Date Visited: 09/27-30/99

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PROPERTY!

The Venetian, we found it to be terrific. The rooms there are unbelievable. I loved the place. They sent a Limo for us at no charge, Bob the Limo driver was great.

Terrific staff that went out of it's way to make sure our trip was great; look for Frank the bellman and tell him Marc said hello. This guy was great, he took care of all our baggage during the stay and we were having to pull our golfclubs in and out several times.
When I was able to check in, you call down to have your bags sent up. The bellman was there in 5 mins. I am not kidding, he almost made it up there quicker than I did, service elvator I guess. Then I asked him about a pressing service for my jackets and shirts, and he pulled out the form from the closet and started filling it out for me while I unpacked, and then took them downstairs. Clothes were hanging in my closest the
next day when I came back about 4pm!

One thing I found that was odd, was the concierge there didn't know what Godiva Chocolates were. I wanted some for a date and ended up having to locate some on my own. So I thought that was odd, but a minor complaint.

I loved the architecture as well. It appeared to be built solid, with quality.

Don't get a North Strip view however, as if you try to sleep at all during the day especially around 3-5pm, the Treasure Island pirate fight goes on and on and on..... Was awoken after about 40 minutes of my first chance to sleep the second day and thought it was a driveby shooting on the 27th floor!

Rooms are over 700 sq. ft.! I really enjoyed them. I love the Mini-Bar, if you are in need of a late night cocktail, and I was several times, there it is; OK so it's $6.50 plus a $1.95 mixer, IT'S LAS VEGAS!!!
There is a step down living room area that has a coffee table, two sofas or 1chair and a sofa. 27" TV there and one in front of the bed. Large Kingsize bed.

A worktable with 3 chairs by a very large window. Desk with fax/copier. Phone also there. Very convenient in all areas. The bathroom has a seperate glassed in shower and a huge tub. 2 sinks with huge mirror. Hairdryer, full accessories. SAMMY, it has a sewing kit as well. Seperate toilet with automatic closing door, with a phone in there also. Another vanity table with a mirror to the right of the bathroom door as well. So as you can tell, this is one large hotel bathroom!

One of the best things I found was that the room had a large automated lIGHTED closet. How many times have you looked in one of these large closets and can't see a thing?
Also an inroom safe was available.

Elevators one night had a slight glitch, but was nothing too bad(Stopped on every floor going up causing big delay in waiting for ones downstairs.

This place is just gorgeous. High quality throughout and I didn't see any workman,
or unfinished property.

Very high quality food courts,not that cheesy crap that most hotels have in them. I loved that I could a Cafe Latte at 2 different
places within 100 ft of each other, in case one was busy.

Great lounge acts; La Scena Lounge after 11pm, great 70's/80's band with killer female vocalist and a kickass horn section; can't remember their name, sorry. Dance till 3am!


Delmonico's is just fantastic!!! See my post under restaurants for that.

As you can see, I was very impressed with this property, and the fact that I had a $99 rate didn't hurt either.

Email with any questions.

[This message has been edited by Marc (edited October 26, 1999).]

Also there was no noise from a vent that I had read about elsewhere that was always supposed to be open and letting in strip noise.

[This message has been edited by Marc (edited October 26, 1999).]

Marc,
Thanks for sharing your experiance with the Venetian, with us.
Any discomfort because of construction still going on at the property?
Out of all the new properties that have opened this past year, the Venetian at one time held a top spot on my "to try" list. But it seems they have had a lot of bad press lately. Which may account for the low room rate you where able to get. But I'll still wait till it's completed before I try it, and when the owner makes good on his debt. Just something about staying in a place that had such a hard time opening and problems still continueing with labor.


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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Lee,
I personally didn't see any construction at this point. I understand a few of the high roller suites were unfinished. Everywhere I went was just fabulous. There may be some unopen stores in the canal area. I didn't go through the whole canal area though.

As for the debt, as I understand it, the subcontractors are in a dispute over the money that is owed and it is they who didn't pay the bills. I stand to be corrected. Also Adelson has tried to use Non-Union Labor and as such the unions have given the press some stories that were somewhat slanted.

I got the $99 rate as I booked online through HRN almost 3 months before we were to arrive, so that is why the cheap rate. That is now the casino rate and daily rates even online are now much higher and they are attaining approximately 85% occupancy rate.

They sent a limo? is this a standard offering for guests? Will they send limo to pick up at airport?

Marc,
About half the stores in the canel area are unopen. On our last visit that I went inside (sept 3-11) there was still noticable conctruction going on, both inside & out.

I also beleive some of the fuss is around the time scheduling for the Venetian to open. If I recall corectly, there was some time line when things where promissed to the owner to be completed and the contractor did not have them up and completed in time.

As for the place itself, even from my fisrt visit, I liked what was completed. But with each revisit, (and progress seems to be moving at a snails pace) I don't see much change/improvements.
I do wish Adelson and the resort well though, it's a nice place, but I can't help think of how much better it would have been received if it was ready to open %100 on time. Personal opinion, Las vegas needs more independents in the gaming industry if they are going to keep the compatition alive. One by one we see them slipping away.



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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Marc, great job on the Venetian info. I had a chance to see 2 rooms there and agree that they are very nice. I guess we will disagree about the refrig's in the room. I use a room refrig to store items I purchase at a store, such as beer, cheese, juice, etc. Since there is no room in the refrig's in the Venetian for these items, you are forced to purchase their items rather than providing your own. It's a minor point, but I'd rather purchase my own items and get what I want.
It sounds like the construction has died down and that the Venetian will get running on all cylindars very soon. Glad you enjoyed the place and your recent trip.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Marc: Good info about the Venetian rooms. Several Talk Vegas members stayed there, so I got to see their rooms, and they sure are nice. You got a great room rate of $99.

Thanks all. Yeah I didn't think about the refrig thing. Seems like they could offer both. That would be best solution.

As for the limo, don't think that is standard fare. One of my bosses had me setup a large line of credit, so I am sure that played a large part when I asked the hotel for transportation.

I agree they should have not opened until 100% though. But I really enjoyed the hotel. Everyone I came in contact with was very professional and courteous. I understand that Adelson pays his employees more, there is 24 hour daycare and other benefits for the employees also.

I would definitely stay there again if price was right.

Our next trip we will probably stay at the Desert Inn as it fits our program better. Golf every day during the PGA Show would be more accessible there than taking cabs to other courses.

I love the ambience there. It is nice place to go to escape the sensory overload of the theme resorts. Sitting out on the patio at sunset with a cocktail and watching the sun set over the property with the golf course in the background is terrific stuff.

Marc,
Nice to see you here. This is a good crowd with lots of info. Hope you stick around. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Marc, What a great report!! I live here and I have not been to the Venetian yet. But from what I hear, the place is a must see architectural-wise. I am really looking forward to seeing it.

Re: Adelson not waiting to open until the place was completed. From a customer standpoint I can understand why people feel this way. But I've heard that most of the money used was Adelson's unlike the many casinos that are owned by a bunch of people.

From a business standpoint, I don't blame Adelson one bit for opening up early to bring in some revenue to pay the bills.

Again, thanks so much for your great report on the Venetian.

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gail@talkvegas.com
Moderator, TalkVegas After Hours
Administrator, TalkVegas BB

Gail,
Don't get me wrong, I understand why he did it. Given all the same, I'd have done the same thing. But the welll healed properties know how to do it right, and open all at one time. This is not a game for a man without deep pockets.

I just can't think that 5 years from now Adelson's not going to look back and wonder what he might have obtained if everything would have gone right.

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Marc: The D.I. knows how to treat their customers! I've stayed there a number of times in the last few years and really enjoy it and agree that it's nice sometimes to get away from it all.

Have you ever done this? When you get to the 9th tee, you can program what you want for lunch on the screen inside the golf cart, so when you are finished with your round of golf, lunch is all ready. That's a nice touch!

The way I play, it would have to be a baloney sandwhich. That's the only thing I can think of that would keep that long. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Didn't order the food, but did see the phone. I was nursing 4 days of hangover at that point, plus we teed off at 7:12am, OUCH!

Did eat inside after the round though. Great food; no crowds, no lines, what a great place! Good waitstaff also.

Marc, Thanks for your description of your
impressions of the Venetian. I've not stayed there, but just toured the hotel and casino. I liked the atmoshere in the casino, but had little success there. How about you?

I agree with others that a refrigerator is more practical than an honor bar fridge, especially at $6.50 a pop!

Was that $99 rate for a week-end or mid-week?

Dick-So. Calif 10/27/99

Monday-Thursday. Don't think those rates are avaiable at this point, unless you have a casino rate.
We were there for the PGA Show, which begs the question, who here plays golf? Anyone?

I forgot to mention in my original post that my two bosses also went to Canyon Ranch Spa and had the 50 minute massages @$95 per. They said it was well worth it and the Spa is just terrific(65,000 sq.ft.).

Didn't do alot of gambling this trip. Business meetings and business dinners, and then dates/shows later at night kept me pretty much off the tables and slots. What little slots I played just ate my money; What's new?

The alcohol from the mini-bar was only about $3.95 for each bottle(premium-Crown Royal), then the mixer was about $2.00; pretty comparable if you were to buy at the casino bar, so not too bad. I don't mind paying for convenience as long as you don't buy tons of 'em.



[This message has been edited by Marc (edited October 28, 1999).]