Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

August 8, 2006 12:35 AM Posted by motoman

Comparison of techniques, yes. And as I mentioned to Hunter, very different philosophies as well. Even under ground, Steve Wynn sweats the details.

(Excerpt: "In contrast to Le Reve, at Mandalay Bay, .... 'Our focus will be fast-track, lightweight construction.' ")

Bear with it and read all six pages, it's fascinating. Very innovative technique was used for Wynn's foundation. At the end of the article, the participating architects and contractors are named.

August 8, 2006 5:06 AM Posted by detroit1051

Thanks, Motoman and Hunter. I hope we don't have to take a test on concrete construction! As a layman, I decided I am more comfortable with the integrity of Wynn's construction than with the process used at Mandalay's THEhotel.

Remember when Mandalay Bay was first constructed, and the entire tower started sinking? I'm not surprised a concrete trade publication wouldn't discuss that.

Here's an article from the RJ in 1998 about MB's "sinking problem". It seems like ancient history discussing the new resorts opening at the time.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/1998/Oct-15-Thu-1998/news/8394689.html

August 8, 2006 8:05 AM Posted by motoman

Hey detroit:
The article made me wonder about *all* the resorts. The whole valley floor is that loose desert dust eroded from the surrounding hills. Makes you wonder how they'd stand up to a major quake or something.

And yes, Wynn's foundation was built like bridge pilings, very sturdy it sounds like. The Mandalay guy said their goal was "fast-track, lightweight." Great....

August 8, 2006 11:32 AM Posted by detroit1051

"And yes, Wynn's foundation was built like bridge pilings, very sturdy it sounds like."

Wynn also built Beau Rivage in Biloxi stronger than anyone thought he should. Although it sustained a lot of damage from the water surge and then a subsequent mold problem thanks to Katrina, the structure maintained its integrity. Steve has often been criticized for spending too much, but he does it right!

October 31, 2006 9:20 PM Posted by Tom MIlbank

Called well before getting into Las Vegas and was told by host that I would be in a salon suite on and RFB based on my play. Arrange a credit line for me and my wife sets one up as well. Combined we have $100K to play with on our 3 day stay not whales but we're there to gamble not to see the pirates at Treasure Island.

We pay our air for two roundtrip 1st class from NYC and we can't wait to get to the new Wynn.

I call back three days before we're to get there and the host I spoke to does not even know who I am but the credit department sure does as they OK'd our lines and verified our play in other casinos.

The host was clueless and told me that $500 as an average bet was not enough for them.... never mind that my wife plays $25.00 video poker for like 6 hours a sitting.

Who the hell do these people think they are?

If anyone out there is a player, I say stay away from these people, as the Wynn has forgotten all about what it is to build relationships.

Is this a reflection of Steve Wynn? Is this what Wynn is all about?

If 500.00 a hand BJ players and $25.00 video poker plays are too low life for them, they are going to have a very empty casino.

So for the record.... The Wynn is the worst casino I NEVER stayed at.

October 31, 2006 10:05 PM Posted by Hunter

Tom,

Those are some big numbers.

I have heard several stories of bad communication between hosts in that department so that part doesn't really surprise me *too* much.

Once the credit was approved and they called in your play to verify against some other joint, that's the point where they should have started to take notice as at that point they have proof they have a 'live one'.

The person you talked to was flat out wrong.

This past August, a friend of mine stayed in a Salon Suite and was comped the room with an average bet of $200/hand and about 6 hours of play per day. He too had some communication problems with the host but once the play was in the computer and check-out time came, everything was fine...

Based on my experiences and that of my good buddy, what you were exposed to is not the way they (try) to run the shop - sounds like mistakes were made... It's not my job to sell the place but I'm guessing if you tried again you'd have a better experience.

One thing I did notice - my buddy often has a very short fuse. I was listening as he was talking on the phone with these guys and I could tell that he was starting to get a little pissed off and it sounded like the host was too. Of course a pissed off host isn't going to be good for the player, even if it's not the players job to keep the host happy...

Where did you end up staying, if you don't mind me asking?

November 1, 2006 7:11 AM Posted by detroit1051

Wow! That's very unusual. It's got to be a problem with the host (which does not excuse it.) Wynn has a reputation of being much more liberal than Bellagio and other properties; some say Wynn is "buying" the business. Tom, even though you'll probably never set foot in there again, I hope you let Wynn management know what happened.