Returning to Life

 For the first day of 2025, a post on this long-dormant domain. Greetings.  Fitness options in Silicon Valley have changed and yet remain the same. A landscape of chain gyms, a large scattering of specialty shops - pilates, yoga, focused training. 

Anyway, no commitments that more will be coming, but we will see.

I Used to Love the Neon - Sigh

 

I used to walk the strip, engaged in the neon signs and sadly miss those these days. There's a great article about the history of neon lights in Vegas from UC Davis called "A Bit Bright": The Rise and Fall of the Neon Signs in Las Vegas.

Anyway...my last trip there (Summer 2024) I realized I needed to get with the program, and enjoy the digital that now populate all of Vegas, not just the outside lights. Much of the digital still appears as clutter to me but I came to enjoy the reflections and versatility.

Caesars Vegas properties say show me the money - the resort fee money

The big, "No resort fee" campaign just went down in smoke, as all the Caesares properties have added resort fees as of March 1, 2013.  Yes, the famous "We won't do it" figured that no matter how much guests hate it, they don't cancel trips because of it, and have announced that they are charging a resort fee of $10 - $25 per day for all of its Vegas properties.

And why? According to the NBC.com coverage, guests requested it: “We do a lot of surveys of our customers and most of them were, one, accustomed to paying resort fees at our competitors and, two, they wanted us to provide them with a package price instead of having the inconvenience of separate fees,”  according to spokesman Gary Thompson. 

This is spin that's bad by any definition.

Vegas just keeps getting less fun.

Element Hotel in Las Vegas adds pedal-power to charge your tablet

An announcement on Dec. 10 alerted me to the fact that guests of Element Hotels now can pedal their way to a fully charged tablet or smart phone. Since there is an  Element Hotel in Summerlin, at 10555 Discovery Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89135  it seemed like an interesting tidbit to pass along.

The pilot to Element’s Pedal for Power program, unveiled at Element Miami International Airport’s opening event, saw bicycling enthusiast and Starwood president and CEO Frits van Paasschen join associates in a pedal-pushing effort that generated enough electricity to power up flat-screen plasma monitors and laptops for a virtual ribbon-cutting. 

According to the press information, the Element Hotel fitness centers are well equipped and open 24 hours. Saline pools and bikes to borrow are available to give travelers added incentive to get up and go. 

Other tenets of the brand’s commitment to balanced living on the road include the following:

• Guest rooms and public spaces are designed to be bathed in natural daylight, as guests’ mood and productivity are improved in a well-lit environment.
• Complimentary RISE breakfast offers healthy options including egg white wraps and fruit smoothies.
• Seamless connectivity is offered via free Wi-Fi in public spaces and in guest rooms, which also include ergonomic chairs at workstations.
• Guests can work, relax and fuel up on their own schedules, with kitchens in every room and a fully stocked 24/7 grab and go gourmet pantry.
   

Sandy-related fundraiser Vegas style: food, drinks, entertianment

If you're in Las Vegas Sunday, Dec. 9 head to the fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Sandy.
  

Vegas restaurants and chefs with roots in both New York City are holding a fundraising event,  “Start Spreadin’ the News,"  11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York Hotel & Casino .

For a $100 ticket (available at RedCrossLasVegas.org, NewYorkNewYork.com/Sandy) guests will sample food from celebrity chefs Scott Conant  and Francois Payard  as well as cuisine from 22 of the city’s top restaurants; six bars featuring specialty cocktails, craft beers and wines; and appearances and entertainment from Las Vegas personalities.

Restaurants from across The Strip will feature an array of signature dishes and New York–inspired culinary delights:

• Bellagio: Todd English’s Olives
• Caesars Palace: Payard Patisserie & Bistro and Rao’s
• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. Enoteca
• Crystals at CityCenter: Todd English P.U.B.
• The Forum Shops at Caesars: The Palm Las Vegas
• Mandalay Bay: Aureole
• MGM Grand: Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak and Stage Deli
• The Mirage: Carnegie Deli and BLT Burger
• New York-New York: Broadway Burger, Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs and Bonanno’s New York Pizza
• Paris Las Vegas: Gordon Ramsay Steak
• The Venetian & Palazzo: B&B Ristorante, Carnevino, Otto and Bouchon Bakery
• Smith & Wollensky

Bar stations provided by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada will offer craft beers, an array of wines and five specialty cocktails handcrafted by mixologists from the United States Bartenders Guild with assistance from Back Bar USA. P

aying homage to New York City, the featured libations will include “Yankee Doodle,” “Forgetaboutit!,” “Eastside/Westside,” “The Neighborhood” and “‘5’ Boroughs.”


In addition to several surprises adding to the excitement, all attendees will receive a commemorative chip reading, “When the ‘chips’ were down, Las Vegas stepped up to help those who were dealt a bad hand by Hurricane Sandy, 12–9–12.”

Bye Bye Bill's Gambin' Hall. Upscale boutique finally a reality

On Nov. 30, 2012, Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR)  announced its previously arranged $185 million, seven-year senior secured credit facility will fund the conversion of Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon to a boutique lifestyle hotel and casino.  The renovation includes the addition of a rooftop pool as well as a dayclub/nightclub.  Drai Management Group will manage the club.

"This project exemplifies our strategy to develop new experiences that will help attract a broader spectrum of visitors to Las Vegas and our properties," said Gary Loveman, chairman, chief executive officer and president of the company. "The renovated property will provide visitors with a sophisticated, upscale experience, including a unique rooftop pool and club, which will have a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip."

The conversion includes the complete remodeling of the guest rooms, casino floor and common areas, the addition of a new second floor restaurant, and the construction of the 65,000 square foot rooftop pool and dayclub/nightclub. 

Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon will temporarily close on Feb. 4, 2013 to accommodate the remodeling.  The renovated hotel and casino is expected to open in early 2014, under a new name, while the rooftop club will open later that year. The renovated resort and club are anticipated to employ more than 1,000 people.