Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, charging too much??

Strolling down the strip the past couple of weeks I was amazed by how much visible progress is being made on City Center, it amazes me everytime how quickly they've built it up and the grand opening isn't far off now.

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/

What do you all think?
I've had a scoot and prices start from $545 + tax a night.

In a City which must have near on 100k rooms once CC is complete I just can't see how this is going to be a competitive price?

The opening offer isn't bad as you can get a buy one night get another free offer but it's a non gaming hotel and whilst I appreciate that appeals to some lets be honest, there's not many people who don't go to Vegas for a gamble. Yes, the place will be of a high standard but I still can't see how they will justify the price in Las Vegas. In other cities I can understand it but not Vegas, time will tell I guess and I know they're not stupid.

Some will pay I'm sure, but with Priceline I had a suite at the Venetian for $88, and it's not like any of those hotels are shabby!

quote:Originally posted by napamatt
Some will pay I'm sure, but with Priceline I had a suite at the Venetian for $88, and it's not like any of those hotels are shabby!

This is the point I'm trying to make really, there's plenty of good hotels on the strip that are not charging anything like the MO. You can get better deals going direct to the hotels at the moment too as some of them have cracking offers on. I've just spent 12 nights at Caesars in a suite in the newer Augustus tower, $119 per night, free gym/spa access and dining credits too and a prime location. Furthermore, due to the losses I incurred from my gambling I actually ended up paying nothing for the room and all room charges (yes I lost a lot but I wouldn't get anything like that from MO).

Encore/Wynn have had plenty of specials on, Bellagio are on a stay 2 nights get third free offer again.

Incidentally, I'm not saying a non gaming hotel won't work in Vegas as they clearly do and I've stayed at one a few times (The Signature @ MGM) but the price has to be right and I really don;t think the MO is pried correctly in Vegas.

[Darren Wheeler]

You don't stay in a MO because it's cheap. You stay because it's a MO.

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by daywalker

In a City which must have near on 100k rooms once CC is complete I just can't see how this is going to be a competitive price?


To the end of last year there were 140529 hotel rooms, or to put it another way, there are more rooms at the corner of LV Blvd and Trop than there are in the whole of NYC.

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
You don't stay in a MO because it's cheap. You stay because it's a MO.


True in part, you will always have people that will stay at the MO money be damned, however as Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons found out, there is only so much you can charge in this city before the allure of the strip hotels takes over.

As daywalker says, some of the hotels are running deals right now the likes of which have not been seen in years, decades even.

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
You don't stay in a MO because it's cheap. You stay because it's a MO.


Well said - and I know that I would book it at that price among many other V-Flyers

[y]

HG

Looking a bit further in the future rate at the MO Vegas goes down to under $300 per night in Aug 2010. The Venetian at that time is $279 (albeit a bigger room).

The market, demand etc. will probably bring both prices down a bit and the MO will be paying close attention to how its reputation balances against the more premium Vegas hotels.

The new Vdara, in the same complex, looks a reasonable hotel and that is already offering Venetian/TheHotel sized suites (600 -700 sqft) below those hotels rates.

Interesting time for Vegas hotels.

[RichardMannion]

I did look at the MO in LAS and thought they were pushing it a bit on the price front. Some of the rates were on par with the MGM Skylofts. Like Dave says, Vegas is full of premium hotels, so competition will be intense. There is only so much more they coudl justify on the MO tag.

I'm going to be there 10th-13th January and really cannot decide where to stay. Some of the 5 star hotels such as The Venetian, Wynn and Bellagio have got great prices. The mid range hotels such as MGM Grand and Luxor are almost giving the rooms away.
The MO is far too expensive, yes I know it's the MO but it's at least double that of the other luxury hotels (and a bit more). Other hotels on the new City Centre site such as the Aria and Vdara are roughly the same as the fore mentioned 5 star hotels with prices from around $150 a night.

Oh what to do[?]

-Steve

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
You don't stay in a MO because it's cheap. You stay because it's a MO.

As I've said, in any other City I can understand that, in Vegas I can't see it working for them regardless of the brand.

quote:Originally posted by Stevieboy
I'm going to be there 10th-13th January and really cannot decide where to stay. Some of the 5 star hotels such as The Venetian, Wynn and Bellagio have got great prices. The mid range hotels such as MGM Grand and Luxor are almost giving the rooms away.
The MO is far too expensive, yes I know it's the MO but it's at least double that of the other luxury hotels (and a bit more). Other hotels on the new City Centre site such as the Aria and Vdara are roughly the same as the fore mentioned 5 star hotels with prices from around $150 a night.

Oh what to do[?]

-Steve





What to do, depends on what you will be doing in Vegas? Is it your first trip etc?

That time of year you can rule out any pool time so that's not a consideration.

Out of all of those hotels the Wynn is my favourite, stayed in a parlour suite in the tower section and loved the room, facilities, casino etc but the location got to be bind in the end.

Trouble is, as you say, there's some new ones coming up too which you need to consider.

Sticking to the existing ones, I'd probably go with Bellagio purely for it's location and the fact you have a short trip, never stayed at the Venetian but I've tried the Palazzo a couple of times and had a few problems with them.

[Scrooge]

One thing to think about, I have heard this from a number of friends who have stayed at both the Wynn and the Encore.

When the night clubs are going the noise kind off rolls up the building, so if you have a room on ANY floor above the nightclubs you seem to end up spending the night listening to the bass thump away.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
One thing to think about, I have heard this from a number of friends who have stayed at both the Wynn and the Encore.

When the night clubs are going the noise kind off rolls up the building, so if you have a room on ANY floor above the nightclubs you seem to end up spending the night listening to the bass thump away.


We had a similar issue when staying at the Palazzo, high floor with a strip view, we could hear the club.

It's down to those crappy air vents they put on the bottom of the windows, I've yet to find one truly air tight when it's closed so you hear plenty of outside noise.

[buns]

Whilst a stay at the MO would appeal, I will wait for the dust to settle and see how it responds to competition.

I agree with Darren and Hackneyguy about wanting to stay in a MO, but I won't do it at any price and will look for keen pricing before leap[:D]

buns

MO's in the US are always priced way too high in my opinion. Still I'm sure they know about their occupancy rates than me so I'm sure there are people who pay it.

Regardless of the cost (within reason) I'm sure I'll try it for at least one night next time I'm in Vegas.

Love how this MO is the only one with room plans in the group - Vegas is obbsessed with roomplans. In fact so am I.

Been looking at the website in more detail:

'A VIP section with a sliding partition and separate service is available by reservation'

Again, another nod to its surroundings. Wonder if they'll also insit you pay for wanky bottle service if you want the pleasure of sitting down?

[buns]

quote:Originally posted by Wolves27
Been looking at the website in more detail:

'A VIP section with a sliding partition and separate service is available by reservation'

Again, another nod to its surroundings. Wonder if they'll also insit you pay for wanky bottle service if you want the pleasure of sitting down?


I am sure it will be a hit with those who wish to flaunt their wealth winnings[}:)]

buns

quote:Originally posted by buns
quote:Originally posted by Wolves27
Been looking at the website in more detail:

'A VIP section with a sliding partition and separate service is available by reservation'

Again, another nod to its surroundings. Wonder if they'll also insit you pay for wanky bottle service if you want the pleasure of sitting down?


I am sure it will be a hit with those who wish to flaunt their wealth winnings[}:)]

buns


Well it wont be me then.

I love Vegas, love the MO chain and will stay there either after NYE or early in 2010. However I don't gamble so no winnings for me (told you I was odd [:w])

HG

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by buns
quote:Originally posted by Wolves27
Been looking at the website in more detail:

'A VIP section with a sliding partition and separate service is available by reservation'

Again, another nod to its surroundings. Wonder if they'll also insit you pay for wanky bottle service if you want the pleasure of sitting down?


I am sure it will be a hit with those who wish to flaunt their wealth winnings[}:)]

buns


Well it wont be me then.

I love Vegas, love the MO chain and will stay there either after NYE or early in 2010. However I don't gamble so no winnings for me (told you I was odd [:w])

HG


You didn't need to tell us [y][:)]

I like the MO and appreciate its classy charm but for more than a few nights no, just too much relaxing pan piping, chi'ing ends up a bit like Gods waiting room and very irritating. Be like spending the whole time in the Spa.

It looks like Vegas has the MO on the run... well for the MO anyway [:D]

I've seen rates down to $295 also seen a deal of stay 2 nights, get thrid night free with rates @ $335 for the each of the two nights.

Other options with dining/spa credits available too.

quote:Originally posted by daywalker
It looks like Vegas has the MO on the run... well for the MO anyway [:D]

I've seen rates down to $295 also seen a deal of stay 2 nights, get thrid night free with rates @ $335 for the each of the two nights.

Other options with dining/spa credits available too.


Yes $295 was the rate I was getting for last weekend. However the rest of the group of ten or so were staying at the MGM so we stayed there. Four Seasons were very tempting with a 3 nights for 2, and had I been alone that would have been where I'd have stay.

I also have a recent aversion to the MO chain after discovering their very close connection to the obnoxiously arrogant Candy brothers and their development in Knightsbridge that's been causing so much disruption and delays for the past couple of years. I am sure that whoever is being paid off rewarded to allow that level of chaos is enjoying it somehow.

Cheers, Howard

[Scrooge]

Howard, the Four Seasons is really not anything special here, I was very unimpressed with it, though the pool area is very nice, the rooms themselves are very very ordinary.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Howard, the Four Seasons is really not anything special here, I was very unimpressed with it, though the pool area is very nice, the rooms themselves are very very ordinary.


I stayed there easily a dozen times over the years, certainly enough for them to know me to receive more than just a faux database greeting on arrival. I also always received upgrades on the rooms usually via Amex Centurion (or Platinum before Centurion existed). But, to be fair, retracing my steps, and I don't think I've been to Vegas for perhaps six years until last weekend. But you are right, the standard rooms themselves are, well, not that special.

I found two very good reasons for stay at the FS. (1) Nowhere else in Vegas at the time was there anywhere that came close in personal service terms and (2) it is a breath of fresh air to be able to make it from check in to your room without having to negotiate a gazillion gaming machines. Oh, and (3), when you want to have a relaxing lie by the pool, there are not a million other bodies to negotiate. As often as not you're probably the only ones there.

After a while I just got sick of arriving in town after perhaps fifteen to seventeen hours travelling and having to line up for half an hour just to check in. With the FS the driver collects you, calls ahead, and you get escourted straight to your room. I am sure high rollers receive a similar treatment at other hotels, I just never fitted that category. Before 9/11 the driver would even escort you right from the gate.

This may have changed, there may now be other locations in Vegas that offer a level of service similar to that of the FS, but as far as I am concerned for Vegas, on the strip, the FS was the first.

There are certain names in hospitality I trust implicitly: for restaurant recomendations it's Michelin, and for hotels it's the Four Seasons.

Cheers, Howard