vpFREE2 Forums

Hard Rock Hollywood Florida

#1

Frank:
You are SO RIGHT about HR Hollywood! Everything changes - VP players used
to be valued, comps, gifts, Free Play was abundant and the hosts couldn't
do enough for you! Now we can't even buy dinner at the Food Court with our
comp dollars! They can only be used for food at the Blue Plate (their
diner/coffee shop) or just across at Constant Grind which is a take-away
sandwich/coffee/dessert counter which closes early in the evening. Until late
last year all of the shows at Hard Rock Live were comped with great seats
and were equal to (most of the same artists) as those we have seen in Vegas
and around the country at other casinos. Now there are no more comped
tickets except for those with "X" cards.
It has become clear that the only really valued players are those with VERY
large bankrolls. The cut-backs hurt many good employees at HR Hollywood -
no comps allowed for food equals greatly reduced business for food court
vendors which resulted in many staff layoffs. Many people that I know cut
way back on their play at HR Hollywood as a result of all of the changes.
One hopes that the pendulum will swing back, but how long that will take is
anyone's guess. Revenues are up according to the reports. The casino does
very well with tourists and does not seem to need the local player,
henceforth the disrespect of late.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#2

True, lots of layoffs and turnover. I feel sorry for the servers and other employees who have seen a significant reduction in their income. Profits are up short term because of the reduction in comps and squeezing every penny out of players. I was invited to a focus group tonight at Council Oak where they say they want to get input from players on their program. I have a whole bunch of things to tell them. Probably a bunch of BS but free drinks, Council oak food and a chance to get it off my chest. Joel ------

#3

The changes came about when Larry Mullin formerly the COO of Borgata became COO at HR. Amid high hopes I met with the Casino GM and the head of Slot Operations. We exchanged ideas about how to improve every aspect of the property. Turns out the Seminoles ideas centered on getting rid solid local VP players who had the nerve to expect things to at least remain status quo if not improve for them. It took about four months for the completion of their plan. In October 2013, "it's another goodbye to another good friend". Too bad.

···

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 11, 2015, at 2:50 PM, "BSM514@aol.com [vpFREE]" <vpFREE@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Frank:
You are SO RIGHT about HR Hollywood! Everything changes - VP players used
to be valued, comps, gifts, Free Play was abundant and the hosts couldn't
do enough for you! Now we can't even buy dinner at the Food Court with our
comp dollars! They can only be used for food at the Blue Plate (their
diner/coffee shop) or just across at Constant Grind which is a take-away
sandwich/coffee/dessert counter which closes early in the evening. Until late
last year all of the shows at Hard Rock Live were comped with great seats
and were equal to (most of the same artists) as those we have seen in Vegas
and around the country at other casinos. Now there are no more comped
tickets except for those with "X" cards.
It has become clear that the only really valued players are those with VERY
large bankrolls. The cut-backs hurt many good employees at HR Hollywood -
no comps allowed for food equals greatly reduced business for food court
vendors which resulted in many staff layoffs. Many people that I know cut
way back on their play at HR Hollywood as a result of all of the changes.
One hopes that the pendulum will swing back, but how long that will take is
anyone's guess. Revenues are up according to the reports. The casino does
very well with tourists and does not seem to need the local player,
henceforth the disrespect of late.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#4

Joel hopefully you'll be more successful than I was! Council Oak food and drink is a step up from my meeting in the Plum Room. How large is the group? Are you sure drinks are included. Look forward to your feedback.

Frank

···

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 11, 2015, at 3:18 PM, "joel0457 joel0457@yahoo.com [vpFREE]" <vpFREE@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

True, lots of layoffs and turnover. I feel sorry for the servers and other employees who have seen a significant reduction in their income. Profits are up short term because of the reduction in comps and squeezing every penny out of players. I was invited to a focus group tonight at Council Oak where they say they want to get input from players on their program. I have a whole bunch of things to tell them. Probably a bunch of BS but free drinks, Council oak food and a chance to get it off my chest. Joel ------

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#5

Hi Frank, Yes it was free food (appetizers) and drinks. They had Senior Management there and I spent most of the time speaking with the VP of Marketing and the VP of slots. Bottom line is they have heard it before and are planning to make some changes but no specifics or commitments. I'm not holding my breath. Joel

#6

Hope that Council Oak was as still great. Let me know if there are real positive changes.

Frank

···

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 12, 2015, at 8:39 PM, "joel0457 joel0457@yahoo.com [vpFREE]" <vpFREE@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hi Frank, Yes it was free food (appetizers) and drinks. They had Senior Management there and I spent most of the time speaking with the VP of Marketing and the VP of slots. Bottom line is they have heard it before and are planning to make some changes but no specifics or commitments. I'm not holding my breath. Joel

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#7

I just received a call from the VP of Marketing and
I was upgraded to X. It was worth going :slight_smile:

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fdbadachwrote:
       
Hope that Council Oak was as still great. Let me know
if there are real positive changes.

#8

Joel: what did you tell them last night? How many other players were there? This is a positive development. Congrats.

Frank

···

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 13, 2015, at 3:58 PM, "joel0457 joel0457@yahoo.com [vpFREE]" <vpFREE@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I just received a call from the VP of Marketing and
I was upgraded to X. It was worth going :slight_smile:

--------------------------------------------

fdbadachwrote:

Hope that Council Oak was as still great. Let me know
if there are real positive changes.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#9

Frank,
I told them they were the only casino reducing the levels of the player club. That they don't reward players based on play and that an Elite card wasn't worth the plastic it was printed on. Before I cut down my play I probably had 20X the play required for Elite and received no benefits. That they operated the property like a hotel not a casino. The key to a good casino is for you to feel good even if you loose and they nickel and dime you at every point and try to turn every area of the casino into a profit center. They said there are positive changes coming but no details or promises. I told them I hate hot seat promos, $20 -$25 for valet is outrageous. They didn't know about the hotel sweeping points and the issue with the food court not accepting points in due to the fact that the HR does not own the food court and there is a legal dispute going on. I will play a bit more now that I have X.
Joel

#10

Joel: it looks like, at least in your case, they actually listened. Maybe the changes will actually come and we'll have a real casino again.

Frank

···

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 13, 2015, at 10:41 PM, "joel0457 joel0457@yahoo.com [vpFREE]" <vpFREE@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Frank,
I told them they were the only casino reducing the levels of the player club. That they don't reward players based on play and that an Elite card wasn't worth the plastic it was printed on. Before I cut down my play I probably had 20X the play required for Elite and received no benefits. That they operated the property like a hotel not a casino. The key to a good casino is for you to feel good even if you loose and they nickel and dime you at every point and try to turn every area of the casino into a profit center. They said there are positive changes coming but no details or promises. I told them I hate hot seat promos, $20 -$25 for valet is outrageous. They didn't know about the hotel sweeping points and the issue with the food court not accepting points in due to the fact that the HR does not own the food court and there is a legal dispute going on. I will play a bit more now that I have X.
Joel

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]