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Poll : 27 September - 10 October 2017

Q:

From time to time, we get an inquiry about what happened to the star ratings for hotels and restaurants, particularly buffets, on the new website, compared to their prominence on the old one. The answer is, nothing happened to them. They're still there, in the upper right-hand corner of the relevant pages to the right of "Rating"; the stars themselves are a little faint if no one has rated that venue. 

We encourage you to rate your most or least favorite amenities; once the stars are more visible, it will prompt more people to rate (you must be logged in).

In an effort to get the rating ball rolling, we're polling on your favorite 11 upscale buffets, which, believe it or not, we haven't done since 2004. Our criterion is the price of the regular dinner spread is more than $30 (for example, Harrah's Flavors Buffet dinner is $29.99 and the Orleans Saturday seafood buffet is $31.99; neither is included). 

We'll translate the votes into stars and rate these buffets ourselves, based on the poll. This is a simple popularity contest, so you can vote for as many as you like. And your comments are always highly valued.

 

A:
1860 Total Votes
Wynn's The Buffet
17% (308)
Bellagio's The Buffet
15% (284)
Caesars' Bacchanal Buffet
14% (267)
Cosmopolitan's Wicked Spoon Buffet
14% (254)
Rio's Carnival World Buffet
10% (187)
Mirage's Cravings Buffet
10% (184)
Paris' Le Village Buffet
9% (174)
Aria's The Buffet
6% (103)
Mandalay Bay's Bayside Buffet
2% (40)
MGM Grand Buffet
2% (34)
Treasure Island's The Buffet at TI
1% (25)

Analysis

The results of this poll are interesting and instructive to us.

 

We're a little surprised that the Wynn Buffet beat out the Bacchanal at Caesars, which has the reputation, at least, as the best, and is $12 (22%) more expensive for the regular dinner. (We don't disagree; we like the Wynn better).

 

We're also surprised that Bellagio placed at #2, also higher than Caesars, even if only by 17 votes. The Bacchanal's regular dinner is $16 (30%) more expensive than Bellagio's. (Bellagio also has the great counter play to avoid the long lines.)

 

The Wicked Spoon Buffet at Cosmopolitan lost to the Bacchanal by only 13 votes in a statistical dead heat -- at $13 less expensive. (And LVA members can use the 2-for-1 coupon to get each buffet for $1 more than the cost of the Circus Circus buffet! 

 

Yet another surprise was the Aria's buffet ranked so low: eighth out of 11. At $37.99, it's less expensive than the Bacchanal, Wynn, Bellagio, and Cosmopolitan (and we think it's much better than the Rio, Mirage, and Paris buffets that placed above it). 

 

Finally, we like the Treasure Island Buffet way more than Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand's.

 

The one thing we're not surprised by is the number of comments voting for M Resort's Studio B. The reason it's not included in this poll is that it costs less -- by a full $5 -- than our price criterion of $30 and higher. (But we can tell you that in the current buffet that includes the Studio B, out of more than 1,300 votes so far, it's ahead of the pack by a full 50 votes.)

 

Anyway, the votes are in and the readers have spoken, and we greatly appreciate the participation and commentary. 

 

 

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Comments

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  • Fred Huber Jr Sep-27-2017
    MR
    THE M BUFFET IS VERY GOOD

  • Richard Kukis Sep-27-2017
    poll
    always use the 2 for 1 LVA coupon.which makes it a great deal, especially if you like hot crab legs.

  • Dave Sep-27-2017
    None of the above
    None are worth the price. 
    
    And as an aside, I detest having to pay extra for high priced items that I'm not going to eat. 

  • Laurence Martin Sep-27-2017
    The M buffet - our favorite
    You should have included the M buffet even though off the strip.
    It is the best for good main stream food.  The fact beer or wine is included is a bonus.  They have a great comp, earn so many points in a day and the buffet is FREE !.  We are quarter-50 cent players and have no problem earning the free buffet (you do NOT loose any points!).  When we go to Vegas we always stay at the M for a few days after the strip stay.  Better games, good food, great service,  good music (generally). We find other buffets have too many things we are interested in and feel we re over paying for what we eat. Usually base going to strip buffets on if have a coupon. Hit Bellagio for lunch prices.

  • Frank Mabry Sep-27-2017
    None of the above
    I like the food offering at the Luxor much better than the Rios, Mandalay Bay, Bellagios, or Arias.

  • [email protected] Sep-27-2017
    yikes!
    Who the heck pays this much? I've gotta have a two for one before I'll eat at any of these.

  • Deke Castleman Sep-27-2017
    none of the above
    This came in via email (and we agree, but once the poll has begun, it can't be changed): 
    
    "I think you should have had a 'none of the above' option. I've never been to any of these buffets and have no desire to go. Several of the hotels mentioned I've been to only once or twice, and a couple not at all. And that was before they started charging for parking.
    
    I guess I'm just not in their target demographic.
    

  • flagman1953 Sep-27-2017
    none of the above
    I can not vote for any of them I would not spend that much money on food i mostly would not eat.

  • James McFadden Sep-27-2017
    none of the above 
    At prices like these we can have a better meal delivered by room service. My wife and I are 75 and cannot eat that much.

  • Jeff Darling Sep-27-2017
    By Default
    I chose Cravings Buffet at Mirage, because it is the only one listed that I have been to (using the 2for1 coupon in the MRB of course!).  We usually stay Downtown and go to Main St Stations Buffet, which we absolutely love and would choose over Cravings Buffet in a heartbeat!

  • Kris Sep-27-2017
    None of the above
    I agree with others that there should have been a "None of the above" option.  There is no way I would pay this much money for a buffet.  

  • thebeachbum Sep-27-2017
    The M
    X2 on M.  It is a great buffet and good value.

  • Patrick Sep-27-2017
    Wynn Buffet
    We have been comped our last few stays at Wynn for the Buffet. If that ever ends, we would still pay the the regular price, which is in the $50 per person range. It's worth it alone for the dessert selections.

  • Deke Castleman Sep-27-2017
    M's Studio B
    We agree that the M's buffet is one of the best in town, and the reason it's not on the list is because it's also one of the best values: The regular dinner is only $24.99, so it didn't fit within the criterion.
    

  • Robert Byrne Sep-27-2017
    No Bally's?
    Over the last fifteen years we've tried all of these buffets, except Mandalay Bay. Our favourite two are Wynn & Bacchanal in that order. Two we wouldn't visit again are Rio & MGM.
    However our real favourite for a treat at weekends is Bally's Sterling Brunch, particularly since the revamp - yes it's exceedingly expensive, but we think it's worth the price.
    Looking at the other comments it appears that most aren't willing to pay very much for a buffet, but this poll is about the upscale buffets.

  • Linda Heffernan Sep-27-2017
    M Resort is the best!
    I want to vote for M Resort!

  • Candace Corbani Sep-27-2017
    None of the Above
    The Mirage now has diners run their own beverages.  This is First Class?  The Main Street Station or Orleans Buffets run rings around the Cravings for the money. Boyd properties offers great food & service for so much less.

  • Linda Heffernan Sep-27-2017
    Bellagio self serve drinks
    At the Bellagio Buffet, you now have to get your own drinks!  That's a step down in quality. 

  • d Sep-27-2017
    Dave
    Like to hit 1 or 2 of these during our stay as a special treat. Agree that M has good value. Recent Bellagio trip;  beverage service now self-serve (ugh!) and glassware/coffee cups downgraded - plastic/Corelle-type instead of glass/ceramic. Won't be back there.

  • Boomer 55 Sep-27-2017
    Only with the MRB 2fer
    Enjoyed Caesars in early 90's and Rio's World buffet tremendously in late 90's, now they're prohibitively overpriced as I believe all on list are.  Have visited a few with the MRB coupon past few years and was impressed by Wicked Spoon (particularly the portion servings presentation) but not Cravings.  Agree with other contributors - Cravings not even a match for much lower priced Cal and Main St. 
    Thanks, voters, for heads-up regarding M's buffet.

  • That Don Guy Sep-27-2017
    Does rodizio count?
    Should rodizio, or, as I like to call it, "All You Can Meat," such as Samba (Mirage), count as a buffet?  The only difference is, they bring the meat to you, one piece at a time.

  • Glenn Leonberger Sep-29-2017
    Buffets
    For many years the Rio's Carnival World Buffet was my favorite.  However, in recent years it still looked impressive but the quality of the food in each station has slipped as the price has gone up.  Our preference now is Planet Hollywood's Spice Market Buffet as they have a nice variety and the quality is very good.  Of the ones listed the only one I still go to is Paris' Le Village Buffet but because of the price even that is rare and only for lunch when it isn't as expensive.

  • Walter Funsch Sep-30-2017
    buffet poll
    my wife and I prefer the Rio's buffet, including the seafood add on. Never tried the M buffet but will be going to soon given all the praise it's getting here.

  • melissaru Oct-01-2017
    Buffy
    The M buffet can't be beat - esp their weekend seafood buffet (and with a generous coupon for locals and Marquee Rewards players).

  • Barry Steg Oct-05-2017
    mr
    i like caesars and m buffet for the value. Wicked spoon to much salt . I also tried Wynn and Rio .Caesars is the best although its a lot of money

  • [email protected] Oct-14-2017
    Pretty Accurate Poll
    I agree that as we get older we just can't eat as much food. I am very surprised that The Bellagio no longer offers table service for beverages? The Wynn and Bellagio also have a better lunch menu, which is where many Buffets fall down a bit. Maybe a poll sometime about weekend brunches on and off The Strip? (Forget Ballys-Way too expensive.)