Over the years, I stayed at the Venetian many times. Almost always the staff was polite, helpful, and treated me well. Problems I can remember stemmed from long waits to calls made to the front desk, and some delays in bringing up extra towels and stuff like that. Recently, I've stayed at the Palazzo about 6 days over two visits. My biggest complaint was the casino floor, which was covered with full, smelly, ashtrays and many half empty glasses. I met with the floor manager the next day and that night I actually saw executives in suits cleaning up the floors with stacked hands full of ash trays and glasses, I kid you not. Both hotels are well run, the Venetian actually feels a bit old now, and the new living garden show which is free is phenomenal at the Palazzo.
I am not a wealthy man. My trips to the Palazzo were comped. I won a small sum, about $500.00, after my first comped trip, and played most of it back. I was invited back after to stay for free up to 3 nights, with about $50.00 in free play. I continue to be invited back without having to play large amounts. Many people are comped everyday by both of these hotels. If your going to play, my advice is play in the upscale hotels. You will be comped and you will have a better overall experience. The Strip is still the place to be but you've got to play to stay.

Note that the indian casinos in California like Pechanga and Pala have tightened up significantly the last few years. I live a short drive away and began playing locally from day 1 of their respective openings (and that includes Harrah's Rincon located in Northern San Diego County). My experience playng slots in Vegas the last three years or so has actually been more positive and enjoyable. I've won more (but have seldom gone home in the black) played longer, and savored the sights and sounds only Vegas can produce. Now that isn't saying Vegas slots are better than ten years ago but too many people think indian casinos offer a better pay out and overall experience, but that just isn't so.
My problem with Vegas is the overwhelming and heavy handed corporate mentality that now controls this town and the greed its brought.
The Strip palaces were built on the backs of all gamblers but these corporations aren't giving enough back to its gamblers. Food, shows, clubs, and the like are all fine and dandy but its gambling that built Sin City, no matter what Mr. Wynn may say in front of a camera. Indian casinos are merely benefiting from the frustration of many folks who miss the old connection with the "gambling friendly" Vegas of old, when you came to town to gamble and not gawk at the latest new thing.

Note that the indian casinos in California like Pechanga and Pala have tightened up significantly the last few years. I live a short drive away and began playing locally from day 1 of their respective openings (and that includes Harrah's Rincon located in Northern San Diego County). My experience playng slots in Vegas the last three years or so has actually been more positive and enjoyable. I've won more (but have seldom gone home in the black) played longer, and savored the sights and sounds only Vegas can produce. Now that isn't saying Vegas slots are better than ten years ago but too many people think indian casinos offer a better pay out and overall experience, but that just isn't so.
My problem with Vegas is the overwhelming and heavy handed corporate mentality that now controls this town and the greed its brought.
The Strip palaces were built on the backs of all gamblers but these corporations aren't giving enough back to its gamblers. Food, shows, clubs, and the like are all fine and dandy but its gambling that built Sin City, no matter what Mr. Wynn may say in front of a camera. Indian casinos are merely benefiting from the frustration of many folks who miss the old connection with the "gambling friendly" Vegas of old, when you came to town to gamble and not gawk at the latest new thing.

I have to agree with most that the Station Casino's have been mismanaged when it comes to treating customers right. I saw the change from the time Sunset Station opened to the present. Not much fun from a slot players point of view at all. Can't say I feel sorry for the Fertitta clan. I do feel for some of the fine people who work for the company especially one host in particular who has treated me right over the years. Best of luck to you.

Great marketing on Wynn's part. The place will be packed, at least for the next few months. I advise all gamblers to play a bit at Encore before going anywhere else. Wynn is doing something he's never done before and that is comping the small player. He wants that energy and buzz that builds success right from the get go. Those restaurants, pool and nightclub will be quite lively. Being a minnow player, I was emailed a 3 day comp at an Encore suite and $150.00 in free play the first week of January with a second comp in February. You do not have to be a whale to get a taste of this very classy joint. With marketing like this Wynn is bound to succeed once again.

You cannot improve educational quality in Nevada without raising standards and that means standard based teaching on the part of teachers with accountability beginning with the superintendant down to the janitorial staff. You've got to keep kids in school to do that so the dropout problem has to be addrssed first. Raising taxes is a mistake. If tax dollars are not being effectively used now (witness the present student failure rate), more money will not solve the problem until the underlying reasons for failure are identified. Nevada can and should have a first class educational system. Money, by itself will not do the job. I speak from experience having worked for many years in money pits like the Los Angeles Unified School District which to this day has been unsuccessful in improving the educational success of its students, especially minority children.

Great time for comped rooms. I kid you not but I'm no big player and Wynn of all people comped me three nights at his Encore with a $150.00 credit the week of CES. I recommend you play a little and get the comps. Same thing happened to me at The Palazzo about a month ago (three free nights). One can't complain about the big boys not giving freebies to little players like myself. Just be consistent and use your card.It really is that kind of time in Vegas.

Good going Phil!
Quite a bargain and its going to a seasoned veteran with real hands on experience and common sense. If anyone can overhaul the present day show and bring back some fun, it'll be Mr. Ruffin. And while he's at it, force Canter's to improve their bread quality. Nobody wants to see their sandwich crumble as they're trying to eat it.

Friendly people at the Frontier, at least in its last years when I use to visit. No would seemed to worry bout whether the place would stay open or not. Those dirty girls were long gone by then, but the slots were fun, and the food cheap. Another piece of Vegas gone for good now.

The drop in gas prices, if it holds, should help Vegas after the holidays. Strip casinos especially, should actively market a drop in room rates and couple that with some free food at some of the nicer restaurants on their premises but the days of monthly Vegas jaunts for many are finished for some time now. Less is more should be Vegas' new slogan.