What Will the New Palms Be Like?

We're really looking forward to the Palms reopening in the next few months. Have you heard any specific details about what it's going to be like? Different than the old Station casino? Or more of the same?

A lot of media has been devoted to the purchase of the Palms by southern California's San Manuel Tribe of Mission Indians and the tribe's recent licensing by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

The coverage tends to focus on the planned differences between the new and old Palms, rather than the similarities.

The hotel-casino will reopen as "the Palms," though we've seen hints that the name might change at some point after that.

Perhaps the biggest change will be repurposing the nightclub spaces. To start, what used to be KAOS will remain closed as the tribe decides what to replace it with. A Palms executive said, "A nightclub doesn't make sense for our target customers, which are gamblers." However, the iconic Ghostbar from the Maloof days, on the 55th floor with fantastic Strip-facing views, will be returning.

And gamblers will be targeted from three distinct markets: southern California, drawing from the database at the tribe's highly successful Yaamava' Hotel-Casino outside of San Bernardino; visitors from the rest of southern California, plus Arizona, Utah, and the Pacific Northwest; and Las Vegas locals.

In addition, not reopening the nightclub suggests that the Palms will cater to an older clientele than Station Casinos marketed to, failing miserably and quite visibly. An analyst said that the San Manuel Tribe will "take a much more holistic approach by targeting older customers" than Station did.

That makes sense, given that the typical Yaamava'-goers are middle-aged and retired people. It's obviously a market with which the tribe is more comfortable and experienced. And without a major portion of the budget tied up in the nightclub, it frees up plenty of money for other amenities, such as restaurants and more mainstream entertainment.

For example, expect to see the Pearl Theater open quickly with concerts and other live entertainment, though with a different lineup of artists than previously.

The sports book will be upgraded (technology-wise) and possibly shrunk in size; it will be operated by William Hill.

Most of the food-court vendors will remain, though what restaurants return remains to be seen. We have high hopes for the buffet, since it appears to us that the customer base the tribe is seeking would seem to favor AYCE.

It's already been announced that paid parking is not part of the plan.

Cynthia Kiser Murphey, who started her casino career at the Mirage and rose through the ranks to become president of New York-New York, is the general manager of the Palms. She knows the markets and how to run a casino, and from what we've seen, she has embraced the tribe's vision for returning the Palms to its former glory under the Maloofs.

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.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

Dave_Miller_DJTB Jan-25-2022

Old logo

I would like to see them return to the original logo. While not a politically correct thing to say, it kinda looked like an Indian headdress, which would finally make sense.

Donzack Jan-25-2022

Video poker

Will we be playing bingo on the video poker machines? Does Nevada allow class II vp?

VegasVic Jan-25-2022

Nice Place

Station put a LOT of cash into the place recently so it doesn't really need much.  It's a nice place.  I've often stayed at Palms Place rather than the Palms itself (bigger rooms, good deals).  You can walk across the street to eat at Ping Pang Pong at the GC.  It used to be good to walk over to the Rio too before that turned into a major dump (stopped there in July, terrible).  

Looking forward to going back when it reopens.  It's another good off strip option (I stopped staying on the strip years ago).

Kevin Lewis Jan-25-2022

I want the old one back

Remember when...great video poker, excellent slot club, lots of promotions, really good restaurants? Stations took over and ran that place into the ground...just like they did the Fiestas.

If the tribe's target demographic is as you say, can we hope that the gambling and the slot club will be good? It would sure be a refreshing change to see a Vegas casino get BETTER.

VegasVic Jan-25-2022

Station

Station bought the place for around $315 million and stuck twice that amount into it.  Some of it was well spent, some wasn't.  The fantasy tower rooms all were renovated, the first time since the place opened. New restaurants added such as Mabels BBQ and Scotch 80 Prime. Both were very good. But while they said they were going to market to locals they spend a lot of cash on art.  I'm not an art hater, or lover, but that was an odd decision.  They didn't spend what Steve Wynn spent but it was a waste of money.

No one knows what San Manuel will do the place or how well they will run it.  I'm looking forward to checking it out. 

I agree with Dave, the old sign was cool, it sounds as if they will be changing the name at some point though.

rokgpsman Jan-25-2022

A Fresh, Hopeful opportunity for customers

Do we dare to hope there will be a pro-customer place to enjoy with the new Palms management and ownership? Many have said if only a casino-hotel-resort would return to giving customers good value, fair odds at casino games, a rewarding players club, reasonable dining places, etc that it would be a success with the seasoned Vegas visitors and locals. That might be a longshot wish in today's money-oriented environment that seems to rule over all decisions.

gaattc2001 Jan-25-2022

"A nightclub doesn't make sense for our target customers, which are gamblers."

Stirring words, but talk is cheap. Let's check back in six months or a year, with special attention to the Blackjack and VP payouts, various extraneous fees, and building maintenance. 
Yy the way, it's good to hear from Kevin again; and spot-on, as usual.
And here's a suggestion: Las Vegas could use another poker room--another good one, that is.

The Dr Jan-25-2022

... Some Hope

No parking fees a +step.  A small one but a start.
If Cynthia Kiser Murphey is good, then maybe more to come.
If it does and is successful, it will be interesting to see if the others follow suit - the money :)

VegasVic Jan-25-2022

Parking

The free parking there has always been nice (also free at the Gold Coast and Rio). 

They have a parking structure there but a lot of times you can just park in the surface lot and walk right in.

Question of the Day - 25 January 2022

Comments