All the Diamond Lounges in Las Vegas now have limited snacks only - no
sandwiches or hot food as of this weekend and slightly reduced hours. The 7*
Lounge in Caesars Palace closes tomorrow.
I was in Caesars and the Diamond snacks were rather high-end - 3 types of
nuts (including pecans), pretzels, potato chips with 3 kinds of dip including
higher end cheese or something dips, pita bread with hummus and another dip,
bread sticks, and makings for brussuta (I'm not spelling that correctly -
those Italian pieces of toasted bread with cheese and tomatos).
I was surprised the snacks were so high end - especially the nuts. It would
seem to me if they wanted to cut costs just have make-your-own sandwiches,
potato chips, pretzels, cheese & crackers. I don't know if snacks in the
other properties will be as nice as in Caesars. I was told Caesar's chefs were
told to prepare "finger food."
We were definitely told that there will be no hot food at any time or stuff
like the sandwiches and deserts we are used to. The Diamond Lounge attendant
tried to convince me that this was "so that you can try our fine
restaurants."
This is for all LAS VEGAS properties and has now taken effect.
The 7 Star Lounge closes tomorrow. 7* personnel who have done an excellent
job were upset, and we are guessing several will lose there jobs (if not
all), but none of them were talking. One lady was crying this morning so you
have to wonder when they got the news.
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We were told by club personnel in Vegas that Atlantic City 7* club will be
closed and food in Diamond lounges also will be changed. But since I am in
Las Vegas, I do not have direct knowledge of this.
Can anyone who has been in AC this weekend confirm or definitely deny that
the changes will also hit AC?
Also - any word from other Harrah's properties? Changes started April 1 or
thereabouts in Vegas.
---------------------------------
I spoke to several players who were upset, especially at the notion of no
hot food in Diamond when the 7* lounge also would be closed. One guy ($5000
per hand table player) seemed upset because he found the Diamond lounge too
noisy, and liked to get away in between bad sessions of play to sit quietly and
grab a snack. He said he is calling the Venetian next week (the new lounge in
the Palazzo has nice snacks for Gold and Platinum members).
Obviously it seems that this action is due to the takeover of Caesars by the
buyout company which may try to cut costs, and then perhaps sell off
properties? Still it would seem stupid to diminish goodies for higher end players
especially 7 Stars. If you lose a couple of $5000 per hand players a day,
that probably would pay for a 7* lounge's costs, not to mention all the other
customers that are lost or play less.
I know a lot of people who play (or played) and extra 3000-6000 points just
to make Diamond to get into the lounges, or played 30,000-50,000 more base
points to make 7*.
I'm at about 50,000 base right now for Harrah's - but if I don't believe
that my 7* benefits will be around next year (this action gives me a lot of
doubts), than why should I play another 50,000 points to try to get 7*?? That
would be $500,000 in VP play by the way! If other players feel the same lack
of commitment toward the Diamond/7* program, that could mean a big loss in
business for Harrahs.
Of course there is no way in knowing what the buyout company may be
thinking. They may want to cut costs now, forget about income stream a few months
down the road, and try to sell off properties (even in the bad real estate
market). ???
If offers for shopping sprees, tournaments, and the like get cut, then you
really will see a dramatic drop in Harrah's business.
--------------------------------------
Please report what other snacks/changes you find in other Harrah's
properties.
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