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.

37-foot neon showgirls to stand over new zipline in downtown Las Vegas

I hope you caught the announcement about the Fremont Street Experience adding a new SlotZilla-themed zipline. 

While I think it's a fun sort of tacky, wonderful touch to the already frenzied fraternity house atmosphere that has become downtown Las Vegas, I have to admit that what I like the most is not what's getting the headlines.  Well, it got MY headline above: the two, 37-foot showgirls that are on the upper zipline platform.

For some reason, that makes it all ok. Check out the full article, and see some pics of Fremont Street while you're looking.

9 out of top 10 US nightclubs are in Vegas

The magazine Nightclub & Bar recently announced its list of the top 100 most successful large nightclubs in the US, and nine out of the top 10 are in Las Vegas.  

It's not really a surprise to anyone who has watched the economics of Las Vegas move from gambling to clubbing and shopping, but very interesting.  Marquee, XS, Tao, Pure top the list.  Can you guess the rest?  Take a try then check out the facts. http://www.nightclub.com/files/ncb/Top100Chart_Web2012.pdf 

If you're curious about how a nightclub works,  (and though alcohol is the $$, it's not what clubs are actually selling), check out this interesting TEDx talk that Explains How Nightclubs Work.

Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas

There are already an abundance of  pics throughout the web showing the Cosmopolitan Hotel's rooms and art, so during my recent stay, I focused on some of the smaller details that I liked about the hotel.

I liked the wall paper in the toilet area - and when you look below, you'll see the design upclose.  Like everything in the hotel, there are little "delights for the eyes" everywhere

I liked that the tv in the sitting area of the terrace studio room had plenty of ways to connect devices easily

Throughout the public areas there are all sorts of interesting sitting areas.  Above and below are two that caught my fancy

I liked having a micro - I was able to warm water for a cuppa tea w/o paying room service $10 to deliver it

I loved the display windows in the retail stores - here is a shop on the second floor of the hotel - looking close (below) you'll see it's hundreds of antique sewing machines, and it's impossible not to get carried away with the idea of the stories each one represents

So the mini-bar is in keeping with the demographics of the hotel:  a $7.50 box of condoms

Even in the casino there is digital art - in the section of the casino along the Strip, there are small beaded enclosures with slot machines and constantly changing digital images

A new twist on being buried in the desert

An interesting new offering in Vegas - a company called Dig This, that is being offered to meeting planners as a team building exercise. 

It's a heavy equipment company where corporate attendees can operate 15-ton Caterpillar excavators and 10-ton bulldozers.  

Every experience starts with safety lessons and equipment overview then in-cab training and then the activity.  It takes place on five acres of land and lasts   from 90 minutes to five hours, depending on the package booked.  According to Incentive Magazine, where I picked up this tidbit, the teambuilding activity is designed for 30 to 40 participants.  Of course, all I can think about is how companies might want to learn to bury their past.  Too much gangster lore for me I guess.

Anyway, good luck to Dig This.  If you know anyone who has taken part in one of the company's adventures, post a comment about it.

Missing Vegas? take a look at this Philip Bloom 4 min video shot from MGM Signature

24 Hours of Neon from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.