Sounds like minibar prices are no longer limited to the minibar. $$$$  The prices for in-room snacks and beverages are just crazy!   

i can see charging for early check-in or late check-out.  Housekeeping needs time to make rooms ready for new guests. 

Some services during your stay are not done daily.  But, when you check out, they have to perform every service before someone else checks in.  If the allotted time for that is cut by a 2-3 hours to accommodate late check-outs, then the hotel may need more housekeepers and room cleaning equipment.  Early check-ins also reduce that time available, making it harder to ensure you have a room ready upon arrival.

The "mini bars" now have more stuff than just food/drinks too. "PLeasure kits" that have condoms and lube, phone charging cords, phone battery pack, i've even seen tylenol type stuff too.

I was at Cosmo about a year ago playing $15 craps. No waitress came by for about an hour. Had a guy betting black chips and had about $800 on the table at any given time. He asked the pitboss where's the waitress and pit boss shrugged his shoulders. I get if he did that to me who has only $66 on the table, but to respond like that to a "high roller" is unacceptable. The guy was pissed too.

This was the only table open and had about 4 of us on it. So it's not like it was busy.  The pitboss should have got on the phone and made a call to have drinks sent over. I'm sure there's a way to do that and also take everyone elses order at the same time. 

I had to go to the store nearest to the craps table as I was very thristy. I spent $14 on a 1L Fiji water.

I totally understand the logistics in getting rooms ready and early check-in does make it more hectic for the hotel to accommodate.

Problem with me is they never charged it before.  High end places I understand.  They have a standard that people who want to stay at those places expect.

But I stay at the "regular" places that never used to charge this fee before.  And I never cared if I see some "not too clean" spots here and there.  Being able to check in early was greatly appreciated.

I think this stuff happened after covid and nobody wanted to work anymore.  biden made it easier to just stay home and collect checks from the government.

I totally understand the logistics in getting rooms ready and early check-in does make it more hectic for the hotel to accommodate.

Problem with me is they never charged it before.  High end places I understand.  They have a standard that people who want to stay at those places expect.

But I stay at the "regular" places that never used to charge this fee before.  And I never cared if I see some "not too clean" spots here and there.  Being able to check in early was greatly appreciated.

I think this stuff happened after covid and nobody wanted to work anymore.  biden made it easier to just stay home and collect checks from the government.

I think another huge factor that's not said is it's up to the front desk person as well to charge or not. I know lots who are asked to pay and many who aren't asked to pay and they aren't "gamblers".  The logic is if it's not charged, maybe you will tip.  The "$20 trick".  Applies to upgraded rooms too.

The $20 trick still remains and hasn't gone up due to inflation or anything, which is good.  This has been around for decades.

i hear that some hotels charge if things are even moved in the minibar or refrigerator...

i hear that some hotels charge if things are even moved in the minibar or refrigerator...

Some use a combination of infrared motion sensors and RFID tags to monitor the removal of items from the minibar accurately.  As soon as motion is detected, it tracks anything you remove even if you're just reading the labels and putting them back.

Others use wireless tags to augment manual inventorying to see what needs restocking.

If you don't intend to use your minibar and want to avoid unintentional charges, you can usually request the minibar be locked to prevent anyone from rummaging and racking up charges.

I'm sure part of the minibar prices includes the technology they use to track usage and identify which items are most popular.

https://hotelchantelle.com/how-do-minibars-in-hotels-track-what-is-taken/

i hear that some hotels charge if things are even moved in the minibar or refrigerator...

Some will charge you the momement it's moved.  Some will charge you after 30 seconds if it's not put back. 

The new thing are the smoking censors that can pick up vaping as well.  At TI for the past few months have been known to give off false alerts and no one is sent to your room once the silent alert goes off.  You don't know until you check out and see the $500 charge. So it's not like a smoke detector that beeps when triggered.

Some will charge you the momement it's moved.  Some will charge you after 30 seconds if it's not put back. 

The new thing are the smoking censors that can pick up vaping as well.  At TI for the past few months have been known to give off false alerts and no one is sent to your room once the silent alert goes off.  You don't know until you check out and see the $500 charge. So it's not like a smoke detector that beeps when triggered.

Sensors are not the only evidence hotels use to detect if someone should be charged for cleaning.

If you're a heavy smoker and you smoke in your car with the windows up and AC blasting, you're going to have the particles and smell of smoke all over your clothes and skin.  Leaving your stinky clothes in the room for a couple of days can result in the need to do a thorough cleaning to remove the smell.

Also, any tangible evidence of smoking or vaping can cause you to be charged for cleaning, such as cigarette butts in cups or aluminum cans, vaping liquid packaging or containers, used matches, etc.  Some have been charged for cleaning for simply bringing the car ashtray into the room to be dumped in a trashcan and washed.  Ashes alone can create the smell of smoking.

Basically, guests need to think about what they are doing to avoid the cleaning charge.  Anything smoking or vaping related needs to kept away from the room, and any packaging, receipts or empty vaping vials should be left outside or thrown in a trashcan/dumpster elsewhere.

Hotels will try to gather photo evidence when they can to support room fees charged for damage to the room (e.g. smoke damage), but the evidence may be as thin as housekeeping reporting a smell to management, and management verifying the smell themselves.  Pretty hard to dispute that kind of evidence since it's someone's nose justifying the accusation!

Resorts World not only has free parking till end of August, but now no resort fee.

We went there last month and it was dead. I was like 1 of 5 playing slots in the entire place. Tables had maybe 1 player at every other table.  This was a Wednesday around lunch time.

Resorts World is near the end of the strip in no mans land, so harder to attract people.  And I heard service is lacking since it opened.

I've been wanting to stay there since I have the Hilton credit card for upgrades and credits.  It's just there are better and cheaper places to stay on the strip off-peak.

i hear that some hotels charge if things are even moved in the minibar or refrigerator...

The Palazzo has a refrigerator.  It's completely filled with minibar stuff so I can't put leftovers in it.  I could try and squeeze it in but I'd knock over stuff and get a big mini-bar bill.  That's irritating.

I just saw a video of Danny the Medic.  He went to the MSS Buffet.  Evidently the MSS Buffet now offers a snow crab leg Buffet on Saturdays dinner only.  It also features some fish, shrimp, clams, and a variety of really great dishes like Prime Rib, sushi, and the usual staples like fried chicken, pork ribs, beans, mexican food, and their signature Hawaiian dishes way in the back.  The Hawaiian dishes feature beef stew hawaiian style, shoyu chicken, mahi mahi, manapua, and kalua pork.

Now this is the type of buffet the MSS was once famous for and I'm glad they brought this type of buffet back, albeit only for Sat. dinner.  But at $33.95 it is a great deal in my opinion.  Eat a prime rib and a plate of crab legs and you are already ahead value wise.  Can't get that at a sit-down restaurant and it's all you can eat also.

I hope this change becomes a permanent thing for the MSS buffet.  It is the only buffet in Downtown and it's bound to draw more people to MSS.  Boyd Gaming usually makes some dumb decisions but I think this is a good one.

I just saw a video of Danny the Medic.  He went to the MSS Buffet.  Evidently the MSS Buffet now offers a snow crab leg Buffet on Saturdays dinner only.  It also features some fish, shrimp, clams, and a variety of really great dishes like Prime Rib, sushi, and the usual staples like fried chicken, pork ribs, beans, mexican food, and their signature Hawaiian dishes way in the back.  The Hawaiian dishes feature beef stew hawaiian style, shoyu chicken, mahi mahi, manapua, and kalua pork.

Now this is the type of buffet the MSS was once famous for and I'm glad they brought this type of buffet back, albeit only for Sat. dinner.  But at $33.95 it is a great deal in my opinion.  Eat a prime rib and a plate of crab legs and you are already ahead value wise.  Can't get that at a sit-down restaurant and it's all you can eat also.

I hope this change becomes a permanent thing for the MSS buffet.  It is the only buffet in Downtown and it's bound to draw more people to MSS.  Boyd Gaming usually makes some dumb decisions but I think this is a good one.

It looked a lot better precovid. Quality wise.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

I just saw a video of Danny the Medic.  He went to the MSS Buffet.  Evidently the MSS Buffet now offers a snow crab leg Buffet on Saturdays dinner only.  It also features some fish, shrimp, clams, and a variety of really great dishes like Prime Rib, sushi, and the usual staples like fried chicken, pork ribs, beans, mexican food, and their signature Hawaiian dishes way in the back.  The Hawaiian dishes feature beef stew hawaiian style, shoyu chicken, mahi mahi, manapua, and kalua pork.

Now this is the type of buffet the MSS was once famous for and I'm glad they brought this type of buffet back, albeit only for Sat. dinner.  But at $33.95 it is a great deal in my opinion.  Eat a prime rib and a plate of crab legs and you are already ahead value wise.  Can't get that at a sit-down restaurant and it's all you can eat also.

I hope this change becomes a permanent thing for the MSS buffet.  It is the only buffet in Downtown and it's bound to draw more people to MSS.  Boyd Gaming usually makes some dumb decisions but I think this is a good one.

Yup MSS buffet was my favorite (seeing how we usually stayed at MSS).
One night it was so bad for us at the crap table, pit boss gave us that buffet.
Didn't make up the losses but felt better being full.

   That just reminded me of one of my first LV visits with pops and his buddy.
Was funny as hell as we did not have enough cash between us to buy a hot dog before leaving to the airport. 

Yup MSS buffet was my favorite (seeing how we usually stayed at MSS).
One night it was so bad for us at the crap table, pit boss gave us that buffet.
Didn't make up the losses but felt better being full.

   That just reminded me of one of my first LV visits with pops and his buddy.
Was funny as hell as we did not have enough cash between us to buy a hot dog before leaving to the airport. 

Oh yes.  Back then MSS was always a go-to when we visit Vegas.  While the food never was stellar, my tastes and outlook on food in general was in line with what they had to offer.

And the value was definitely there.  Add to that I've always found the interior Victorian style decor with it's bright, airy, atmosphere made it a great place to relax, take your time eating, and enjoy watching other Hawaii people enjoy the buffet.

Funny about your trips with your Dad and his friends not even having enough cash to get a hot dog before leaving for the airport.

That's the way of the Hawaii gambler.   They will always try their luck, even if they are down to their last nickel.

How often have I seen on my Vacations Hawaii trips where even while we're waiting for the buses to take us back to the airport, there is a bunch of Hawaiians at the Keno Lounge, making their last minute hail mary bets with their bankrolls down to practically nothing.

All this done with genuine smiles on their faces.  They're there to play, come hell or high water.

I just saw a video of Danny the Medic. 

We ran into him a few times.

1 was at the Starbucks in front the ferris wheel.  Mrs. CMO wanted a macaroon and they didn't sell or have water. So I went to get her water at the slushy bar and they too didn't have water to buy.  So I went into Sbux and was in line and Tung was in front of me.  I said "hey, you're Tung. We watch DTM.".  He then pointed and said "well, Danny's here too".

I called Mrs. CMO andtold her to come to Sbux and we took pics with both of them.

Then this last trip, I was walking around the slots at Venetian and ran into DTM again. I took pic, but Mrs. CMO didn't answer her phone so she missed out.  She was upset.

Also, ran into Vegaslowroller a few years ago at Palazzo slots. He was playing by himself and not even filming. Mrs. CMO was hung over and I had to get her a powerade from the store. When I exited, I saw Daniel sitting at a slot.  She missed out and was upset about that too.

I'm trying to catch up on my slot YT as I cannot watch it with our daughter as it's not good for her brain development. But Vegasmatt said in 2024, he lost about $400K.  Assuming he played at El Cortez at least 50% of the time, that means El Cortez made $200K just off of him.  I'm sure it's much higher than 50%, but that's just a low ball number guess.  Add in all the people who come to watch him play who also play, that's all "free money" for the casino.

Many casinos stopped letting people film themselves unless you get permission first.  It seems like El Cortez is the place that many of the youtubers are playing at.  Compare this to covid days where you could film at MGM properties, Venetian, Wynn, etc...

Precovid, no one allowed filming.  So for now, El Cortez is finding another way to make money.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Mwmk_sy4dI8


 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Mwmk_sy4dI8


 

I never saw why people feel the need to have a drink and pay those kind of prices.  I get it if it's inside a club, but to just buy a drink and to walk around or to have a $18 beer when eating at a casual place is crazy.  Even if you got the money, it's the concept.  I get buying stuff that you cannot get easily at home like certain wines or mixed drinks. But beer is beer.

The sad part is that when playing, the waitresses don't come around as often like how they did precovid.

I never saw why people feel the need to have a drink and pay those kind of prices.  I get it if it's inside a club, but to just buy a drink and to walk around or to have a $18 beer when eating at a casual place is crazy.  Even if you got the money, it's the concept.  I get buying stuff that you cannot get easily at home like certain wines or mixed drinks. But beer is beer.

The sad part is that when playing, the waitresses don't come around as often like how they did precovid.

Maybe they are catering to the "already blitzed out of my mind" crowd.  Alcohol makes you stupid.

I've seen young people barely old enough to gamble drop a grand in less than 10 minutes at a $100 minimum blackjack table with no clue how to play the game.  My guess is they were spending their parent's money.  High prices on food & drink would be no concern.

Maybe they are catering to the "already blitzed out of my mind" crowd.  Alcohol makes you stupid.

I've seen young people barely old enough to gamble drop a grand in less than 10 minutes at a $100 minimum blackjack table with no clue how to play the game.  My guess is they were spending their parent's money.  High prices on food & drink would be no concern.

That makes a lot more sense. Pin Up Pizza outside of Planet Hollywood got some bad PR for their $75 boston pizza size cheese pizza whole.  And for $23.99 1 slice of pizza and a beer because they had no official sign for the price.  So this way they can change teh price depending on if a concert just got out or it's slow.

I was playing craps at Venetian and a middle eastern guy comes to the table in his very ugly vercace shirt.  He was asking how to play craps to the pitboss mid roll. Pit boss didn't really want to explain and was giving a little attitude. Until the guy took out a banana chip ($1K) from his pocket.  Then the pitboss explained a little more and was much more nicer. He bet it on the place bet of 6 and lost when the 7 came. So he reached into his pocket and pulled another banana chip and put it on the 6 again. He won. Then left the chip and the 6 hit again. He then walked away. 

Ran into the guy about an hour later when I was playing slots and he said hello and asked how I did at the craps table.

I've noticed that middle easterns like to wear these ugly shirts.Since the guy was betting banana chips, I will assume his shirt was real.

https://www.versace.com/us/en/men/clothing/shirts/barocco-silk-shirt-black-print/1003926-1A03044_5B000.html

That makes a lot more sense. Pin Up Pizza outside of Planet Hollywood got some bad PR for their $75 boston pizza size cheese pizza whole.  And for $23.99 1 slice of pizza and a beer because they had no official sign for the price.  So this way they can change teh price depending on if a concert just got out or it's slow.

I was playing craps at Venetian and a middle eastern guy comes to the table in his very ugly vercace shirt.  [snip]

When I hear of someone that's Middle Eastern and in America, I think back to all the oil sheiks, princes and military who get paid obscene amounts of money to work and attend schools or military training in the US.

It's not just Middle Eastern countries that do that.  My first stop when I graduated from college was Keesler AFB for Computer Officer training.  The class of 12 students had 2 Saudi officers, one Thai officer (female), one officer from Bolivia, and one from Tunisia.  The rest were Americans -- all Air Force 2nd Lieutenants.

The Bolivian was a very nice middle-aged man.  He told us the amount of money he was being paid to attend US training was ridiculous, but he stopped short of giving a number.  I know from later trips to Saudi Arabia, their military also pays their officers exorbitant amounts of money to live, work and train in the US.  Whatever I was getting for travel pay was just a tiny percentage of what they made.

Having said that, you might have been talking to someone in a similar situation.  You may also have been talking to an oil millionaire or a member of the royal family in an Arabic country.  When i was in Saudi, there were 99 princes running around each on a scale from 5 to 40 years old.  i once saw a kid who looked 12 driving a Mercedes through the streets of Riyadh.  I was told the flags on the front of the car indicate he's royalty, possibly a prince. 

Anyone who's part of the royal family would have plenty of money to bet $1k (or larger) chips on any game whether or not they know how the game works.  I mean, it's better to be lucky than good, right?   

The sad part is that when playing, the waitresses don't come around as often like how they did precovid.

Yeah.  That's why I don't order anything when they come around.  They take too long to come back.  I buy a tall boy from the gift shop and lug that around the casino floor with me.  Some people say you're not supposed to but I have yet to be stopped.

I will order drinks when playing craps.  They come around fast.  Sometimes too fast.

Craps is a fast moving game so it's hard to chug beer which I like to do.  Many times I only took one swig and next thing you know she's back asking if I want another, LOL.

Not sure if that's normal but I do tip them a red chip everytime they bring me a beer.