Tahoe needs a luxury casino
July 25th, 2012 at 7:58:52 AM
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Tahoe needs a 5 star luxury casino resort. But it will never happen: the market for gambling in Northern Nevada has been decimated by California's Indian casinos.
Yes, there's a Ritz Carlton, but it caters to skiers, not gamblers. Gamblers looking for an alpine version of Wynn or Bellagio must settle for either the Hyatt or Harrahs. The Hyatt is lovely, but its casino floor is tiny. And Harrahs was luxurious by the standards of the 1970s, not by today's standards. The other casino options (Harveys, Montbleu, Horizon, Lakeside, Biltmore, Cal-Neva) are basically 3 star hotels. Even Reno has fancier accommodations (Tuscany Tower at Peppermill) than any casino in Tahoe.
The irony of all this is that Lake Tahoe has the most spectacular natural beauty of any gambling destination in the United States. Mark Twain said it best: "At last the lake burst upon us--a noble sheet of blue water lifted six thousand three hundred feet above the level of the sea, and walled in by a rim of snow-clad mountain peaks that towered aloft three thousand feet higher still! As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole world affords."
Yes, there's a Ritz Carlton, but it caters to skiers, not gamblers. Gamblers looking for an alpine version of Wynn or Bellagio must settle for either the Hyatt or Harrahs. The Hyatt is lovely, but its casino floor is tiny. And Harrahs was luxurious by the standards of the 1970s, not by today's standards. The other casino options (Harveys, Montbleu, Horizon, Lakeside, Biltmore, Cal-Neva) are basically 3 star hotels. Even Reno has fancier accommodations (Tuscany Tower at Peppermill) than any casino in Tahoe.
The irony of all this is that Lake Tahoe has the most spectacular natural beauty of any gambling destination in the United States. Mark Twain said it best: "At last the lake burst upon us--a noble sheet of blue water lifted six thousand three hundred feet above the level of the sea, and walled in by a rim of snow-clad mountain peaks that towered aloft three thousand feet higher still! As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole world affords."
July 25th, 2012 at 8:56:38 AM
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Apparently you (and twain) never saw Lake Tahoe during the drought years.
Besides - what northern California tribal casinos would compete for "five-star" dollars (especially without sports books)? Ever try getting to, say, Cache Creek?
Besides - what northern California tribal casinos would compete for "five-star" dollars (especially without sports books)? Ever try getting to, say, Cache Creek?
July 25th, 2012 at 11:27:34 AM
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Tahoe has strictly became a tourist destination...not for gamblers at all..
coincidentally, gamblers have all went to Thunder Valley (out of Sacramento)...i was there on a Sunday afternoon and it was PACKED!!
coincidentally, gamblers have all went to Thunder Valley (out of Sacramento)...i was there on a Sunday afternoon and it was PACKED!!
Gambling calls to me...like this ~> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nap37mNSmQ
