My very first trip to Las Vegas was as a seven-year-old on a family summer road trip from Michigan to California. There are a number of sights that are embedded especially arriving on the Vegas Strip and seeing that huge gaudy neon sign of a male cowboy mounted on the now-defunct hotel and gambling hall, The Pioneer Club. So many years later, as clear as day, I can remember that neon lighted sign welcoming my family and millions of other tourists!
As one of the world’s favorite hedonistic meccas, Las Vegas continues to find a way to land on its feet no matter the obstacle whether 9-11 or the 2008-09 recession and now the pandemic of 2020. For most consumers when times get tough, entertainment is the first to go. Yet Vegas once again is showing its resiliency as the state of Nevada rolls out their opening phases and casinos and hotels announcing their individual processes of re-opening working diligently to recapture their guests.
The gambling industry’s social media platforms messages all are welcoming and extending a hand to travelers that assure Sin City is safe to return with extensive safety precautions in place.
When arriving in Las Vegas by private jet, there are 3 airports to land that are less than 15 minutes of downtown. All three share their commitment to providing a healthy and safe environment by communicating their procedures on their websites with regards to what visitors should expect upon arrival at the terminal. As of the posting of this blog, the state of Nevada is requiring face coverings to be worn in public by all residents and visitors.
· McCarren International Airport -Ten-minute drive from Downtown Las Vegas; Largest of the airports servicing both commercial and private planes
· Henderson Executive Airport -13 miles from the Las Vegas strip
· North Las Vegas Airport – 3 miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas; 2nd busiest airport serving Las Vegas area
Beginning with car service departing from the airport, resort hotels’s VIPs immediately enjoy exclusivity, access, and indulgence. Hotel resorts CEOs and their management teams are battling an enemy unlike past incidences regarding terrorism within our borders or events leading up to drastic economic downturns. 2020 will be known as the year businesses were forced to focus on the health and safety of the buying public. Whether flying on a plane, residing at a hotel, or dining at a restaurant, no industry can rest on their laurels when it comes to the well-being of their clientele. Casinos are communicating with visiting guests to following the CDC and WHO’s guidelines of wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing hands, while providing the Nevada Gaming Control Board strategies with regarding to physical barriers on the gaming floor and in hotel rooms.
When a high roller or dignitary arranges to visit a preferred casino hotel, employees recognize the large amount of money that will be gambled. The casino’s VIP treatment will naturally come down to accommodating every whim and desire during the time on the resort property. This responsibility is the undivided focus of a VIP host or personal concierge.
“Standard” service will grant the usual access to discrete entrances and lobbies, private lounges, exclusive playing rooms, restricted elevators to the hotel’s lavish guest rooms and luxury transportation to and from the airport. VIP programs will also arrange for personal chefs and butlers, exclusive seating at the hotel’s nightclubs, private showings of merchandise especially jewelry, and other indulgences that a VIP may request.
The host has the same tasks in negotiating a list of comps and incentives that the casino will have at the ready dependant on the amount of money the arriving VIP is willing to play. The comps and incentives range from cash bonuses paid upfront, discounts on any losses accumulated above a certain amount, complimentary dining and drinks, personalized parties…the sky’s the limit to creating a perfect visit.
Industry critics and publications have named the following exclusive casino resorts and hotels as offering the most luxurious accommodations and amenities for the demanding affluent and VIP guests and responding appropriately to the virus with their new policies:
· Book Signature at the MGM Resort Hotel
· The Rio All-Suites as of this blog post’s date, according to their site the hotel has not
reopened yet
· The Aria
Before closing, I want to recognize a hometown son, Derek Stevens, who made his fortune as co-owner of two casino resorts, The D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Casino which re-opened June 4th. For any Michigander visiting Vegas, arrange a stay or visit the Detroit themed gambling property, that imported two recognizable pillars of the Detroit restaurant scene, American Coney Island and the Andiamo’s Italian Steak House.
And despite the pandemic setback, he and his partner’s third project, Circa Resort & Casino is moving ahead with an opening date scheduled for December 2020 with state of the art accommodations along with visionary amenities including 3 level stadium arranged swimming pools all accessible to a 40 feet screen for televised sporting events, the largest 3 story sports-book and a Garage Mahal for an “elevated” experience in car parking – a resort built for the true sports heads.
So how about this for full circle? Vegas Vic’s, my neon sign childhood greeter to Vegas, his wife Vickie (show in the picture above) will be making her new home at the Circa Resort! I look forward to showcasing this native Detroiter on the grand opening of his new property and chat about bespoke in the hotel industry in a future blog! – AJ
So what Casinos properties hold the title for four or five-star service in your opinion? Share your thoughts in the comment section below or on Twitter!
In addition to obtaining information directly from the casino hotels sites, we also would like to thank these sites for content:
Business Insider – Luxury Hotels in Vegas
Bloomberg, Inc – Secrets of the Las Vegas High Roller
Hat Tip to the following photographers:
· Kevin Walker – Mandalay Bay
· RJA1988 – Wynn and Encore Properties
· Thomas Haas – MGM Grand
· Filip Filipović – Caesar’s Palace
· Michelle Maria – The Bellagio
· Wallula – Come back soon
· Greg Montani – Roulette Wheel
· Bishnu Sarangi – The Venetian
· Skeeze – Vegas Vic and Vegas Vickie
· Javon Swaby – Casino Dealer
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