Are Casino Carpets Ugly On Purpose?

Above, a casino in Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's a topic I've never thought about.

Are casino carpets ugly on purpose to keep people gambling? 

That is the topic of an article in RV Travel. Frankly, I figured that they are designed the way they are to hide spills. 

The article begins with:

Many RVers like to stop at casinos on their trips. They stop for a buffet, or sometimes to stay overnight in a casino RV park or for free in a parking lot. And, yes, some like to gamble. If that’s you, have you ever noticed that the carpeting in at least some of those casinos is gaudy, even ugly? 

In Las Vegas, one of the most enduring gambling myths is that the loud, colorful carpets in casinos are designed to keep people gambling longer. Is that true?

To read the full article, go here. 

Fire Rock Navajo Casino Celebrating 17 Years

Above, Fire Rock Navajo Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The nearest Navajo casino to me is Fire Rock Navajo Casino outside of Gallup, New Mexico. 

I have been there several times, not to gamble (I've done some at their roulette table) but to have dinner at their restaurant, Cheii's.

The casino is celebrated its 17th anniversary this month.

According to Yogonet Casino News:

The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) will be holding 17th anniversary events for the first Navajo gaming property, Fire Rock Navajo Casino, throughout the month of November. 

Seventeen years after opening its doors, the property continues to serve not only as a gaming venue but also as a key source of employment and training for members of the Navajo Nation, providing experience in hospitality, management, and gaming operations since its launch in 2008.

Operated by the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, Fire Rock Navajo Casino was the first gaming property established by the Navajo Nation.

Located in the Church Rock Chapter near Gallup, N.M., the casino opened on November 19, 2008, setting the foundation for NNGE’s subsequent casino and travel plaza operations across New Mexico and Arizona.

To read more, go here. 

Circus Circus To Be Demolished?

The last time I stepped foot at Circus Circus in Las Vegas was in 2015 when I took my daughter Amber there so she could interview with the dolphin show at The Mirage. We stayed at the Circus Circus RV Park.

Three days ago, Las Vegas Strip - Trip Reports Facebook page posted the following:

BREAKING LAS VEGAS

While an official announcement has not yet been made, rumors are growing that Circus Cicrus Hotel in Las Vegas will be demolished and replaced with a new luxury resort by a world known brand that I cant directly say yet. I would stop in several more times if you have the chance. Circus Circus is apparently up for Sale!

Circus Circus has been a popular hotel and casino since the 1960s. It was featured the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever starring Sean Connery. We stayed at the hotel tower in 1986 when I got married.

It has been a bit rundown in recent years. This has also fed to rumor mill.  

It would not come as a surprise if the rumors turn out to be true. Too bad, if so.

Free Cruises For Gambling? What To Know

Above, the cruise ship casino entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am not much of a gambler. I have to really be in the mood to go to a casino. I go by the adage, "Only gamble what you can afford to lose!" I only play roulette and avoid slot machines.

Fire Rock Navajo Casino is only ten miles from home, but I have rarely gambled there. I usually only go there to dine at their restaurant.

During the last two cruises I went on, one with Royal Caribbean and one with Norwegian Cruise Line, I did some gambling. I limited myself to an hour's worth of casino fun in both instances. But, I ended up making money at both. I walked out ahead.

Cruise lines offer some rewards programs for gamblers, such as free cruises.

USA Today posted:

On Jorge Martinez’s first cruise, he won a second sailing before he even disembarked.

Martinez got a last-minute invite to join a prepaid Carnival Cruise Line trip to Alaska in 2023 when his friend's partner couldn't make it. The 38-year-old New Mexico resident just had to pay for his plane ticket.

Once on board, Martinez – who has enjoyed gambling for most of his adult life – headed to the casino, where he won more than $1,000 in cash. “I did get lucky on that cruise,” he said.

He continued to play with that money and earned a complimentary sailing through the Carnival Players Club. After he got home, other deals followed. “Even before I left on that (second) cruise, the offers just kept rolling in,” he said.

Cruise line casino rewards programs can give travelers discounts, onboard perks and even free fares – in addition to paying out any wins. But they may not always be worth the money and time passengers have to invest to win. Here’s what to know.

To read more, go here. 

The Points Guy: Cruise Ship Guide

Above, a cruise ship docked at Freeport, Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Up to now, I have been on three cruises in my life.

The first was with Celebrity in 2001 with my mom and daughter to Alaska. The second was with Royal Caribbean for a cruise to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba in 2019.

The last was two months ago (already?!) with Norwegian to the Bahamas. 

While all were enjoyable, cruising is not my favorite way to travel. I caught some viral bugs with the trips to Alaska and Cuba. I came out unscathed with the cruise to the Bahamas. Considering how many people are packed onboard, it should come as no surprise that one may catch a bug, especially in this era of COVID-19.

I prefer smaller ships (about 2,000 passengers tops) as I don't like crowds. The new mega ships may be nice with a lot of amenities, but I am not thrilled to sail with 3,000 to 5,000 people. I am perfectly satisfied with a smaller ship with good food, plenty of bars, hot tubs/swimming pools and a casino (I've come out ahead on the cruises to Cuba and Bahamas).

Above, the casino during the Key West/Havana cruise. I came
out ahead here playing roulette. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

But, if one is thinking about taking their first cruise, The Points Guy has a guide to 20 popular cruise lines. 

They begin their guide with:

Thinking about booking your first cruise? The sheer range of choices can be daunting. There are more than two dozen lines marketing to North Americans — no two alike.

The list of brands includes everything from giant companies such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, which are household names, to lesser-known small-ship operators such as Windstar Cruises.

Some of the brands — Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, in particular — operate massive vessels that are like giant floating resorts with multiple pool areas, deck-top water parks and other over-the-top amusements. Others specialize in intimate, boutique hotel-style ships.

Some lines, such as Carnival, are aimed at a budget crowd. Others operate vessels that are as luxurious as any upscale resort found on land. A few small luxury players such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises have ships with lavish suites that'll cost you as much as $11,000 a day.

Where should you start your search for the perfect cruise for you? Below, you'll find our quick guide to some of the most popular cruise brands. As you'll see, it's not meant to be an in-depth review of the lines. It's just a short overview — enough to give you a sense of which particular cruise operator might best appeal to you.

Once you've narrowed down the choices to a few brands that you think best fit your style, do a deeper dive into them and their specific ships, their itineraries and home ports and their comparable costs (either on your own or with the help of a cruise-savvy travel agent). Note that TPG has many in-depth guides to individual lines, which you can find by clicking on our cruise line hub pages linked in each segment below.

To read more, go here. 

What Is The Age To Gamble In Las Vegas?

Above, slot machines in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During the cruise to the Bahamas, I did some gambling in the Norwegian Sky casino. I played roulette and ended up making $60.

Roulette has been my favorite table game. I first started playing it in Las Vegas at the "ripe old age" of 19. Yes, I was illegally playing as Nevada law stipulated that one must be at least 21 years old to play. Yes, teens do crazy things. I must have looked at least 21 as I was never questioned.

This got me thinking, What is the current age to gamble in Las Vegas?

Well, it is still 21.

According to Casino.com:

Now comes the real question: “How old do you have to be to gamble in Vegas?” Though it is a hedonist destination, there are rules. And like the rest of the United States, the rules dictate that all players must be at least 21 years old in order to play.

Each establishment that offers gambling has to get a license from The Nevada Gaming Commission. Whether it be for a handful of slots or a full-service casino, the same rules apply. Both the Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board fully expect license holders to adhere to the regulations and laws that have been put into place to protect the perception and integrity of the gaming industry as a whole.

Failing to adhere to those stringent rules comes with heavy penalties. Like the six-figure-fine kind of penalty. There are even some cases where an establishment can have its license revoked without measures to improve security.

For that reason, casinos and any other establishment that offers gambling is strict about the “21 or older” rule. More importantly, the casinos aren’t the only ones being governed here. Anyone caught trying to play at a casino that is underage faces penalty as well.

In Nevada, anyone gambling in a casino that is under the age of 21 faces a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months. At the very least, expect to sit in a jail cell for a night and be forced to stare down expensive legal bills.

There are stories of underage gamblers who have won massive jackpots only to be forced to give them up because they were underage. Vegas staff has been trained to spot a fake, which means there is an exceptional chance of getting caught.

Some states have the same 21 years of age laws and some do allow 18-year-olds to gamble. If one is in a state where you must be 21 years old to gamble, it is best not to do it for the reasons stated above.

Back From The Bahamas

Above, the Norwegian Sky docked in Nassau. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The five-day cruise to the Bahamas is now history.

Friend Mitch Geriminsky and I got back to Jamestown last evening in the rain. For once, we didn't have any issues in returning home. No cancellations. The only delay was our final flight home from Atlanta. But that was only a half hour. We would have been late to board as our connecting flight was a little late and passengers in front were slow to get out of our way (until I said something).

Above, having a cigar in the smoking area overlooking the pools.

We had a good time on the cruise. We went with Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky. It was not one of those mega cruise ships. This one has a capacity of about 2,000, a more manageable number. 

We went first to Freeport, Bahamas and did some shopping. I had to buy a small bag as the new Clamper one tore on one side. It was not overloaded either. Just cheap.

Above, during the Nassau boat tour. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

The next day was spent in Nassau. We took a boat tour and then a bus tour. We stopped at a flea market next to an old fort. Then, we went to a very expensive mall (one shop was for Rolex watches) called Crystal Court at Atlantis Resort. It rained hard during our bus tour.

Tuesday night, we took in a musical show of 1970s rock 'n roll. 

Wednesday night, I did some gambling in the ship's casino. I made $60 on roulette. 

Above, lobster tails for Thursday night's dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Then, on Thursday, we went jet skiing at Great Stirrup Cay. Jet skiing over ocean waters is much different than on lake waters. The jet skis were more powerful than the ones at Lake Havasu. One can easily get thrown off if they give the jet ski too much throttle. Mitch hit a wave wrong and was thrown off his jet ski into the drink. Too bad I missed it. 

When I download my photos from my Canon Rebel, I will post photos of the trip.

Prime Rib Night At Fire Rock

Above, at Cheii's Restaurant at Fire Rock Navajo Casino.

Last evening, I was joined by the Luciers at Cheii's Restaurant at Fire Rock Navajo Casino outside of Gallup.

On Fridays, the restaurant has a prime rib special. As far as I know, Cheii's is the only place in the Gallup area with prime rib. 

I got there a little bit early. I noticed that the casino moved the table games. So I used the extra time to see where they were moved to. They are located near the food court on the west end of the casino.

After finding the table games, I headed over to Cheii's and the Luciers were already seated in the dining room.

All in all, it was an enjoyable evening.

Las Vegas Better Deal Under The Mob?

Above, looking south on the Las Vegas Strip. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've been catching up on 1990s movies in all genres.

The latest was the 1995 Martin Scorsese movie, Casino. It stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone and James Woods.

It is based on real-life events that led to the downfall of the Mafia's control of Las Vegas casinos.

The movie's synopsis:

In early-1970s Las Vegas, low-level mobster Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he's a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his ex-hustler wife Ginger (Sharon Stone), her con-artist ex Lester Diamond (James Woods) and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger. Martin Scorsese directs this adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi's book.

The real-life hotel the Tangiers Casino was based on was the Stardust Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. It is quite entertaining. The senator in the movie (played by Dick Smothers) was based on Sen. Harry Reid (so I've been told). 

My grade on the movie: A-.

The movie got me thinking: Was Las Vegas better when it was run by the Mafia?

Back in 1973, two friends and I spent spring break in Las Vegas and I came home with half of what I brought with me. I did well at the Hacienda Hotel's roulette tables. Food was cheap. I have the feeling that others do that Las Vegas was a better deal when it was run by the mob than with the greedy corporations who run it now.

Here's some snippets on this from an article in the Las Vegas Sun:

Things were better when the Mob ran this town. We hear this often enough to make it almost a cliché, and with last week’s opening of the Mob Museum, er, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, it seems like an argument worth examining.

Also, think of the extreme irony of claiming there was less crime when the Mob ran the town. “They were out doing burglaries!” Green quipped, referring to the “Hole in the Wall Gang.”

As I learned at the museum, which opened Valentine’s Day on Stewart Avenue downtown, the skim at the Stardust was $7 million per year; at the Flamingo, it was $36 million from 1960 to 1967; at the Tropicana it was $150,000 per month. That money was stolen from the community and sent to criminal gangs back East.

(Given the events of the past few years, I can appreciate that, for many people, banks vs. organized crime is a close call.)

As Sloan notes, cocktail waitresses, bartenders and maître d’s made great money in Mob days, in part because the IRS wasn’t as rigorous about collecting taxes on tips. The casinos didn’t have to report when someone won a big jackpot, and let’s remember that there was no competition from Atlantic City or anywhere else.

As for the food? If you look hard, you can still find a $7 prime rib dinner, though I’m not sure why you would. Our food these days is more expensive, but it’s also far better.

From the Texarkana Gazette:

But over the years, the old guys died off and successful prosecutions ran off much of the hidden ownership of the gambling clubs.

And that's too bad-at least in my opinion. The mob knew how to run a casino.

They expected the casino to make money and didn't care if the rest of the place showed a loss. Give enough play at the tables and everything was free. But even the low-rollers who stuck to the nickel slots got a cheap room and cheaper meals. Drinks were free at the tables and machines and didn't cost much more at the bars.

Today, the odds of winning are worsening. One now has to bet more to win less.

From the Daily Mail (U.K.):

Gamblers are wagering more than ever in Las Vegas as casinos increase odds and reduce payouts in some of the most popular games.

Blackjack losses on the Strip were nearly $1 billion last year, according to official figures - the second highest on record after 2007.

The increase comes as casino bosses attempt to draw in 'higher value customers' while players with less cash to wager are priced out.

Roulette has also had odds increased in many places. The number of triple-zero tables - which add another slot to the wheel and increase the odds of hitting a chosen number - has increased.

Minimum bets are also rising, meaning players must risk more cash to play games.

The changes, reported in an analysis by the Wall Street Journal, also come as the overall price of a vacation to Las Vegas increases, with costs at hotels and restaurants also on the rise.

These days, I rarely go to Las Vegas. When I do, I don't gamble as I used to. I rarely go gambling at the local Red Rock Navajo Casino in Gallup. I just go there for their prime rib special on Fridays.

Dinner At Fire Rock Navajo Casino

Above, last evening's dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, I headed to Cheii Grill at the Fire Rock Navajo Casino outside of Gallup for dinner.

On Fridays, they have a special prime rib dinner. I've been meaning to go there to try it out, but one thing or another would crop up and I couldn't go. 

However, last evening I made it there.

Above, enjoying a glass of merlot with dinner.

I had the Friday night prime rib. It comes with a baked potato, corn on the cob and a dinner roll. I substituted broccoli for the corn and had a glass of merlot wine with it. 

While I was dining, a Navajo rock band began playing (not too loud, thank God). 

Above, the dinnertime entertainment. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After dinner, I wandered around the casino. The blackjack and craps tables were open, but the sole roulette table was closed. I might have played a few rounds of roulette had they been open. I suppose I saved some money.

The dinner was good, so I will likely go there again.

Remembering Las Vegas Hacienda Hotel

Above, the Las Vegas Hacienda Hotel around the early 1960s.

Back during Spring Break in 1973, two friends and I spent several days in Las Vegas, Nevada. We stayed at the Westward Ho Motel and Casino (closed in 2005) on the Las Vegas Strip. It was near the now-gone Stardust Hotel and Circus Circus.

Above, the Westward Ho Motel circa 1976. Photo from Vintage Las Vegas.

We spent the week hanging out at the hotel's pool and roamed around town and took an excursion to Hoover Dam. On the way back from the dam, we rode some ATVs (the now-outlawed three-wheeled ones). 

As far as gambling was concerned, as we were slightly under age (19 years), we limited our gambling to the Hacienda Hotel on the Strip. 

About the Hacienda Hotel according to Wikipedia:

The Hacienda was a hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, that operated from 1956 to 1996. It was opened by Warren Bayley, who owned other Hacienda properties in California as well. Bayley opened the hotel portion in June 1956, although the opening of the casino was delayed as the Nevada Gaming Control Board objected to his choice of casino manager, Jake Kozloff. The casino portion eventually opened on October 17, 1956. The $6 million property had 266 rooms and the largest pool on the Las Vegas Strip. Like its sister properties in California, the resort included a neon sign that depicted a cowboy riding a palomino horse.

The Hacienda was built at the south end of the Strip, making it the first resort to be seen by tourists driving up from California. The Hacienda was located by itself at the time, a distance away from other resorts. Because of its location, most guests did not bother to visit the other resorts. The Hacienda was the first Las Vegas resort to target a family clientele, and until 1962, it operated a plane service to fly in guests from out of state.

Above, the Hacienda Hotel in the  mid to late 1960s.

The Hacienda Hotel property is now occupied by Mandalay Bay.

The Hacienda casino had some old mechanical slot machines and were pretty generous in payouts, at least to me. They were nowhere near like the more modern slot machines in use at the time and the electronic ones of today. I did pretty well with the Hacienda's slots. I did even better at their roulette tables. Those were the days when we gambled with Eisenhower dollar coins. I made enough money that all I ended up paying (for the week) was my share of the room expense and food. I was able to bring cash back home with me.

Las Vegas was actually fun back then and not at all crowded, unlike today. Since slot machines are all electronic today with push-buttons instead of pull handles, I don't bother with them. They don't pay out like the olden days. If I do any sort of gambling these days, it will be at the roulette wheels.

TheTravel: Finding The Best Las Vegas Vacation Package Deals

Above, yours truly, Max Bettman and Mitch Geriminsky in Las Vegas in November 2018.

A friend and I were talking about the old days of Las Vegas, Nevada the other day.

The days were were discussing were when it wasn't a crowded mess it is now and when hotels, shows, restaurants and even casinos (with perks of free drinks and cigarettes) were a lot more reasonable. Those were the days when things weren't run by greedy corporations, but by the mob. Oddly, Las Vegas seemed like it was more fun and less expensive under the mob. Even the airport was easier to navigate in back in the old days.

But, bargains can still be had and TheTravel has posted an article on how the find the best Las Vegas vacation package deals.

They begin with:

Going to Vegas? Vegas is a destination that can swallow all the money one has, but it is also possible to do it on a budget. One of the best ways to experience Vegas on a budget is the plan ahead and look for cheap deals (and at the last minute for deals on shows). The good news is that accommodation and attractions in Vegas are competitive and can be booked on a budget.

To read more, go here. 

Lake Mead's Watery Graves

Above, the section of Lake Mead nearest to the Hoover Dam in 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like some people got the "Luca Brasi treatment" in the Las Vegas area as bodies are starting to be revealed by the dwindling water level of Lake Mead. Luca Brasi, is a fictional mafia character from The Godfather (1972) who ended up "sleeping with the fishes" thanks to a rival mafia family.

One was found in an oil drum, which appears to have been in the lake since the 1970s or 1980s. Another was just found in a newly exposed sandbar.

Back in the early days of Las Vegas, the gambling was controlled by the mob until it started being heavily regulated by the state government and corporations replaced the mob. Las Vegas was actually more fun during the mob days as hotel and food prices were much more reasonable and one could get better odds in machine gaming. The appearance of bodies in Lake Mead harkens back to those days.

The Navajo-Hopi Observer has an interesting article on the recent finds.

They start with:

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Stories about long-departed Las Vegas organized crime figures are surfacing after a second set of unidentified human remains were revealed as the water level falls on drought-stricken Lake Mead.

The reservoir on the Colorado River is about a 30-minute drive from the mob-founded Las Vegas Strip.

"There's no telling what we'll find in Lake Mead," former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Monday. "It's not a bad place to dump a body."

Goodman was a defense attorney who represented Mafia figures including ill-fated Anthony "Tony the Ant" Spilotro before serving three terms as a martini-toting mayor who made public appearances with a showgirl on each arm.

He declined to speculate about who might turn up in the vast reservoir formed by Hoover Dam between Nevada and Arizona.

It looks like some were made offers they couldn't refuse.

To read more, go here. 

Indian Casino RV Parks Between Gallup and Albuquerque On Interstate 40

Above, The Beast at Route 66 RV Resort near Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those traveling on Interstate 40 in New Mexico and wish to spend a night at an RV park connected to an Indian casino between Gallup and Albuquerque., there are three of them. Links to their websites are included.

There are other RV parks along this stretch of Interstate 40, but these are the ones connected to Indian casinos.

Going west to east on Interstate 40, the first one is Sky City RV Park. It is a small RV park (42 sites) in back of the hotel and casino at exit 102. I stayed there one night during blizzard conditions. Guest registration for the RV park is at the hotel front desk.

A few miles east of Sky City RV Park at exit 108 is Dancing Eagle RV Park. Unfortunately, it is still temporarily closed due to the pandemic. 

Lastly, at exit 140 is Route 66 RV Resort. It is 14 miles west of Albuquerque and it is behind the Route 66 Casino Hotel. This is my favorite RV park in New Mexico. I usually stay here whenever I have business to attend to in Albuquerque. 

Other:

Fire Rock Navajo Casino outside of Gallup (exits 26 and 33) does not have an RV park, but they may allow overnight RV parking in their parking lot. Check with the casino first.

Destinations Rebounding From COVID-19 The Strongest

Above, Las Vegas, Nevada made the list of strongest rebounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many places around the world are rebounding from the pandemic, some better than others. There are also some places seeing increases in infections.

But for this blog post, we're not going to dwell on those ones and just concentrate on the places rebounding the strongest.

TravelPulse has listed (in a slideshow) the places that are rebounding the strongest, some of which are in the United States.

They begin with:

The world has largely reopened to tourism more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and while people have numerous choices when it comes to travel this spring, including some overseas destinations with little or no restrictive entry requirements, some destinations are recovering more quickly compared to others. Whether it's a rise in visitor numbers, a spike in demand for hotel stays or a growing number of web searches, there are plenty of metrics we can look at to uncover the places that are rebounding the most effective in the COVID era. Here's a look at some of the notable destinations around the globe that are experiencing a return to normal or appear well on their way this April.

To see the places rebounding the strongest from COVID-19, go here. 

A Visit To Fire Rock Navajo Casino

Above, the main entrance to Fire Rock Navajo Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I was a bit bored at home, so I decided to head over to the Fire Rock Navaho Casino near Gallup to wander around.

It had been two years since I was last there. Cheii Restaurant inside is a nice place for dinner. 

Above, yours truly at he casino's food court.

There weren't too many people inside when I got there. I decided to get a cup of complimentary coffee at the food court. After being handed the coffee, I tipped the girl who served me.

I wandered around the casino for a while after finishing my coffee. Although they have signs posted about taking no photographs at the casino, I had to shoot one of a slot machine. It was of Bela Lugosi as Dracula along with other Universal Pictures classic monsters. Lugosi was most prominent. I do hope Bela Lugosi Jr. received a nice paycheck from the machine's manufacturer and, possibly, the casino since he owns the rights to his father's image.

Above, the slot machine featuring Dracula and other Universal monsters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cheii's restaurant has some interesting specials during the month of February (particularly the crab legs). I took a photo of their sign for future reference. 

Above, a fire pit at the entry to the casino area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I browsed around in the casino gift shop, but there was nothing there of any particular interest to me.

The casino was mainly assorted slot machines and table games, mainly blackjack and craps. There was only one roulette table there (my preferred gambling method). 

Above, a sign of February's specials. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I went over to Cheii Restaurant and checked out their menu. I saw that they changed it again. The chile chicken Alfredo they had three years ago was gone. That was disappointing! I was hoping they still had it.

After some more wandering around, I headed back home. But it was a good hour and a half excursion to get out the house with. 

Hard Rock To Purchase The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

Above, The Mirage Hotel and Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that The Mirage Hotel and Casino will soon be a thing of Las Vegas history. Say goodbye to the volcano.

From Travel Agent Central:

Hard Rock International (HRI) on Monday, December 13, announced its agreement to acquire the operations of The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from MGM Resorts International, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Through the acquisition, Hard Rock plans to build a guitar-shaped hotel, which will be located on the Las Vegas Strip. When it opens, the hotel will be named Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and will cover an 80-acre plot.

According to a press announcement, Hard Rock International will pay $1.075 billion in cash for the operating assets of The Mirage Hotel and Casino, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The hospitality and entertainment brand will enter into a long-term lease agreement with VICI Properties Inc. for the real estate property of The Mirage.

I've stayed at The Mirage once and attended "The Beatles LOVE" show. The hotel is noted for the volcano in front that erupts periodically.

To read more, go here.

From USA Today:

Hard Rock said it plans to build a 1,000-room guitar-shaped hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, but chairman Jim Allen would not confirm whether that means the company would demolish the Mirage or add new construction.

 

Above, yours truly in front of The Mirage in 2015.

Moon-themed Resort Is Coming To Las Vegas

Above, a winter moon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Leave it to Las Vegas to come up with things to draw visitors so that they can be parted from their money in the casinos.

The latest is a moon-themed resort.

Travel + Leisure reported:

Space tourism is slowly becoming a reality with billionaires making seemingly regular visits to the stars and the world's first space hotel planned to make its debut in 2027. Despite the promising progress, it may take a while before space tourism is available at a more accessible price point.

So what's the next best thing in the meantime? Perhaps this new moon-shaped hotel coming to the Las Vegas Strip.

Canadian-based company Moon World Resorts Inc. has announced plans for a $5 billion, 5.5-million-square-foot hotel whose signature feature will be a replica of the moon standing at 735 feet tall and 650 feet wide.

The replica will only be 1/75,000 the size of the moon, but that's large enough to accommodate 4,000 guest rooms and suites. Plans for Moon Resorts Las Vegas also include a 75,000-square-foot spa, 50,000-square-feet of food and beverage offerings, 75,000-square-feet of retail, and 150,00-square-feet of clubs and lounges.

To read more, go here. 

Twin Arrows Resort Casino Is Back In Business

Above, the main lobby of Twin Arrows Resort Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I go to a friend's in Lake Havasu City, Arizona (and the return trip back), I generally stop for a break at the Twin Arrows Resort Casino, the Navajo Nation's biggest casino, just east of Flagstaff. It is roughly the halfway point along Interstate 40.

The hotel and casino were reopened yesterday after being shuttered for 15 months due to the pandemic.

There are some restrictions and Yogonet Gaming News spells it out.

They start with:

Twin Arrows Navajo Casino re-opened July 12 in Flagstaff, Arizona after being shutdown for more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic as Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted. 

The new protocols for this phase, which includes the Twin Arrows Hotel, involve the use of masks while inside the casinos, and temperature checks as well. Players must show a government-issued ID to enter. Even though the ban on non-residents of the Navajo Nation has been lifted, the night curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. remains in effect. 

Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise CEO Brian Parrish assured that 80% of the casino’s personnel has been vaccinated and educated about the importance of inocculation. “We are conducting tests of all of our team members every two weeks,” he said, as reported by Navajo Times.

By the way, there is a new travel center that opened last year on the hotel's access road.  

To read more, go here.

Travel + Leisure: 12 Mistakes Travelers Make In Las Vegas

Above, the article recommends getting out of The Strip and go downtown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Generally speaking, Las Vegas, Nevada is not one of my favorite places to go to. This has been the case since the 1980s when the town was much smaller, more affordable and not so crowded.

These days, whenever I do find myself in Sin City, it is usually for a stopover while en route to somewhere else or for a wedding (most recently last January).

But if one finds Las Vegas alluring, Travel + Leisure has an article on 12 mistakes travelers make in Las Vergas and how to avoid them.

They begin it with:

In Las Vegas, you never have to go far to find what you're looking for — interconnected hotels, 4,000-seat theaters, retail shops, and celebrity chef restaurants can be found around every corner. And when it comes to cocktails, well, let's just say you've got options, too.

But this abundance of choice is also what makes figuring out what to do while visiting so intimidating. There are plenty of ways to have fun here — and just as many ways to blow through your spending money. That's why it's important to be strategic in Sin City, says Anthony Curtis, founder of Las Vegas Advisor.

"Vegas is such a competitive landscape," he says. "There are 70-plus casinos all vying for the same money." As a result, he says, businesses are always offering incentives to get you in the door — you just have to know where to find them. "Be a consumer," he urges. "Look around. If you see a magazine, open it up, and see what's inside. Don't just do the first thing you see; look around a little bit until you find the best deal."

Some would argue that financial prudence has no place in Vegas. But in a town full of suckers, it pays to use your head. Read on for 12 rookie mistakes to avoid on your next Las Vegas vacation.

 To read more, go here.