Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

August 18, 2011 11:36 PM Posted by Dana

I don't know if you guys heard yet, but the Twitter Twerps somehow bluffed their way onto Huffington Post.

My apologies if this was already addressed in the podcast, but my workplace has blocked your website at work so I can't listen to the podcast.

August 19, 2011 10:45 AM Posted by detroit1051

Lots of good info on The Linq and Harmon. Thanks. What I found most interesting was the discussion about Cosmopolitan's casino results. I doubt anyone from Deutsche Bank listens, but I'm sure John Unwin and others do. Cosmo needs to build up its gaming clientele as you guys said. Since it's easier to control revenue from slots than it is from tables, I'm surprised they haven't pushed slot play and promotions more than they have. If they are doing it, I'm not aware. The site's Casino section doesn't grab the reader with offers/promotions. I suspect most of the casino hosts came from other Vegas casinos. They should publish their names and photos like Bellagio does. It might just push a host's previous customer to call and give Cosmo a try. After the first year is up, the novelty of the terraces and bars/restaurants will start to fade. Before that happens, they've got to get some repeat casino business.

Always enjoy it when "the guys have their monthly talk with Hunter." :)

August 19, 2011 1:38 PM Posted by chuckmonster

detroit... cosmopolitan has had an ongoing "lose 100$ and we'll give you your money back" slot promotion for a few months now, even extending it beyond deadline.

the biggest promotion a slot floor can do is loosen those bitches up and generate some winner buzz. nothing says chicken dinner more than vegas friends posting jackpots and vp winners on their twitter feed. plams is (was) known for this, so was PH at one point as was main street station.

August 19, 2011 9:36 PM Posted by John

Jeff's comment, rent out the entire south side and give the casino $100 - priceless.

August 23, 2011 7:37 AM Posted by Phil

With the Harmon going down, I think its a prime opportunity to now create a proper marquee. The thought that the design of this project was so great it didn't need a sign was a false premise. The challenge now is to create a sign worthy of the architecture that surrounds it. Sorry but the marquee behind the hotel on I-15 doesn't cut it, the no imagination LED jumbotron is too played out.

August 23, 2011 7:46 AM Posted by Christopher Tatro

Did Chuck actually recommend watching "Spock's Brain"? I think this podcast just lost all credibility.

August 23, 2011 7:54 AM Posted by DoubleD

Great Podcast, as usual. Really insightful stuff.

Hunter - Is the Jawbone Jambox *really* worth it?

August 23, 2011 9:18 AM Posted by Hunter

On the Jambox... I really like mine. Actually, my wife liked it so much she stole mine and I had to get another one.

It's certainly not cheap ($200). When I saw the price at first I was surprised - seemed high. I can report that it's well made and works great. I bring it along with me when I travel and I use it as a speakerphone on my desk too.

As for if it's worth it, I guess all I can say is that if it was stolen or I lost it, I'd buy another one.

September 6, 2011 7:21 PM Posted by socalduck

Great discussion, as always. Cosmo's relationship with Marriott has been the key factor in driving room demand. MR members, by and large, love Cosmo, especially platinums, as it is one of the few Marriott-affiliated properties where top tier members can regularly get meaningful room upgrades (i.e., wraparound suites) plus free breakfast at Wicked Spoon. The only problem is that a lot of them don't gamble, or at least not much, so there is not much benefit to the casino. However, if Cosmo does get serious about chasing the high-limit business, I suspect the MR guests will find those upgrades much harder to score in the future.

September 14, 2011 5:40 AM Posted by Eric

Interesting episode, sorry I waited so long to listen to this one.

One interesting aspect of Linq that I haven't heard anyone mention: it permanently connects those three properties (Harrah's, HorseP, Flamingo). Not that I've heard any speculation about CET selling off one of those casinos. But for the rest of their existence, basically, those 3 properties are now permanently "linqed."

If CET did want to sell in the future, all 3 would have to be sold as a group, right? These three properties will be tied to each other the way Bally's/Paris are, to where it's inconceivable one could be sold without the other(s).

I know MGM sold off TI, even though a tram links TI & Mirage. But that's just a tram, and could easily be discontinued or dismantled altogether if one or both parties wanted to. Linq is permanently altering the infrastructure of those properties.

September 22, 2011 4:44 PM Posted by girlygirl

Glad you mentioned the carpet in some of the baths at the IP. I have told people about that and no one believed me.
Carpet in the bath/toilet area at the IP creeped me out so much I went out and bought a cheapy tarp (.88) at a home store to throw on the bathroom floor. I suppose I could have asked for a different room, but I was a timid LV newbie and didn't know any better.
I heard they also did the carpet in the bathroom at the "unrenovated" Plaza. eeeeek.