VegasChatter

"While the Tropicana may not be as glamorous as Bellagio or Wynn," Quinn (Charles Quinn, executive vice president of CBRE Hotels) says, "the fact that travelers can earn points by staying might drive more of them there."

Oooo... burn.

Hilton HHonors members will both be able to use and earn points with stays at the Trop. Something they still can't do at Elara, formerly Westgate which was assimilated by Hilton earlier this year from Planet Hollywood. (You can earn points at Elara, but guests can't redeem them.)

Of course, it wouldn't be Tropicana without having news of a departure to report. Vegas gossip Robin Leach tweeted last night about the abrupt departure of "star chef Carla Pellegrino," the force behind Bacio which garnered the only dining buzz the Trop had:

Culinary shocker! Starchef Carla Pellegrino & Tropicana part company as she starts Top ChefTV run& opens new Town Square diningspot

— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) October 26, 2012

If you're a Carla fan, look for her on the next season of Top Chef. She's also opening a meatball spot... sorry.. Meatball Spot at Town Square soon. No word yet on whether Bacio will remain minus Carla and/or be renamed.

Meantime, Bagatelle will finally give it a go over at Trop starting Halloween night after once hoping to make its debut Memorial Day weekend. Wish them luck. They're going to need it.

(PHOTO: Tropicana on Foursquare)