Aria's housekeeping is a joke (long read)
I think anyone looking to stay there should be forewarned. Note, this was just their standard room since it was a holiday weekend.
Without further ado:
>>>I would like to share my experience(s)from the past weekend. Overall, everyone I encountered was very friendly and helpful, from the first greeting and throughout our stay. However, your housekeeping is such a stain on the property that I would downgrade it to a 4-star property, rather than a 5-star resort. Without embellishment, here is the story:
My girlfriend and I arrived Friday evening for a special anniversary weekend, set to leave Monday afternoon. We had never traveled to Las Vegas together, so I wanted to make sure we stayed at one of the nicer MGM properties. Aria seemed to be the natural choice from what I had seen and heard, and since neither of us had stayed with you before, we were both very excited. We are not high maintenance by any stretch, but we do appreciate quality, value, and customer service.
As I said, everyone greeted us warmly -- bell station, front desk, even passing employees in the hallway -- which was nice. Saturday afternoon, a member of housekeeping saw us coming out of our room and noted that if we wanted to get housekeeping, it would be best to phone housekeeping since we had had the privacy light on. I thanked her and informed her that we would not need any that day, but we would definitely call that night or the next day if we needed anything. We left the privacy light on for the remainder of the day and night.
Sunday, we decided that since I sweat a lot sleeping Saturday night (and yes, I understand it's very difficult to keep the rooms cool when it hits 110+ outside) and since we had both taken multiple showers since we arrived, we would like new sheets and towels.
I called housekeeping around 2:00-2:30 PM, stating that we had had our privacy light on, but we would now like to have our towels and linens changed and to get normal housekeeping service.
Maybe 15 minutes later, a gentleman arrived and said "here are the towels you ordered." I gave him a confused look and told him we wanted the full service, linens changed, etc. He said OK, sorry, I will tell housekeeping.
We threw our towels in a pile on the bathroom floor, turned the "service" light on, and left to go shopping. We saw him speaking with one of the housekeepers who was cleaning a room a few doors down from ours, explaining the mix-up.
Upon arriving back at the hotel at 7:30PM, we just wanted to take quick showers and relax for a bit before going to have a nice dinner. Inexplicably, our room had not been touched over 5 hours after the request. Being exhausted and sweaty, I tried to remain composed, and I called housekeeping to see what had happened. I was not given an explanation, but I was told someone would be by in 15 minutes.
8:00PM comes without any service. I go downstairs to speak with a supervisor, and Ryan was very perplexed, but apologetic. He suggested we call housekeeping, and when I informed him that we had already done that, he said he would call immediately since he would "have more pull" than us. Before we left the front desk, Ryan told us that he would "take care of the room for the night for the inconvenience." I thought that was generous but appropriate under the circumstances.
We decide that we need to at least get a snack, so we return at 8:30 PM to allow enough time for housekeeping to come and service our room. We return to find that, again, no housekeeping service has been made. At this point, I'm ready to scream, because I'm even more exhausted and now my girlfriend is upset that our last night is "ruined" by the housekeeping fiasco. I calmly make my way down to talk to Ryan, who appears appalled. He spoke with the executive head of housekeeping and ensured us that a manager and housekeeper were on their way to our room. He also offered us a $50 dining credit if we would like. $50 isn't bad, but as you know, it doesn't go a long way in the Aria. It was a nice gesture, however.
We decide we should just grab our "welcome cocktail" so we can relax a bit while they service our room.
Finally we return to our room a little after 9:00 PM. The room had been serviced, but to a very disappointing degree. Clearly, no vacuuming occurred; none of the surfaces in the bedroom were wiped down; our glassware was not replenished; the marble floors had obviously not been cleaned. I could smell some sort of cleaner in the bathroom, but a very lazy job was done in there too: the shower ledge where our shampoo, shower gel, and a razors, remained unchanged from when we left; there were hairs in the sink and on the ground that did not appear to belong to either of us; none of the toiletry items were replenished except for the bars of soap; and the toilet did not appear cleaned, either.
I called Ryan to let him know of the sub-standard service from housekeeping, assuring him that I was not looking for any freebies or handouts. I can only imagine what sort of a scene someone less rational than me might have made.
After our long day shopping, we were unable to relax and unwind as we had wanted to do before having a nice, romantic dinner to end our celebration. However, because of poor communication and poor execution by housekeeping, our plans were sadly derailed. We were both so exasperated that we just ordered room service and collapsed. The food was satisfactory and thanks to Ryan, we only wound up paying for the tip, but it wasn't quite the same as going out for a nice dinner.
I'd like to share one more misstep by housekeeping. We requested a late checkout and were told we could check out at 1pm so we could get a little more rest. However, our attempts at additional sleep were foiled by knocks from two different members of the housekeeping staff: one at 11:52 AM and another 16 minutes later at 12:08 PM. After all we went through the prior day, all we wanted to do was sleep in and feel unrushed, but housekeeping even managed to mess that up for us.
I would like to commend your staff overall, and Ryan especially. He did what a good manager should do, given what he was dealing with. Honestly, the problems with housekeeping may be enough to cause me to look elsewhere for my next stay. I'm easy to please, but housekeeping was a major blemish on our experience, and I know my girlfriend was especially disappointed. Please address their issues before you alienate or disappoint any more guests!
One final thing I found a bit odd was that we still had to pay resort fees on the comped night; I've never heard of a hotel charging a resort fee on a comped night. It felt very "nickle-and-dime" to me, but I did not want to raise a big fuss at check-out.>>>
I'll update this if/when I get a response.
EDIT: Update should be on page 5
I do not doubt that you're get a reply. It will probably contain a lot of back-pedaling. I bet it will also contain a free room offer. Whether it's totally free, or you'd have to pay taxes or resort fees is another question...
For the record, this only partially surprises me.Quote: seviayOne final thing I found a bit odd was that we still had to pay resort fees on the comped night; I've never heard of a hotel charging a resort fee on a comped night. It felt very "nickle-and-dime" to me, but I did not want to raise a big fuss at check-out.
I believe that if the room was comped because of your casino player status, you'd still have to pay the resort fee (or use comp credits to pay for that). Taxes too.
This was different. The hotel/resort fucked up, and the resort gave you the room for free as compensation. Therefore, you should NOT have been charged the resort fee.
Quote: seviaySaturday afternoon, a member of housekeeping saw us coming out of our room and noted that if we wanted to get housekeeping, it would be best to phone housekeeping since we had had the privacy light on. I thanked her and informed her that we would not need any that day, but we would definitely call that night or the next day if we needed anything. We left the privacy light on for the remainder of the day and night.
As Adam Savage likes to say "Well, there's your problem!"
Seriously, housekeeping is supposed to be done on all occupied rooms every day. They won't replace your linens and towels daily, but they'll tidy up, run the vacuum, make the beds, replenish toiletries, etc (the last depending on the amenities in your room, like adding supplies for the coffee maker). If you tel them once to leave the room alone, they'll quickly make a habit of it.
So, next time, unless you're returning to the room shortly, let housekeeping in every day.
As for the resort fees, that sucks.
Ok so you informed them not to disturb you which they made a note of not to do. Then when you told them you had changed your mind it took them a while to understand and communicate the mix-up, which was their only fault really. It doesn't sound like the end of the world to me, but apparently it was to you two (I don't quite comprehend how a sub-par cleaning job derails plans to go out to eat). So then you requested another favor to check out late and the housekeeping people came by at 12 to do their job and check to see if you were still there. If you planned to be out of the hotel at 1 how much later than 12 were you really planning on sleeping?
According to you everything else about the stay was satisfactory, the people were friendly, and they offered multiple comps for the delayed service. Unless you're dropping tens of thousands on the tables I don't think there is much justification in getting this worked up about a small miscommunication.
The post itself was very well-written and readable. But if I were Aria I would kindly reply that you are simply not worth the hassle and that they're not going to do any further begging for your business.
Quote: MrRalphI said you have a check out time but no check in time she confirmed yes. I told her that she should repeat that into a recorder and play it back so she can hear how dumb that sounds before she repeats it to anyone else.
I don't get it.
I've booked hotels that say check-in time is, say, 11 AM, but if I arrive at 9 am I check in without problems and am not charged the previous night. On the other end of the spectrum, I've arrived at hotels very late at night, say around 1 or 2 am, and was checked in without any fuss. And again I just got charged for the night I stayed.
The way it was phrased was dumb, but the policy is not.Quote: MrRalph.... I asked well what is your check in time? I was told " we do not have one when ever the room is ready you can check in". I said you have a check out time but no check in time she confirmed yes.
Hotels do have a check-in time. Prior to that time, rooms are assigned if they are available, but they are "supposed" to be available at the schedued time. Is Aria saying that they don't have a scheduled time?
While it is true that housekeeping may not be able to keep up with demand and may not have enough rooms ready at the specified check-in time, surely, they have a target time that they strive to achieve.
In Sept, I go on my first cruise ever. One of the things I am curious about is how they manage to turn the entire ship over in a relatively short timespan. I saw a show about this featuring Oasis of the Seas - the world's largest cruise ship. Although that show focused more on general operations of "Embarkation Day" including restocking supplies, and passenger documentation problems, they did mention that their target window between the last passenger getting off, and the first passenger getting on, is only one hour!
Quote: DJTeddyBear
In Sept, I go on my first cruise ever. One of the things I am curious about is how they manage to turn the entire ship over in a relatively short timespan. I saw a show about this featuring Oasis of the Seas - the world's largest cruise ship. Although that show focused more on general operations of "Embarkation Day" including restocking supplies, and passenger documentation problems, they did mention that their target window between the last passenger getting off, and the first passenger getting on, is only one hour!
Even though they let you on that early you can't get to your room until quite a bit later. The times I went departure was at 5pm. You were not allowed in to your cabin until 4 or 4:30. Then they usually immediately have the safety thing which keeps you out for another hour.
Quote: iwannaiguanaI'm sorry but honestly I can't really sympathize too much with these people. Maybe it's just because I'm not a highroller and have never expected such a high degree of service.
Ok so you informed them not to disturb you which they made a note of not to do. Then when you told them you had changed your mind it took them a while to understand and communicate the mix-up, which was their only fault really. It doesn't sound like the end of the world to me, but apparently it was to you two (I don't quite comprehend how a sub-par cleaning job derails plans to go out to eat). So then you requested another favor to check out late and the housekeeping people came by at 12 to do their job and check to see if you were still there. If you planned to be out of the hotel at 1 how much later than 12 were you really planning on sleeping?
According to you everything else about the stay was satisfactory, the people were friendly, and they offered multiple comps for the delayed service. Unless you're dropping tens of thousands on the tables I don't think there is much justification in getting this worked up about a small miscommunication.
The post itself was very well-written and readable. But if I were Aria I would kindly reply that you are simply not worth the hassle and that they're not going to do any further begging for your business.
We didn't want to be disturbed for the first two days of our stay, so we left the privacy light on. With multiple carts still on our hallway in the middle of the afternoon on the third day, we turned our service light on *and* called housekeeping to inform them. That doesn't seem too high maintenance or unreasonable, does it?
A sub-par cleaning didn't derail our evening. The fact that we couldn't get ready for our evening between 7:30 and almost 10:00 PM is what derailed the evening. We males may only take 15 or 20 minutes to shower and get ready, but some women actually have to wash and dry their hair, apply makeup, etc. My lady is luckily a low maintenance one and I seriously doubt we would have been able to be out of our room before 11:00PM. This is why I said our celebratory evening was "ruined," but not the trip itself.
As for the late check-out, if I get a late check-out for 1:00PM, I do not expect to be disturbed until after 1:00PM. I often pack my bags the night before or the morning of check-out and go back to bed. Again, I do not find this unreasonable, and the fact that there was a breakdown in communication among their staff is what frustrated me. Why carry headsets and walkie-talkies if you are unable to properly use them?
I really don't want Aria to beg for my business. I'd just like them to be aware of some of their issues so they may improve them going forward, and I'd like to think their management cares enough that they would want to be informed of these issues
Quote: EvenBobSeriously, how many showers a day did these people take? Don't they know most of Lake Mead is a parking lot now?
We took showers Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday morning. We needed to take another one after we were gone all day in the heat and humidity (yes, it rained that day).
Quote: DJTeddyBear.
In Sept, I go on my first cruise ever. One of the things I am curious about is how they manage to turn the entire ship over in a relatively short timespan. I saw a show about this featuring Oasis of the Seas - the world's largest cruise ship. Although that show focused more on general operations of "Embarkation Day" including restocking supplies, and passenger documentation problems, they did mention that their target window between the last passenger getting off, and the first passenger getting on, is only one hour!
They huddle the masses into their main sitting/eating areas starting very early, and many people get off starting around 7AM, I think. If you have an early flight, you definitely get off early. If you have a later flight, you can sit in your state room until much later. One other tip I have is, if you are able-bodied, just carry all of your luggage off of the ship yourself, rather than leaving it outside your room the night before. This will save you so much time and effort, and you don't have to worry about whether or not you put something out in your bag that you might need the next morning. If you have questions about the process, PM me.
Quote: seviayWe didn't want to be disturbed for the first two days of our stay, so we left the privacy light on.
Were you in the room all or most of that time? if so, I can understand the problem better. If not, then you really should allow housekeeping in.
Quote:I really don't want Aria to beg for my business. I'd just like them to be aware of some of their issues so they may improve them going forward, and I'd like to think their management cares enough that they would want to be informed of these issues
Even so, if you get a free room offer I'd advise you to call, thank them, and ask whether you can use the offer at another MGM property. That'll teach them.
Quote: NareedWere you in the room all or most of that time? if so, I can understand the problem better. If not, then you really should allow housekeeping in.
Even so, if you get a free room offer I'd advise you to call, thank them, and ask whether you can use the offer at another MGM property. That'll teach them.
Actually, I tend to stay in my room a lot, especially when it's hot. I'll venture out to the pool for an hour or two, but otherwise I am generally in my room during the day, and I definitely don't want to be high maintenance and say "hey I'm going to the pool for an hour, get in here and service my room!" I also find it unnecessary to have housekeeping more than once on a 3-night stay.
I also tend to be a vampire with my Vegas, so I tend to gamble between 11PM and 9AM and sleep during the day. For hopefully understandable reasons, I don't really like anyone entering my room between those hours.
LOL @ the free room offer idea. I am not spiteful enough to do that, but I would love to see the reaction.
Quote: seviayI also tend to be a vampire with my Vegas, so I tend to gamble between 11PM and 9AM and sleep during the day. For hopefully understandable reasons, I don't really like anyone entering my room between those hours.
I can see how that complicates things. Housekeeping is usually done during the day. But if you ahven't had problems before with those shcedules at other places, I won't hazzard to offer any advice.
I used to keep such hours on long summer vacations back in highschool. I liked it better to be awake when the world was tranquil :)
Quote:LOL @ the free room offer idea. I am not spiteful enough to do that, but I would love to see the reaction.
It will probably be by email or phone, so you won't have occasion to see anything. Bummer. But you should try it anyway.
BTW I am very interested in any replies you get. Do please post any follow up. Thanks.
I will definitely update if/when I hear anything.
I'd like to state for the record that I posted this same information on another board (I will not post here because I don't want to flame the site, nor promote it) to share with others. I was shocked by how many people called me a whiny prima donna whose expectations were entirely too high. I appreciate everyone here for providing constructive feedback and reactions without managing to insult me.
Considering I never once abused any member of the Aria staff, nor did I ask for a single comp or freebie at any point, I felt my actions, reactions, and expectations were rather rational. I never intended for anyone to feel like I was some silver-spoon trust fund baby who just waved his hands at everyone and expected genuflection and groveling. I thought I was doing everyone a favor by giving them a heads up, but what do I know? ;)
Let me say one other thing: I liked the Aria, and I would likely stay there again. The scent is subtle, but it got to where we looked forward to it after being elsewhere. Their rooms are nice and comfortable and feel spacious. And as I stated previously, everyone we encountered was very warm and friendly. My biggest "complaint" (other than housekeeping) would be with their VP, but it's the strip, so I understand that you're not going to find great paytables; I'd say if they made it so that was my biggest problem with their casino, they're doing better than a majority of the strip properties. Now I'm just eager to hear back from them so I can update everyone and move on with planning my next trip!
Thanks again
Quote: seviayI find that gaming at night and sleeping (or going to the pool) for some of the day eliminates a great amount of my frustration with what I call the attack of the strollers and stupid tourists. I want to start throwing my shoulder into people who stop in the middle of a crowded walkway or bottleneck. Pull your head out, folks...I now know how Manhattan-ites feel!
That goes on everywhere at all times. At the supermarket I will sometimes bump someone's cart if they leave it blocking the aisle. It is rather amazing how people find the most inconvenient spot to block traffic and stand there.
Quote:I will definitely update if/when I hear anything.
Thanks.
Quote:I'd like to state for the record that I posted this same information on another board (I will not post here because I don't want to flame the site, nor promote it) to share with others. I was shocked by how many people called me a whiny prima donna whose expectations were entirely too high. I appreciate everyone here for providing constructive feedback and reactions without managing to insult me.
I expect any place one tiny iota above a vermin infested dive to provide daily housekeeping once a day. A five star hotel should have it around the clock, along with other services like laundry, dry cleaning, turn down service, etc. Besides, I assume in vegas lots of people ahve nocturnal habits, too, given the lively and extensive nightlife options available. Moreover, Vegas is a kind of 24/7 town for tourists.
So, yes, your complaints were entirely valid and your expectations entirely reasonable.
Quote:Let me say one other thing: I liked the Aria, and I would likely stay there again.
You know, I'm more likely to get mad at minor failures of service at places I like and have frequented before, than at major failures at palces I don't like.
Hardly.
You're staying at a 5 star resort. The Aria failed to meet the level of excellence a 5 star resort tries to achieve. That's all there is to it.
Quote: DJTeddyBear"whiny prima donna" ?
Hardly.
You're staying at a 5 star resort. The Aria failed to meet the level of excellence a 5 star resort tries to achieve. That's all there is to it.
*nods*
When I retorted that anyone who believed my expectations were too high must either "(a) stay downtown, (b) be unable to read, or (c) be the biggest pushover ever," my post was flagged, and I was warned by the moderator for abusive posts. I thought I was just being observant ;)
I still maintain that anyone who believes my expectations or reactions were flawed must stay downtown or be accustomed to being walked all over. I'm glad all of you are more reasonable people!
If Aria wants to play with the big boys and be known as one of the top hotels in Las Vegas, they have to step up their game.
That being said, from your post, it seems like the manager you spoke with did his absolute best to make your stay as best as he could. He handled the situation correctly, and hopefully the Aria will be able to make changes in their training to improve their service at the front line level.
I was thinking of the Venetian/Palazzo or Wynn/Encore.
Are there any other comparables?
Quote: ten2winJust out of curiosity, would or could this situation have occurred at one of the other "5 Star" Las Vegas Strip properties?
I was thinking of the Venetian/Palazzo or Wynn/Encore.
Are there any other comparables?
There's an inconsequential resort next door to City Center that has had pretensions of 5* status in the past.
Quote: seviay
When I retorted that anyone who believed my expectations were too high must either "(a) stay downtown
After 20 stays at the El Cortez and almost as many at the the GN I think you would be rather impressed at the maid staff at both places for a lot less money. But you wouldn't get as many "ohh's" with the hotel name.
Perhaps those of us who stay Downtown would have more fortitude to get the problem corrected.
Quote: fremont4everThere's an inconsequential resort next door to City Center that has had pretensions of 5* status in the past.
The Cosmopolitan is very nice, I guess it would be considered "5 Star" with all the beautiful people running around.
Quote: Wavy70After 20 stays at the El Cortez and almost as many at the the GN I think you would be rather impressed at the maid staff at both places for a lot less money. But you wouldn't get as many "ohh's" with the hotel name.
Perhaps those of us who stay Downtown would have more fortitude to get the problem corrected.
Yep and Yep.
Seems the first thing out of people's mouths when you tell them you're going to Vegas is "Where are you staying?"..who cares! If you go to LA, New York or any other place does somebody ask you where you're staying? Nope.
Quote: ten2winThe Cosmopolitan is very nice, I guess it would be considered "5 Star" with all the beautiful people running around.
That's not the one I was talking about.
Quote: gofaster87People ask where are you staying in Vegas because the hotels out here have character and their own individual ambiance. Nothing wrong with downtown but I wouldn't stay there personally especially with my girlfriend. Dont know about you folks but the women Ive been with want to vacation in luxury or at least a place with a nice pool and be able to walk around at all hours without a bum asking you for money or a smoke. Now that I live here I avoid the strip like the plague but downtown still isnt my cup of tea especially now that the vp isn't as plentiful as many of the locals casinos.
I think people ask about Vegas hotels specifically because everyone has their "favorite" and I think they like to project themselves vicariously into your vacation. I know I'm always jealous about people taking trips there, so I ask.
I agree 100% about the ladies wanting luxury on vacation. If they have to put up with my gambling habits, they can at least relax in comfort and style.
Having never stayed at any DT hotels, I'm perhaps making a leap, but I would guess the beds and pillows at Aria are a lot nicer and more comfortable than a vast majority of those downtown. And while most strip casinos are also smoky, I find DT casinos to be much worse. You're also correct about the seedy aspect of DT. I sure as hell don't feel comfortable carrying even $1,000 around there after about 10PM...it sorta felt like walking around New Orleans or a riverboat casino. There seem to be a lot more people on the edge of desperation and a lot less of a feeling of security from those people. I'd rather stick to the desperate (for cocaine/attention/free bottle service) bimbos on the strip. I at least don't feel like they might cut me for a chance at a crack rock.
Quote: seviayI'm glad all of you are more reasonable people!
I've followed this on both sites and I think you just had bad timing over there, as there was recently a 10 page argument about the Flamingo over there and it seemed the Admin didn't want that to happen again. Mods are tighter over there, that's for sure.
Having said that, I feel opposite on the safety of downtown vs the Strip. There's been three fighting deaths over the last two weeks on the Strip, and then gunfire at the funeral of one of the victims.
Quote: ten2winJust out of curiosity, would or could this situation have occurred at one of the other "5 Star" Las Vegas Strip properties?
I was thinking of the Venetian/Palazzo or Wynn/Encore.
Are there any other comparables?
Bellagio, Caesars, and the Resorts at Summerlin (Rampart) are top-tier properties (4/5 star, 5 diamond).
Quote: gofaster87People ask where are you staying in Vegas because the hotels out here have character and their own individual ambiance. Nothing wrong with downtown but I wouldn't stay there personally especially with my girlfriend. Dont know about you folks but the women Ive been with want to vacation in luxury or at least a place with a nice pool and be able to walk around at all hours without a bum asking you for money or a smoke. Now that I live here I avoid the strip like the plague but downtown still isnt my cup of tea especially now that the vp isn't as plentiful as many of the locals casinos.
Granted I haven't been to LV in 3 months but between FSE and The Strip, FSE has nothing on the strip when it comes to bums and panhandling. The strip is riddled with them. I'm not sure your women would be able to walk the Strip at all hours without a bum asking them for money/smokes. I would bet that after 3 am you would be safer walking the FSE than the strip. But you also avoid the strip and I know walking at most hours of the night around most of the locals casinos wouldn't be prudent.
But after years in NYC my wife isn't afraid when a bum asks her for change she would rather deal with that than the Frat Crowd.
Quote: progrocker
Having said that, I feel opposite on the safety of downtown vs the Strip. There's been three fighting deaths over the last two weeks on the Strip, and then gunfire at the funeral of one of the victims.
Wow, where did this happen? Were they gang/territory related? Or maybe just really classy people?
The quote from Fight Club about "the illusion of safety" kept ringing in my head as I was writing all of that. The Strip just feels safer for me because I don't walk much between casinos, so there's greater insulation from the scourge of the streets, or at least that's how I justify it.
Quote: gofaster87We've had plenty of run ins downtown where my gf was harassed and cursed by bums, never had that problem on the strip at any hour. There are plenty of bums and shady people downtown, they just hide a bit more. The bums on the strip hang out on the bridges and just ask for change, they don't follow you cursing and acting like psychos. I love how the tourists on this site think they know Vegas better than us locals. Not bashing you but you experience a low sample of incidents compared to people that live here and frequent casinos as much as I do.
A reverse question may be what did you do to get them that riled up? Are you saying all the Psycho bums hang downtown and none on the Strip? Truthfully since you say you avoid the Strip and downtown perhaps the tourists do see things you don't as they go there and you don't. Not bashing you but what is your sample of incidents from a place you say you don't go to?
As to the Bridges on the Strip. Urine does stink in the sun.
Quote: gofaster87We've had plenty of run ins downtown where my gf was harassed and cursed by bums, never had that problem on the strip at any hour. There are plenty of bums and shady people downtown, they just hide a bit more. The bums on the strip hang out on the bridges and just ask for change, they don't follow you cursing and acting like psychos. I love how the tourists on this site think they know Vegas better than us locals. Not bashing you but you experience a low sample of incidents compared to people that live here and frequent casinos as much as I do.
I've been to many big cities, including those in Europe, and panhandlers don't bother me. They're open and notorious about their desires, for the most part. The shady people I encounter downtown seem like they might actually be willing to *do* something to me to get some money, whereas those on the strip are just hoping for a spare dollar or two. Whether or not those shady people downtown would actually do something, I don't know...it's just my perception as an outsider. 10 times out of 10, I believe I would feel safer walking the strip at 3 AM than walking FSE at 3AM. The only places I remember feeling similarly to FSE late at night were in Amsterdam (followed and yelled at by a bum who said he just got out of jail and needed money), New Orleans , (no explanation needed) and St Louis (East STL and riverboat gambler crowd), along the river...all late at night as well.
The fact that a local confirms my perceptions makes me feel more confident in my sketchy-bum-dar
Quote: seviayWow, where did this happen? Were they gang/territory related? Or maybe just really classy people?
1 http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jun/25/police-arrests-expected-overnight-slaying-las-vega/
2 http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jul/04/man-stabbed-death-early-monday-las-vegas-strip/
3 http://news.yahoo.com/racial-preceded-fatal-vegas-casino-punch-230355230.html
Shooting at funeral http://news.yahoo.com/gunman-fires-mourners-man-killed-las-vegas-strip-064012502.html
I guess you could make the case that the first two may be gang related. The third was just stupid drunken tourists.
Quote: progrocker1 http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jun/25/police-arrests-expected-overnight-slaying-las-vega/
2 http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jul/04/man-stabbed-death-early-monday-las-vegas-strip/
3 http://news.yahoo.com/racial-preceded-fatal-vegas-casino-punch-230355230.html
Shooting at funeral http://news.yahoo.com/gunman-fires-mourners-man-killed-las-vegas-strip-064012502.html
I guess you could make the case that the first two may be gang related. The third was just stupid drunken tourists.
Thanks for sharing those. There's no way a comment as simple as "a black man in a yellow shirt" was enough to escalate into a fight, though, right? That's not even racist.
To throw a monkey-wrench into this, places like O'Sheas are just downtown properties located on the strip, as far as I'm concerned. I might even include Bill's in that mix. All of those slots-a-fun, casino royale, and o'sheas type casinos that are open to the strip are just like DT and definitely attract a lower echelon of person. I don't say that in a judgmental way or with any sense of superiority, because I have gambled at all of them...but there's good reason I haven't been to any of them in probably 3-4 years. I gamble late at night, and those aren't the types of places that attract nice people at 3AM. They're definitely fun, but not for any serious gambling or carrying a serious amount of cash.
Quote: gofaster87People ask where are you staying in Vegas because the hotels out here have character and their own individual ambiance.
People also ask where you are staying in Vegas as a quick way to gauge how flush you are or how much you play. Much like some of the hotel mentions on this forum.
Quote: seviayThere's no way a comment as simple as "a black man in a yellow shirt" was enough to escalate into a fight, though, right? That's not even racist.
I'm pretty sure those weren't the exact words used.
Quote: fremont4everThat's not the one I was talking about.
Which one were you talking about? Mandarin?
Quote: progrockerI'm pretty sure those weren't the exact words used.
That's what I'm thinking...there must have been some words beginning with "F" or "N" to incite that amount of anger, right?
Quote: seviayI agree 100% about the ladies wanting luxury on vacation.
When the boyfriend or husband is paying, sure. Otherwise you'd be surprised where a woman is willing to go ;)
Speaking of that, is it legal to carry pepper spray and/or a taser in Vegas?
Quote:Having never stayed at any DT hotels, I'm perhaps making a leap, but I would guess the beds and pillows at Aria are a lot nicer and more comfortable than a vast majority of those downtown.
Sure. But also better than those at IP, Flamingo, Casino Royale and other Strip properties. a new luxury hotel usually beats an older one of the same class, at least for a few years.
Quote: seviayWhich one were you talking about? Mandarin?
Mandarin Oriental is part of City Center, so no.
Sigh. I was talking about the one with the lake, the dancing fountains, poker central (except, possibly, during the WSOP), the apple of Steve Wynn's eye once upon a time, the current crown jewel of the MGM empire, the one, the only, BELLAGIO.
