Here we are with another installment of our 'Reader Reviews'. This time, reader 'Mike C' has been kind enough to write up his recent stay at Wynn Las Vegas.

So, sit back and enjoy the ride after the jump.

As always, readers can submit reviews to: editor@ratevegas.com

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Continue reading "Reader Review: Wynn Las Vegas"

Howdy! Thanks to fellow Vegas fanatic Mike E, we have a trip report direct from a Wynn Las Vegas Fairway Villa. I was lucky enough to see this villa for myself this week and thus his trip report will be interwoven with my own comments, as we've done in the past.

Photos of the villa are located here:
http://photos.ratevegas.com/photo/gallery/wynnfairwayvilla

From here on, it is Mike talking unless you see the [Hunter] notation. More after the jump!

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Continue reading "Wynn Las Vegas Fairway Villa Trip Report"

I was on property at The Mirage on Monday, taking a look at construction progress around the building.

Until construction is more complete, I can't recommend staying at The Mirage.

Wow, I can't believe I said that. I love The Mirage but right now it is a construction site. While many casinos embark on remodel projects, they are doing about 8 at the same time at The Mirage and it is disrupting the guest experience. Fortunately, I don't think this will last much longer, but if you're looking for the next few weeks leading up to NYE, I would maybe think twice (unless you get a great rate).

FIN, the new chinese restaurant, opens today and I got a peek inside. The room looks great and I'm sure will be a nice addition.

The Baccarat Bar, a long standing hangout in the middle of the casino is simply GONE. Without a trace. This really bums me out. Not only does it open up sight lines in the casino and make the place look like a warehouse, this was a great place to get a drink and relax. What a shame. Now, it is full of slots. In my opinion, it looks bad. Apparently a new bar/lounge will be stuck where the high limit slots used to be, now that they are located where the baccarat pit was.

The Jet nightclub is coming together, with the sundries store near the North entrance gone and moved to where the Shadow Creek golf store used to be. There's also a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf there.

I have some pictures but they aren't totally ready to be posted. I'll update this thread when I have them up.

Also, look for a trip report from member Mike, direct from a Wynn Fairway Villa. I was lucky enough to get a tour - what a great room!

UPDATE: Photos are here. A full explanation/article on the villa will be coming soon.

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A couple of different stories here.

First off, some more detail on the Landry's deal to buy the Nugget. We find out that Poster and Breitling made off like bandits:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2005/nov/17/519678947.html

Second, some tidbits from MGM MIRAGE:

• The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art now features advisory services if you are interested in buying art and need some expert help. Contact the gallery for an appointment.
• MIX (THEHotel) was awarded the Mobil 4-star award.
• Bellagio was again awarded AAA's five diamond award.
• The bridge linking TI and the Fashion Show Mall is now open.

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It has been open since August but we haven't done a feature on the latest addition to Caesars Palace.

Thanks to some room shots from Harrah's Entertainment, we were able to round up enough shots to make it worthwhile.

Keep Reading After the Jump...

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Continue reading "Caesars Augustus Tower in Pictures"

"In Business Las Vegas" gives some performance comparisons between Wynn Las Vegas, Bellagio and Venetian. After reading so many negative comments about Wynn on various gaming message boards, this was a welcome change.

Wynn Las Vegas Numbers Dispel Rumors of Problems

About a year ago I was contacted by the Jerde Partnership, one of the architects that worked on Bellagio for Steve Wynn. They had seen some photos that I had online and were looking for permission to re-print them. In return I asked to see the sketches, pictures and other materials they developed for Mirage Resorts.

Keep Reading For More...

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Continue reading "The Bellagio We Never Knew"

The LV Sun has an interesting article on the progress of the remodel at the LV Hilton:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2005/nov/07/519622601.html

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Thanks again to Chris, we have some new Macau photos posted here:

http://photos.ratevegas.com/photo/gallery/macau

Enjoy!

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So, reading a technology blog recently, I got to thinking... If I was running a Las Vegas casino, what would I change. Seems like a good basis for an article on the blog.

So, what would you change about your favorite Las Vegas property? Imagine you're running the joint - fix the things that bother you as a customer.

Please respond in the comments. I'm working on my own response right now and it will be posted below when it is done.

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Wynn Las Vegas Earnings:

Net Revenues: $251.4 million
Adjusted Net Loss: $1 million (due to pre-opening and opening expenses and includes Macau and Encore expense)

Net Gaming Revenues: $123 million
Table Game Drop: $414.6 million ($7,321 win per day)
Slot Machine Win Per Unit Per Day: $251 on $897.1 million of volume

Gross Non-Gaming Revenue: $164.7 million / Net: $128.4 million
ADR: $264 and occupancy was 93%
REVPAR: $246

Overall, EBITDA of $73.2 million, 29.1% margin.

More Details:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=132059&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=777930&highlight=

Las Vegas Sands Earnings:

Net Revenues: $437.6 million (up 27% from last year)
Adjusted Net Income: $99 million

They break out a lot more details for the various properties:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=185629&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=777458&highlight=

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This has been circulating for a few days and now we have a front page article in the LV Sun.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2005/nov/01/519594664.html

This has to do with a hiring dispute between Wynn and a former table games supervisor who wants to go work at the Golden Nugget in Laughlin.

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