Keep Calm and Throwback: Vegas 2016 in Review!
Can you believe that 2017 is around the corner?!
As 2016 comes to an end, it is time to look back on what has happened in Vegas over the past twelve months.
We asked who we think are some of the best Vegas bloggers and podcasters. These guys are as passionate as you and us about the city and they’re experts. Some of them live full time in the city, others come try their luck so frequently they’re probably billionaires in miles!
We asked them what are the best and worst things that happened in Vegas this past year and what they expect for 2017!
We’d like to thank:
- Scott Roeben at vitalvegas.com
- Marc Meltzer at Edgevegas.com
- Michael Movestro at Vegasbright.com
- Mitch and Dr. Kev at tippingtheoddslasvegas.com
- Adam Bauer at travelfanboy.com
- RoyalFlusher at royalflushervegas.com
for taking the time to share their interesting thoughts with us!
If you haven’t done it yet, make sure you subscribe to their blogs, podcasts and social media!
SCOTT ROEBEN:
Founder of VitalVegas.com, “Essential Las Vegas News, tips, deals and WTF”
LVJ: According to you, what are the best and worst things that happened in Vegas in 2016?
S.R.: The worst thing is the ongoing problem of casinos swapping liquor brands and lying about doing so. The practice undermines trust in casinos, and has eroded my personal experience in casinos.
Another worst thing, at least for performers, was the unusually large number of shows that closed in 2016. My count puts the number of closed shows at 26. In one year. That’s alarming.
There are lots of best things! A slew of great restaurants opened in 2016, and others have continued to thrive. Both on The Strip and downtown, you could visit a different restaurant every morning, noon and night during your trip and never run out of incredible options.
I also love the boom in Las Vegas podcasts and online communities. The conversation around Las Vegas has become so lively and informative. Visitors have many more options than ever when it comes to resources to ensure their visit is extraordinary.
LVJ: What are your expectations for the city in 2017, what you wish and what you fear could happen?
S.R.: One of my fears is the perception of Las Vegas could change because of the highly-publicized nickel-and-diming going on by the hotel-casinos. (I should know because I’m one of the people who have publicized them.) Individually, fees are annoying, but cumulatively, my concern is Las Vegas will lose its luster as a value destination.
A wish for 2017 is casinos on the north end of the Strip will thrive and others will join them. Alon might be dead, but Lucky Dragon opened against all odds, and SLS Las Vegas has a new partner, W Las Vegas, that provides some hope. Resorts World seems stalled, but if it kicks into gear, and someone buys Fountainebleu, there could be some positive momentum.
Oh, and another long-standing wish would be a legislative solution to the problem of resort fees. There were glimmers of hope in 2016, so let’s get it done in 2017.
LVJ: If you had one recommendation to give about something, some place etc. that has left a particularly strong impression on you in 2016, what/where would that be?
S.R.: There are so many things to love, it’s nearly impossible to choose one. It’s hard to over-state my ongoing love for Pizza Rock, downtown. This place is consistently extraordinary, and has raised the bar to the point where every new pizza restaurant has to be described as “fantastic, as long as you don’t compare it to Pizza Rock.”
If I’m allowed another answer, I’ll pick a show, “Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream” at Planet Hollywood. It’s the best show people haven’t seen yet, and hopefully it’ll get the attention it deserves in 2017.
MARC MELTZER:
Freelance Writer, he shares links for all of his work on EdgeVegas.com
LVJ: According to you, what are the best and worst things that happened in Vegas in 2016?
M.M.: Best – More good restaurants for all price ranges. I’ve enjoyed a broad range of food from Evel Pizza on Fremont Street to Beauty & Essex at the Cosmopolitan.
Bad – Video Poker monitoring systems. I don’t mind the bad paytables if I can get a good drink at my own comfortable pace. The systems aren’t awful, but I don’t always like paying attention.
LVJ: What are your expectations for the city in 2017, what you wish and what you fear could happen?
M.M.: I’d like and expect to see more sports books renovated. 2016 was a great year with over 10 new sports book viewing experiences. I look for better experiences at places with outdated screens and seatings
I’d love more player friendly gambling on the Vegas Strip, but I don’t see that happening.
LVJ: If you had one recommendation to give about something, some place etc. that has left a particularly strong impression on you in 2016, what/where would that be?
M.M.: Visit Topgolf and/or the Cosmopolitan sports book. Both opened this year and are the best places in Las Vegas for any sports fan.
MICHAEL MOVESTRO:
Chief Editor of VegasBright.com and host of the Vegas Bright podcast. Vegas Bright is a multi-writer blog focusing on the news, happenings, musings, and reviews of Las Vegas shows, hotel stays and restaurants.
LVJ: According to you, what are the best and worst things that happened in Vegas in 2016?
M.M: BEST: I would say T-Mobile Arena as having a dedicated sports arena helped to pave the way for the Vegas Golden Knights. For Las Vegas to have a major sports franchise of its own is a huge accomplishment. And a runner up: The Lucky Dragon. To see a brand new, completed, fully functional and operational hotel and casino on the North Strip is a breath of fresh air.
WORST: Fees and hidden charges. Resort Fees are still a thing, Parking fees and even more parking fees are new. And then, there are those CNF charges that pop up on a restaurant bill. The nickel and diming on the strip has grown during the year. I understand that it costs money to keep places afloat, but when you factor in those fees and charges mixed in with 6:5 Blackjack and an extra 0 at some Venetian Roulette wheels. The ‘house edge’ (metaphor) is just too high.
LVJ: What are your expectations for the city in 2017, what you wish and what you fear could happen?
M.M: I think establishments will take a good long look at how to let a show succeed and stick around. Shows tend to close within six weeks, and frankly I don’t think that’s enough time to get a good buzz going. 25 shows closed in Las Vegas this year. Hotels need to work more closely with productions to create good relationships and create a strong buzz instead of relying on the productions themselves to make a good buzz.
The worst fear is: The free things I love (the Bellagio Conservatory, The Fountains, The Mirage Volcano) being replaced with more of the same empty high-end shops/malls you see in almost every establishment. Bellagio closing Palio Pronto for a Starbucks is something that I hope is not the beginning of ‘more of the same.’
LVJ: If you had one recommendation to give about something, some place etc. that has left a particularly strong impression on you in 2016, what/where would that be?
M.M: I would have to say see Vegas! The Show. It surprised me on many levels, it’s a journey through Vegas entertainment history–not an impersonator show–but they re-enact parts of shows that have played in Vegas through the years. It’s like being transported back in time, and it just might get you in the feels. If I could offer one more piece of advice, it would be this: do not take anything in Vegas for granted. Places close and shows end. If you have a favorite of anything, make the time to see/do/visit it while you’re in town because you never know if it might be your last time. That is the strongest lesson I’ve learned this year!
MITCH & Dr. KEV from the Tipping the Odds Las Vegas podcast
MITCH & Dr. KEV from the Tipping the Odds Las Vegas podcast. tippingtheoddslasvegas.com
LVJ: According to you, what are the best and worst things that happened in Vegas in 2016?
TTO: Best: Confirmation of a National Hockey League franchise for Las Vegas. This is symbolic of the moving into the “big league” for the city itself. We suspect that additional teams will follow (e.g., basketball and football) and are hopeful that this will drive higher visitor numbers and expanded economic opportunities that are not centered entirely around casinos.
Worst: Parking fees, although this likely comes with the territory, as Las Vegas is joining the ranks of other major cities where parking fees are standard practice.
LVJ: What are your expectations for the city in 2017, what you wish and what you fear could happen?
TTO: We are hopeful that projects that have been on hold such as the Resorts World and Alon developments will move forward.
We fear that a continued move away from a focus on gambling revenue will lead to continued worsening of gaming conditions, with more 6 to 5 blackjack and poor video poker pay tables.
LVJ: If you had one recommendation to give about something, some place etc. that has left a particularly strong impression on you in 2016, what/where would that be?
TTO: If you can only see one show in Las Vegas, I (Dr. Kev) recommend the Cirque du Soleil show Mystere at Treasure Island (also known as TI). Mitch really enjoyed Michal Jackson One, another Cirque show at Mandalay Bay.
ADAM BAUER
Writer and host of the Travel Fanboy Podcast and travelfanboy.com
LVJ: According to you, what are the best and worst things that happened in Vegas in 2016?
A.B.: The best thing I’ve seen Vegas do recently is expand its offerings outside of gambling. There is a plethora of great bars and restaurants. With a professional hockey team being added to the mix, it’s becoming a quite a destination. That being said, things come at a cost, and the increase in fees seem to really be weighing down tourists.
Worst: Parking fees, although this likely comes with the territory, as Las Vegas is joining the ranks of other major cities where parking fees are standard practice.
LVJ: What are your expectations for the city in 2017, what you wish and what you fear could happen?
A.B.: My hope is that Downtown remains a good gamble for visitors of all budgets. Deteriorating conditions on the Strip have moved budget conscious gamblers to Fremont. I’m hoping the operators hold steadfast in their positition as fun and accessible casinos.
My fear is that Vegas, with the proliferation of fees, loses ground on being a tourist destination and simply becomes a conventioneer city. Conventions are big business in Vegas, but they alone won’t keep the city afloat. I hope the big casinos take more notice of their frequently returning guests and show them some love with improved gaming conditions.
LVJ: If you had one recommendation to give about something, some place etc. that has left a particularly strong impression on you in 2016, what/where would that be?
A.B.: As someone who likes to travel on a budget, El Cortez really stood out to me this year. It’s an old property but it offers a great gamble for low rollers and newbies. You’ll have to get past the smoke, the sometimes odd clientele, and outdated rooms. But, there are quite a few hidden gems on the property and they are slowly updating a few key areas. It’s an unintimidating casino and great place to introduce new players to your favorite games.
ROYAL FLUSHER
Once degenerate, now savvy, writes the best Vegas trip reports on the http!
LVJ: According to you, what are the best and worst things that happened in Vegas in 2016?
R.F.: The best thing that happened was the purchase of the Las Vegas Club by the Brothers Stevens. That place, storied as it is, had been run into the ground, and needed to be put down to keep it from suffering any further. It was so bad that only the most desperate of rats would hang out in its damp foreboding basement. Whatever gets built in its place has the potential to revolutionize downtown.
The worst thing that happened is that the new NHL team in town was not named the Las Vegas Hookers. Also, paid parking, which many of us will mention.
LVJ: What are your expectations for the city in 2017, what you wish and what you fear could happen?
R.F.: The noose on comps will continue to tighten and the ratcheting up of nickel and diming charges will continue. MGM started charging for parking, which has always been free on the strip. $18 for 4 hours at valet ? They can suck it. Of course, other operators are following suit. Quietly, they are making it more and more expensive for the average Flusher to enjoy the Strip. Drink meters, the quiet removal of buffet discounts for upper MLife tiers (yes, that happened), on and on.
What I fear is the Premiumization (there, I made a word) of Las Vegas. Once free benefits have been chipped away at, one by one. Now there will be charges for premium versions of what was once free. This has already started with fees for smoking rooms, and late checkout. And even early check-in. This is customer service ? No, this is slaughtering the lamb instead of shearing it.
LVJ: If you had one recommendation to give about something, some place etc. that has left a particularly strong impression on you in 2016, what/where would that be?
R.F.: Downtown Grand – sell the casino AND the hotel to the same operator. There is a huge disconnect between comps and benefits in the casino, and hotel offers, rates, and logistics.
This place has had more identities than Sybil.
Thank you guys, i think that sums up quite well this year in Vegas!
Here’s our thoughts:
Our best: The Lucky Dragon hotel & casino which was the first resort to open on the Strip since the Cosmopolitan opened in 2010! We had the chance to visit the property during the soft opening and were really impressed. We highly recommend to visit their Dragon’s Alley night market, the food is great and the prices very reasonable.
Our worst: Obviously the dreadful parking fees. MGM started the trend early 2016, then CET and Wynn followed later this year. Only a handful of resorts don’t charge for parking now and there is a big chance they’ll start charging for it in the coming weeks…
If we had one show to pick that has left a particularly strong impression on us in 2016 it would be Mat Franco – Magic Reinvented Nightly at the Linq! The theater is very intimate, Mat’s magic is awesome and he is very funny!
Share your thought with us in the comment section below, what will you remember from 2016 in Vegas?
clearly the mob needs to be put back in charge of things in las vegas