M Info...any info will be appreciated!!!!

Hi all!

We decided to try the M for two nights, in July, before staying at GVR for the other three nights, to celebrate our 40th anniversery!!! (woo hoo)!!!! And, we haven't stayed anywhere BUT GVR in the last 8 years I think, so any VP info on this place, or anything else for that matter would be most appreciated! My host at GVR hooked us up on the executive level, so we are already on full rfb coming in, but we are going, first....to win....second to eat, stay and relax! How are the machines??Anyone won anything there? How's the High Limit??? Host said they have machines in all the bartops in all bars so that's a huge plus to us!!! The steak house and oyster bar look pretty tasty. are they??? We were gonna try the Palms, but I think it's just too "young" for us. Thanks for any info.

Hi,
I stayed at the M Resort for the first time on June 4th and 5th. I had an offer for two free nights as I have played there but not stayed there before. I really loved the room. It was an almost carbon copy of the room I stayed in at the Red Rock Resort (which is a good thing). It has floor to ceiling windows and a large bathroom with a huge shower and tub. My room faced The Strip and was near the elevator. My brother's room was very far from the elevator (if walking is an issue request one close to the elevator). All of the employees I encountered were very nice. I ate at the deli (which was just ok) and Marinelli's (pretty good) but the real star was the buffet. I went there twice for dinner and once for breakfast. I think the desserts are the best here even though I'm not a real dessert person. If you go there try the coconut macaroons and the chocolate souffle.
In your room there is a sign to put on your door if you decline maid service. They will then slip a $5.00 food voucher under the door, which helps with food expenses.
Unfortunately, I had zero luck on the slots and video poker at the M. My brother and his wife had the same thing happen to them.
On another note, I also stayed at the Silverton and the Orleans. I love the comfortable beds at the Silverton and the laid back atmosphere but I had no luck at all on the machines. They were very tight! The Orleans machines are usually looser but they were super tight too! My only gambling luck was on video poker downtown at Main Street Station and various slot machines at Caesar's Palace, Bally's and a $200.00 win on a buffalo machine at Green Valley Ranch.
If you like Taylor Hicks from American Idol I would highly recommend his show at the Paris hotel. The price was in the high forty dollar range (with taxes) and every seat is close to the stage. He is extremely talented.
I drove out to Boulder City, took the one way drive through Red Rock Canyon, went to the Springs Preserve and the newish Nevada State Museum next door (all these activities were fun). I ate some great meals at the M, Black Bear Diner, Bonito Michochan, Original Chicken Tenders, Mesa Grill, Orleans buffet and Capriotti's sandwich shop.
Aloha,
Jennifer

It seems that tight machines are becoming the rule rather than the exception.

M has been my main hotel/casino for some time. I go there about 5 times a year. I used to also go to GVR, but as they've lowered their offers to non-locals, I no longer go there, and am searching for a replacement. I agree with most of ILove2ndGrade!'s comments, but M has much nicer and more comfortable rooms than GVR. The M buffet is much better than the one at GVR, and it's fairly easy to earn a free buffet. The VP is better at GVR; M has fewer good VP schedules (see this page for specific VP information). As for the slots, the results of playing slots anywhere is unpredictable. I have had winning and losing trips at M, just as at anywhere else. As for the high limit area, I don't play there, but if you're going to be playing at that level, you should definitely contact a host at some point in your stay; just ask to be directed to the hosts' lounge. For non-locals, M offers slot multipliers on several days a week, and, if you use these, you'll get the best cashback rate of any place I know. I've had several hosts at M in the past 3 years, and all of them have been very nice. The atmosphere at M is similar to GVR, which makes it a good place for those of us who don't like the noise and commotion of strip casinos.

For what it's worth, I'm going to be trying the Palms over the summer as a replacement for GVR. They advertise that their slots are looser than most other places in Vegas, and they have some statistics posted near entrances.

Here's an article on the loosest slots for 2012. It's rather general, though.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on why you have had several hosts at M in the past 3 years.

We have been M fans since they opened (we are non locals), and there have been major changes in the operation since the owner, Anthony Marnell, partnered with Penn Gaming (in 2011, I think).
Not good changes, and lots of staff cutbacks.

Many dealers have had their schedules cut from full to part time, allegedly to get around the Obamacare.
Lack of cleaning staff on the casino floor, no support staff in the Players' Lounge any more, and so on.

I've had three hosts because the first two left, but I don't know why. I gather that hosts come and go at all properties.

Yes, there have been major changes since Penn took over. The players booth is gone, and the free stuff that used to be given away via mailers has gone with it. But the people at the cage also deal with player's card information, and I don't miss the free stuff, which, I think, mostly drew low-end local players. I can understand a company wanting to cut back on unprofitable practices. The result, I think, has been to concentrate on the middle-to-high-end players. I get what I want from M in exchange for my play, and I have no complaints.

As for the cleaning staff and dealers schedules, I don't know. Everything at M always seems very clean to me, and I don't play table games.

Change is constant, especially in Vegas. Over the 30+ years that I've been going regularly, I've had to move from patronizing one place to another after major changes in player programs took place. This year I'm leaving Stations because of their extreme tightening in comps for non-locals. You can't get married to a casino, but, for now, I'm very happy with M.

I'm fine with M, we've been there since the beginning.

Just curious what others have noticed in changes, such as hosts. Sure, they "come and go" at other properties, but M has only been open for about four years, and hosts surely don't last long there. Our host at Venetian/Palazzo worked there for years, not months, before moving to Mandalay.
FWIW, our current host at M is a ROCK STAR!

The lounge used to have free food and drinks, but now you can pick up bottled water, period.

The free stuff you mention did not attract low end local players, because their offers are still the same; it is only the non locals who no longer get the coupons for free shirts, etc. to which you refer.

If you notice, the locals still get lots and lots of free stuff, nearly three offers a week. Clearly, THAT is M's main market and "bread and butter." Not the non locals.

Heck, their marketing campaign now is "WE LOVE LOCALS."

Have stayed at M often, 5 times since the start of the year and love it. Yes, the video poker pay scales have been downgraded and the 9/6 Jacks are gone but 8/5 bonus poker is still plentiful. The slots are in tune with other places in Las Vegas.

BUT the food rocks! The New England clam chowder at the Oyster Bar is the best on the planet ($11 and worth it). The buffet is fabulous.

The rooms facing the strip have delightful views. All rooms are clean, well-appointed and comfortable. If you like Red Rock, you will be very happy with M. The casino is just a couple of steps from the elevators.

It helps to have a rental car if you're staying at M, which is about 8 minutes from GVR, although I understand their shuttle will accommodate most folks' schedules.

M is in my top 3 favorites of places to stay and play and eat in Vegas.

Would love to hear from a local and how much they play at M. Every time I go, there seems to be a locals giveaway and I get the impression that they only show up to pick up the freebie and then they leave. As a non-local, I enjoyed some of the freebies they used to give away but don't really miss them.

fredo

The "newness" of the place is starting to wear off but its still a worthwhile visit. As long as they keep sending me the free buffet coupon I'll show up and dump $100 into their 8/5 BP. It can get very quiet there in the daytime...too quiet for my tastes but some people like that.