No longer gouging? $600 a night? I guess I'm a cheap skate as there's no way I'd pay $600 a night for a room. Will I gamble a good amount, yes I will that's why I can get a comped room on no notice even if they are full up as they always keep a few rooms available especially for overseas guests. But that's my choice and entertainment to gamble. I guess I'm a cheap skate as $600 a night is price gouging to me especially since no matter where I go I never am in the room. I only need a bed and shower that is clean. I go to Venetian not because of the rooms but because I enjoy the hotel, tables, location, services, environment etc... I did not enjoy, or I felt the places were lacking something at Bellagio or Wynn or MGM or TI or Station (which my parents enjoy) or others but did enjoy Mandalay. I'm not a snob as I used to enjoy the dealers at IP and was fine there of all places, I'm just more comfortable at Venetian and I think most folks have their favorite places, especially if they have a good host. If there was another hotel where I was comfortable at, and that place was $30 a night I'd stay there, it just happens that I've been pretty loyal to Venetian over the last five years or so. If my host left to another hotel, then I'd probably try the new hotel once and follow him and if I was happy I'd stay if not I'd go back to the Venetian.

As I said I go in for ASD/ASM and that's not small but I have / had no idea what room rates are lately or during large shows or whatever and 600 a night shocked the pants off me. Now I guess I understand why my family thinks I'm crazy to stay at the Venetian over Station or others. I'm going in for a football game but to make it work also I am having suppliers from the west coast come in to meet me while I am there and they can't find rooms acceptable to them because of CES so a few of them are coming in the morning and leaving that night, not even staying over due to the prices and hotel situation. I'm just glad I have a history with the hotel and can get in and they keep you rated for rooms even during busy times. I just hope they don't put me near the trade show floors but even if they do it probably wouldn't bother me. Heck they could put me in the basement mail room with a shower and I'd be fine.