The M Resort - Las Vegas' Newest Resort Gambles with a New Approach

The newest mega resort casino is set to open within the next week in Las Vegas. The name of this new resort is quite simply...the M Resort. This grand new resort property is located on a hill set on the corner of St. Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Boulevard South. The only issue...well THE issue facing this magnificent structure is the harsh economic climate in which it is set to open and the massive price tag it took to build...to the tune of $1 Billion.

With the odds stacked against the M Resort, operator Anthony Marnell III insists that his property is set to succeed from day one of the official opening. Why? Marnell is betting on a whole new unique concept in operating his property. To begin, Marnell’s casino company is private. That is, no public financing, oversight or outside hands have a say in how the property is run. The funding was done with just one banker. Second, Marnell insists one of the biggest deficiencies with Las Vegas properties is the lack of customer focus. His solution, a detailed and precision hiring process that aims to screen out potential employees that don’t possess a high level of friendly personalities and once hired to put new hires through a rigorous multi-week training program. Third, he plans on owning each and every restaurant and eatery in the property, insisting that taking ownership will translate into superior operational efficiencies, create value-oriented menus and transfer cost-savings onto the resorts customers. The long and skinny, create an experience that is deep in customer service, personal relationships and value.

There are many that say such a vision is impossible to pull off in reality, while others concede that if such a feet can be accomplished the M Resort will be able to truly differentiate itself from the quagmire of the Las Vegas casino market.

Check out the official M Resort Las Vegas website for information about the property, player reward programs, entertainment and more. This writer is betting the M Resort has the right formula for success in this current economy to last a long, long time. 

Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Immokalee - Enjoy a Great Florida Casino

Florida comes with sunshine and beaches. Sure the state is sometimes equated with senior citizens and retirement, but you’d be foolish to really agree with that conclusion. Might I remind you that Florida is also home to South Beach Miami, considered to be one of the hottest spots on the globe for glitz and glamour not to mention Tampa Bay.

One thing Florida is coming to be known as now is a home to casinos. Our featured casino for this post is the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Immokalee. The Seminole Hard Rock is the third casino that is land based to be included in the Florida landscape. Recently the property has just undergone a $22 Million renovation and a switch in management in the last six months. So things are being shaken up a little for the Seminole property.

One of the biggest parts to the renovation is the addition of the table game black jack. The casino rolled this game out in December of 2008. The move is part of a larger plan by the Seminole trip to push for a more modernized approach to the style, look and operation of the casino.

Other big things to hit the casino are the increase in slot machines from 75 to 1,100 and other table games such as Let it Ride and 3 Card Poker.

On a side not be sure to say hello to Head of Security for the Property Mr. John MacDonald, a retired police officer from the Atlantic City Police Department.

All is going full speed ahead for the Seminole Hard Rock Seminole Casino in Immokalee, so get there to enjoy it. For Players Card information go to the associated link provided.

The Mirage Resort Las Vegas - Take a Vegas Vacation Today

Out front of this grand property is situationed an “active volcano”. Yes and active volcano and what else could you expect from the wonder makers in Las Vegas. The volcano erupts at the beginning of every hour. If that isn’t enough the back area of the property has real dolphins swimming in a make shift lagoon. This is Steve Wynnn’s Mirage Resort Las Vegas. Wynn is one of the most prolific names in the gaming industry if not all of Las Vegas itself.

The Mirage comes with a staggering 3004 rooms and suites. The standards rooms at the Mirage include wonderful bedding plus a 42 inch flat screen television. The layouts are large and cozy . The guest suites are a touch above the standard rooms and offer guests three different styles to choose from, including the Mirage Suites, the Hospitality Suites and the Tower Suites. The Mirage suites come with oversized king sized beds, a jacuzzi and refreshment area. The Hospitality Suites come with one or two bedrooms that are separated from what could be the living quarters and have all the amenities of the Mirage Suites. Finally the Tower Suites are the creme de la creme of the suites offering large living areas for those that really enjoy the good life.

The Mirage Casino and Resort is full of great dining options and entertainment. You’ll be able to enjoy a simple cheesburger to an incredible and scrumptuous feast. The entertainment comes with headliners like Jay Leno, Kevin James and Ray Ramono. So the laughs will keep on coming.

Make arrangements to stay at this featured Las Vegas Casino hotel today and call (702) 791-7111 for more information.

Bus Trips Great Way to Take Discount Casino Vacations

As the economy continues to take it's storied nose down businesses are continuing to find ways to stay viable and relevant. Casinos are no doubt being hurt from the turn in the overall economy as well as bus tour companies. A natural fit like peanut butter and chocolate, these two different types of businesses are working more tightly to see if they can help each other.

Officials at AAA or the American Automobile Association have commented that there has been a significant increase in relative local tours being offered as opposed to the reduction in much longer travel. As a result places like the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville Connecticut are working with more local bus tours to bring people to the property. Mohegan Sun had a greater direction for a more upscale and foreign player base, but the casino, like the rest of it's industry is struggling from the downturn in player drop.  The local markets that had never been providing bus tours to the Mohegan Sun now are being included. 

One such provider is Peter Pan Bus lines and tours. Tours include bus ride to and from the properties, plus accumulated comps for playing slots. Other tours have similar packages and the rates on average have been seen to be about $20 to $65 per tour. Very good way to travel. 

Check out more information about charters by actually visiting the official web site for the casino property of interest. Due to the way the tour operators and casinos are working together there is greater cooperation in marketing. 

Imperial Palace Las Vegas - Enjoy a Las Vegas Vacation at a Great Discount

Las Vegas is the brand name city when it comes to casino destinations in the world. Hundreds of songs, short stories, movies and any other type of homage has been made for this legendary city. Las Vegas is currently offering great rates for all its hotels, but our featured hotel for this post is the Imperial Palace Las Vegas located at 3535 Las Vegas Boulevard. Why do we suggest this casino out of the literal 100’s of options, well quite simple....unique packaging. The Imperial Palace Las Vegas is a class act in operations as it is part of the Harrah’s Gaming Company suite of casino properties.

Rates to the Imperial Palace Las Vegas are at incredible average prices from $45 to $115. Can you believe rates like this for a hotel that offers great amenities and other services. Check out complete Imperial Palace Las Vegas Reservation Rates with great discounts.

The value is with everything you get when you visit Las Vegas by staying at the Imperial Palace. You’ll find great events in the area including Cher, Anthony Cook, Penn and Teller and Legends in Concert. Call (702) 369-5111 for reservations.

As a guest you also get preferred access to local golf courses including Cascata Golf Course and the Rio Secco Golf Course. These are two of the finest and most acclaimed golf courses in the country. How about enjoying a relaxing time by the pool . You’ll get a big outdoor pool with an adjacent jacuzzi. If that’s not enough the Imperial Palace offers an onsite Spa.

With rates like the ones I mentioned taking a trip to Las Vegas may not be more reasonable than you could imagine.

Atlantic City Casinos - A Gaming Market at a Cross Road

If you are one to follow the casino industry on a whole, there's no secret that the current economic climate has had a significant and direct negative impact on every gaming jurisdiction in the United States. Sure, there are a few individual gaming companies that are holding their own, but across the board things are very shaky. No where does it seem to be worse, however, than in Atlantic City New Jersey. I've written for some time my disgust with crippling legislation that has handicapped Atlantic City such as smoking bans and not moving forward with legalizing sports betting, not to mention a chronic and long standing problem with city officials unable to recognize and support the industry like it should. Well, I find no joy in the result, but there's no way any one can say I was wrong. Atlantic City and it's casino market is in a lot of trouble.

The cities oldest casino, Resorts Atlantic City is in jeopardy of going into foreclosure not being able to meet it's debt payments, the Tropicana Resort Atlantic City has been embroiled, for almost two years, with drama surrounding it's ownership, and most recently the Don himself, Donald Trump, whose name itself has been a fixture in the resort by the sea, has shed any official involvement with the direct operation and oversight of the Trump casinos that still share his name. 

What's a head for one of the largest casino and gaming markets in the country? Not sure. The reality is things don't look good. No doubt ever increasing competition from neighboring jurisdictions like Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York are eating into Atlantic City's long time dominance in the casino market, but add in the free fall of the economy, loss of jobs that result in less spendable cash by customers and drying up credit markets, and the outlook is scary. 

Atlantic City may have missed the boat and lost it's chance to secure a foothold as a destination resort. Infighting, lack of strong political leadership and lack of long term vision by the areas decision makers are to blame. Shame on them.  

Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort

The Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, or most commonly known as the FIGRA, was passed by the United States Congress in 1988. Since then the number of Indian Reservation casinos have popped up all over the country. One of the most significant properties to be established was in Connecticut back in the early 1990's at Foxwood's Casino.

Today there exists two casinos in the Connecticut landscape, and might I say, that the second one is absolutely the better of the two. What is it's name you ask? Why the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort of course.

The Mohegan Sun and Resort is located at 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard in Uncasville Connecticut.  Where talking about posh accommodations, upscale dining and some of the best casino play you'll find anywhere in the world. 

In terms of accommodations the Mohegan Sun hotel area is fantastic.  The property offers regular rooms and suites and each come with big comfy king sized beds, lounge chair with ottoman and marble bathrooms. 

Mohegan Sun also has one of the largest varieties of restaurants and dining available in anyone property I've ever seen. Whether it be upscale or simple cafe you'll find it here. Without listing them all check out the complete list of dining possibilities. 

There's so much more here to even get into right now. You'll have your choice of world class entertainment each and every week, some of the most exclusive retail shops you could ever visit and oh, yeah, let's not forget about the spa.

The choice is simple when  you're heading towards Connecticut and looking for a fun. Head to the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort and Spa. 

Casino Arizona

Arizona is the equivalent, to many, as the Florida of the West. In a lot of ways actually. Both states offer the idea of warm sunny skies, but also have become synonymous with retirement. Ok, to some degree that is true. I may be different, but when I think about both states a semblance of fun seems to creep into my consciousness. Oh, yeah, there's one other similarity between Florida and Arizona...they both have casinos.

In Arizona, the number is growing but the featured casino today is the none other than the Casino Arizona. Located at 9700 East Indian Bend in Scottsdale Arizona, but has several satellite locations. Our focus is the Resort and Spa, because what's better than a resort and spa right? The Casino Arizona Resort and Spa. Why not right? Enjoy the fun of a casino and the joy of a resort and spa vacation. The gaming and or casino area has about 1600 multi denominational slot machines, not to mention full sections of black jack, poker and keno.

Let's not forget about top notch entertainment that you should expect at your casino. How do the names Don Rickels or shows like Beatlemania sound to you? Pretty good right? Well Casino Arizona has such great entertainment and more, not to mention nightly entertainment at the Pima Lounge and the Casino Arizona Piano Lounge.

In case you didn't know also another great similarity that the state of Arizona has with Florida is Golf. Yes the religion of the links. Check out Scottsdale Arizona's Official Site of Tourism to see all the options available to you with golf.

Enjoy your next trip to the Arizona Dessert. I'm sure you're already making plans.

Siena Hotel Spa and Resort Reno

I can still remember watching a movie called "King Pin" many years ago now. It's a story about a bowling legend that fell from grace and the face of the earth, but in a path to rediscovery he came across an amish man that changed his world. Without getting too much into a story that has nothing to do with this post, they ended up in Reno Nevada, "The Biggest Little City in the World" for the annual bowling world championships. Well Reno finds us taking a look at a featured casino there, the Siena Hotel Spa and Resort. 

The Siena Hotel Spa and Resort is located at  1 South Lake Street Reno and is ranked, if such a rating system existed, would have the resort scored at about a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The property is located in the River District of Reno. There visitors will find great local attractions such as the Harrah's Automobile Museum and the Pioneer Performing Arts Center. 

That's all well and good, but the "gold" of your visit really is your stay at the Siena Hotel and Resort. This place is awesome. Almost every guest room is positioned to get a view of the mountains or river, the spa is first class, and the gaming is incredible, that offers about 23,000 square feet of casino space and the theme and decor is that of a Tuscan Village. Don't forget about the dining where you can get anything from gourmet and upscale at Lexie's on the River or visit the 24 Hour Contrada Cafe.

The Siena Hotel Spa and Resort surely makes Reno a little more upscale and nipping at the feet  of the joints in Tahoe. 

Buckys Casino and Resort - Prescott Arizona

Buckys Casino and Resort is the subject of our newest casino review. Yes, I said Buckys Casino and Resort. Haven’t heard of it before? Doesn’t matter. This property and casino gaming hall is a charming little casino you may not have heard about before, but if you’re in Arizona taking an excursion to this place will no doubt be some fun.

Buckys Casino and Resort is located at 530 East Merritt, Prescott, Arizona. More specifically the casino is located inside the Prescott Resort Hotel. The casino offers slots, video poker, blackjack and poker. The property it’s located at offers 81 guest rooms and 80 guest suites. The average room rate for the guest room is $99 to $209 and the average rate for the guest suite is $199. It also has three restaurants and a bar.

The charm of the city of Prescott is wonderful. We’re talking about a city that is very much off the beaten patch and hours away from the big city of Phoenix. You’ll find yourself in the middle of majestic South West with mountains and valleys and everything you could imagine from an old cowboy movie. In the middle of it all you find the oasis of the Prescot Resort Hotel and of course the fun of Buckys Casino and Resort.

One thing that casinos and properties like this offer is the ability to come with a recreation vehicle and park, refuel and dump. To the folks that are used to places like Atlantic City, New Jersey and/or Las Vegas, Nevada, this may seem very weird, but this really is a growing trend for gambling casinos as they are developed.

Enjoy a bit of the South West at Buckys Casino and Resort or call (928) 776-1666 for more information.

ACES Train Service.

Many, many years ago a train came from New York City, down the coast line to the then sleepy down of Atlantic City New Jersey. Well recently a new era, that is taking it's cues from the olden days, finds a rail line from New York City to Atlantic City once again. 

The light rail line is called ACES, and travels from New York's Penn station to Atlantic City's Rail Terminal.  Service started yesterday, February 6th, for the inaugural train trip. 

The rail line is newly remodeled and is a multi-level rail line that is supposedly very comfortable for passengers to enjoy. There is a 300 person capacity in the 4 cars that make up the rail line, but there is so much more. The seating is comfortable leather chairs, there are several food and beverage kiosks available and there is also a private lounge. 

There are a few catches though. There is a short stop in Newark New Jersey, and pricing can be a bit much where the low end one way tickets are $25 and the high end tickets where you have access to the lounge can be as much as $300. A bit more than the simple AMTRAK rail from Atlantic City to Philadelphia and points west.  Also the rail line only runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday twice daily. 

In a time where Atlantic City, and the Casinos that make up a substantial part of the market place, are really falling on hard economic times, something novel and unique like this should fire up some excitement. The thing is will New Yorkers "buy into" this concept and get on the train is the big test. Again, the rail line only offers two trips a day out of NYC for the three days and, at most, can only hold up to 300 people. So at most you're getting an additional 1800 people a week to Atlantic City to NYC. Only time will tell. 

Penn National Gaming.

I almost find it funny that I can even write this blog with an attitude of fun. The fact is that Casinos have been a haven for people. Good or bad as that might be, whether it be a person's only form of entertainment, a good investment or the very institutions that create jobs and opportunities for a region Casinos have something. 

Well with all the great vision in Atlantic City some 30 years ago, it seems like the bloom may very well be off the rose and the armor is starting to show it's vulnerability. Penn National Gaming, one of the Giants in gaming across the globe has announced that they will no longer be pursuing the development of a stretch of Route 30 in Atlantic City for a Gaming Casino. 

This is just another sad story in what could have been a very bright path that Atlantic City should have taken during the course of 30 years. Sure the economy is very much to blame, but the powers to be and the inability to see the magnitude of which the casino industry has helped not just the region but the entire state has been abysmal. Now Pennsylvania and every other state is adopting casino legislation. The workers in Atlantic City casinos pressed for a smoking ban also making the casino's lose there competitive appeal. Add in the big fact that they won't allow Sports Books to run in casinos and it almost seems like Atlantic City wanted to fail.

Penn National Gaming's decision to not pursue this development is a frightening look and glimpse into the future of where Atlantic City is headed. Today a major casino developer pulls out. Tomorrow an existing casino goes out of business. The trend is too unbearable to think about.