Phil Ruffin wants to sell the above mentioned hotel for the above mentioned amount. I would not be surprise if he were to pull it off. He is the true master of the deal. His initial investment at the strip was a hotel that had been forced out of business by the culinary union.

It had been on strike for years. The owner, a foolish woman in my opinion, did not want to sign a contract . She finally, after years if fighting the union, had to give up. I never could understand her. Avery other property around her had union contracts and did just fine. Phil bought the property. I don’t know the amount but i bet it was cheap. The new owner could not make a go of it and Phil bought it back, cheap I would guess. He then bought the CC, cheap i would guess. CC owns a lot of land between the strip location and Sahara av. Absolutely prime property. It is my opinion only. I had an account at CC for years as a vendor. Business was great. The latest word in Vegas is Disney may be interested in it. The property is about the same size as Disneyland?Anaheim, CA.

Haha, it had to come to this. A certain hotel charges a $20 fee for flatware when room service i ordered. Or you can use a plastic fork with you $100 order.

Will it ever end? Some restaurants/bars now charge a fee for a table with a view. Hell’s Kitchen charges $20 per seat to be able to see into their kitchen. Paris goes them one better with a $120 fee per seat to look out of their Eiffel tower at the Bellagio fountains.

Yes, it is the latest twist on room rates. The room will cost you $15. but the resort fee is $50. Still a reasonable rate for a center strip hotel. Apparently the Flamingo wants to fool the travel agencies, because they do not pay a percentage to them on the resort fees.

Never in my born days would I have thought I would ever post something like this. Free parking used to be a given here in Vegas. I am local, and I hate it, let me tell you. Anyway, Resorts World and the Sahara now offer free parking. According to a post on YouTube. But I know for a fact there is free parking at CircusCircus. Their parking lot is huge and there also is a parking garage. I know the lot is free of charge, but the garage maybe not.

Something unusual for Las Vegas. A man passed himself off as Justin Bieber and racked up $10,000 in debt at a certain casino before he was unmasked. He looked remarkable like Justin, and that is what fooled everyone. If I was that casino owner Iwould try to make a buck off of this. Maybe a show around him, a few Bieber songs, maybe a showgirl or two. Or: the man who fooled a Vegas casino. Let him work it off. Hahaha, I can see it now. Let me know your ideas.

I don’t know how much of it is seasonal, or a real down turn. Time will tell. The current administration makes it a point to aggravate our best customers. Canadians for example, and Europeans. Those are the folks with the money. They now are afraid to show up at the U.S. border afraid they will be turned away. Here are the scary numbers for the week ending July 5.Occupancy is down 16.8% to 66.7%. That is astounding. We here in Vegas will be in real trouble if the numbers do not improve in the fall/winter season. It usually is the busy season. Even worse is the revenue per room which is down 28.7% to $102.75. I am just wondering if the same is happening at other resort destinations. Like Orlando, or Miami, and California.

Looks like some Vegas hotels are caving. Take resorts World for example.There are three hotels behind the casino. All of them Hilton brands. Free parking (parking fees are idiotic anyway. Just my opinion). And nightly resort credits of $50. for the rest of the summer. And the Stratosphere. I knew the owner well. We called him the Polish Maverick. Used to smoke several packs of smokes a day, bet one million dollars on a poker hand. He wanted his tower to be much higher. I think he wanted another 400 – 500 feet if memory serves. The FAA put a stop to it. Too bad.Rooms are offered now at $49. per night, $99. on weekends. Includes resort fees and Tower Observation Deck admission for two. The revolving restaurant is pretty good, and the views are outstanding. Try a ride or two, but bring diapers in case you soil your pants. There are other good offerings across the strip. I will keep posting them.

Easy to find and to get to. 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. S. North of the MGM Grand and opposite NYNY. There is a giant Coke bottle outside. I did not know different parts of the world have different flavore coke. It is all available at this store, some of it free of charge.

On the street next to the Palazzo Hotel. Just a few steps off the strip. I have not been inside, but it does not cost you a penny to admire it from the outside. The cops let me park on the side of the street, pretty close to the building. It is really amazing.

It suffered a devastating fire no too long ago. Many of the buildings burned to the ground. Above all the lodge, gone. Check with the park supervisors about accessibility before you leave. If you are permitted to visit I usually jump off from Moab, UT. The North rim is at about 8,000 feet elevation. Don’t go if you have breathing problems.

This is the rim that is popular with tourists. It is a fair piece from Las Vegas, around 300 miles one way. You can drive your self or use one of the guided tours. I usually drive my own car, but I live here, my car is sitting right in front of my nose all day long. Fly in is also available if you want to spend the money. Drive from Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam/Boulder City. In Boulder City take a look at the Big Horn sheep. They congregate at Hemenway park to graze on the lawn. Never, but never miss the dam. It is an astounding piece of engineering, in the middle of a desert that did not have water or power or paved roads. All of that had to be installed first. After that take the I 93 to Williams. The bridge next to it is one of the tallest in the U. about 800 ft. and it is open for sightseers. No charge. Keep going on the 93 until you reach Williams AZ. From there take the 64 N. for about an hour. The rim is inside a National Park which is a fee area per car. Year passes are available if you plan to visit more parks. I usually stay at the South Rim for a couple of nights. It is well worth it.

The West Rim is the closest Grand Canyon Experience you can get out of Las Vegas. It is a day trip only, with a lot of driving. I make the distance about 130 miles one way. About three hours, stops included. If you use Google directions or Waze or similar you need to keep in mind the West Rim has no postal address. It is on an Indian reservation. Last time there it was $50 per car load. Just head over to Arizona on the I 93, take a left on Pierce Ferry Road for about 30 miles The entrance will be on your right. Don’t forget to stop at the Lake Mead overlook and above all the Joshua Tree overlook Largest in the world with about 43,000 acres. Everything is big out west. I used to stop at the historic Grand Canyon Ranch. I don’t know if it is still around. You can get on the glass bottom walkway and look straight down for 2,000 feet. Don’t buy that cheap Chinese gift junk. The smaller building on the side has genuine Indian hand made jewelry and gifts. Here is a heads up about driving in AZ. It is open range country. Cattle will appear out of nowhere. So will deer and other critters, sometimes even a mountain lion. You are not allowed to bring you car in. Park it and use the free shuttle everywhere inside the reservation. I think they are southern Paiutes.

There is a street off Paradise road near the airport that has a lot of Gay bars. Truth be known, nothing but gay bars. That street is now officially known as the “Fruit Loop” Only in Las Vegas. The German Hofbrauhaus is just around the corner. Makes sense to me.

It just so happens that all five of them are in Las Vegas. #5 Luxor, 4,407 rooms, 35 floors, #4 Mandalay Bay, 4,426 rooms, #3 Wynn 4,748 rooms, 45 floors, #2 MGM Grand 6,920 30 floors, #1 Venetian 7,092 rooms 36 floors. This last one is actually a combination of two adjoining hotels. The Venetian and the Palazzo. So, this list is not entirely correct.

Did you know that Las Vegas has a ski resort? This one takes us to Mr. Charleston, about 65 miles out of Las Vegas. Go north on the 95 and take the mount Charleston turn off. I think it is actualle marked “Kyle Canyon ” turn off. Watch out for wild mustangs and wild burrows. You can see it from the strip. There is a small, hotel and dining room half way up. The resort is at about 8,000 from what I remember. It recently burned down, but a new one has been constructed in its place. Rental cabins are available. Perhaps it may be a good idea to call a few days in advance if you want to stay. There also is a small town, just a few houses. It also is advisable to take a warm jacket or coat. Temps. are much lower than at the strip.

This one is really good, but a little far. But you get to experience several sightseeing opportunities on the same trip. A car is definitely needed. Make sure it has an a/c in working order. Take the state route 95 to Kingman Az. From there hit the historic route 66. You will need to drive a steep bajada (drop). After a few miles you will get to a town straight out of history.. Most of the town is built of lumber. Most of the old mining towns burned down, this one is still around. Wild burros come out of the mountains at a certain time each day. Just like clockwork. The old jail is still around and open for inspection. A few restaurants with home made shaky furniture, an old hotel, the old, exhausted mine is there, and a few souvenir shops. I like the place a lot, sets me back thinking. Kingman itself is also well known because of the famous Kingman turquoise. The mine is now closed, the turqoise is still available, for a price. To look for are the strong, dark markings that run through it. It makes that mineral famous among collectors. Watch out for fakes.

I have a few recommendations in case you want to tear yourself away from the slots and embark on an unforgettable trip. It is about 100 miles up north on the I 15, with a short turn off. It is the Valley of Fire, a stat park. Here we have an entire valley that is red in color. Every rock, every bit of dust is red. Ten bucks admission, a museum, gift shop and lots of historic Indian carvings all over the rocks. Picnic areas are available free of charge. Well paved roads with built in curves and turns. Don’t forget to take a look at the “cabins” built in the thirties by the Works Administration to provide jobs to the hungry.

Let me take you to Area 15. Yes, your are reading it right, it is Area 15 and NOT Area 51. For this one you need a car. I is not very far, but impossible without a car since it is on the west side of the I 15, just about behind the Palace Station. Parking at that location is a bit cramped, but I always managed to find a spot. It is free. There are several buildings, but I think only one has a fee to get in. The main entertainment buildings is free to enter and browse. It has a great bar and dining area. If you still have that car and like to see some Nevada wild mustangs and donkeys take the Red Rock Canyon loop. The burros are all over, they are not native but are left over from Nevada mining days. but the mustangs are more to the north within the canyon. The Red Rock Canyon loop takes you back to the strip automatically. Don’t forget to stop in the little town of Blue Diamond, it is just a few feet off the main road. Real interesting. Just like a picture out of the old west. Closer to home are the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. It has been a tremendous success story from the day it opened. Park at the Caesars parking garage, exit at the ground floor and it is just a few step to the shops. Valet is also available. There are over 150 upscale shops. Several of them only available in Vegas or NYC> But the main thing here is the free entertainment. Fountains with talking and moving Romans, a huge aquarium and more. Should you hanker for some dancing head on over to Mickey Gilleys at the Treasure Island. Free line dance lessons. They let you sit around, no need to buy anything. Personally I would at least buy a drink. There also is a large BBQ every night. A big attraction here are the cocktail waitresses. Their uniforms are so skimpy their butts are hanging out. I don’t mind, but I stare a lot. That’s all for this post, it is getting too long. More in my next post.

I covered about six topics in Part I. I have more, a lot more. Let me cover an additional five or six right now. If tou have a car and do not mind a ten miles or so ride down the I 215 going east I strongly recommend a trip to the Ethel M chocolate factory. It is free to enter,

and it shows you exactly how their chocolates are made. There also is a showroom with items for sale. As an additional bonus you can visit the great cactus garden in the rear of the building. Free parking last I checked. It all was started by one of the wealthiest persons in the U.S., Mr. Mars. Ethel was his wife. Next up the statue of Buss at Park MGM. It is often overlooked, but I like it a lot. In addition, that park is totally unexpected. Next you can visit the Flamingo habitat in the rear of the Flamingo hotel. It is a small venue, but very worth it. At the Miracle Shops you can find the man made Thunderstorm. Right there, in the middle of a shopping mall is a thunderstorm. It is on a schedule, so you need to hit it just right. The PinBall Hall of Fame is a lot of fun. It is at 4925 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Across the street from the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. It has every conceivable pinball. The good part is, you are allowed to play them, for a fee. Do you like Circus acts, clowns and acrobats? Go over to the CircusCircus Hotel. Free circus acts all day long. It also has an indoor midway. Very enjoyable. Well, that’s it for today. I will have more at my next post, a couple of days from today. I did about six topics again today. I did not count, I am tired.

I have so much of it I am creating several posts. You don’t have to break the bank for things to do in Las Vegas. There is enough free stuff available to keep you busy for several days. Man does not live by bread alone as the saying goes. Same with Vegas, man does not live with gambling alone. With that in mind the casino owners have created a multitude of FREE things to do for our visitors. Let me repeat, FREE things to do. Here are my selections. Shrine of the Brahma. It is at Caesars palace. Ask for it once you are inside the hotel. It is a bit hidden. The Crystal Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan. It is made entirely from Swarovski crystals and it is multi story. The Atrium at the Wynn. It also is a little bit hidden.there is also a free light show at Lake Marmalade at the same hotel. There also is a golf course behind the hotel. But helpful employees are all around. The Bellagio features a chocolate fountain I have heard rumors about it being removed. But there are other things to see at the Bellagio. The Arboretum for example. The Aria has an outstanding art collection that is dispersed throughout. The map for it is at the front desk. That’s it for now. I will post more free stuff to do in part II of my post. This one is getting too long.

That project is proceeding on schedule as for now. From CA to NV by high speed train. I would do that. No checking for liquids or water. Sounds good to me. No going to the airport and wandering through the terminal. I hope it succeeds. The first time round, about forty years ago a German company wanted to build a MAGLEV train from LA to LV. That gor shut down by the airlines I believe.

Not exactly a strip casino. It is in Primm, about 50 miles south of the strip. I worked for Mr. Primm when he owned the Primadonna Club in Reno, NV. To say he was a bit eccentric is not doing him justice. He was over the top, way over. He used to wear loud suits that would shimmer in the sunlight. Wore a wig, used to fire people before they even started.His wife’s name was Donna, the club was named Primadonna. A full breakfast was less than 70 cents at the time. Folks used to line up way before opening time to get in on it. It was his son (Gary ?) who started the town of Primm, it was called Stateline before that. But anyway, Buffalo Bills is just the latest closure in the town of Primm. A shame really. I liked the layout, the pricing and, above all the gigantic roller coaster. It was all a Wild West theme. Well, perhaps someone will step up to get it going again. The main attraction in Primm is at the moment a branch of the California Lottery. I myself have stood in line to take a crack at the immense amounts of money that are available from time to time. Some years ago it was a billion dollars or more.

Progress is being made on the guitar shaped hotel that is replacing the Mirage on the Strip There are several other guitar shape hotels around the U.S., all owned by the same company out of Florida . I think it is the Seminole tribe. Completion is set for 2027. I have no idea if that also is the opening date. I will keep posting.

Las Vegas has emerged as a dominant sports city. Proof is in the number of franchises that are eager to relocate to the city. It already hosts the NHL, the NFL, the WNBA. Baseball will be here also. Is it sustainable? Time will tell. But for now the teams that are already

here are doing well. The population of Las Vegas, N. Las Vegas and Henderson is much larger than it was only ten years ago. It now is around 2.75 million for the greater Las Vegas area. Plus there are a number of small, outlying towns that could be added into the total number. And there are the visitors. That number was 40 million last year. It seems to increase every year.

I rank buffets differently than other posters do. I try to find the right balance between price, accessibility and convenience. As a longtime resident (40+ years) I know what I am talking about.

To me the “Wicked Spoon” buffet at the Cosmopolitan ranks #1. It is center strip, easy to get to. I do not know if there is a parking fee involved. Caesars Palace also is at center strip. I avoid it myself for a couple of reasons. The wait time is too long, and the buffet has too many choices. Try it if you want to get tortured. $70 a pop last time I checked (about 6 months ago). Wynn seafood buffet. Lunch $60, dinner $80. Most of the time I visit the Wynn just for the ambience. That in itself is worth a few bucks.The Bellagio buffet. I do not recommend it. But the gardens are always worth a visit. If you can elbow your way through the crowds. If you like some of the best prime rib in town and do not mind a short ride by car or even city bus, you need to head over to the South Point hotel, about five miles south of center strip. At $30 a pop it is well worth it. Plenty of FREE parking, in front, valet, or garage.The bus stops right in front of the hotel parking lot. Now we get to the buffet. I would have ranked it #1, but it is about ten miles south of center strip. It is at the M hotel/casino. $100 per is well worth it. Last time I visited the wine/beer was included. Well worth the ride. The hotel is also very unique and well appointed. FREE parking is included. The buffet is called “Anthony’s” The last one worth mentioning is the Palms buffet @ 4321 W. Flamingo. It is not very far at all, but the traffic is murder. Brunch (weekends) $43. Lobster dinner $80, prime rib $53.

Ground was broken for the new stadium at the lot once inhabited by the Tropicana Hotel. $1.75 billion from what I hear. I did not verify that number, but it sounds plausible. The dollar ain’t what it used to be.

MGM, the friendly folks that started the parking fees in Las Vegas has sunk to a new low. It now charges for utensils for room service orders. The charge is $25. per order. It also charges a $9.50 service fee. I think I know why. The casino people do not want for you to sit in your room. They want you on that casino floor. I can understand their rational. News ‘n Views

The numbers are broadly down, .

Visitors -6.5%, , room rates -5.5%, revenue down 0.3%

I have the numbers ending February of this year (2025), and they look bad. I gleaned them from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority. Here they are, all in %. visitors -12%, conventions -20%, hotel occupancy – 3.4%, average daily room rate – 24%, Rev.PAR – 28%, Room nights occupied -11%. Those are shocking numbers. We are talking about a city that is used to steady growths in visitations and revenue. I can’t tell if this is going to be at rend, or if it just a fluke. Is it because of this shameless price gouging that is finally catching up with the casinos, or is it a bigger problem, politics perhaps.Speaking about price gouging. Here is an example: advertise a room at let’s say $50 per night. The customer arrives a the front desk and checks in, the desk clerk adds a $50 check in fee, a $25 pool fee, a $45 cabana fee and on and on. Those are not real numbers, I made them up, but they could be more or less, and that is what is going on and has been going on for some time now. I know Canadians are cancelling, but I don’t’ know if that is a large percentage of visitors. The real large group of customers are Germans, and they bring a lot of Euros. They are the folks with the money at the moment and I think we scared them off. Two German women who were transiting via Hawaii to another destination were thrown in jail and after two days in jail they were put on a plane and told to get out of the U.S. The German press was all over that one. Not a good way to treat visitors.