Hotel

This thread is to be used to discuss hotel accommodations at Aria.

Aria had a whopping opening in baccarat.

Because ARIA was a new casino in December, it was put in the same category as the small casinos by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. This allowed an unusual look at the return on the baccarat tables for the individual casinos. The 21 baccarat tables made an average of over $1 million per week for the two weeks that they were open in December. The baccarat revenue broke all records for December ($155 million in one month).

Blackjack, slots, and the rest of the pit games continue to drop month after month for over 2 years now. There is no sign that they have hit bottom. The low end is barely earning a profit. MGM MIRAGE is now making less than $3 per day per room at Circus Circus. In contrast, the customers at Excalibur are very profitable. They don't want to spend a lot on the room, but they are going to clubs, bars, gambling and shopping and they are surrounded by MGMMIRAGE properties. The Circus Circus people have coolers in their room and are drinking beer and eating sandwiches.

Will ARIA finally kill the low end of Vegas? Circus Circus, Riviera, possibly the Sahara?

Given the Aria's proximity to the Mandarin Oriental, it's not a surprise that Baccarat did extremely well there.

We walked through the Aria casino last weekend (not in the hotel) and found that the casino was very far off of the strip (or seemed quite far, from inside; from outside it was actually a quick walk down the hill).

The Aria is also very dark inside (darker than the Mohegan Sun and about as dark as the Luxor) and was not cheerful at all. I think it is definitely catering to the Asian population. I wonder how it will do. Mrs Mimbo thought it was a complete miss while I thought it was kind of cool in a serious gambling kind of way (meaning that I would probably enjoy it if I was a serious gambler).

Quote: pacomartin

Will ARIA finally kill the low end of Vegas? Circus Circus, Riviera, possibly the Sahara?

I don't know. The rooms at ARIA/CityCenter coming online will definitely depress room rates more, which were finally holding steady (even increasing) after months of decline. Will it have a trickle down effect? Hard to say. ARIA will attract customers who usually stay at Bellagio, Wynn, MGM Grand, etc. In turn, those properties will have to lower their rates in order to keep rooms filled. Then, people who usually stay in Luxor, Monte Carlo, Harrah's, etc. will start graduating to those properties because they are cheaper. You see where I am going here. Eventually Circus Cirucs will have to lower their rates to below the break-even point. At that point MGM will have to make a decision to keep it operating at a loss, or close it. They are already trying to sell but nobody is buying at this point.

There are so many externalities that it's hard to predict what will happen, but I would lay odds on one north strip property ceasing operation in the next two years.

I think you have to look at the whole strip and the competitiveness of Aria with other strip hotels. Aria is just another MGM property in its line of properties. Bellagio is MGM's crown jewel and the Aria I think is probably their #2 hotel on the strip.

But its 4,000 rooms will just add to the entire MGM's inventory. For me, the location of the hotel is too set back from the strip at the back of the MGM Citycenter complex.

But given there is at least 80,000 rooms available on the strip between the Stratopshere and the Mandalay Bay, adding 5% to that total will increase competitiveness even more. Certainly, with the recession and convention traffic being down, hotels on the strip are in trouble.

But I can't see any strip properties closing any time soon, with the exception possibly of some far north properties. But with the Fountainebleau opening far up on the strip and the delay of Echelon place, I can't see the Riviera, Sahara, or Circus Circus being imploded anytime soon. Perhaps when Echelon Place gets completed and there is a continuous path of properties from the Wynn northward will these hotels sell out. Just my opinion of course.

Quote: boymimbo

We walked through the Aria casino last weekend (not in the hotel) and found that the casino was very far off of the strip (or seemed quite far, from inside; from outside it was actually a quick walk down the hill).

The Aria is also very dark inside (darker than the Mohegan Sun and about as dark as the Luxor) and was not cheerful at all. I think it is definitely catering to the Asian population. I wonder how it will do. Mrs Mimbo thought it was a complete miss

we went through aria a couple weeks ago and both felt the same way. the casino is way too far out of the way of the strip. other properties are like that on the strip, but they make the access from the street so it doesn't seem so isolated. it's also a pain to walk down the strip on that side of the street as you have to zig zag in and out of the property instead of having a clear shot of sidewalk right along the street. this probably would discourage card snappers, but makes a long walk even longer.

as to appealing to the asians, i don't think they have a clue, but we'll see. i think changes will be made sooner than expected. i could point out a list of things, but generally it's a very cold feel. not what asians appeal to. we stayed a couple nights at the venetian so went through palazzo, wynn and encore. opposed to aria, the encore went overboard on the other end using too much red! sorry but red is not the only thing that appeals to asians, but at least they got a little closer in their attempt. if both properties are trying to attract asians how can they look and feel so different! at least one of them missed the point.

by the way i did notice that smell in the venetian casino. i actually noticed that smell before but it didn't bother me. the smell still doesn't bother me, but now that i am aware of it, 'notice' is an understatement. the smell is too overbearing, which is why it might bother some people.

.

Total	Rooms	income/room day	08/09
The Mirage	3,044	$67.28	-25%
MGM Grand LV	6,852	$49.33	-27%
New York	2,024	$61.52	-39%
Bellagio	3,933	$109.42	-39%
Excalibur	4,008	$32.79	-43%
Mandalay Bay	3,309	$54.51	-55%
Luxor	4,407	$23.33	-56%
Monte Carlo	3,002	$15.00	-65%
Circus Circus	3,774	$2.91	-88%

I am listing the MGM properties in order of how much the hotel income dropped from 2008 to 2009. Income is not the same as "total revenue", this is how much the corporation is making after their expenses. Income is listed as "dollars per available room per day".

Mandalay Bay took a severe hit because of the loss of convention business. Monte Carlo should improve dramatically since it provides a lower cost way to stay near ARIA.

Circus Circus went from the least profitable hotel to the least profitable hotel that is now almost losing money. Excalibur (the other budget hotel) is very profitable).

The hotels may make money but the corporation still is losing money because of front office expenses.

I recieved a three free night card from the Aria and decided to take them up on it (10-13 March). I thought the place was pretty cool - and different. The room was comfortable, the people were all very friendly and went out of their way to give directions or help. Nice shuttle down to the Bellagio, great sports book and nice pool/spa area (although they were charging 30 bucks to use it). I had a bankroll of 4K, was playing 10 dollar full odds craps and 25-50 dollar blackjack, and they comped all my meals. I know a lot of people are giving it average or below average reviews, but I had a really nice time (although I did drop about 2 grand playing craps)....the only thing I didn't like is that they only had 5 dollar full pay jacks or better poker.

Can someone tell me if Aria has Pai Gow Tiles. I'm interested in going there, but want to play tiles.

I dont remember seeing Pai Gow Tiles there...but I wasn't specifically looking for it. According to the Aria website they have both Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker.

I stayed at Aria for one night in February. Had a regular room and really liked it. While some have complained about the electronics, I did not have any problems...and I loved the tub right next to the shower. (Call me crazy, but while most don't seem to like the idea, I loved it.) The bed was super comfortable and overall I would definitely stay there again.

My stay included a special room rate and a 75$ resort credit, of which 30$ went towards a single breakfast in the Cafe. Yup, 30$s for eggs, toast, sausage, coffee and OJ for one person. It was good, but not 30$ good. After that experience I didn't even bother with any of the other restaurants at Aria. Since I only had the room for one night, I went over to Bradley Ogden @ Caesars for dinner at the bar and had one of the best burgers of my life. Price you ask??? 29$ for a three course prix-fixe meal excluding wine. Excellent service, excellent food and excellent wine. I highly recommend the 07 Alloro Pinot Noir. I cant wait to go back!

That's the second time I've heard an unsolicited recommendation for the $29 prix fixe at Bradley Ogden. I may go over there next trip to blow some Total Rewards credits.

Quote: teddys

That's the second time I've heard an unsolicited recommendation for the $29 prix fixe at Bradley Ogden. I may go over there next trip to blow some Total Rewards credits.

This $29 is only in the lounge (in the restaurant the Prixe-Fixe is $59). The lounge dinner is salad, burger or fish and chips, and cookies. It is cheap for a Michelin one-star restaurant, but it is pretty expensive bar food. We should repost under Ceasars if you want to continue discussing this restaurant.

Nick,

Just read your article on Aria. I was there the same weekend. FYI, the in-room safe is the bottom drawer of the nightstand between the beds (at least in the rooms with 2 queen beds).

Nice write-up.

Quote: pacomartin

I am listing the MGM properties in order of how much the hotel income dropped from 2008 to 2009. Income is not the same as "total revenue", this is how much the corporation is making after their expenses. Income is listed as "dollars per available room per day".

Does the table reflect the belief that one-third of rooms are comped?
If a room is bringing three dollars a day, one would think they would simply give the room away via a website reservation system and have one check-in clerk on duty per shift. If Circus Circus customers are using ice-chests and sandwiches does this mean they are problem gamblers or that even people on razor thin budgets still like to have a "vacation in Vegas" where they can splurge and buy a big bag of ice for the cooler?

According to my analysis of your math, each Baccarat table was bringing in almost fifty grand a week around opening time at the Aria. How does this compare with Big Baccarat tables at places such as Wynn or the Venetian?
Are figures available for a MiniBacc table at the Aria? Is there such a thing as a MiniBacc table at the Aria?

From what you describe, I see the Aria's rooms as totally irrelevant to Circus Circus via either direct or indirect market pressures.

Quote: FleaStiff

Does the table reflect the belief that one-third of rooms are comped?
If a room is bringing three dollars a day, one would think they would simply give the room away via a website reservation system and have one check-in clerk on duty per shift. If Circus Circus customers are using ice-chests and sandwiches does this mean they are problem gamblers or that even people on razor thin budgets still like to have a "vacation in Vegas" where they can splurge and buy a big bag of ice for the cooler?

According to my analysis of your math, each Baccarat table was bringing in almost fifty grand a week around opening time at the Aria. How does this compare with Big Baccarat tables at places such as Wynn or the Venetian?
Are figures available for a MiniBacc table at the Aria? Is there such a thing as a MiniBacc table at the Aria?

From what you describe, I see the Aria's rooms as totally irrelevant to Circus Circus via either direct or indirect market pressures.

1) No, the table does not represent the belief that 1/3 of rooms are comped.
2) The $3 is the revenue they are getting over and above expenses.
3) Aria baccarat tables were bringing in a million per week for the first two weeks. After that they dropped to around $50K.
4) Yes, most of the casinos with full size baccarat also have mini-baccarat. According to NGC publication 25 full size and 6 mini baccarat tables.
5) You are probably correct in saying that Aria's rooms are totally irrelevant to Circus Circus. There is an effect that they talk about where the people who used to stay at Circus Circus now stay at Excalibur, and the Excalibur people now stay at the Luxor, etc.

Quote: JB

This thread is to be used to discuss hotel accommodations at Aria.

Well, perhaps this is a tad bit off-topic but there was a bit of publicity about some Haymakers being thrown at Aria by notables from the LA "music" scene. I wonder if such publicity will hurt their bottom line for awhile or not.