Happy July 4th weekend! I’m typing this from an Ultra Resort room at PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort during my annual summer break. My Caesars Diamond Tier friend opted for a larger room upgrade instead of a view of the Vegas Strip. I think we got a sweet view anyway!
I’ve been fairly disconnected from the world for the past few days but came across some news that you can use one night. Let’s start with big changes I just saw happening at The Cromwell.
Massive Renovations At The Cromwell
The Cromwell Las Vegas is one of my favorite casinos to gamble on the Vegas Strip. The minimums are low while the dealers and pit bosses are all extremely personable. After a celebratory dinner at GIADA Restaurant, we ventured to the casino floor to play a little Pai Gow. Before sitting down for a 6 hour and 27-minute session my friend and I explored construction all around the casino.
Eatwell – This quick-serve food counter should be open by next week. It will offer a variety of food and drink from coffee in the morning to a late night slice of pizza or sandwich. The counter is located near the north entrance that used to be home to a few slot machines. I didn’t notice a seating area but chairs and tables will probably be the last items installed.
This should be a welcomed addition to the hotel by guests and visitors. The closest places to get a cup of coffee or snack are across the street at the Bally’s Grand Bazaar Shops or next door at the Flamingo.
Sports book – The high limits slot machines area near check-in has been cleared out. I hear that this will become a sports book. The space is relatively small so don’t expect the biggest shining star of sports books on the Vegas Strip.
Construction on the sports book should be complete in time for football season. I also heard that Caesars Entertainment is testing a sports wagering app. The mobile betting application should also be ready before football season.
Casino Floor Near Drai’s – This area used to be devoted of Asian gaming tables. Aside from a few Pai Gow and Mini Baccarat tables many of the tables were often closed in the area. I’m told this will become sort of a party pit with go-go dancers when renovations are complete. Perhaps Caesars Entertainment will take a page from the casino and club combination across the street. This could become Drai’s party pit in the same way that Caesars Palace has the Omnia party pit.
Interlude Casino Lounge – The lounge behind the center bar was curtained off hiding a lot of construction equipment. This could just be a renovation of the lounge or this may become the home to some of the party pit.
The Cromwell is a very small casino that had a lot of underutilized space. Eatwell is nearly complete and ready for business. Since I’ve been on vacation I haven’t confirmed this with Caesars Entertainment. I hope to have more updates after Independence Day.
Palace Tower Renovations Completed At Caesars Palace
Caesars Entertainment usually isn’t shy about hotel room upgrades but this one feels as if it happened under the radar. All of the hotel rooms and suites in the Palace Tower at Caesars Palace Las Vegas have been renovated and are now available.
The rooms are large starting at 650-square-feet. The new decor of the living space features gray tones with royal blue and champagne gold accents. The bathrooms also received a makeover. Retail room rates (before Total Rewards discounts) start at $130.
Tipsy Robot Opens
The bar featuring drinks made by two different robot arms was scheduled to open this weekend at the Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood. The concept is fun and different. You can create your own cocktails using a wide variety of alcohol and mixers or select a signature drink or even a concoction someone else came up with. There are human bartenders if you don’t feel like waiting in line to watch the robot arms mix up a drink.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal has a fun video from a media preview night:
Holiday Quick Hits
It’s almost time to get back to vacation so I’ll leave you with a bunch of quick hits.
- Circus 1903 is opening at Paris Las Vegas in the theater that was home to “Jersey Boys.” Read more at Vital Vegas.
- You can have the TACO BELL WEDDING OF YOUR DREAMS in Las Vegas beginning August 7th. Read more here.
- Lucky Penny Cafe opened this weekend at the Palms. Read more here.
- Marijuana is legal in Nevada. I’m not sure what the laws are but the Las Vegas Sun offers this: “Las Vegas marijuana laws: Your guide to buying and using weed.” Read more here.
- Bloomberg toured the new penthouses at the Cosmopolitan. I haven’t seen these pictures anywhere else. See and read more here.
- The Neon Museum adds late night tours Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Read more here.
- The Stratosphere is now a Best Western hotel. Read more here.
I forgot to share this unique activity I found last week. I’m often asked for recommendations of something different to do when visiting Las Vegas. Enter: Machine Gun Helicopters. Yup, you can shoot guns from a helicopter. Check out their promo video:
TravelZork Happenings
TravelZork Casino Book of the Week
Super Casino: Inside the “New” Las Vegas
Want direct access to casino news, casino reviews, narratives, loyalty programs and video poker? Visit our casino/Vegas section directly at CasinoZork.
DON’T MISS | Off-Strip Dining | 3 Dining Hot Spots Near The Vegas Strip
What Does The Meruelo Group Have Planned For SLS Las Vegas?
The Vegas Pool – Summer of Sin : Part 1
The Problem with (Vegas) People – Summer of Sin : Part 2
Generating Casino Offers (Marketing Offers)
First Quarter Was Great For Las Vegas Casino Operators
Overview Vegas Strip | Las Vegas Resort Fees + Las Vegas Parking Fees
Tasting The Newest Restaurant At The Venetian, Mercato della Pescheria – Vegas
Casino Gambling and Casino Loyalty
Total Rewards and Wyndham Rewards Partner – Plus Matching Status
Being an Informed Gambler
It’s All About The THEO
Trying Out Top Dollar Premium
Atlantic City | July 2017 | Zirkus Comes To Town; Borgata, Tropicana Bares All (or most of it)
MGM Borgata Mlife Data Points – June 27 Update
Casino Musings | The Strangest Casino In The World… With The Best View!
Angeline Borgata Atlantic City
Will Hard Rock Atlantic City Rock The Boardwalk Back To Life?
All the June AC Happenings | Goodbye, My Borgata Rewards; Hello, Mlife Rewards!
Congrats! to our winner for May 2017!
Check your email to see if you won!
Please join the thousands of people who read TravelZork every month! Sign up here for one email per week updates.
(Email is sent weekly on Monday afternoon Eastern Time, and includes our popular weekly Vegas news series) All verified subscribers are entered into a MONTHLY contest to win a $50 eGift card.
As long as you remain subscribed, contest is ongoing and you have a chance to win every month.
Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. He learned about gambling at a young age working down the street from a bookie who took action on anything from the mainstream sports to the last three digits of the purse for certain horse races. Yeah, that's a thing. Today Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant which allows him to work anywhere there's a wifi signal. This allows him to work from the sportsbook at Red Rock Resort or the food court at The Venetian where you’ll find fast and free wifi. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.
