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Grand Sierra: "Luxury resort" meets sweatshop
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lvbear584



Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 140

PostPosted: Nov Wed 01, 2006 12:11 pm    Post subject: Grand Sierra: "Luxury resort" meets sweatshop Reply with quote

The former Reno Hilton is now the independently-owned Grand Sierra. The new casino management is turning it into a grind joint. I don’t think sweatshop operator Navegante Group, which manages four dumps in downtown Las Vegas as well as the Fandango in Carson City, was a good choice to manage this casino.

The former $25 minimum single-deck table was recently reduced to $10 minimum, even on swing shift, making it unplayable due to overcrowding. It appears that all but the lowest-level players are now unwelcome. Most of the current patrons are red-chip grinders. The cage will cash only $500 in other Reno casinos' chips.

The same mostly unfriendly dealers and pit staff are still there. The place needs a blood transfusion. I observed two pit critters go out of their way to be ridiculously unreasonable to a carnival game black-chip player, making the player so disgusted with their stupidity that he picked up his pile of chips and left. I overheard a dealer lying to a patron, telling him the 6 to 5 single deck is a better game than the 3 to 2 single deck because the 3 to 2 is D10.

The sports book has lowered its limits, apparently trying to get rid of all but the smallest bettors. The college football totals max bet has been reduced -- first to $500, then reduced again to just $300.

This place should be trying to appeal to upscale business travelers due to its location near the airport, not to the lowest-level patrons. It looks like the casino and sportsbook management is in conflict with the ownership's plans. Hotel ownership apparently correctly wants to cultivate high-end patrons, as indicated on its website:

Sophistication meets simplicity. Elegance meets exuberance. Signature dining meets luxury-boutique shopping. Inventive nightlife meets the boundless possibilities of Reno/Lake Tahoe, America's greatest wide open.

Welcome to the Grand Sierra Resort, the destination playground that promises to give "luxury" a bold new meaning.


http://www.grandsierraresort.com

But maybe ownership failed to inform the casino and sportsbook, which appear to have taken the opposite approach by doing all they can to chase off the high-end patrons.

There appears to be incompetence on its website as well. For example, singer Amie Miriello of Dirtie Blonde is appearing in an upcoming concert with someone named Nick Lachey. I've never heard of Mr. Lachey, but I would be happy to see Amie Miriello, even if I had to actually pay for a ticket. The website doesn't even mention Amie:

http://www.grandsierraresort.com/entertainment/events_calendar/

When the oversight was pointed out to a show reservations employee, the attitude was "Oh, well."

Unless ownership quickly replaces the current incompetent management, I think it is doomed to failure. Reno doesn't need another boarded-up casino. I hope they take corrective action and are able to survive.

------------------------------------

My casino-related website: www.TheBearGrowls.com


Last edited by lvbear584 on Apr Wed 25, 2007 10:08 am; edited 2 times in total
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ErininSD



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 265

PostPosted: Nov Sat 04, 2006 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmm, I have no idea who Amie Mierello is, but I do know who Nick Lachey is...LOL. He's Jessica Simpson's ex-husband and star of the series "Newleyweds" on MTV, which ran for a couple of seasons.
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Slapdad



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 8

PostPosted: Nov Sat 04, 2006 9:06 pm    Post subject: uh-oh.... Reply with quote

somebody took a leak in somebody's Cheerios.

You shouldn't have to rub elbows with the riff-raff that you speak of. I'm going to file a grievance immediately. The nerve of management....trying to run a profitable business!
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Nov Sun 05, 2006 2:39 am    Post subject: MGM GRAND/BALLY'S/RENO HILTON Reply with quote

At last, a casino that wants my business.

Yup, I have it right here...a mailer that has a coupon: " Free buffet. Bring this coupon to the Lodge Buffet and receive a free buffet when you purchase one at the regular price. Expires 12/27/06."
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john
Site Admin


Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Nov Sun 05, 2006 5:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know they want my business badly enough to bribe me with fun, food, flashlights and a new car. I have the proof in writing!


It was addressed to "Our Reno Friends". What's not to love about this place?
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spinner



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 62

PostPosted: Nov Sun 05, 2006 4:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

lvbear584, you sound like an unhappy soul. Your complaints that the casino has lowered their limits on the single deck 21 tables, and so now they are unplayable (by your assessment) because they are overcrowded is GREAT news for Reno. That is what Reno needs, overcrowded tables. Previous posts from you deal with how casinos are out only to take complete advantage of players on every aspect. I think that you might want to break free of casinos, because they seem to bring you such unhappiness, and feeling of paranoia.

If this casino wants to attract action, they are doing the right thing. To have table limits at $25 and up in Reno is good if the casino wants to cut down on maintenance, because it will be empty most of the time. Cal Neva has made a mint on low limit bettors. I am a high limit bettor, but I liked to play at the Cal Neva because there was lots of action, lots of people, and excitement. Take a walk into the high limit salons off the main casinos in Vegas or Atlantic City. They are not fun places, very serious floor people, serious customers and serious money. I play in them sometimes due to favorable rules, but I enjoy being on favorable games in the general casino. I have no problem sitting next to a guy betting $10 a hand while I bet $250, it is his right to be their as long as he follows the rules. The rules are for everyone, and at one time, long ago, I was a guy that looked at the $10 player and wondered where he got all his money, while I sat at the $2 table in the Nevada Club "cutting my teeth" in a casino.

I would like to see a casino in Reno really pack them in, like the old days, when you could not find a place to park because so many people were around. I liked it when you could feel the excitement in the air. So, if you want to play un uncrowded tables, with high limits, I suggest hitting a high limit salon someplace, and don't try to make Reno into something that is has never been, and could never succeed at anyway.
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Nov Sun 05, 2006 4:24 pm    Post subject: MGM GRAND/BALLY'S/RENO HILTON/GRAND SIERRA Reply with quote

John:

Since you don't drive, I'll trade you my BOGO buffet coupon for that car.

And MY mailer was addressed to me...personally...with my old Flamingo Hilton card number on it.

You can keep the flashlight and the burger. Thanks for the car.
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john
Site Admin


Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Nov Sun 05, 2006 5:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Done deal, JD. I loves them buffets. You can pick up the car next time you're in town.
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Nov Wed 15, 2006 8:57 am    Post subject: Up the Grand Wazoo Reply with quote

For your amusement, check the traveler reviews of the "New" Grand Sierra on tripadvisor.com, but be prepared for the fact that the preliminary reports don't sound all that encouraging...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g45992-d97996-r5943018-Grand_Sierra_Resort_Casino-Reno_Nevada.html

It's a fun site to see what people are saying about all the other Reno hotels, as well. For example, it may not surprise anyone to learn this, but both the Speakeasy and the Adventure Inn & Wedding Chapel get amusingly horrendous reviews, with the odd positive one thrown in for good measure.
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stacey



Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Feb Sun 11, 2007 6:51 pm    Post subject: Progress Report on Grand Sierra Reply with quote

I was wondering if anyone has stayed in the new condo rooms at the Grand Sierra? I have to be in town for an awards banquet held there in March. My Broker is covering the cost of the room for one night. I am staying two nights. "The Grand Suite 2" has two queen beds and goes for $150/night. We are bringing our kids. What is the pool like there? Their website doesnt have pics. I am hoping they have done some major work. We stayed there in 2005 and it left alot to be desired. We never checked out the pool, but the arcade area was filthy (poop on the walls!) and a lot of games broken down. I don't want to be too dissapointed. SO if anyone can tell me how much progress has been made, I would be gratefull! Thanks!

BTW in November my husband and I finally made it to the Awful Awful Burger---what a deal! Thanks for the many tips.
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lvbear584



Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 140

PostPosted: Feb Sun 11, 2007 11:22 pm    Post subject: It's now sillier Reply with quote

Quote:
If this casino wants to attract action, they are doing the right thing. To have table limits at $25 and up in Reno is good if the casino wants to cut down on maintenance, because it will be empty most of the time.


Now the best game in the casino is down to a $5 minimum, and a six-deck shoe (bad by Reno standards) is the $25 min table. I think they have it backwards. What sense does it make to punish the higher-limit players with a worse game and give the best game to the fleas? Give the fleas the garbage games and the higher-end players the better games like almost every other casino in the world does.
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spinner



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 62

PostPosted: Feb Mon 12, 2007 7:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can think of a few casinos that did pretty well with low limits, Cal-Neva, Nevada Club, Harold's Club, Circus Circus, Peppermill, etc. Some are gone now, but their demise was linked with the death of the owners, and then mismanagement of the casino by the new owners.

Nothing is worse than a casino that is empty. Empty casinos are scary, with the thought that if nobody is in there, there must be a reason. Also, everyone will look at you, the dealers, the pit bosses, the eye in the sky, the few people sitting at a bar. There is no ability to blend in an empty casino.

I think that the Grand Sierra should do what they can to pack them in, no matter the table limit.

In a way, their idea of having the best game for the lowest minimum bet table is a good one. If a person prefers not associate with the "common bettors", then they can move to the higher limit tables that have rules that are tougher, with the thought that they are likely better players so the casino could protect themselves somewhat. Why not give the lower level players every chance to play and be entertained. Of course, even a $5 minimum table usually has an upper limit of $500 or more so that can satisfy many players of substantial bankroll.

I have not seen a casino close up due to too many people playing there. I sure can see a busy casino attracting more and more just due to the limited nature of the resource.

Has any of the other members of the group played at the Grand Sierra, and is it worth any effort to go there?
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Dave



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Feb Tue 13, 2007 12:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sad CRap I was feeling ok about myself now I just discovered I am in fact one of those $5 fleas! Don't get me wrong I have been known to put 4-5 red chips out there on a hand when I was feeling lucky but I don't think my $ would last all that long if I did it on a consistent basis.
I guess (Trust me I don't claim to be the sharpest tool in the shed!) I just don't understand the logic???? Do you honestly think that lowering some of the table limits and the min. amounts on sports bets really is going to doom a Casino? I can recall about 10 years ago at the Hilton they had a table marked private as well as a craps table. They were waiting for the "Man" to come and play. Well I got to watch him on the craps table and he went through the money like it was fake. All he would play was the field and he would throw @ least a 1000 out there a roll. He eventually moved to the table with the rest of us "fleas". It was funny cause he actually flipped a $500 chip to 3 different people that rolled him a 12 and another that rolled him a 2. I'll never forget when I got the dice I wasn't even excited to hit my plain point of 8 and get my 15 bet cause he lost on EVERY roll I made. Needless to say I didn't get a tip! Actually I don't know what my point of the story was but that was a fun time. Laughing
OK my point is I that I wish you would please explain the logic as it seems that the biggest problem Reno has is attracting anyone to the Casino's weather it be "fleas" or Cockroaches. I don't know if they will make it or not but as a huge fan of Reno I would much rather see a Casino go down trying to attract more people then close up!
I would love to hear from someone that has been there recently? Anyone? Time for a field trip John.............. Remano...............
Hey you wait a month and I will gladly check it out!
Wink
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Feb Tue 13, 2007 12:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="Dave* * *I would love to hear from someone that has been there recently? Anyone? Time for a field trip John.............. Remano...............
Hey you wait a month and I will gladly check it out!
Wink[/quote]

We were there about a month ago to check out the reopened theater. The theater was comfortable and reasonably clean for a movie theater, the snack counter was convenient, the movie good and it only cost $3.00. Pretty reasonable entertainment, all in all. We parked in the back near the pool area. That puts the theater only a few steps away but the parking was filling up pretty fast when we arrived.

After the movie we headed for the casino. That didn't last for long. There was lots of 6:5 blackjack and almost everything else was 6 deck shoes or shuffle machines. We quickly headed for a casino that offered better conditions.

Right now the casino itself hasn't changed much, if at all. They are beginning construction in the large area between the slot club booth and the hotel front desk. That used to be full of slot machines but now it is all walled off as they are constructing a restaurant and wine bar there. The RGJ reported that the slots that used to be there will be moved onto the main floor. There's plenty of wasted space there now so adding more machines won't crowd things together too much and will probably keep the place from looking so empty.

We don't go there very often. I regard the Grand Sierra, Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Harrah's as the four worst places in town to gamble. I'll give Grand Sierra and Eldo an OK for poker, but the other games are high limits, lots of 6:5 BJ, shuffle machines, Mindplay tables and poor VP schedules. For food or a show they can be good, but when it's time to gamble there are lots of better options.
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stacey



Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Mar Sun 25, 2007 10:57 am    Post subject: trip report Grand Sierra Reply with quote

Hi All,
Well my awards banquet at the GSR happened this month. (Yay me...Top Producer!) So I thought I would write and let you know about their facilities.
We brought the kids, so didn't get the opportunity to gamble, but I did think the casino was considerably less smokey than others. I didn't have the cloud of cigarette stench come out of my suitcase when I went to unpack, as I usually do after visiting Reno.
We upgraded to a condo room. At check in, I asked for a room with in-room movies and they did not know which of the condo rooms had them, so we had to switch rooms once. Not a problem. When we got into the room, my 12 yr old daughter noticed the tongs for the ice bucket were covered in yuck. It looked like someone had stirred hamburger with them. Ugh! I dont know how a maid could have missed that. The funiture is black (granite?) and it was considerably dusty, with moss from the fake flowers all over the top of it. Also 3 different light bulbs in the room were burnt out at check in.
Our room had 2 queen beds, with nice comfortable bedding and lots of decorative pillows. It had a flat screen TV hanging from the wall in front of one bed. There was a large, framed mirror on one wall and some basic art work. The bathroom had granite on floors, walls counters and shower. The "spa" shower was just the granite shower with a "rain-type showerhead" There was a small flat screen tv on the bathroom wall over the vanity but no phone.
The mini kitchen had a microwave, fridge and single serving coffee pot. (1 cup regular and one cup decaf provided)
My big complaint is that the walls are paper thin. We could hear every moan and groan of or neighbors going at it. (fortunately he didn't last long enough to wake the kids;) We could hear people several rooms away from us arguing, and the elevators all night long.
To sum it up, the condo rooms are nice, but I do not think they are anything special, or worthy the $149.99 price tag.
(on a side note, the bell hop took forever to fetch our luggage, so my husband took one of the dollar bills from his tip, and put it in a dollar slot. One pull and he walked away with $20.00)
Cheers, Stacey
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