What follows are notes of items we noticed or heard about in our most recent trip to Vegas October 22 - 24, 2008. Nothing is in any order of importance or relevance...just things we thought might be of interested.
Summer Bay Desert Club - The move from Old Summer Bay LV to new Summer Bay Desert Club has happened and all operations have left the old resort. There is only one remaining building which we were told will be torn down next week. In the rumor department, it's belived this property will be merged into something called "Caesars World", which involves the razing of both the Harrah's and Imperial Palace Hotels & Casino's. With the economy being what it is, don't expect that to happen soon (or at all), but they've been in a hurry to raze the old Summer Bay. More on the new resort at http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82988
HGVC @ LV Hilton (aka Karen) - As an owner at the Karen HGVC, I was able to get a day use pool pass and utilize the pool and hot tubs there after a very long day at the convention center. My wife wanted to play at the Hilton casino and I was too tired. Note, the HGVC has a shower available off the main restrooms (near the elevators) which is accessible via the pool pass key card.
HGVC Flamingo - Construction appears to be in progress as the units are being updated, 1 floor at a time. While I have nothing first hand to report on this, I did notice a truck with floor tile unloading as well as a construction dumpster screened in front of the location.
LV Hilton - Star Trek Experience just inside from the monorail station is now closed. No idea what is happening or what might become of it's space and the related Quarks Bar just outside of it.
Flamingo Hotel - (not HGVC) charges $12.95/day for wifi or cabled internet access in the room.
HGVC Club Card - No longer works as a line pass at LV Hilton Buffet (or at least not this last visit). It's still good for 10% off at the buffet, it just doesn't help with the line any longer.
Monorail - GONE is the 10 ride pass which was sold by the LV Monorail. Formerly good for a year, the 10 ride pass was $32 and often discounted when large trade shows and conventions were in town. Now you are limited to a single $5 ride, a 1 day pass for $12 or a 3 day pass for $28.
Also now, service booths (with a real live person) are now only staffed at the ends of the lines, MGM & Sahara. The remaining booths are sitting closed for now. Automated machines still work at all stations.
LV Convention Center has plans for a facelift out front, which appears to be adding or extending the second story across the entire front area. A model of the facelift sits in the lobby, upstairs in front of the managment office there. The sign stated begins spring 2008...eh, yeah. Economy strikes again...but they have plans!
Highway 15 Speed Enforcement near Primm - Nevada State Troopers and California Highway Patrol appear to be working in swarms, with several police cars working as teams, pulling several motorists over in unison, along a very short distance between them near Primm (aka Stateline). Very noticeable as they cluster the stops close together.
Summer Bay Desert Club - The move from Old Summer Bay LV to new Summer Bay Desert Club has happened and all operations have left the old resort. There is only one remaining building which we were told will be torn down next week. In the rumor department, it's belived this property will be merged into something called "Caesars World", which involves the razing of both the Harrah's and Imperial Palace Hotels & Casino's. With the economy being what it is, don't expect that to happen soon (or at all), but they've been in a hurry to raze the old Summer Bay. More on the new resort at http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82988
HGVC @ LV Hilton (aka Karen) - As an owner at the Karen HGVC, I was able to get a day use pool pass and utilize the pool and hot tubs there after a very long day at the convention center. My wife wanted to play at the Hilton casino and I was too tired. Note, the HGVC has a shower available off the main restrooms (near the elevators) which is accessible via the pool pass key card.
HGVC Flamingo - Construction appears to be in progress as the units are being updated, 1 floor at a time. While I have nothing first hand to report on this, I did notice a truck with floor tile unloading as well as a construction dumpster screened in front of the location.
LV Hilton - Star Trek Experience just inside from the monorail station is now closed. No idea what is happening or what might become of it's space and the related Quarks Bar just outside of it.
Flamingo Hotel - (not HGVC) charges $12.95/day for wifi or cabled internet access in the room.
HGVC Club Card - No longer works as a line pass at LV Hilton Buffet (or at least not this last visit). It's still good for 10% off at the buffet, it just doesn't help with the line any longer.
Monorail - GONE is the 10 ride pass which was sold by the LV Monorail. Formerly good for a year, the 10 ride pass was $32 and often discounted when large trade shows and conventions were in town. Now you are limited to a single $5 ride, a 1 day pass for $12 or a 3 day pass for $28.
Also now, service booths (with a real live person) are now only staffed at the ends of the lines, MGM & Sahara. The remaining booths are sitting closed for now. Automated machines still work at all stations.
LV Convention Center has plans for a facelift out front, which appears to be adding or extending the second story across the entire front area. A model of the facelift sits in the lobby, upstairs in front of the managment office there. The sign stated begins spring 2008...eh, yeah. Economy strikes again...but they have plans!
Highway 15 Speed Enforcement near Primm - Nevada State Troopers and California Highway Patrol appear to be working in swarms, with several police cars working as teams, pulling several motorists over in unison, along a very short distance between them near Primm (aka Stateline). Very noticeable as they cluster the stops close together.