the prices - charge what the market will bear - but distinguishing fees etc strikes me as a little of a bait and switch - our price is this and by the way...
What's the fuss? Casino's loves to nickel and dime the sucker everyday I think the casino;s should enact fees for the following:
Sticking your head in the door $5,00
Coming in,looking around and leaving $10.00
Gambling in the slots parlour $15,00
Buyingt food and drinks $10.00
Using the restrooms $2,50 (best deal) Toliet
Paper extra at$5,00.We should't be to hard on the casino's, and yes we let the airlines do the same to us.
Vegas once was the mecca for fun, relaxation,good food and very pretty women, We all thought the rooms we stayed in were the best,'We love havibg a good time,Maybe one day tourist and ganblers alike will decide to say NO! not travel to Sin City Enough is Enough.
Oh boy, that means the call girls are gonna charge extra also.
People wonder why we have lost all of the business that we secured to make Las Vegas the top meetings destination in the country?
It is actions like this that I have done it. The resorts never seem to learn that their actions short term have long term aspects that are hard to wipe away for years to come.
It's principle more than money. It's just another add on charge like car dealerships charging "advertising fees, bank processing fees, prep fees....on and on.
I buy a new car, I pay for the car, taxes, registration & license and delivery. Everything else is a bogus charge to inflate the bill.
Give me a room...I pay for the room and taxes. Don't charge me for a safe I don't use, don't charge me for a gym I don't use...phone...Internet ...toilet paper....correspondence paper..whatever.
We've become too accustomed to accepting this crap with a "whatever"....
Reasonably priced rooms , free drinks , great food sold cheaply , world class entertainment , fair gaming odds .... real value to be found in all aspects of your Vegas visit ! That's what it was like when the MOB ran the joint.
So does 20 bucks really make a difference ?
Probably not as the party is likely over anyway.
Just found out that the resort fee only applies to reservations booked after June 10th per email from their reservations department
NO ONE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE 20 DOLLARS PEOPLE!
The comments and complaints come from how it is hidden it what you pay!
JUST CHARGE THE RATE NEEDED TO COVER THESE ITEMS THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED AND THEN THE DECEPTION IS GONE!
No one will balk at ENCORE costing $179 a night vs $159 ... just say it up front. THIS IS WHAT IT COST TO STAY HERE.
Stay with us, or somewhere else... simple as that!
Rediculous. Played poker at the Wynn. Dealers are rude. Cocktail servers and drinks are top notch though. Tons of beautiful women walking around. Would I stay there? Not at their prices. I can stay at the Golden Nugget for $37.00 a night. I don't use the gym, have an aircard and fly Southwest with curb check in where shuttle drops me off. I guess Wynn figures its okay to rip rich people off.
Sounds like a tax to me. I agree with lynusun. The hotels claim any tax increase will bring Vegas to its knees, but they are not worried when it is them getting the increase. I would have more respect for corporations if they would just admit that the tax would not kill us, we are just too mush a a greedy %$#^% to pay it. Never met a business person that felt as if they owed one cent for taxes.
denver21 should roll up his $20 and smoke it....and lay off whatever you're smoking now.
Hey, what's going on here?
Siegel Suites has plenty of amenities and no extra fees:
http://www.siegelsuites.com/info/ameniti...
What they are doing is avoiding the tax on the $20 they collect as a resort fee. The fee is added after tax is calculated. Its all about the percentages when you are working with millions. They have added profit without a tax! What smart penny shaving executives they are for implementing this starter fee. Soon they will start raising this fee and make even more money. But I live in Vegas and could care less how these guys are taking in money. Rob the tourist and he will try and come get it back at the tables and you can rob him again.
Nothing else at Wynn is affordable, why should staying be?
I love Woodman's point of view...They grew the tea in India for a year until the leaf got big enough, then the ladies toiled for 12 hours a day picking just the right leaves by hand, putting them in sacks on their heads. Then they march on over with their 100lb bags and spread out the tea to dry for days and days. The leaves are collected and broken up and put into baggies with little strings and staples. Then it gets boxed and shipped to the coast and then overseas to the US to *almart. Yes, $0.25c IS ridiculous. $0.25c + $20.00 fee to send the laborer to a resort is more like it. Give me a break, you get what you pay for in this world.
Steve Wynn's inner monologue "I build a multi-billion dollar hotel, I charge my guests hundreds of dollars to thousands per night, I really messed up my picasso, hmmm... I know, I'll be to stingy to give my guests a bottle of water and wifi!!" Maybe Mr. Wynn, you shouldn't have put your elbow through your own painting.
and to think I used to complain over the $3 energy surcharge 8 years ago.
The old mob bosses would be proud. They called it a protection fee now it is called a resort fee.
jtrudeau - you only have to go so far as the Riviera to encounter this tried and true nostalgic charge.
Imperial Palace used to have a $1.00 phone surcharge added to your bill. Even if you never touched the phone. They don't do that anymore. Maybe they added the dollar to the rate, maybe not, but i'm sure it saves a lot of hassle for the clerks explaining it to people. They liked me because I was already aware of it. I get a kick out of Wynn saying the resort fee pays for all of the complimentary items you receive. If it costs you $20, It's not complimentary. I'd rather the room rate be what it has to be and get rid of the hidden fees, Room tax is one thing, but hotels seem to hide resort fees in the fine print. Travel sites such as Vegas.com, Orbitz, etc. should all show the resort fee clearly, or added to the rate shown. Some people are unaware of it until they arrive at check-in. Kind of like an auto store advertising 4 tires for $99, but by the time everything else is added to it it's $225.
Meanwhile, It's Harrah's for me!
Very soon the Florida based beach resorts will charge special amenity fee and justify this by additional "cleaning up " of the oil spill directly in front of their doors on the beach.....as everybody knows that BP will have to take care of all the mess. Still, visitors will probably pay these daily 35 extra dollars per room. Think twice before booking your Vegas-escape vacation to Florida. Perhaps you're better of visiting Hawaii or the California beaches for the next 15 years till the mess is cleaned up.
You would figure from their extensive customer feedback a resort fee would be the last thing a guest would want. Thirty years of traveling to las vegas a resort fee was never on my mind..A good gamble..Decent food and entertainment..a room deal..yea thats whats on my mind..These billionaires forget who made them
Folks, think twice and get a brain:
The ROOM RATES were NOT RAISED.
It's just some 20 somethings of "PEANUTS" added as a CHARGE FOR THE RICH and wealthy guests. These guests do not even care about 20 extra a day.
Others have done that already decades ago for less wealthy guests:
http://cheapovegas.com/vegas_casino_full...
('...this place will nickel and dime you on phone calls and other unexpected costs.'
The guys commenting have btw changed the originasl comment here, which used to be:
'...they nickel and dime you on everything.')
Station Casinos is adding somewhat between 12.95 and 14.95 per day per room on his "amenities".
Spoken in percentages, this makes quite a difference: The prevailing rate at Santa Fe Station on any given day in October, mid-week, is around 55 dollars. You add 12 per cent tax on top of it, and then you add 12.99 resort fee, plus 12 per cent tax on the resort fee, and here's the grand total: 76.15 usd!!
Hey, if that's the way of seing things, 55 dollars means 75 dollars, then it's clear to me that some people need more credit cards to pay for stuff they don't really want or need. And the drama continues....
Good luck Vegas, but I know how to save the money they steal from me. There are ways to make up for it, although it's not ethical, but there's no way around to have somebody pay. Eye-on-Eye.
do what i do ; stay out of vegas casinos until they come back to their senses. the casinos new motto: " vegas is for suckers!" hows that sound sinatra?
i went to the stations casinos - got all my rooms (3) comped. Then there was a charge for $3.95 for each night - for towels and maid service they said = I wasnt happy and when I got home - called my host and he said nothing he can do - well nothing he can do - has me mad and now I dont stay at any stations. I was willing to pay the extra on the days I used the maid - a few days we didnt even have a maid come in. Well they should give that fee to the maids since they are the ones cleaning. I usually left the maid some money on my day out - but that time I only left what change that I had collected - she got about 5 bucks. So these fees are hurting the maids and service people - they dont get it!!!
I would not go the wynn casinos due to the fees - guess if we all didnt go and they had all the rooms empty - maybe they would change their mind. Hey - why not just add in 5 bucks to the price of the rooms and then we would not be hear talking about it.
What I find really pathetic is that when the State was looking for ways to fund education and other necessities the casinos cried that they would have to lay off workers and that would trickle down and hurt other workers who are associated with gaming. Remember Nevada has one of the lowest taxes on gaming in the nation, 6.75%. Other states pay from 10 - 40 plus percent. Nevada gaming cried they could not afford a .50% raise, well on a room that goes for $200 a night a $20 resort fee is 10% more, why is it ok for them to charge their prized guests but when asked to contribute to the welfare of the state and also by ensuring they have somewhat educated people joining them one day they start crying. What a selfish town and what a bunch of lousy paid for politicians who have no agenda other than taking care of gaming executives and real estate developers, Jim Rhodes anyone...
Who cares? It's an ugly hotel/casino. He should get his money back from the color coordinator. He should have stopped with the Bellagio which is still the most attractive hotel/casino in Vegas. The boom times in Vegas are long gone. Too many new casinos popping up through out the country, not to mention the world. The new town center will look like a scene out of Clockwork Orange in a few years. Vegas is on a downward spiral, they just don't realize it yet.
I don't agree with fees on top of the rates. It's not just the hotel and airlines, the rental car companies have a lot of extra charges. This is a pita for even an informed consumer because you waist time looking for all the fine print. No one wants to see extra charges on the final bill.
I read here once that the resort fees are not taxed. If it's true maybe that should change. Or better yet ban resort fees and hidden charges.
It is laughable that people compare some of Station Casinos bottom properties to Wynn / Encore.
*********************************************
The $20 fee covers "certain complimentary select hotel amenities".
complimentary:
1. Given free as a courtesy or favor
2. Expressing or containing a compliment
Guess those hotel amenities are not free, they only compliment the hotel.
@dipstick:
lmao, if you replace the word "vegas" by the word "Germany" then I'm with you, dipstick, because Germany really is a place for suckers, greed, jealousy and denunciation. That's what made Germany great.
imho Vegas is the greatest place for vacation on earth, to REST and RELAX, have a good time and to take it easy.
(...,but maybe I've just lived too long in Germany and that's why...:-)
Corporate greed. Nickle and dime people enought and they will not come back. Will Vegas ever learn.
Fees? How lame, fees are the domain of the government.
@LV Sun Staff:
Please, could anyone remove the annoying advertisings posted by "dfghergh" and by "xinyue944446", since I believe that every reader here knows how to order online at ebay or amazon, but we all know that "Fashion Show Mall" and the "Forum Shops" and the "Wynn Esplanades" are unique completely different vacation experiences. Things bought there on vacation will always remind you when you get back home of your happiest time of year and all the fun you had in Vegas.
TIA.
I thought Wynn hated America and was moving to Macau? Is this his parting "gift" to America?
Go ahead Steve --- pack it up and leave. You won't be missed.
Thank you for the information. I will not be staying there. In fact I will not even eat or gamble there. I may however use the bathroom while passing by.
"Hell no I won't go" to Wynn's.
I will continue staying at the "Plazzo".
Staying at the Wynn would be like playing poker with a dealer who brought in his own deck of cards from home.
Vegas does not need this kind of shoddy image right now.
Whoever advised the Board Members to go along with this should be fired.
This is probably news to Steve as well.
Ace's
As for me I'll continue to use the Off-strip Casinos. After all, I only need a place to sleep the few hours that I am in the room and use the cash I save for other things that are more usefull to me. But if you prefer to get ripped off continue booking your rooms on the Strip.
Don't forget about the rest of his bright ideas. No drink comps for players at the bar. Go Steve, please go away Steve
methinks he has to pay off his divorce lawyer.
I can't afford to stay there with or without the $20. It sounds reasonable, although it could backfire on him. See you at the pool over at the Y
Wynn should add a $15 fee every time you flush the room toilet. Indoor plumbing fee.
Greedy Steve strikes again
I guess Mr. Wynn is getting more cautious as he gets older.
He used to be a leader in Vegas. Now he seems content to be a FOLLOWER.
Douchebags at his beach club and now in his hotel. Resort fees.
What's next Steve? Try to steal your dealer's tips? Oh wait...
What a bummer. SW has never been a person who can really be an outstanding hotelier and has always been a loser in the hospitality world of gaming and entertainment.
This John probably has persons working for him in other hotels from Topeka, Kansas to small town rural America and small town Viet Nam to sabatage other gaming casinos. However, by stating that he is joining other casinos by tacking on a $20.00 per night fee is a statement that is far out.
A class-less act for what, until now, has been a classy place. And people wonder why Vegas is dying? Our reputation goes down the toilet with every tacky move these places make. We just keep opening the doors wider for competition....
Shame on you, Steve.
The most sought after amenities? A gym, wireless and boarding passes. How I travel a 10,000 round trip to enjoy such wonderful amenities.
I am also grateful for the "bundling of facilities" when the rest of the World is "unbundling" all services.
Pick, choose...but don't tell me what I need to pay for!
Wow. Like someone mentioned, the resorts complain about small taxes claiming it will hurt tourism, then they tack this on. Ridiculous. How about this. Since you resorts seem to believe there's room for $15 - $25 greed fee, oh sorry, resort fee, let's try this. Based upon 100,000 rooms (I know there's more than that but for math sake we'll round it off) at 50% occupancy for all hotel rooms, that's 50,000 rooms per night. Obviously this runs higher as most hotels are running between 50 - 85% occupancy but again, bear with me for the math. So that's 50,000 rooms for 365 nights a year = 18,250,000 room nights a year. To help Nevada get out of its budget issues, let's say we just charge an extra $2 per room night for taxes. That's more than $36 million a year alone. Again, I'm really low on these numbers. And since the resorts opened this "greed" door with the resort fee, they have no room to complain. Imagine if we made it $5/night.
Dear Las Vegas Casinos,
I will never pay a resort fee. Your product is no longer so unique that I can't find it somewhere else. Do not insult me by claiming it is 'for my convenience'. I not stupid.
I will be visiting in July. Staying at a Harrahs property. They certainly have their problems (6:5 blackjack..which I won't play either), but at least I know what I am getting.
see you in 20 yrs, vegas. i doubt casinos will get their act together by then.
shykid...Please don't put ideas like that in their heads,Good Grief!!
good business sense.
the way to increase business is to charge more during a difficult recession. way to dig into the wallets of the visitors.
instead consider lowering the buffet cost, provide more profotiable machines for players, reward your players better.
but then again, wynn aint no dummy. he is the father of modern vegas.
oh, the good old days of bugsy.
I just call the "ex". She explained to me that she is the one that gets
all those $20 surcharges as part of the divorce agreement.
Cross another hotel of my list.
Speaking of crooks-n-fees --
Nevada's criminal motor vehicle division recently raised their "Basic Gov Services Tax -- Clark" +500% as well as "Supplemental Gov Services Tax -- CLA" +300%.
: {
It is okay to charge an aditional 20$ fee on the room for their profit but it was inconcievable to charge a fee for the "education of the school children of Nevada! First, Wynn steals the dealers tips to give his supervisors a raise against the Nevada Statutes because clearly it is the employers gain by not having to pay a less salary to the supervisors. Now Harrah's has proposed to take 15% of the dealers tips at Caesars Palace in which it is unclear who they intend to give it to. All retaliation for the dealers unionizing to protect benefits and working conditions they already had. All of these corporations have done nothing but take - take- take- from the guests, employees and our state. When is it enough? Enough that our entities put in place to uphold the law- follows the law and enforces it. I wouldn't stay at either property!
Hey slapstick, you mean I have to pay extra to see douchebags at the beachclub?
I just got back from Las Vegas and had a great time but these Resort fees are ridiculous and I will not pay them in the future. I'll stay with friends in Vegas or I will take a cruise where one gets so much more for their money.
Whats next ?.....
A fee for everytime you wipe your a$$ ?????
So after you drop the chulupa, all these enterpreneuers are gonna hold their hands out and say .."That'll be $20 please".
When businesses, banks, and other establishments curtail these extra "whatever fees" they classify for their processing or services, I tend to stay away from paying extra for anything that does not cost extra for the business to provide, which in simple terms means :
I refuse to pay extra nonsense fees in order to cover some executive's retirement or lavished lifestyle, I will pay for my own retirement thank you.
Be right back, I gotta go take a Fertitta, flush the Ruffin, and wipe my Wynn. - No surcharges either !
I worked for a company who charged the hated "resort fees", and I'm flabbergasted as to why these companies continue with this practice.
I can give you an insiders perspective - guests, for the most part, are furious when they find out about these hidden charges.
I feel bad for the unassuming folks who work the hotel front desks; they get abused.
I, myself, experienced this as a tourist before I moved out here. My wife and I were charged a nominal five dollar a night "resort fee" at the Stratosphere around seven years ago. Yes, it was only five bucks, but it annoyed me and soured me on my experience at that casino. I viewed it as shady, and vowed to never stay at the Strat again.
I applaud Harrah's for taking a stand against the fee, and hope they continue.
We, as consumers aren't stupid. We realize that this is simply a marketing ploy. The Wynn, Stations, MGM, etc. are simply trying to gain a foothold on the market by advertising their room rates fifteen or twenty bucks below what they actually are charging. As someone else mentioned, it's kind of a bait and switch.
As Las Vegas continues to struggle, it deeply concerns me that our premiere casino companies are dissolving to this used car salesman tactic. I wonder how many tourists pay the fee - yet go home and vow to never return again out of spite.
More power to him, Wynn will see of this works, if not; he'll drop the $20.00 fee and learn from it. If you don't agree, don't support Wynn. The power of money speaks; he'll get the hint if it's not working.
Yesterday I ate a veggie bowl at a Chipotle, one the Mc Donald's owned burrito places.
Usually they give you a decent amount of food in the bowl, but yesterday they were a little stingy.
When I asked about it the young man replied they were instructed to cut back and make the portions smaller.
So, today when I was in the same area I thought about going there and my next thought was no, because I remembered the cutback.
Same thing, go into a Staples office supply and see the quality of the China made file folders for instance, paper thin. Oh, and just try and find someone to wait on you. It may not be easy.
There may be a comparison here with the Wynn amenity fee or not, but no matter what I think some of these companies are shooting themselves in the foot.
I agree with the thought that the Wynn fee may be disingenuous, because otherwise why not just charge people for what they use, and why should I pay for something I'm not using, not interested in, or don't even need?
Vegas has a hidden fee for everything with no value added. I dont understand why people come here. There are better places in the world to go.
Wont wise people head down town and make that more prosperous?
Its not about the twenty bucks...its about booking a room for 100 dollars and then paying 120 for it that many have issues with! If they wanted to just raise their prices 20 dollars across the board then nobody would have an issue but thats not going to happen. Instead they will backdoor the twenty dollars so they can advertise 20 less.
Hell why not advertise free rooms and then add resort fees, check in fees, and another fee for entering your room! Extreme but I really do not see that much of a difference!
Frankly, they should just raise the rack rate and forget about all these add ons and fees! It really is an insult to the patrons intelliegnce. I have the same issue with the airlines with their baggage fees, seat charges and such. They are not fooling anyone and only increase consumer angst toward corporate america. Sad.
Why haven't private home owner not become more aware or the fact that they could rent out parts of their homes for tourists? Like a "bed-and-breakfast" for 20 dollars/night? Would be a nice additional income for some people struggling in the valley and a great opportunity for the tourists to get a good place to stay for cheap. A deal, 150 dollars/week , 7 nights, this would be something. All I would request is a nice room, airconditioning, no dogs barking around in the neighborhood and a bath room plus a tv. Linen only 1x/week upon check-out, no problem. 7 days for 150 dollars and many people would make good money all year through. Think about, Vegas.
From Switzerland
Look, Boris, I know my fingers are sometimes as big as sausages making my written words very difficult to read and comprehend. I'm sorry for that. But, man, you really ought to get yourself some English grammar book...
'Why haven't private home owner not become aware...'
- this short phrase is complete nonsense due to at least 2 grammar mistakes.
By the way, Boris, what in your opinion should a home owner do when the neighbor's dog is barking, how should he silence all the pets around his house to satisfy you renting a single room in his private home?
Why don't you ask Wayne Newton to let you in?
Ok, Boris, here's my advice for you commenting in the future:
1st: Think and get yourself a clue. Think again.
2nd: Get yourself an English grammar book to use it for reading.
3rd: Comment, use the grammar book, read your comment again, then submit your comment.
4th: If it's all too hard, just comment at spiegel.de using only German words and language.
Thanks in advance. Have I just been too rude?
don't worry vegas will be saved by god [steveie boy]. he'll come up with a new way to fleece customers or employees. he may have been resposible for the explosion on the strip, hey how's that workin these days.
Banana-Joe: Danke fur Deine tollen Ratschlage. Aber Englisch ist nun einmal nicht meine Muttersprache. Obwohl ich standig in Las Vegas bin, ist Englisch nur meine 2. Sprache. Sorry, aber ich denke, die Leute kapieren schon, was gemeint ist.
To all the people curious what I just wrote down: I was trying to explain to Banana_Joe that there are countries in this world where the main or principle language is not English. However, this is a website where people from all across the planet have the right to read and post their comments. As Las Vegas is an international travel destination, you should be a bit more flexible and excuse my grammar mistakes.
Banana_Joe: You can be as rude as you want in this "forum", it's fine with me. I have no problems with that. My pleasure to provide you with some ideas to make a joke of others, although, hey, by the way....when do expect the Oil disaster come to an end? Or do you really don't care a dime about mother nature anymore over there in America? Just to bring you back to reality. The golf of Mexico is currently a disaster zone, and all maritime life is about to die. I wonder if you can also joke around about that. Perhaps your thirst for oil is too big and your greed for luxury and big cars on credit are more important than anything else. So I can only guarantee you this: The people on the golf beaches will suffer for years now. Even tourism in Florida will be affected. This could bring more tourists to Las Vegas, actually. But it's a shame to see what's happenign down there at the moment. Cameron and Obama on the telephone, with Obama being afraid of votes and Cameron as well, and being afraid of the UK reputation and his pension funds money. Nobody caring about the nature, with money and oil being more important than anything else. The price is high this time. Nobody can deny that.
I hope my English wasn't too bad so the readers can understand what I was writing. I think this time you guys really pushed the envelope.
From Switzerland
and u wonder why the occupancy rate are low. strip/casino will nickel and dime to death they deserve what they get and i am a local
it o.k for casino to raise/add for resort fee that's o.k but if the state raise taxes for state of Nevada they B**** and moan about it. F*** these casino owner
I personally believe that Station Casino's possible bankruptcy is mainly caused by "ducking" around with locals and out-of-town visitors alike. I remember well when Boulder Station charged me 1 dollar-per-day for the local telephones that I actually never needed. I take it that was a test period before they launched their first "resort amenity fee". At first , I think it was called "energy surcharge", and later on they raised that and renamed it "resort fee". The amenities where never any different. It's ridiculous enough that the Fiesta Henderson listed "free covered parking" as one of these amenities. Wow, I am so grateful to park my rental car free when going to lose my money there.
It is useless to try to make these greedy marketing managers change their idea of running the place and grinding out profit. They will continue with this trend. Soon they will charge me linen surcharge for using the bed that's in the room I rent.
The only very good thing that I saw last time was at the Vegas Hilton: I had a room booked for a few nights due to extra low rates, and when I was there I saw a flier in my room saying that if I don't want maid service done I would have to put the tag at the outside of my door so they would gladly give me a 5 dollar food discount coupon as a compensation. That's very good and really was a little something. But, then again, let's switch back to Station Casinos' and all the other casinos' resort fee idea: The tourists visiting Vegas will respond accordingly. That's for sure. Some will not stay in the hotels that charge high resort fees, others will check-in at motels or downtown, and another percentage of visitors will become "ex Vegas visitors" and go elsewhere. That's why you have empty hotel rooms at a much higher rate than years ago. And not only because of this "recession", folks.
From Switzerland
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bad Idea
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Most MOST folks watch what they spend and that includes the wealthy. A sur charge added to the room rate is bad public relations and also look at how many people won't even recall seeing it or being told about it when they check in and end up angry.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
They should just bump up the room rate.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Soon , all the tourists not going to Florida will be coming here.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Now, prosecute AWOLBush and his henchmen for war crimes.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Merci To All
@Boris:
I am sorry, Boris, for having commented in such a rude way.
Since I am neither your teacher nor your father it is not my business to make any remark about your English grammar.
I owe you an apology. I did not want to hurt you.
Fee maker, Not real sure where your post is headed but the cost of the production of the tea bag has nothing to do with my comment. If the majority of the $3 was the production of the tea then it would be a completely diffrent matter. Very similar to the resort fee, instead of raising the food prices they gouge you with the drink price. A box of tea bags cost about $2 and could probably serve nine gallons of tea. That is my point.
I live in Chicago and travel to Vegas and other 'resorts' a few times each year.
Resort fees don't bother me at all--they help to keep out the losers who can't or won't part with 20 bucks! Of course, i always negotiate comps up front to offset the $20 fee.
I'd gladly pay $20 resort fee knowing i'm getting $50 in comps AND not have to be around cheap losers!
MY problem with resort fees is they usually take pains to hide it until after the room is booked.
Having been burned before I specifically ask before I book and it is a factor as to were I stay.
I have a problem with unearned fees, whether it is the phone companies, banks or credit cards where they use tricks to hide these fees until the last minute. Resort fees fall under the same loathsome practice of imposing fees that arent earned, knowing most have no reason - or inclination - to agree to pay.
It is a industry practice that wont go away, and isnt confined to Las Vegas. But it is a shame that Wynn is resorting to such a lowlife practice.
Hey Banana_Joe: I didn't have any bad feelings at all. To tell you the truth, I noticed myself that I throw in many bad writing errors in my comments from time to time. Next time, before sending it out, I will read through it again and make sure that you don't get another headache when reading my posts.
The point is, however, people don't like additional charges for things they don't really want. It would be the same than going to Walmart with the intention to buy a 6-pack of coke and then finding out that the only 6 packs of coke available are the ones that have enclosed 12 batteries for your cd-player, a set of razor blades and hair spray for your wife, all attached, for 15.95 usd, plus tax, for your 6-pack of Coca Cola. Would you still like to buy your 6 pack of coca cola there? I think I'd move on and get it from the nearest 7-Eleven store instead.
When I was in Las Vegas last time from mid March till mid April, I booked all of my my hotel rooms at casinos that did not force me to pay silly resort fees. Before this nasty rip-off-trend started, I used to be a very loyal Station Casinos' customer. Although being in Vegas for only limited time always, I managed to get quite a good status on my players card. And this qualified for several food comps and sometimes more. I play a lot of videopoker (full pay machines only) and I usually spend hours in the poker rooms. That's all I play. The discounted rates for poker players aren't interesting anymore and the resort fee drove me away from Station Casinos. I would love to stay at the Aliante Station, have been there many times, for dinner and Optimum Play Videopoker, I really like this casino, beautiful and if you want, call it your "private club casino" as it's empty most of the times. Just the way I like it. But then, staying there for 59.95 a night plus tax would be ok, but 59.95 means rather 90 dollars, because of all taxes. And that's not actually what I consider a "tranparent rate". It's rather called "disguised stealing from ignorant tourists". I could afford a 80 dollar room per night, but I don't sponsor nasty marketing efforts. And from all that I have read through these comments, I am not the only one here, although, probably the only active writer from Switzerland :)
Greetings and see you next time in Vegas. I'll be there in October again after the heat is gone.
Thank you Boris. Nobody is perfect. And since I am just some kind of "Nobody", I don't have much to tell. Just that I would do almost everything legal to live in Vegas, or L.A., which is great, too, meaning I would also enjoy to spend some days off at Santa Monica (Pier), when the heat is on/gone. Coming back to you in Vegas.
Regards
Banana_Joe (heading back to his banana boat :)
"Resort Fee" come on now Mr. Wynn... Just seems so tacky and ridiculous, especially with money that is dumped at both Wynn and Encore by high rollers. Of course the comped RFB customers don't pay the fee, correct? It's all the people not gambling enough to get a room comp that get screwed by this fee.
Why not just raise prices on drinks at the various hotel bars? Instead of $13.50 for a Blood Mary, make it $14.40? How about charge for valet parking? How about no free drinks at bar video poker? -- I think they do that there already? If you are going to screw people over, at least let them get something in return.
This "tactic" by Mr. Wynn to squeeze extra money out of guests is just so "Harrah's" or "MGM." To think that Wynn Resorts would lower themselves to that level is embarrassing.
I wonder if the billionaire across the street with the hot Russian wife has a resort fee at his place?
Boris -- As usual, excellent commentary on this situation. I hope your fellow Europeans refuse to tolerate this nonsense and take their business to properties that do not have resort fees.
Check out my blog:
http://jimmyhoofa-lv.blogspot.com/
Hey Steve, just rename your place: Slots-O-Fun, Too
Wynn doesn't care about his American suck..errr I mean customers anymore, he's too busy suckin' up to the Chinese! Did you hear he converted from his Jewish church to a Buddhist? LOL
Obama made him do it. It's just another Obama plot to drive away business from Las Vegas. It's another example of big government raising taxes on poor rich people (or is it rich poor people?)It will stiffle job creation at the Wynn and Encore for years to come. How can a man like Steve Wynn be expected to earn a living when the government is always trying to redistribute his money?
Oh, wait. I'm sorry. I thought we were talking about a resort tax.
But it is nice of Mr. Wynn to enhance his guests' resort experience by starting to offer guests use of the fitness center, in-room Internet access, local and domestic phone calls for only $20. I didn't realize the the Wynn and Encore didn't have these amenities before. Motel 6 has had them for years.
In fact, this resort amenity fee is nothing else but like tightening up the slots and table games. It's just a little de-tour, but it's definetely doing the job for the house. The house edge gets even bigger this way, without any additional "comp" for the player, as these amenities that are being charged used to be either free or available on purchase. People with the need to be online all the time have either a WWW-stick or a cell phone that does the job, even while in Vegas. And internet junkies with laptop computers can easily hook-up at most places, and some places even offer REAL FREE INTERNET ACCESS, such as for instance the Orleans Hotel by the Seattle's Best corner.
People who travel to Vegas in order to escape from their computer or office job are now raped and forced to pay for internet access even if they left their computer at home. To me, this method of "raking in money" is not the nice English way. Perhaps British Petroleum PLC taught America a nice lesson on how to handle the situation....or better, how not to do it.
Actually, it's better for the casino this way than having a slot machine doing the job. In order to "win" 20 dollars from a player on a 98 per cent pay-back slotmachine, it takes, wait a second..... 1000 dollar coin-in. And this is the theoretical expected return, before any comps and freebies that would have to be deducted from the gross profit. A 20 dollar bill directly into the cash register is a real "no-lose-situation" for the house. Plain and simple.
The resort fee is a much easier winner with zero chances for the player(hotel guest) to score a winnner. The hotel guest can only lose these 20 dollars. The house wins.
For all future reference and reservations, I recommend that each potential Las Vegas visitor will add all taxes and fees on top of the regular (prevailing) rate, and once this grand total seems to be affordable and fair, then it's "ok" too make the reservation. Otherwise..... there's always the Southpoint or the Eastside Cannery with extremely competitive rates....and NOT RESORT AMENITY FEES.
Thank you for your attention.
The Odgen Suites of the El Cortez cost about 45 dollars/night and offer free gym access. Nobody needs free local and domestic phone calls, so they're not included in the daily rate. But, and I am proud to advertize the El Cortez with my comments....They're not charging any additional resort fee, although they offer a little gym with free and fresh iced water in the facility...and fresh fruits in the lobby, free of charge, and no tipping required if you like to have an apple for breakfast. Great job El Cortez, I like these Odgen Suites, also it's great that you offer free cable tv in the rooms. Not many hotels offer this service for free. El Cortez does it.
From Switzerland
This article is, currently, the Most Read, Most E-mailed, and Most Discussed.
That speakes volumes.
Hy_Ted. I also noticed that. Ok, with all due respect, I also contributed quite a few times in the comments' section :) There are just 2 or 3 similar articles that drew just as many readers. I think one was about the gas price pulling up and the other one was also about resort fee, but a bit earlier this year.
@Jimmyhoofa:
Sorry, but I've just read your blog:
http://jimmyhoofa-lv.blogspot.com/
Nice work, keeps the reader informed about Vegas from past to present.
@BushDepression:
Nice login name you have "BushDepression"...lol.
In Germany it might have been replacing the 'Bush' by a 'Kohl'...lmao
...about a change in religion I do not have much to say, but talking seriously today it looks simply like religious groups become more and more a meeting point of child abusers for not getting caught.
That's what you pay church tax for. Any thoughts?
Hy_Ted...most emailed and discussed, Wynn sure knows how to draw a crowd.
If these fees aren't taxable, why are hotels collecting taxes on them? Either you have the wrong info or the hotels are screwing over the State of Nevada in addition to their customers.
There are good reasons why people avoid Harrah's joints. I hope they start addressing some of their issues so that people feel like they have some real alternatives to all these dishonest jackholes who charge for free stuff and who play games to make their hotels look cheaper on third party sites. Whatever happened to truth in advertising, anyway?
I got nailed with these charged at the Monte Carlo last fall charged to use the pool and towels but the pool was closed, the free internet which did not work and can't be free if we have to pay for it and in-room bottled water and ice down the hall. The water were the little bottles from Walmart and the ice machine on our floor did not work. So I basically paid a daily fee for nothing and they offered nothing in exchange for none of the resort fee items being available or worked except the 8 oz. Walmart water.
We bought a time share that weekend realizing that for the cost of one week on the strip, hiking through smoke to get to the hotel, waiting in long lines to check in, check out and sleeping in a bad bed overlooking a/c equipment or the parking lot we could instead get 3 weeks anyplace in the world including several much nicer resorts in Las Vegas that actually are resorts without all the hidden fees. I've used it twice now to come to LV and saved a bundle while having a much nicer experience.
I'm done with the mega resorts with lots of lipstick but they are all really just a bunch of greedy pigs.
Having a resort fee implies tackiness and thriftiness, similar to "must spend min. $5 for C/C transaction" or "$5.00 surcharge for use of pillows". Phrases I would hate to have associated with my 5-star resort where guests are paying $200+/ night. It's out of character for Steve to make such a misguided move. Is he responding to the fact that no one really wants to buy a $13 drink, no one wants the expensive internet, or any of the other add-on services. I'm not certain it was soley his decision to make. Perhaps Wynn has nothing but lookie-loos walking through his casino not spending a dime and treating the resort as if it's a free state park, so he has to make guaranteed money off of someone. This $20 fee only encourages people to "take their fair share" when before it was I'll use it if I need it. Just seems like even if none of us could afford to stay at the Wynn, we sure as heck have a reason to not stay there now.
If Steve ran a $19.99 Mon.-Thurs & $39.99 Weekend special then it would be worth it to stay at his joint.
The Wynn is such a classy, balanced, great place to be. Wife and me played some video poker and got served by very nice and gentle staff any drink we desired. They do even kindly cash in your tickets while serving drinks, if you tell them, just in case you're all to busy. We won at the slots doing max bet and had great fun playing, we'll always come back.
At The Encore the staff is very nice and humerous. What I admired the most was the Cafe changing its art works on the walls each 40 minutes automatically. There is always something new and admirable at The Wynn/Encore. Thanks a lot Mr and Ms Wynn.
LOL, that's the word: "Lookie-Loos", the people just walking through the casino and the shopping arcade, without actually spending a dime. They either come from the Venetian-Palazzo side or walk up the main entrance. Either way, they simply walk through the casino, their big mouth open and eyes popped, until finally exiting the rear doors. Perhaps they use the luxurious restrooms as it's guaranteed that they are definetely cleaner than the Circus-Circus trash. Perhaps these tourists staying on the Strip at Circus-Circus, also like to get a feel of the "real show". So somebody has to pay for the water wasted in the restrooms by these "lookie-loos" and that's why they had to come up with the 20 dollar "support-the-pig-with-lipstick"-fee.
Greetings
Would anybody here like to discuss the nonsense fees/charges/taxes people desperately seeking help are charged by religious groups/communities?
Or do you think it's alright supporting child abusers by paying them charges called church taxes because they offer religious rituals like hair-washing and penis-cutting tambien?
They just don't want people to visit Las Vegas.
Sorry, but me I really do want to visit Las Vegas.
And I swear by the holy rich old man with the white beard ...next time when I am in Vegas and I might have managed to lose some of that luxury around my hips, I am definitely going to jump...
neither off the Eiffel tower, nor off the Luxor.
No, I will do that sky jump thang just like that brave Killimayer - birdy did it. I can do IT 2!
And I will do it. That's my last word:
I be there and I do it!!
Try that one, guys, if you still got cojones:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/videos/2010/a...
TIA,
Banana_Joe
this is just another example of Vegas trying to rip off their guests. When will they realize that people don't have to fly to the west coast to gamble any more. Vegas your not looking at keeping your customers
Ha Ha Ha. Just more corporate greed. They never learn. More greed equals less customers and even greater losses. Stupid bumbling idiots.
What a joke. I am laughing my ass off!
Sorry, but I could not follow:
What is a "pig-with-lipstick"? Is it a wild one? (...lmao :)
Regards
Banana_Joe
I tell ya folks I am amazed at the investment that the indians have made in their gaming properties. My wife and I drove the 2 hours up to Durant, OK yesterday and I was blown away with the property. They have a brand new casino addition that has about 4000 slots and new table games and a new state of the art hotel tower. Many restaurants and entertainment venues. We also won about 2 grand. We are coming to Vegas the end of this month but I told my wife that I could easily spend several days up there. It is true that Vegas has no equal but everytime these Vegas casinos pull one of their stunts they are just compounding the problem of a lack of visitation.
@Woodman:
Congratulations, Mr. Woodman, winning 2 grand might not have been such a bad day for you and your wife.
What I was just talking about is that sky jump thang at Stratosphere Tower proven a thrilling action by the little birdy reporter:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/videos/2010/a...
And imho the guys and all other folks not wearing any of that luxury problem around their hips, like I actually do, should also try that one, if they still got cojones, ...and only if they still got some and did not experience serious cut backs due to religious reasons or because of whatever reason.
That's all I'm asking for.
I mean I could drive to L.A. do something to win me 2 grant and drive back to L.V. on the same day.
Or I could do a little sports taking just an hour of my precious time and spend 100 bucks within that hour to sky jump off the Stratosphere Tower and prove to the world outside that I still got cojones. I might take the rest of the day off to prove that cojones stuff to my wife privately (...lol :).
Thanks for your time and interest.
Regards
Banana_Joe
I prefer to stay at the Western on Freekmont. You just have to bring your own 9. !
If I had stayed/lived at Las Vegas for ten years or even longer, I could not have tried all the hotels and casinos in Vegas and in the greater Vegas area, because the diversity is such a great awesome experience. There's always something new something different to discover for everyone, there's always some place where you have not yet been, but worth to give it a try.
If you just open your eyes and start to choose what's next to be discovered by you and your fellas, you will never get bored in Vegas. That's why... we always come back.
I played some videopoker at the Western and tried a match play coupon the other day. But it lost. And I also lost on the 100 per cent deuces wild machines. it was frustrating as the atmosphere in this casino is somewhat....."frightening"? I noticed that there are some security guards strolling around but rather take it that's their way of making an income. These people probably live nearby and don't have any other job. Still, they probably don't get paid any good. So the last thing they want is trouble with customers or lose their job. I rather take these security guards as "joke figures". It a walk on dire straits in there, although, I noticed, apparently most people are locals and go there every day.
I don't know if the motel adjacent is still open or if they have hotel rooms. They can't be any good but definetely can't charge any resort amenity fee....because this hotel has no amenities. lol. The walk from the Western up to the El Cortez and perhaps the Fremont Experience after midnight during the week could easily turn into a suicide mission. Can't recommend that to 75 year old grannies and daddies.
From Switzerland
I can recommend to enjoy the pool at the Golden Nugget. There are sharks around, but that does not frighten me. They have a very decent buffet and the coffee is great taste. We always come back to be there.
Bicycle-Metro is doing a great job downtown and help to moderate stressing situations with street dealers. Security at the Golden Nugget also always keep their eyes open and they even allow to take some photos of "The Hand of Faith".
If you give the rest of your coins to a homeless beggar, he will definitely call it a day, will hurry home(?) and will gladly tell it to his folks ...that does not frighten me either, but might make the mighty rich old man with the white beard smile ...:)
On soldiers' day or vet's day it's great to feel the patriotism of the cheering crowd watching the parades at Downtown. Everyone was there from young to old, like many others we had to walk back half way to the Strip, since many roads were blocked for the parades, until another bus came by. It still was great harmless fun and a great opportunity for me to lose some weight.
Get yourself some decent buffet and enjoy the pool (Golden Nugget) and some beer from a micro brewery (Four Queens).
Do not miss a parade at Downtown. Don't forget your camera, since each parade is an awesome daylight experience, just like the Fremont Street Experience is a great Downtown night experience.
I take the soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion every day during my stay. That is my profit. With all the comp nights mailed to my home, $20 is minimal. Rooms are free and my gambling is minimal. Free drinks, free food comps, and 2 for 1 buffets. Vegas is still treating me extremely well these days. The out of state casinos are also hurting financially and their comps are non-existant. They can never fully compete with Vegas. Pools, shows, fantastic food, visual displays,...Vegas still has it one up on other cities. To name a few deals over the past 2 years: 4 free nights at Palazzo, 2 nights at Palms, 3 at MGM, 2 at Flamingo, 2 at Treasure Island, 3 at Wynn, 2 at Silverton, 3 at RedRock, 4 at Venetian, 2 at Paris,.....not including free gambling money and restaurant comps.
I went to check-out at a Station property a year or so ago and was blindsided by their resort fee. I was incensed. The deceit made me furious. They had to call security and I was escorted out.
I don't know what you are all complaining about. At the Planet Hollywood, we charge a $15 per day resort fee and the Fitness Center is an additional $25 and it cost $5 to print boarding passes on top of that. The Wynn sounds like a steal to me.
The Wynn sounds and is a good deal to me, indeed.
As a tourist who is not working in Vegas I can recommend the Wynn/Encore and will always get back to be there.
Banana_Joe, why are you advertizing the Golden Nugget Pool that much?
let me clarify : The pool is nice but the chairs are squeezed together so it's no fun unless you like crowds. Also, due to a very special "location" the sun hours aren't guaranteed all day through.
I strongly recommend you to visit the Southpoint Hotel and Casino. If you like a hotel that's not charging stupid resort "tourist-suck-out"-fees and also like low buffet rates and good quality, then the Southpoint is the perfect pick. Ok, you will need a rental car, but once you are out there it's only 5 minutes to the M Resort and that's definetely one of the top hotels in Las Vegas these days. Great poker room and sportsbook. And the buffet is a hammer!!!
I also like downtown, but the only pool I visit down there, that's the Plaza pool. It's nice up there, quiet and does its jb if you like to get suntanned.
Greetings from Switzerland
Boris
When you buy a Rolls Royce, they don't charge extra for floor mats..Steve, just place the room rate at a comfortable level and do away with the little "come on" fee's...one price and people wil lcome to your hotel..You are differnt than the other hotel's..you should lead and not follow the others..
As for the other comments here about bringing people to Vegas, its the same wit the Disney folks..when the turnstyles are slower than normal and gate action has been reduced with fewer visitors, they raise the admission fee to the parks..WISE UP AMERICA !!! We aren't stupid..Higher prices don't have us suddenly finding "more money under our pillow"...
We come to Las Vegas two or three times a year, we fly out and stay at various resorts.
We don't stay on the strip because of the crowds and the sidewalk hustlers. Normally we stay at the Golden Nugget or at Palace Station. Now the Station hotels are off of the list due to their "resort fees." Which still leaves a lot of hotels without this hidden room charge, last March we stayed at South Point, a little further out but no big deal as we always have a car.If you only stay for two or three nights it's probably no big thing but we stay for a week and I'd rather spend my money gambling than pay these fees.
The Southpoint is definetely one place to go and get good value. Every 2 or 3 months the casino presents special 50 per cent off days on its website. The rates will be 35 usd weekdays plus 60 on the weekend, plus tax, but without resort fee. The rooms are really nice and it's always worth it. I can't wait for the next 50 per cent promotional days as I will fill up my upcoming trip with as many days at the Southpoint as I can get.
From Switzerland
I just checked with reservations at Station Casinos. They will accept my Las Vegas Advisor coupon but charge me the "prevailing" rate on the first night. Then, I will have to pay taxes on this and of course this nasty resort amenity fee. However, if you happen to have a coupon it's still a good deal as the resort fee is actually not completely worthless. I reckon that the "in-house-discounts" may also include a match play coupon which is also worth real money, wether or not you win that particular bet. And , a 2-for-1 buffet coupon is nice and reflects at least 4 or 5 dollars off the dinner bill.
From that point of view, I decided to book 2 nights at Station Casinos. It's ok with the 2-for-1 coupon but definetely off if you would have the full rate ( or the online-exlusive) , plus the resort fees.
From Switzerland
Unfortunately given the corporate outsourcing, I won't be able to use my special Red Carpet mail offer. Maybe next year Mr. Ramesh.
Are these guys as dumb as their actions? In the midst of a huge turndown,with vacancy rates skyrocketing, the marketing genius' in Vegas raise room prices. I for one and I know i"m not alone, simply will not stay at a hotel with "resort fees"
Many of the things they mentioned use to be part of the room cost with the exception of the phone and the internet.
I could see maybe 6.00 a night, but for 20 a night, my mom ended up paying 80 dollars, it is almost the cost of an extra night. Needless to say she will not be back.
I thought this "TWITT" WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SMART.
IT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE IT. I CAME - I WENT- I SAW. NEVER AGAIN. IT WAS LIKE A TOMB