STAFF HOTEL REVIEWS

Luxor Hotel and Casino 
3900 Las Vegas Boulevard South 
Las Vegas, NV

By Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
May 2007

The Luxor is currently what we would describe as an “up and comer”. Since being bought by MGM, it’s obvious there are big plans for this hotel and casino built in the 1980′s and virtually unchanged ever since.  Right now, we’d call it average – but so is the price, so it will still fit the bill for a good many travelers.

For this hotel, a simple Pro and Con list will probably work best.

Pros:

- Decent location, near the end of the Strip but next door to Mandalay Bay on one side and Excalibur on the other – with inside walkways into both. It’s also convenient to the Airport.

- It’s mid-range casino means that you can get comps here for lower wagering on table games than you would elsewhere. Playing the $10 games may not get you much, but they will rate you. Next door at Mandalay Bay, they’ll not-so-nicely scoff at you if you are playing with anything less than green. For similar wagering, you’ll also earn about twice as much in comps at Luxor.

- The Pyramid. It’s cool… although the nicer rooms are actually in the Tower.

- The pool. It’s not as Flash as the Hard Rock or Mandalay but it’s a big pool with lots of seating. It attracts people of all ages.

- The rooms in the Tower section are nicely renovated.

- The price. The Luxor is usually quite a good deal relative to other big casinos on the strip.

- Not one but two Starbucks!

Cons:

- It lacks the “Flash Factor”. You won’t find the celebs here. But, really, most don’t care about that.

- The food. We’ll be honest. It’s not good. It’s not the worst, but it’s not good. MGM needs to overhaul the Luxor‘s dining concepts ASAP. We’re talking a brand new buffet with brand new food, a brand new cafe, and some designer dining options like the MGM Grand has.

- The location. For some it’s a nice location but others might prefer to be more mid-strip – near Caesar’s Palace, Planet Hollywood, Paris Las Vegas, Wynn, etc.

- The check-in. It took a long time. And despite our package including a supposedly special “Tower Check-in,” the Tower Check-in was closed when we arrived forcing a very long wait on the main line.

Overall, it was fine. Nothing extravagant but not bad either. We’d stay again if on a budget.

- DG

Bare Pool Lounge Bar
MGM Mirage
3400 Las Vegas Boulevard South 
Las Vegas, NV 89109 US

By Dave Grossman and Josh Sanders, Hotel Magician
May 2007

In recent years, Las Vegas has really upped the ante for exclusive nightclubs. But the group behind happening nightspot “Light” saw a relatively untapped market – getting that same crowd to party during daylight hours.

Enter “Bare Pool Lounge” at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas. Open from 11am to 7pm, Bare caters to a very exclusive crowd, ushering in the same people skipping the lines at the hottest clubs while turning away most of the rest save for high rollers and beautiful babes.

But this is exactly why you’ll want to spend a day here if you can. The majority of the crowd here is extremely attractive and its European-style means that bikini tops are optional. Bare has been marketing itself extensively and we were a bit afraid it’d be more hype than reality – but this was not the case.

It’s a pretty small setting – we guessed there was about 150 people total, including guests on the lounge chairs (waiter service), day beds and private nooks (bottle service), and a VIP area for special guests (celebs and high-rollers).

If you visit without bottle service, you are in competition for one of the lounge chairs and there are not many. Else, you will either be hanging out by the bar or staking out a piece of the side of the pool for your belongings. There are no changing areas or locker facilities. Not ideal but you’ll still feel pretty good about being here.

Bare succeeds in delivering exactly what it aims to: a a beautiful and exclusive setting for beautiful people to spend the day relaxing in and around the pool and enjoying some fine food and drink while the DJ does his thing. Pitchers of margaritas and sangria replace the tradition “bottles” you expect from bottle service at a nightclub.

Hot Tip from the Hotel Magician:

Thursdays are unofficially “Exotic Dancer” day where local dancer beauties show up and kick back.

The best way to get in is to call in advance, at least a day before, for reservations.

Standard rates as of this writing are $40 for men and $20 for ladies on Fri/Sat/Sun and $30/$10 on Thurs/Mon. (closed Tues/Weds). Without being on  “the list”, your best bet is to arrive by 10:45am for the 11am opening. It’s the same “get there early” technique you’d use at a hot nightclub.

For a big group, you’ll need to pay for bottle service and food to reserve your spot.

Bare Pool: (702) 791-7442
MGM Mirage hotel reservations

North America > Canada > Quebec

Hilton Quebec
1100 Rene Levesque East
Quebec, Canada G1R 4P3

By Dave Grossman, Hotel Magician
May 2007

The AAA 4 Diamond Hilton Quebec provided very nice accommodations for a recent weekend in Quebec.  Located just outside of the old city, and just a 2 minute walk from the Quebec Observatory, the location was quite nice.

If you want to be IN the old city, you might prefer the historic (and more expensive) Chateau Frontenac, owned by the Fairmont chain.  But from the Hilton you have an excellent walk into and through the old city, down to the Chateau and to the lower city. Bring good walking shoes and be prepared for hills, though, as Quebec is one steep hill after another.

The hotel rooms at this Hilton Quebec are very standard. Standard furnishings and a standard bathroom (marble sinks but standard faucets, old style bath/shower combo, and amenities). Nothing wrong, nothing to really wow either. Standard. It appears to have been last renovated sometime in the 90′s.

The service was quite good. Everyone was eager to help us plan our activities and all were very polite. Do not worry if you speak only English as everyone there was perfectly fluent in English and happy to speak it.

There is a pool on the 3rd floor which is heated and also has a portion of the pool inside so that in slightly cold weather you can make your entrance to the heated water without having to venture outside in a bathing suit

As Hilton Gold members, we were given an upgrade to the Executive floor. The rooms didn’t seem that special although a bathrobe was provided. The real benefit was access to the Executive Lounge on the lobby floor which provides a continental breakfast each morning, Hors D’oeuvres from 5-7pm and complimentary drinks from 5-10pm each evening. It has a very inviting atmosphere in which to plan a day or unwind. Non-Gold/Diamond members can gain access by booking an Executive Room type.

Hot Tip from the Hotel Magician:

If you really want to venture off the beaten path, take a ferry from Quebec City across the river to Levis. Walk about a mile straight uphill from the ferry terminal (walk right from the terminal, look for stairs on the left, take to top and then keep walking uphill until you get to Avenue Begin). Walk left on Begin until you see a swarm of people that seem to have appeared from nowhere (there’s no much else going on in this part of town) and then order the best ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce 9which hardens on the ice cream) you’ve ever had. It’s called La Glacerie a l’Europeene and is adjacent to The Chocolate Favoris chocolate factory. The standard order seems to be a large vanilla soft-serve with milk or dark chocolate sauce. It’ll take you about two hours to take the round trip ferry and make it to the place but if you have the time, it’s an adventure and a treat! Plus, you walk off the calories trying to get up the hills to the ice cream!!

DG