The Palms in Vegas Sold

The Palms was sold to Caesars Entertainment

It’s official–The Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas is no longer owned by the Maloofs, as of last month. Now, they own just two percent of the property, with the possibility of gaining back up to 20 percent in the future. TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners assume ownership at 49 percent apiece. The Maloofs spent half a billion dollars building the casino from scratch, and were $380 million in debt for the Palms, with a $69 million line of credit with the city of Sacramento for their operations of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

TPG Capital is the parent company of Caesar’s Entertainment, where you can get rates low as $99 a night, so it is likely that the Palms will be converted to Caesar’s Total Rewards program within the next year (use your comps up now before re-branding begins!). We wish the Maloofs and the Palms the best of luck.

Hungry? Try the Rio Las Vegas

Las Vegas' Village Seafood Buffet

If you are a seafood fanatic and in Las Vegas, one of the must-see (and must-eat) destinations is the Rio’s Village Seafood Buffet. There are other things on the menu, but if you aren’t into seafood, it’s really best to dine elsewhere. For the seafood lover, however, this is paradise. There is a reason that there are long, albeit quickly moving, lines here. Lobster is only served at dinner, but other than that, everything’s fair game all the time.

13,000 square feet of sushi, snow crab legs, shrimp, fresh oysters, and much more? We’ll take it. Bring your wallet (you’ll be looking at about $25-$40) and appetite, and we’ll meet you there! Need coupons for the Rio? We’ve got you covered for as low as $49 a night. That way, you can fill up on food, not the room.

Want to eat at the buffet? Check out the Rio’s web site here.

Drive Fast in Vegas – Exotics Racing Fast!

Las Vegas driving experience offers great racing for affordable prices

If you’ve got the need for speed, you’re a racer at heart, or you just plain want to have some fun with an adrenaline rush, we found a place in Vegas that will get your heart pumping and leave you talking. Exotics Racing in Vegas is a subsidiary of Europe’s number one exotics racing school, CASCADEVENTS, and has more than 50,000 satisfied customers already. For as low as $199 for a five-lap run, you can drive a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Porsche, Audi R8, or Nissan GTR and experience the thrill of a lifetime from a driver or passenger standpoint. If you choose to drive, you’ll be given a couple of hours of instruction, then turned loose with an instructor on-board. You can even get a video of your experience to re-live it again and again. If you want to go even bigger, you can get up to 30 laps and 7 cars per day. We’ve got you covered on rooms too, with an ARIA “Special Offer” *The Center of Vegas – Shifted -Experience ARIA with a late check out of 3pm – Your offer also includes: $50 ARIA Dining Credit, 3pm complimentary late check out – Based on availability (*see site for additional details and restrictions). Promotion Runs: Jul 12 – Oct 31, 2011. Promo Code: AR503PA (Exp 10/31/11). You’ll have more time on the track and great rest so that you’re ready to tackle all the challenges of driving one of the world’s fastest cars.

Want to know more? Check out Exotics Racing’s web site!

Las Vegas Showgirls Protest Hotel Resort Fees

Vegas Showgirls, Caesars, protest, resort fees

(from the Associated Press)

Las Vegas headliner Marie Osmond and dozens of showgirls are protesting resort fees charged at many Las Vegas hotels.

Osmond and the roughly 50 performers from the Jubilee! show at Bally’s Las Vegas hotel-casino marched on the Las Vegas Strip Thursday morning to promote Caesars Entertainment’s no fee policy.

Caesars Entertainment claims its no-fees policy saves travelers $3 million per month. Other hotels charge anywhere from $4.50 to $24.99 per night, according to Vegas.com.

Las Vegas resort fees are usually not included in an advertised room rate. They cover hotel amenities ranging from fitness center access and internet service to valet parking.

The event Thursday morning was dubbed a gesture of solidarity with the American consumer.

Magicians Penn & Teller and other entertainers also joined the protest.

Las Vegas Hotels – The Hangover Suites at Caesars

Hangover Suite Vegas, Vegas Hangover, Caesars

Ever since the movie The Hangover became a smash hit in 2009, Caesars Palace in Vegas has been bombarded with requests to stay at the suite Stu, Phil, and company stayed at (and wrecked) in the movie. Now, those requests will be fulfilled. What was once only a movie set is now a reality in the form of 16 two-story suites appropriately dubbed “The Hangover Suites.” You’ll have to pay up, (another famous suite is the Forum Tower Emperor Suite, where the movie Rain Man was filmed in 1988), but you’ll get 2,900 square feet, two master bedrooms, two full baths, and a powder room, all of which are ridiculously fancy, just like the movie.

If you aren’t quite sure you can afford the full Hangover experience, Caesars does offer the Hangover Again hotel package, where guests get a $50 food and beverage credit with a two-night stay, and rates for that package are only $100 per night. Caesars was also the first property to have Hangover slot machines on the casino floor. Regardless of taste and wallet, Caesars will offer the Vegas Hangover experience of a lifetime. You can also save up to 50% Off at Ceasers Palace Las Vegas.Also, don’t forget to check out our Nightclub Guide while you’re there so that your night out rivals The Hangover!

Wanna Fight? MGM Grand Las Vegas Entertainment Has You Covered


On November 12, a highly-anticipated bout at Las Vegas MGM Grand between Manny Pacquiao (who has won 14 in a row dating to 2005) and Juan Manuel Marquez will go on sale Friday and are expected to sell fast. The two have fought twice before, once to a draw in 2004 and once to a Pacquiao split decision victory. This is expected to be a classic fight, so don’t miss it! Tickets are priced at $1,200, $900, $600, $400, and $200 and available at mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales at $1,200, $900, $600 and $400 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $200 are limited to two per person. Don’t forget the rest of our Vegas entertainment while you’re there!

Skyjump in Vegas Stratosphere- The Ultimate Free Fall

“It’s the only sky jump in North America and the highest in the world. SkyJump is a controlled free fall, similar to a vertical zip line. The launching pad is located on the 108th floor of Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower in Las Vegas, 855 feet above the Las Vegas Strip. Jumpers are harnessed in and attached to a cable that is connected to a descender machine. Guide wires keep the skyjumper on course and on target. Just before reaching the rapidly approaching ground, the skyjumper is slowed down for a controlled and safe landing.” (courtesy Skyjumper Web Site)

If this description doesn’t get you excited for a thrill-seeking adventure, nothing will. For $109, you can tempt fate and drop from the Vegas Stratosphere, with higher packages including DVDs and wristcam DVDs of the event, with plenty of merchandise all around. If you want to go again, the price drops to $49. If you chicken out, you can even get a Chicken Out Voucher that is transferrable to someone else, to save them the trouble of mocking you. If you plan on staying at the Stratosphere, take the plunge! Be sure to check out our Attractions Page for more information on all the Vegas attractions!

Las Vegas Deals on Hotels, Food, and Shows; Vegas Promo Codes

We recently ran across some interesting deals in Las Vegas, and now that it’s summer and vacation time for many, we had to share them. We have also included some Promo Codes to use and double down on your fun! Most of these are on the Strip:

Food:
-Lagasse’s Stadium at the Palazzo has happy hour with $3 beers and $5 appetizers from 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays.
-Mario Batali restaurants at the Palazzo and The Venetian give locals with ID 20 percent off their checks when they dine at Carnevino at the Palazzo or at B&B Ristorante in The Venetian, available through August.

Drinks:
-The Palazzo and The Venetian offer Bar Hop, where customers pay $75 for unlimited drinks at all hotel lounges, including Laguna Champagne Bar, Salute Lounge, La Scena Lounge, Fusion Latin Mixology Bar and Oculus (noon-midnight daily). Or pay $150 to drink for the whole weekend (noon Fridays-6 p.m. Sundays). With both passes, participants receive complimentary admission to V Bar and Azure luxury pool, available through August.

Rooms:
-MGM Grand is offering rates starting at $70. It comes with a 2-for-1 entry to the hotel’s buffet, 2-for-1 entrance to Wet Republic, or 2-for-1 admission to Studio 54.
-Mandalay Bay has packages that include $50 cabana credit for the Mandalay Bay Beach, 30 percent off Disney’s “The Lion King” and 2-for-1 breakfast at the House of Blues. Use the promo code FALLENOAK (Expires 12/26/11) to get the web site rate of $69.99 per night.
-Rooms at Luxor start at $36 and include admission for two to CatHouse Ultra Lounge, 2-for-1 Dos Equis at T&T, $15 off a custom airbrush tan at Nurture Spa & Salon, $10 off tickets to Carrot Top or “Fantasy,” and a free Jell-O Shot at Dick’s Last Resort. Use the promo code PALL1 (Expires 12/28/11) to get all you can eat every day at MORE, the Buffet, two tickets to CRISS ANGEL Believe™ (Tuesday through Saturday evenings-balcony level seats), two tickets to Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, two tickets to Bodies…The Exhibition, two Nurture Spa Day Passes, two VIP admissions to CatHouse (closed on Tuesday evenings), and room check-in at VIP Lounge.

Also, don’t forget to check out our great Hotel Guide, Entertainment Guide, Restaurant Guide and Nightclub Guide before you go and get the best value for your money everywhere you go!

The Playboy Club in Las Vegas Opens at The Palms

 

Vegas is all about the new and exciting experience, and nothing quite defines that Las Vegas experience like The Playboy Club. Vegas gaming and nightlife come together in one wild atmosphere, hosted by The Palms. Nine blackjack tables and one roulette table are there for your enjoyment, and we even heard there may be some bunnies there…doors open at 9pm daily. Check out our page on The Playboy Club and The Palms’ Site for more!

Vegas Restaurant Rosemary’s Closes After 12 Years


Las Vegas locals had a favorite restaurant, and its name was Rosemary’s. Sadly, after 12 years, it has been confirmed that the restaurant has closed its doors. It was located at 8125 W Sahara Avenue and specialized in creating an authentic and enjoyable dining experience in Vegas, earning five-star reviews on several restaurant review web sites. We’ll miss Rosemary’s and the great Las Vegas food. Don’t forget, we have a great restaurant guide HERE if you are looking for places to eat in Vegas.