A big S&G ‘thank you’ to generous reader Jeff_in_OKC and his lovely wife Lisa, who shared the following observations from a recent Las Vegas sojourn, with a particular emphasis on the Riviera: Although I will pick some nits, I must say most importantly: THERE ARE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING HERE.
• One night when we visited both elevators in the self-park garage were out of order. This should never be allowed to happen, and casino employees should be posted on every floor to warn guests. People are forgiving and would easily work around it if they are informed up front.
• Many of the small snack bars, coffee kiosks and other small shops were closed at 7:15 PM when we arrived.
• Also, it seems like ALL the ceiling lights are turned off in the Pinball Hall Of Fame area, 24/7. This is short-sighted thinking that is so worried about overhead that it kills the positive. I own a small business and I make sure that all lights are turned on and all parts of the shop look like they are ready for action every minute that we are open. I am convinced that it is human nature to flee darkness — and the darkness is like a flesh-eating virus that wants to kill everything it can as quickly as possible.
• Darkness means you are closed. That is why shows in Las Vegas are described as “Dark” when they are not open and don’t want to do business.• Did not have good luck at the slots. We did not like that.
• The coffee shop, which I think used to be called “Kaydees” was closed and seems to be changing it’s name to “Poolside Grille” or “Paradise Cafe” or something. The bright-color (red, yellow, blue and white) theme of the joint is really cool in a retro kind of way, and hope they reopen ASAP. We have always had good food and service there at a fair price and have no doubt it will continue when it reopens.
• My pet peeve is that the Liberace slot machines are still not back on the floor. I think there should be a few machines in a special layout on the west end of the casino floor in such a fashion that draws attention to them, yet doesn’t keep people from the new “Batman” and “Battleship” machines, etc.
• One of the many great moves being made by management is bringing in the ABC Store chain to operate gift and sundries shops. No other store compares in terms of price and selection. To make things even better, Riv management has maintained a small, Riviera-logo gift shop just inside the building on the east side of the swimming pool: a neat little place that sells the BEST logo, insulated coffee cup I have ever seen. I have bought over 20 Las Vegas-themed insulated cups in the last few years and consider myself pretty knowledgeable about this subject …
The ABC stores at the Riv are a real asset. I hate being ripped off at some of the big Strip hotel stores — $4 for a Diet Coke, ouch. Jeff is also right about haphazard hours at some of the smaller restaurants. The lack of foot traffic on the North Strip makes the front of the Riv feel dark. I think they need another bar at the rear of the casino. The old mermaid bar was replaced by a row of slots years ago.
Hopefully the Riv is on the upswing having weathered the worst of the recession. I’ll be there in December. If anything good ever happens at Fontainebleau or the Stardust site, the Riv might just be poised for a Tropicana-style update and be a part of Vegas for the next 50 years.