Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

May 31, 2006 1:51 AM Posted by Mike E

"Bare" takes the cake as the worst single word, single syllable name in Las Vegas and there's a lot of competition in that category. I could definitely see MGM Mirage changing the Secret Garden's name to "Zoo" any day now.

May 31, 2006 6:03 AM Posted by Rob

Hunter � I've read your recent contributions about the Mirage's changes with great interest - and this looks like another change consistent with the previous ones - namely to make the resort appeal to a younger clientele.

I've previously stayed at the Mirage - but as I'm approaching the age of 40 (more quickly than I'd like!) I'm having second thoughts about revisiting. I loved the previous feel of the place and I'm not convinced I'll like the recent changes.

What's your and your readers view on MGM Mirage's marketing strategy as a whole? Which hotels are targeting which types of visitors?

I�d previously thought that TI & Mandalay Bay would be the hotels within the group primarily targeting the �PAARRRRTTYYY!!!� market � but this no longer looks to be the case.
I�m considering Bellagio for my next visit � and Wynn is looking very attractive too (although a lack of walk-up Bars is a negative for me).

May 31, 2006 7:24 AM Posted by snark

Well I'll be checking into the Mirage on June 8th for a three night stay. I'll check out progress. Hope the pool area is not too disrupted. I'll also report back my impressions of the overall Mirage changes since my last stay.

May 31, 2006 7:52 AM Posted by Hunter

I think about this a lot. Besides Wynn Las Vegas, The Mirage is my favorite place to stay, even more than Bellagio.

First off, I'm smack in the middle of the demographic they are converting to appeal to. That said, I don't go for a lot of the things my peers like, such as spending all the time in the nightclubs vs. the casino - I prefer the casino environment to the clubbing/partytime environment.

They are certainly trying to attract a younger crowd and it is WORKING. I was shocked to see how dramatic the change in the average customer was the last few times I was there. It seems STACK and JET have seriously brought in the 'hip' element.

Also, revenues for The Mirage were up last quarter, so expect MGM MIRAGE to continue down this path. The strategy is paying off for them and accomplishing the goals they set.

Some of the changes are very well done. The new high limit room is a huge win for MGM MIRAGE's design team. They did a great job. Other items like the STACK restaurant have a cool design and good food. These are welcome.

They removal of the Baccarat Bar was a mistake in my estimation. It opens up the casino floor too much and removes a centralized gathering point that was a popular spot to 'reset your emotional clock' (to use a 'Wynn-ism'). A new ultralounge called Revolution is being added this Summer with a Beatles theme. We'll see.

The show, LOVE? Well, I'm a Beatles fan and I guess I would call myself a CDS fan, even if I am a little sick of them (love Mystere and O though). I'm cautiously optimistic. I love Danny Gans - he's a winner.

Removing Ava to add a lounge for Japonois? We'll see. I liked the lounge though I never cared for the cheesy musicians. I hope the Onda lounge renovations come off well - that's a cool hideaway.

Generally, the transformation at The Mirage is being handled much better than what took place at TI, with much higher quality results.

The rooms are due to be re-done very soon as well. We'll see.

That's my $0.02.

May 31, 2006 5:47 PM Posted by socalduck

I stayed at the "new" Mirage a few months back, and without rehashing my previous post on the experience, I think they are doing a great job. At 40, I'm probably on the high end of the new target demo, but I certainly didn't feel out of place or uncomfortable (unlike the Hard Rock or Palms). Service was great and it was fun.

June 2, 2006 3:16 PM Posted by TracyVision

Just stayed at the Mirage last night. The new adult pool is *very* under construction right now and is at the back of property next to the dolphin habitat, where the Secret Garden used to be, I think. They've got a lot of work to do to have that open this summer. Can't wait to see it completed though. We love seeing our favorite place getting away from the family scene.

July 10, 2006 10:47 AM Posted by Hunter

There are renderings on The Mirage Web site:

http://www.mirage.com/amenities/amenities_bare.aspx

VERY sterile. Not sure about how this will look in 'real life' but it is not great looking here.

July 10, 2006 11:57 AM Posted by Brian Fey

Shocker, very contemporary, just like everything else MGM does! But at least they are doing something, new is good, its exciting, it keeps it interesting!

July 10, 2006 12:10 PM Posted by detroit1051

VERY sterile is right! Hunter, if they're aiming at the younger guest, they should be concerned about your reaction; you're right in their target market.
The renderings remind me of some of the pool areas at some "chic" hotels on South Beach like the Delano and Shore Club; very minimalist. They are owned by Morgans Hotel Group which bought the Vegas Hard Rock.

July 10, 2006 1:38 PM Posted by Mike E

Very uninviting. I know this hip pool scene is all about lounging around and not really getting in the water, but that looks like it belongs in a prison. I'm sure it'll look much better when complete.

July 10, 2006 7:34 PM Posted by Sean

This whole European bathing thing is an interesting fad/trend. Is the extra money paid really worth it? Is it just a bunch of guys looking to see topless women? Is the service better? Comfy chairs?

July 11, 2006 12:29 AM Posted by a

wow . that has no life in it at all. No wonder they call it 'Bare'

April 26, 2007 1:47 PM Posted by Robert

I have lived in Vegas now for 3 years, am in my low 40s and have to tell you age is irrelevant in Vegas. But if you feel old here's your best bet, in order:

Bellagio (hands down the best in Vegas. why waste you time going anywhere else..!!!)

MGM Grand

Caesar's

and as for Wynn....(worthless..all the way down to the fake, warped grass...!!!!!)

May 6, 2007 8:17 AM Posted by detroit1051

Summary of topless pools in Vegas:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/do/2007/may/06/566686093.html

July 8, 2007 5:17 AM Posted by detroit1051

Tao Beach has reversed course and is no longer topless. What would have caused Adelson to make this dscision? It was just a quick fad? The location of Tao Beach wasn't right for topless?
"Keep your shirt on! That's what the operators of Tao Beach at The Venetian are telling women who want to lounge around Strip pools without swimsuit tops.
Despite the growing popularity of European-style sunbathing at hip Strip resort pools, The Venetian no longer allows women to lounge topless.
Tao officials weren't very revealing when it came to discussing the change.
"In the course of our operations at Tao Beach, we have found that the topless aspect was not vital to our success," a Tao representative said in statement.
But for women who prefer to go topless, pools at the Wynn Las Vegas, Stratosphere, Manadalay Bay, The Mirage, the Flamingo and Caesars Palace still offer the European experience."
http://www.lvrj.com/business/8377962.html

February 26, 2008 3:09 PM Posted by Bradley

As a former employee of over 14 years. I have seen the place rapidly sliding downhill. I they think that the crowd that made the place what it was will return for the new changes, THEIR OUT OF THEIR GOD DAMN MINDS! Take a good look at the changes in the casino. Putting $5.00 cheap wood paneling over expensive rock facing is insane. I don't care if the tropical theme was Mr. Wynn's idea's or not, it's better than what they're changing it into.
If you stay there, I say good luck and keep your head down.

February 26, 2008 6:58 PM Posted by BrianFey

I agree with you. So far the only good changes made at Mirage, have been Stack, and Love. But most of the changes to the casino area, are just really horrible.

February 27, 2008 11:00 AM Posted by detroit1051

Brian, I agree with you on some of the changes at The Mirage and have complained about them, especially what they did to Kokomo's. However, Fin and Japonais are excellent additions to the property. I also like the high limit room at the rear of the casino.