Nobody Likes Caesars Palace

Yesterday I realized that nobody likes Caesars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas. This is nothing new and not really a surprise to me, but it’s definitely a fact. I’ve been living in Vegas for just over a year now and have a lot of visitors. Some will stay at Caesars properties since they get great rates through Total Rewards but, in generally, nobody chooses a Caesars property to meet for a drink or meal. Since I live here I usually let other people choose where we’re going to meet when they’re in town.

Not once in my 14 months living in Vegas has anyone ever chosen to meet me at a Caesars property.

Most people know I’m Diamond status with Total Rewards (some know that I’ve been Diamond for a few years) and can get free drinks and/or snacks at the Caesars properties but they choose other places to meet even if Caesars properties are all around. I’ve been a supporter of Caesars properties since Atlantic City was my hub for gambling when I was on the east coast. For the most part, they’ve always treated me well.

While you may think people are choosing the new joints (Cosmopolitan or CityCenter), they aren’t. They are choosing places up and down the strip from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere. In the past week I’ve come to Bellagio 3 times. No biggie. I love Bellagio. I’m actually writing this at the sportsbook bar while I wait. Note, there is a pretty big selection of of smaller breweries on draft here. Nice.

Anyway, I love stopping at different casinos to meet people and don’t mind paying for a drink or a meal. I just find it interesting that zero percent of people have cared to visit a single Caesars property when visiting Vegas.

UPDATE: Since I drafted this yesterday, the people I met with let me in on their thoughts (they had no idea about this article). One person was staying at Caesars Palace and said that he didn’t mind staying there when he was alone, but he would never go there with his wife (he had a room in the forum tower that was is major disrepair). The other person was staying at a newer room at Hard Rock and loves the newer room and said he doesn’t visit Vegas unless he’s living it up. Caesars properties don’t do that for him.

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7 Comments

  1. Justin

    I almost always stay at Caesars properties, particularly because I get comped rooms now and the Total Rewards program is great. My dad had always been a Harrah’s guy in Atlantic City for years, too. I generally do most of my gambling at a CET property as well. I stay in the Forum Tower whenever I’m at Caesars, and the rooms are great. I’m wondering if your friend was in the old part of the Forum Tower, as I always get a renovated room.

    But in general I agree with the sentiment. Caesars properties are older, and I think older is their demographic. They aren’t necessarily a fun and exciting place to be, depending on your definition. Yes, they are renovating more rooms at Flamingo, and they have some plans for the future (whether Linq happens or not is another issue), but they aren’t exciting properties. I love Caesars Palace for the familiarity and the restaurant selection — New York-oriented restaurants are littered throughout (Mesa Grill, Rao’s, and now Old Homestead), and I’m a New York native now living in Chicago. I love Flamingo because it has a comfortable feel to it. Maybe it’s more like what I envision old Vegas was like…I don’t know.

    But other properties toward the south like Cosmo and the Trop, which I LOVE) definitely seem more exciting to me. Stratosphere and Bellagio throw that theory off a bit, of course. I think the south Strip slants younger, which I’m not always looking for (though I’m in my mid-30s). Planet Hollywood is probably the only property that fits that mold (at least in my perception).

    Caesars properties are generally older, and I just think people want newer experiences. And Caesars has a long way to go to keep up with other properties (particularly MGM) in that respect.

    Just my $0.02.

    • Marc

      I think you’re right about wanting new experiences. I’m sure a pub like the one at Monte Carlo at one of the Caesars properties would help. At least bring some of my friends there. Thanks for the perspective. It will be interesting to hear more thoughts on this.

  2. JMP

    tell you what, IF I ever make it back to Vegas, you can take me to any Diamond Lounge you wish. I hope you’re still in Vegas in 2029, when Baby MJP turns 18!

    • JMP

      meaning that, he’d probably be off at college. wasn’t implying i’d bring an 18 year old to vegas so he could gamble.

  3. Very interesting insights. I hope the people from Caesars Entertainment see your post.

    • Marc

      Thanks Scott. I’m not sure without a top down change in company aesthetics there’s much that can be done to make the properties more desirable for a drink or meeting. Maybe The Linq project will fix that.

      The person I mention that stayed @ Caesars Palace and had poor room conditions emailed a complaint after his stay and has not been responded to yet. I think that’s a much easier fix.

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