Access Vegas Insider Vibe June 30, 2020

Hello From Las Vegas! – Wow, wow, wow. If you are thinking you have not heard from me in longer-than-usual, you are correct! It seems like every time we were ready to publish, more dust would get kicked up in the ever-changing details of Las Vegas opening.

This will essentially be a double-issue. No, I don’t mean twice as much of every feature. You’ll notice it is simply MUCH longer than normal. Most of you are just now thinking about when to make travel plans, looking many weeks or months out, trying to make heads of tails of the situation. Which is why we’re here to help!

And, for our Supporting (Paid) Members who wanted to come much sooner than later, they have been able to reach out to us through our “Your Guy In Vegas” form (where we guarantee to do our best to answer specific member questions), or ask something in our Insider Vibe Members Facebook Group.

For those wanting a great, in-depth and photo-filled account of what it was like to be here the first coupe of weeks things were open, we highly suggest clicking over to read Vegas is open again, but is it worth the visit? by our friends at TravelZork. Head Zork Michael Trager pulls no punches!

Let me note that he’s not very kind of Caesars Entertainment’s evidence of using the health restrictions to cost-cut on services. Let’s keep in mind that the Caesars/Eldorado merger has been approved. Very soon, Eldorado Gaming will taking over Caesars (taking on the Caesars name) and current actions are no reflection on the way new ownership and management may run the resorts. I have a pretty good feeling about Eldorado, which is fodder for a future issue.

Note On Politics: I’ve been doing this newsletter since 1999 and been putting Las Vegas related information on the internet since 1995. I’m also no stranger to having an educated opinion. I’ve been outspoken in the media about parking and resort fees, nickel-and-diming, and why the need to charge $21 for a a cocktail in Las Vegas. (Unless you are paying for the ambiance of a club. Or a view. Or, both).

In fact, that is why we’ve had a move to being member-supported. By buying myself and my team a “cup of coffee” each month, you help us move positive change forward without worrying that upset this or that casino company.

Even though I’ve never missed a presidential election since I started voting 36 years ago, and only missed 5 total in all of that time, I’m not here to tell you why to think my way. I’m here to tell you what is happening, and what you need to know, when it comes to Las Vegas.

I realize that wearing (or not wearing) masks in incredibly political for some. If you don’t like what is going on, write the governor. If you like what is going on, write the governor. The bottom line is that for everyone who stays away due to mask rules, another person who was staying away with visit because of them. So, for me, it is a wash. For you? It is my job to give you all the knowledge, rules, and details to allow you to make an informed decision.

So, let’s get on to…

Masks And Rules – Masks are now mandatory in public, in the state of Nevada. Public transit, airports, more of less anywhere outside your house or car or hotel room. They can be just about anything that is cloth and covers your mouth and nose. A bandana, something you make at home, the traditional medical or store bought masks, you name it. You are not required to go out and buy some kind of certified or special type of mask.

When do you have to wear your mask? How seriously are the casinos taking this? What kind of enforcement is there indoors? What will the police do if you don’t have one on? Why did Nevada take such a drastic step when our hospital projections are fine, and our death rate continues to be microscopic? How should all of this affect you as you ponder if and when to plan a visit?

We went into ALL of that and much more in our June 30, 2020 Supporting (Paid) Members issue. If you choose to get on board (less than three bucks a month for a full year, with a 60-day money-back guarantee if you don’t find yourself getting far more value that the couple of bucks and change you toss us), you can then access this report immediately, right here: June 30, 2020 Access Vegas Insider Vibe Members Issue.

Elevators Away! – An extreme downside of social distancing was the prescribed (and not always enforced) limit of four people per elevator. Which caused lines in properties enforcing it. Now that masks are mandated, we’re understanding that those limits are not needed.

Lines For Pools – A downside of social distancing mandates at the pools is that they continue to be limited to 50% capacity. Right here in our glorious middle-of-summer “but, it’s a dry heat” season. When the most people want to enjoy the pool! (Plus, with not everything yet open, that is one activity you can do).

Once that limit is reached, a line forms. One in, one out..

Don’t Pay That Resort Fee! – While no hard and fast rule, people are having some success getting their resort fees removed. Simply by asking, noting that they are here even though they have to wear a mask, etc.

HOWEVER… Due to something we’re very aware of that isn’t common knowledge out there (good luck finding this one on the hours you choose to spend online finding your own Las Vegas info), there is a pretty effective ace-in-the-hole you can add to the above that gives you a very high chance at getting those fees removed.

You are talking about getting $100 or more removed from your bill upon check-out depending on where you stay and length of stay. No, it doesn’t involve confrontation, creating a storm, causing problems or anything of that nature. It is something you can simply point out that they won’t have a refute for. Which will pretty much give them little choice but to remove your fees!

THAT information is for Supporting (Paid) Members only. Regular readers know that we put out info that will help you on your next visit issue after issue after issue, and all we ask is that you toss me and me team a “cup of coffee” per month.

You can get instant access to all the current info, AND stay looped on everything you know so you’ll have expert advise before you decide exactly when you want to think about scheduling your next visit.

We’re up on it all, without all of the bad internet rumor, misinformation, and current political wars you have to wade though in the hours you may be spending trying to get the latest about Las Vegas online.

PLUS, while many gladly pay $34.80 per year for Membership, right now, we’ll knock it under $30, with the promo code 5NOW. That comes out to UNDER $2.50 per month, to have access to our team of experts and guides with nearly 100 years of “boots on the ground” Las Vegas experience in our field.

If you need a refresher on ALL of the Members Benefits, click to Members.AccessVegas.com 

If you simply are ready to dive in and get your immediate access NOW, please head directly to our

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Put the coupon code 5NOW in the first box, and watch your immediate saving kick in!

Rollers, Not Stollers – Circa Las Vegas (site of the old Las Vegas Club), is opening early! On Oct. 28, 2020 they will open the casino, five hotel floors, and all but one restaurant. Reservations are now being accepted here: bit.ly/3fSIyc3. The hotel will open in its entirety in late December, just in time for New Years Eve.

Of very interesting note: This properrty will be 21 and over. Period. No guests of any kind under 21. No families. No rooms booked to anyone whose party contains people under 21.

Relax in retro style. Then enjoy all the perks of being an adult. Rooms are available starting December 28. Book now at https://t.co/9Qp848hRzG; to ring in a new era of classic Vegas, downtown at the city’s only 21+ resort. #CircaLasVegaspic.twitter.com/dPETFn9gut

— Circa Las Vegas (@CircaLasVegas) June 24, 2020

Owner Derek Stevens joked that he ran out of money before they were able to build an arcade. The bottom line is that he wants gamblers. Period. A casino focused on gambling. What a novel concept when MGM Resorts has spent the past few years often putting out advertising that had little (and often no) depiction of gambling in it!

Resort World Won’t Be Far Behind – Sitting on the former Stardust site, this massive project is topped out, landscaping is going in, and the lettering on the building has commenced. (I walked out of my local CVS a few days ago, looked over, and went “Wow”).

Of interesting note, they won’t need to put on building wraps to advertise whatever they want to feature: Nearly the entire west tower facing down The Strip is a video wall. No, we’re not kidding. It is HUGE and it is impressive. As we expect the resort to be.

If you want a sneak peak a the rooms, check this out: Resorts World Las Vegas unveils guestroom designs

PS Keep in mind,… there is little that myself and our advisory team don’t know. We have nearly 100 years combined “boots on the ground” experience here in Las Vegas tourism. Join us here: Members.AccessVegas.com with coupon code 5NOW

Hope You Are Enjoying This Issue!

Ted Newkirk
Founder/Managing Editor
AccessVegas.com

Note From Ted:

Members Mania is a regular feature for our Supporting (Paid) Members. Membership includes our “Your Guy In Vegas” feature, where you can reach out to myself and our paid staff of experts with your specific Vegas questions. We don’t have “canned” answers. We’ll ask you for some details pertaining to your wants and needs. Then, answer accordingly.

June 16 at 2:56 PM Hi Ted. Could give us some reviews of how people are feeling about the new restrictions on table games, most importantly for me is blackjack and how the new “experience” working. Hope you’re healing up.

Kip Petersen

Ted Responds:

People are playing. It all really depends. Bad answer, I understand.

You can take down your mask to drink or smoke (although, you may be asked to step away from the table to take the drag of smoke).

Because so many people are SO divided on masks, the answer lies along your preferences. If you are among the “no mask ever” crowd, or someone who feels it will infringe on your fun, then don’t visit yet.

If you are someone who is “we must wear masks” or “I’m fine wearing them, that’s what is happening this moment”, then those people are having a fun time.

We are featuring Member Michael Trager’s excellent blog post on visiting in the current Las Vegas, and it is worth a read for someone with your concerns.

Hope this helps as much as possible! In a time when so many people have so many different views on everything regarding this kind of topic, there is no “hard and fast” answer.

Michael Trager of TravelZork also chimed in on this one on Facebook: I played close to 14 hours of dice opening weekend. Thursday, Friday, Saturday. At Caesars. I wanted the mask experience. Things are in constant flux, but I did step away and pull down my mask to drink and smoke. I finished my trip with four hours of dice at Wynn. No mask.You get used to the mask. Biggest issue at dice is you need to speak louder with a mask.

Hi Ted

I thought you’d like to hear how our recent vacation went, given that I asked for your advice on a Grand Canyon trip for my sons. They had a wonderful time with Vegas Daze – pick up was waiting for them even though we were early. Everything went well and the photos were amazing. A great experience.

As very regular visitors to Vegas. It might be useful to you and perhaps some of your readers, particularly from the UK, to feedback on elements of our trip. We stayed at Caesars, primarily for the pools which we think are the best on the strip. The line for check in was so long that I estimated, based on previous experiences, that it might well take 2-3 hours.

After a 24 hour travel time, I wasn’t impressed and I complained at the VIP check in. A very courteous member of the team checked us all in and upgraded us at the same time. Brits don’t often complain but I am learning the ropes and yes, a tip does help. We have stayed at Caesars a couple of times before but probably won’t go back. We’re staying at The D in March for a different vibe. We’d booked Rao’s in Caesars for my husband’s birthday dinner but were really disappointed with the service and the fixed price menu in Mr Chow only works if you are a group of four and you like everything offered, as the menu is equally fixed with no individual choices of dish.

We always go back to Charlie Palmer’s in Four Seasons – we love their menu and the staff remember us each time we visit. We are also fans of Sinatra’s in Encore – it’s a beautiful restaurant and although we’ve not always had the best food, this time everything was perfect and the staff are attentive and helpful without being invasive.

Having the boys with us this time we ventured to go axe throwing – we had a brilliant time. Although we arrived late due to a mix up on our booking with Expedia, the team accommodated us without question and allowed us extra time at the end – an hour goes really quickly and we all wanted to get that final bullseye before we left. Well worth the $20.

Thank you to all those who were driving past the Little Church of the West, when my husband and I were having our photo taken after renewing our vows and sounded their horns in celebration with us. It made our day.

Finally, and I know this is always on your radar too, the resort fees are ridiculous. On checkout we had additional visits to the gym charged to our account – although we managed to get these removed the thought that perhaps only one visit to the gym each day is covered by the resort fee is crazy. Our two rooms for 12 nights racked up a resort fee bill alone of some $1000. The standard wi-fi was wholly inadequate and dropped out all the time but to upgrade was an eye-watering $14.99 per day!

We will keep coming back, as long as health prevails, and next time we will venture off the Strip even more to some of the restaurants the locals go to – I’ve made a note of your recommendations. Thank you and the team for your advice and news stories.

Best wishes. Pauline

Ted Responds:

This is a pre-shutdown trip report that we’re repeating because it may have gotten lost in the shuffle (or, you weren’t checking for a while between trips and are getting caught up)!

Can I get an honest opinion on downtown Vegas? I’m torn between strip or downtown I’m really considering the plaza and the awesome deal there offering I’ve never been downtown just the strip. I just need the extra boost I guess from you guys on what I should do.

Brock Daniel Lambertson

Ted Responds:

You’ve come to the right place! Our Supporting (Paid) Members can use the “Your Guy In Vegas” form feature to access the knowledge of our staff, guides, and partners who have upwards of 100 years of Las Vegas tourism experience, much of it “boots on the ground”.

Do NOT stay downtown if you have not yet visited downtown! I don’t care how good the deal is. Should everyone do downtown one evening? Or afternoon into evening so you can take in Fremont East, enjoy dinner at one of the many places in Container Park or Le Thai or the hidden gems on the handful of blocks surrounding that area. Which will be a coming feature in a Member’s Edition.

However, downtown is its own thing. If you want to really drink and gamble and do so in a way that won’t break your wallet, and that is pretty much the goal of your trip (plus a side visit to Mob Museum, Neon Museum, and the Art’s District — another still “best kept downtown secret” we’ve been informing Members about), then staying downtown could very much be for you.

However, if you are going to spend much/most of your time on The Strip, the time and cost of going back and forth will talke a toll, and you are better off spending a bit more for a Strip room.

Visit downtown first. For an afternoon and evening. THEN, you’ll have a far better idea.

Hope this helps!

We have answers to your Vegas questions!

But, you have to ask the questions.

Email us at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com, and let us know, what YOU want to know!