Palace Station Renovations

Red Rock Resorts (aka Station Casinos) has been in the news a lot this year. The company went public earlier this year and became Red Rock Resort. They currently trade under the symbol $RRR. The company recently turned 40 but they’re acting like a spry 21-year-old. Around the time Station Casinos went public they announced that would be purchasing Palms Casino & Hotel. Now comes word that they’ll be making major renovations to their other casino located near the Vegas Strip.

Earlier this week I saw an article on Eater that had a very detailed overview of renovations coming to Palace Station. The information was almost too detailed not to be true. However, the exclusive news wasn’t available anywhere else and I wanted to see if this was indeed true. I’m in a Station Casino regularly (I’m actually typing this in the food court at Red Rock casino). The renovations might give me another mobile office near the Vegas Strip.

This is personal for me since I’m in a Station Casino regularly (I’m actually typing this in the food court at Red Rock casino). The renovations might give me another mobile office near the Vegas Strip. I decided to check in with Red Rock Resorts/Station Casinos to see how true the Palace Station renovation information was. Here’s a direct quote:

Our recent renovations and improvements at Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch Resort and some of our other properties have been really well received by our guests. Based on that success, we think now is the time to reinvest in Palace Station and we’re excited about the opportunities presented by making improvements to the Palace Station—the property where our company began.

We are in the process of obtaining the approvals necessary to make a number of improvements. The first phase will include a new bingo room, buffet, two new restaurants, a new façade for the front of the casino, and landscaping and parking lot improvements. Construction on those amenities is expected to begin this fall.

Additionally, the approvals we are seeking contemplate potential future phases that may include new hotel rooms, meeting and convention space and a potential bowling alley and/or movie theater. The timing and feasibility of those potential future phases are yet to be determined.

So What’s Going To Happen?

The renovation rumors appear to be true but Red Rock Resorts is downplaying how the details revealed earlier this week. The official plans actually made a lot of sense. Las Vegas locals love bingo and buffets. Meanwhile, parking upgrades are always important since most locals will drive to the casino. In fact, these are staples of just about every Station Casinos property.

The recent additions of Little Tony’s (little brother of Pizza Rock), Charcoal Room and infamous Oyster Bar give the property some good dining options. Eater says the latter two might close relocate but I didn’t receive confirmation about that. The inclusion of two new restaurants should help draw the interest of locals and tourists alike.

It makes sense that Red Rock Resorts focuses on these areas first.The expense of upgrading a bingo hall and buffet are affordable. Secondarily, the expansion with a bowling alley and movie theater like you find at their other properties. This would keep Palace Station similar to the other Station Casinos.

Convention space is the least expensive expansion a casino can make today in Las Vegas. No matter how fancy convention space appears, it’s essentially an empty building. If there’s room on the land to expand (there is) it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see this moved up into the first phase.

For a couple reasons, I think the hotel rooms will be the last part of Palace Station to see renovation. The majority of hotel rooms at Palace Station are average. They’re not fancy and appropriately priced for the property. I don’t see a new hotel tower unless Fontainebleau, Alon and Resorts World actually come to life.

Something will be done with the hotel rooms but Station Casinos taking a wait and see approach is smart. If the other properties remain stalled the most economically effective way to improve their hotel rooms might just be to renovate the rooms. They can decide once there’s a clear picture of the other properties in the area.

Palace Station is often ignored by tourists but it’s currently a great value if you’re looking for a cheap hotel room near the Vegas Strip. The rooms aren’t particularly special but they’re clean and get the job done. The hotel is particularly good for when there’s a major event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. You’ll often find a less expensive option at Palace Station. This location may make even more sense with Uber and Lyft as affordable transportation methods.

You might also want to read:
Palms To Become A Station Casinos Property Later This Year
Overview Of Station Casinos Boarding Pass