Celebrated our son's 21st with a 2 night stay at THEhotel (3/5 to 3/7/06). We learned that this hotel had been bought by MGM over a yr ago and we could tell even before we were told that something major had changed. The last time we stayed here everything was perfect. This time there was a definite lapse in service. Our suites were lovely and spacious as ever. They were clean. The light in the major bathroom was out, radio went off (snooze mode) early in the morning, another light bulb was burnt out and main tv volume was broken (either too loud or not loud enough). We called the appropriate people to fix all but the tv (we had given up by the time we found this out). Some one from engineering came and never did fix anything after spending 20 mins in our bathroom. When we were asked at check out about our stay we told the check out clerk our experience and she reimbursed us for the internet fee which was about $25 for the two nights. This did help, but I think service will continue to decline in the future. We decided that if we get a "deal" we may stay here again since we do like the casino and restaurants. Otherwise I think we'll go back to the Wynn. Just a heads up for any one who may be even more finicky than us! The more important thing though was that we all really enjoyed our son's bd celebration. He and my husband and his 2 buddies played poker and our son won a Texas Hold'Em tournament! In fact he ended up winning about $1G between poker games, twenty-one and a try at slots!

Thanks for the update ^

M8

Sounds like your son had a nice birthday. You guys must be "cool" parents. I don't think I even wanted to be in the same time zone as my parents on my 21st birthday. It's now 15 years later, and I still wouldn't want to spend a weekend in Vegas w/ my parents (or parents-in-law)!! :D

Actually we are very cool when we pay (if you know what I mean)!

I think it unlikely that any perceived decline in service was a result of the takeover by MGM-Mirage. That being said, Wynn is certainly the best in town.

QL

I think it unlikely that any perceived decline in service was a result of the takeover by MGM-Mirage. That being said, Wynn is certainly the best in town.

QL

QL,

I haven't see your trip report on Wynn. Did you post one? Searched to no avail, I'd like to read your opinion.

Thanks,

M8

I think it unlikely that any perceived decline in service was a result of the takeover by MGM-Mirage. That being said, Wynn is certainly the best in town.

QLI've heard that the Bellagio service has gone downhill since being bought by MGM, too. Haven't been back there since our 1st stay a few yrs back so no personal experience. Just been reading this site and have read the same from many others. If we stay at either the Bellagio or THEhotel again I'll let you know. Both, I'm sure are still much nicer than many other hotels in Las Vegas of their class. ;)

QL,

I haven't see your trip report on Wynn. Did you post one? Searched to no avail, I'd like to read your opinion.

Thanks,

M8
My husband and I stayed at The Wynn for our anniversary in Sept 05. We got a great deal from Travelocity from SF0 including a resort room and airfare on America West for $250 each for 2 nights. I won at the slots and played enough to earn a free buffet for 2 ($15 breakfast/$20 lunch/ $30+ dinner). We loved the breakfast and dinner buffets we ate there. Also ate at a deli twice that we enjoyed. Room was very nice, very clean, very comfortable king bed, flat screen tv. Curtains and lighting were powered by the bed. Had hi-speed internet (I think I connected my travel router for wireless). We had all the free drinks one could drink in the casine while gambling. They use top shelf liquors. Husband played poker and craps and had fun. We saw Le Reve which we enjoyed but I have now seen enough of the Cirque de Sole type shows. We ended up paying for all the above with our winnings and came home with about $500 to pay bills with! Since that time we have been offered 3 free rooms at the Wynn (by the Wynn) but have not been able to go at the specified times. I would highly recommend the Wynn. (Oh, my mom and I gambled there on our most recent trip at the beginning of March 06 and since she was a new gambler there she needed 50 pts to get 2 free buffets. Needless to say we had lunch there on our way back to the airport--delicious!) ^

My husband and I stayed at The Wynn for our anniversary in Sept 05. We got a great deal from Travelocity from SF0 including a resort room and airfare on America West for $250 each for 2 nights. I won at the slots and played enough to earn a free buffet for 2 ($15 breakfast/$20 lunch/ $30+ dinner). We loved the breakfast and dinner buffets we ate there. Also ate at a deli twice that we enjoyed. Room was very nice, very clean, very comfortable king bed, flat screen tv. Curtains and lighting were powered by the bed. Had hi-speed internet (I think I connected my travel router for wireless). We had all the free drinks one could drink in the casine while gambling. They use top shelf liquors. Husband played poker and craps and had fun. We saw Le Reve which we enjoyed but I have now seen enough of the Cirque de Sole type shows. We ended up paying for all the above with our winnings and came home with about $500 to pay bills with! Since that time we have been offered 3 free rooms at the Wynn (by the Wynn) but have not been able to go at the specified times. I would highly recommend the Wynn. (Oh, my mom and I gambled there on our most recent trip at the beginning of March 06 and since she was a new gambler there she needed 50 pts to get 2 free buffets. Needless to say we had lunch there on our way back to the airport--delicious!) ^

Well nice report! ^ And you seem like another one of us Las Vegas junkies :D We are twice a year junkies, but working on becoming quarterly junkies. Yes, I can hear the waterfalls of the Wynn calling :D

I've heard that the Bellagio service has gone downhill since being bought by MGM, too. Haven't been back there since our 1st stay a few yrs back so no personal experience. Just been reading this site and have read the same from many others.

When was your stay? The buyout was 6 years ago, can't really blame today's quality decline on a merger that happened 6 years ago.

Bellagio opened in late '98, got bought by MGM in early '00. The guy that ran Bellagio pre-MGM was up until very recently the President of Mirage Resorts which runs Bellagio. Most upper management was unchanged at Bellagio after the buyout.

This time around when MGM-Mirage bought Mandalay Resorts it was house sweeping time at Mandalay and whatever differences you notice will be for better or worse a result of the buyout.

I have not posted a Wynn trip report other than bits and pieces in my various blog entries.

It's one thing to say service declined from Wynn ownership to MGM-Mirage -- expected -- and quite another to say it declined from Mandalay Resorts Group to MGM-Mirage -- doubtful.

QL

I have not posted a Wynn trip report other than bits and pieces in my various blog entries.

It's one thing to say service declined from Wynn ownership to MGM-Mirage -- expected -- and quite another to say it declined from Mandalay Resorts Group to MGM-Mirage -- doubtful.

QLI can only speak from our experience. ;)

Well, you had a great stay and a bad stay at an enormous hotel that changed hands between companies both known for inconsistent service. Really, the only place in town I expect excellent service is Wynn.

QL

It's one thing to say service declined from Wynn ownership to MGM-Mirage -- expected -- and quite another to say it declined from Mandalay Resorts Group to MGM-Mirage -- doubtful.

QL

^ Agreed! The higher end properties of both organizations had similiar service levels before the acquisition IMO.

Just got back from my 4th stay this year at Mandalay Bay and IME have not seen any change in service.




T

Stufla-

Leaving for THEHOTEL Tuesday night for March Madness, staying through Sunday. Everything i am reading implies it is impossible to get anything of any value comped at Mandalay Bay.

What has been your first hand experience? What keeps you going back? Have you played Bali Hai? any chance on getting a 'normal' green fee rate off the inflated $375 this week b/c of the NCAA tourney?

Lot o' questions for ya. Thanks in advance

MRM

I have not posted a Wynn trip report other than bits and pieces in my various blog entries.

It's one thing to say service declined from Wynn ownership to MGM-Mirage -- expected -- and quite another to say it declined from Mandalay Resorts Group to MGM-Mirage -- doubtful.

QL

But it didn't and it did.

But it didn't and it did.

I would disagree. I have stayed at Bellagio many times and found the service very spotty. Wynn, on the other hand, is top notch.

I have stayed at Mandalay Bay and Luxor several times before and after the merger and found no difference in service other than that they stopped supplying shaving cream in the suites per MGM policy.

I do not dispute that people may have had good or bad experiences, but I disagree with the conclusion that MGM-Mirage is much worse than MRG. I guess it's moot now anyway.

QL