Tag: MGM Resorts
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More Changes Probably Ahead For MLife
Wouldn't you know it the day after we say to expect changes coming to your favorite players clubs, we begin hearing rumors about changes to one of the largest players clubs in Las Vegas. Our eyes spy the possibility of a shake up at the top of the MLife club.
Noir is the top tier of the MLife players club so, in theory, these changes would effect the players that supply MGM Resorts with the bulk of their gaming income. It's difficult for this writer to believe that anything negative will happen to the very top 0.2% of gamblers at MGM Resorts properties. It's more likely that this will be the beginning of a restructuring to the players club that would make sure those players are taken care of while trying to get more to step up their play to achieve a higher status.
Strip Transformations / Monte Carlo / New York-New York / MGM Resorts / Renovations / Construction / → All Tags
New York-New York, Monte Carlo To Be Transformed Into Park-Like District
New York-New York and Monte Carlo are about to get a major upgrade. But, don't look for it in their rooms, this change will transform their exteriors, creating a large open-air retail and dining destination. Sound familiar?
The massive renovation will change the west side of the Strip from Las Vegas Boulevard down to CityCenter. In fact, from looking at the renderings, making that section more in line with the modern "city" feel of MGM Resorts most recent project.
Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, said, “All great cities offer vibrant pedestrian experiences, and Las Vegas is certainly no exception, as The Strip is one of the world’s greatest boulevards. Our vision is to extend the excitement we traditionally create within our world-class resorts outside onto The Strip, and ultimately in an entertainment district leading to our new arena. To bring that vision to fruition, we have assembled a team recognized around the world for creating special venues and places.”
So, what does that mean? Look for dramatic changes to the facades of both resorts as bars, eateries and "retail destinations" are addd. New venues will include a two-story Hershey's Chocolate World flagship (sorry, M&M World just across the street) and the improvements we've already reported on to Nine Fine Irishmen will come to New York-New York.
At Monte Carlo, the re-do will bring Double Barrel, a "casual roadhouse restaurant and bar" by sbe (the same folks behind Hyde Bellagio and the coming SLS Las Vegas) and 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria (self-explanatory).
But, the centerpiece will be a large promenade between the two properties where a CityCenter residential sales offer and parking lots sit now. That area will be "a park environment featuring pavilions and performance spaces complemented by areas of quiet relaxation."
At the gateway to the park will be Shake Shack, a modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its all-natural burgers, flat-top dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more by restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.
At the far end will be that 20,000-seat arena that's already been announced, too. To orient you, the rendering above shows Rue de Monte Carlo with the edges of Diablo's seen on screen right. That glimmering building in the background will be the arena.
And, that's not all, either. MGM Resorts says more partners and details will be released over the next few months.
The entire venture is expected to cost $100 million dollars. Yet, don't expect this project to be finished several years down the road. Work is already way on some elements and a completion of early 2014 is anticipated. Yep, right around the time Caesars Entertainment's Linq finishes its roll out, too.
(Renderings: MGM Resorts)
Technology / Google Glass / MGM Resorts / Caesars Entertainment / → All Tags
Will You Be Able To Sport Your Google Glass In Vegas Casinos?
If you're a tech geek, you're probably familiar with Google Glass. This is something straight out of science fiction movies we grew up watching. Google Glass is essentially a pair of computerized eyeglasses. Glasses have a computer processor, memory, GPS sensor and camera (pictures and video) built into them. The lenses serve as a display screen. Update: Thanks to @Hunter on Twitter for letting us know that Google Glass will not offer built-in GPS, but can be GPS-enabled via a companion app on a Bluetooth-capable smart phone.
The technology that is available with Google Glass is really quite remarkable even if it is a little creepy to think anyone looking at you can record every move you make. Generally, we love new technology and any way we can make the Vegas experience better is alright good with us. Casinos don't always see things the way we do. They're always looking to protect their business and, sometimes, improvements in technology show potential to interfere with that. Strangely enough, the casinos that will not allow you to take photos inside the casino and won't even let you use your mobile phone to check a text message at a blackjack table will allow Google Glass.
Villa Privé / Bellagio / Club Privé / Openings / High Rollers / MGM Resorts / → All Tags
The Private Gaming Villa You Will Probably Never See At Bellagio
Villa Privé at Bellagio opened to little acclaim during Super Bowl weekend. That's because most people will never see it.
Entry to the new high roller villa at Bellagio isn't open to the public and is only available to invited guests. If you're walking around Bellagio, you'll still see the high limits room, Club Prive, but Villa Privé is located away from the casino floor on the Villa level. Bellagio has just nine VIP villas and all are on a private level so most will never even know that this 2,600-square-foot high roller villa exists.
Internet / WiFi / MGM Resorts / Caesars Entertainment / → All Tags
How Much It'll Cost If MGM Resorts' Free Public WiFi Isn't Fast Enough
In January, MGM Resorts announced it was bringing free WiFi to everyone.. in its public spaces. At the time, the gaming company mentioned that speedier service would be available for a fee. But, specific pricing wasn't mentioned.
A drinking trip to Mandalay Bay last night put the answer in the palm of our hand when we put down the Crabbie's picked up our smart phone and found the screen shown above. Basic connectivity was offered at a speed of 256 kbps while a Web Browsing speed of 512 kbps was billed at $7.95 for 24 hours. For those in search of Media Streaming, 1.5 mbps was available for $14.95 for 48 hours.
Golf / Aria / Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational / Shadow Creek / MGM Resorts / Michael Jordan / Golfing / Golf Courses / Events / → All Tags
See Michael Jordan and His Celebrity Friends Hit The Greens In April
The annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI) returns to Las Vegas April 4-7. Once again, the tournament will take place at Shadow Creek golf course and be open to the public.
Celebrities for this year's event haven't been announced yet, but the short list of famous people that played the MJCI in the past is quite impressive. Sports legends include Wayne Gretzky, Charles Barkley, Mario Lemieux and Julius “Dr. J” Erving while entertainment personalities have been highlighted by Mark Wahlberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell and Don Cheadle.
Internet / WiFi / Free WiFi / MGM Resorts / MGM Grand / Mandalay Bay / Luxor / Excalibur / New York-New York / Monte Carlo / Bellagio / The Mirage / → All Tags
MGM Resorts Bringing WiFi To All Its Hotels, But Will It Bring Higher Resort Fees, Too?
We might begrudge them for annoying resort fees, but MGM Resorts is rolling out free WiFi to all... those in its public spaces.
The mega-hotel chain is working to make complimentary WiFi available in all the common areas of each of its hotels, "including pools, casinos, lobbies, and restaurants." It's also upgrading the WiFi systems at all its resorts. If they have them. If not, it will finally bring WiFi to its properties which have only offered guests wired Internet service until now. Yes, wired.
MGM Resorts / Locals Vegas / Excalibur / Luxor / → All Tags
Excalibur and Luxor: Locals Casinos?
Mention the words locals casino and natives think Station Casinos, Boyd (Suncoast, Orleans, Gold Coast), M Resort...and Excalibur? According to a couple marketing emails that landed in our inbox titled "Your Room is Less Than a Cab Ride!," execs at MGM Resorts would like to locals to consider both Excalibur and Luxor as their home away from home.
VegasChatter Questions / Caesars Entertainment / MGM Resorts / Caesars Palace / Planet Hollywood / The Cosmopolitan / Treasure Island / MGM Grand / → All Tags
When It Comes To Comps, Play Where You Want To Stay
We're always here to help. Just send us your questions (or tips) from the box to the right. One of the questions we receive most often is how to ensure that you receive a hotel freebie at the resort you desire. The simple answer is to play where you want to stay, but it's not quite that easy.
If you want to receive comps and discounts at specific casinos, it's important that you stay, play and eat there. That's easier said then done when you're in Vegas. There's such an awesome variety of casinos that we must roam! This writer will play anywhere, but save the bulk of the gambling money for where he wants to stay or receive the best comps. If I want free rooms at Planet Hollywood, I'll play $25 blackjack there. But, if friends want to play elsewhere, I'll just play lower limits at that casino to save my bankroll.
Vegas Takeovers / Name Changes / Delano Las Vegas / THEhotel at Mandalay Bay / Morgans Hotel Group / MGM Resorts / The Light Group / → All Tags
Delano To Be In Vegas For At Least 10 Years
The Delano won't officially take over THEhotel at Mandalay Bay until the end of 2013, but when it does expect the brand to stay on the Vegas Strip for at least a decade.
During its quarterly earnings report on Friday, Morgans Hotel Group (Delano's parent brand) stated that its agreement with MGM Resorts (Mandalay's parent group) would be part of a 10-year licensing agreement, with the ability to tack on two five-year extensions. To bring the Delano brand to Las Vegas, MGM Resorts has agreed to foot all the costs of the renovations and will manage the new property, too, while Morgans will kick back and collect (some of) the dough:
G2E / MGM Resorts / Social Gaming / Mobile Gaming / Apps / Facebook / → All Tags
The Future of Gambling (That We Told You About Last Year)
Yeah, yeah. Slot machines. G2E. Famous people. G2E. Stuff. G2E. The Global Gaming Expo isn't only about what we're going to see on the casino floor, no matter how interesting that is to most of us. G2E is a time for the casino business to look back at how their business has been doing since they met last year and a chance to look forward to how the business will change (or if it will remain the same).
Slot machines get a lot of the attention because many of the themes are familiar and because they cover over half of the casino floor. This is valid and fair. However, casinos can't just rest on the laurels of this one revenue source. Casinos are are always looking for new ways to extract a dollar from us.
MGM Resorts / Casino News / MGM Springfield / → All Tags
MGM Is Making a Major Move in Massachusetts
Leave it to MGM Resorts Interntaional to bring us back down to earth after getting a little lightheaded over Prince Harry's heinie.
The casino conglomerate announced this morning plans to build an $800 million entertainment, retail and dining "district" on about 10 acres of land in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts.
These plans include a 25-story, 250-room hotel; 89,000 square feet of gaming space; nearly 70,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and a multi-level parking garage. Additionally, the retail and entertainment district, called "Armory Square", would provide another 130,000 square feet of places to shop, dine and hang out, including going bowling, catching a movie or taking in a play.
And, MGM Springfield would also include one and two-bedroom residences for "young professionals working in a revived downtown entertainment district."
