May I suggest the Trop? I'm reading through Aztar's Third Quarter report.....these figures will be approximate operating income for different Aztar properties in 1998 and 1999 (in millions).

Tropicana Atlantic City: 24.6/22.1
Casino Aztar, Evansville: 5.3/8.0
Ramada Express, Laughlin: 2.3/1.8
Casino Aztar, Caruthersville: -0.2/-0.3
Tropicana Las Vegas: -2.0/-3.5

The Trop showed this kind of loss with the highest occupancy rate (98.2%) of the group and one of the best possible locations in Las Vegas. I think it's time to tear it down and take advantage of that location. FWIW, the Trop in AC had a 96.3% occupancy rate, it was 82.9% at Ramada Express and 79.7% in Evansville.

Daisy, it's hard to believe that the Trop lost over $5 million in 2 years. I would think that something would be done soon. I can't think of any other major strip property that had that kind of loss.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

John, this shouldn't be rocket science to the Aztar suits. Even I can look at those numbers and figure out that folks are staying there for a great base location ..to go gamble/gambol elsewhere. Aztar is totally wasting a fantastic location.

Phil Ruffin, a fellow from Wichita KS, is going to beat them to it.
His property, the New Frontier, is slated for implosion in June or July of this year to make room for his new San Fransico themed resort. But not without a fight. One of the developers of the SF idea has threatened suit for "stealing his idea". Mr. Ruffin claims that city names are in public domain.

While I really like the Tropicana I agree that they are not getting full value for their property. They are going to have to do something drastic to compete with the newer resorts. It's apparent that low prices aren't keeping people in their casino.
Well help their cause a little bit in 12 more days. We're staying at the Trop. 1-18 through 1-22. Wife likes the feel of their casino so we will probably do a fair amount of our playing there. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Doug, I haven't been in the Trop for years ...can you describe what you mean when you say you like the feel of their casino? As a quarter VP/blackjack player, what do they have that would entice me there?

Doug, i'm not sure I've heard of Phil Ruffin before. I lost track of the various owners of the Frontier after the strike ended. Who is Phil Ruffin and how did someone in Kansas end up owning a casino in Las Vegas?

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Ruffin purchased the frontier about two years ago he made a deal with the union and ended the six year strike. He signed a deal with with a major hotel chain (I don't remember which one) then backed out. They done some remodeling then quit

Whoops-- Reffin is a billionari who owns casinos all over the world

We would implode it. We took the coupon from Casino player and went to see the free LV exhibit. Not a bad way to spend 10 minutes but the glory days of the Trop are OVER.

Kizzy, I believe the Ruffin's deal was with Radisson.

Daisy, That's correct, it was the Raddison.
Lee-PA

Kizzy, thanks for the info. I think it may be time to plant some dynamite and what the fireworks!

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

You can go to the Tropicana web site and print out coupons for free admission to the Casino Legends exhibit.

Click on the flashing Special Rates Promotions and then scroll down the page and click on the coupon. There are 2 other coupons there as well for a buy-1-get-1 free comedy club ticket and another one for a $20 buy-in gets 50 credits on a $1 slot machine.

Get those coupons before they go up in flames too!