Interesting to note that the new hotel on Lake Las Vegas (17 miles from the Strip) is offering room rates starting at $145.

Did I read that right or have they gone completely nuts?

Are people actually paying $145 a night to stay out there? Does that rate include a couple of rounds of golf and two hours of professional tennis lessons or what? Are the casino odds attractive enough to be of interest to the regular folks who keep the operation from going under?

I bet not!

Who makes these disasterous decisions that starts them heading in the wrong direction?

By now there must be some standard formula that management is aware of that leads to success in the hotel/casino business.

But do they follow it?

I've already noticed more than a few adverse comments regarding new hotel/casinos that failed to take that initial step in the right direction and therefore have a tough time turning it into a profitable venture.

What's the problems with these guys in high places? Is there some secret profit that I may be unaware of in driving a new hotel/casino into the red?

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will800



[This message has been edited by will800 (edited February 10, 2000).]

At $145/night, I think it should include some professional help as in coundeling. Paying that price in Vegas and being that far from the strip is nuts. If you want scenery then you go to Tahoe.

Speaking of nutty moves, hows the Resort at Summerlin doing. After it's initial mis-steps, I haven't heard much about it other than the buffet is good.

Will,
Room prices like that and a casino that's smaller than some cruise ships ones, along with no full pay machines and a slot club that requires $400 to get 1 slot point probably explain why the whole hotel was empty when we were there last week. LOL They need to change something fast or they will be going out of business.

Lee Ann
Past, Present and Future Forum Moderator
leeann@talkvegas.com

When I was out there visiting last month they "claimed" to have very heavy booking in the Spring for the group/business/convention trade.

Doug and all, I was thinking about the Sumerlin Resort/Casino while I was writing this piece about the new casino at Lake Las Vegas.

It appears that the management of both establishments have attended the same "How To Fail Without Really Trying" course which is being offered at one of the lesser known high schools some place back east.

The latest I heard about the failing Sumerlin operation - they plan to solve their financial difficulties by expanding.

Same high school, I assume!

I know these decision makers are far smarter than they appear to be. There must be some truth to "Profit making in a failing enterprise". Maybe that same high school is teaching casino managers some phenominal profit making tax deduction that only the smartest among us are aware of.

Where is this high school anyway?!

I hope the doors still swing open when Springtime settles on Lake Las Vegas.

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will800

[This message has been edited by will800 (edited February 10, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by will800 (edited February 10, 2000).]

Will,
Don't forget the other great plan Summerlin has up it's sleave. They are thinking about putting "Regent" in the name of the place.

I say, call it what ever you want, if it's a good product, people will find it. If it ain't, then...well...summerlin who?


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

Point well taken, Lee! I forgot about that name change gimmick.

Didn't Shakespear once say, "A rotten egg by any other name is still a rotten egg!"

I guess they don't teach Shakespear in that east coast high school either.

Lee,
there is no more thinking about it. They have already officially changed their name to The Regent.

Randy,
I'll bet they can't keep the doors closed now! LOL
Probably all the rooms are booked 10 months ahead of time.



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

Doug,
I've learned that the buffet at Summerlin is not as good as it used to be. They have done away with most of the seafood selections, and lowered the price a few bucks. Maybe they figure a less expensive buffet would draw more business away from the Strip. LOL
Michael
Hotel/Casino Moderator
michael@talkvegas.com

Perhaps these "resorts" went to the same
school that all the upstart internet companies have attended. I understand Amazon.Com has yet to make any money, and they've been in business for how many years?

Dick - So. Calif.