Bill's Changeover To Gansevoort Is Making Progress

I am not a huge fan of the new name, and I'm not really a big fan of Bill's Gambling Hall changing to Gansevoort...

But they are making progress.  Here's a link to the latest information on the change from "gambling hall" to "boutique hotel": Floors With A View

I was finally curious enough to look up "Gansevoort" and find out what it means, because it's certainly not a word I hear every day, even in the world of all things Vegas :).  

I found that Gansevoort was the surname of a Colonel in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.  It is also the name of two luxury hotels in New York, which is who Caesars Entertainment is partnering with on this new venture.  Here's an artist's rendering and a related article on the new Gansevoort boutique hotel in Las Vegas: High Style.

According to the article, the hotel is set to open in January 2014 with rates starting at $249 - WOW!  That's far above the usual Bill's Gambling Hall rate.  Those had better be some REALLY fantastic views of the Bellagio fountains!

Drai's late night club will be returning in the new hotel - and I'm sure that will make the Vegas party set very happy.  I will enjoy it for another reason: people-watching as all the late night/early morning zombies return to their rooms.  Ahhhhh...happiness.

Caesars Entertainment is trying to lure "a new breed" of Las Vegas tourist with this new hotel, in addition to the new Nobu wing at Caesars Palace and the makeover of Imperial Palace into "The Quad" (I will expound on that one further in another post), but they really need to remember that Vegas was built on the little guy, too.  They are going to price themselves out of a market and have some of us loyal Caesars Entertainment hotel visitors moving to MLife Properties where we can get more FREE stuff by playing online games for comps, as well.

Just sayin'.

Big Elvis to make the move from Bill's to Harrah's in May 2012

Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee just announced on his website (and via Facebook) that he will be moving from his current home, Bill's Gambling Hall and Saloon, to a larger venue a little further down Strip.  He will be moving to Harrah's Piano Bar, located just inside Harrah's casino and adjacent to the Carnaval Court area.


Big Elvis' last show at Bill's Gambling Hall and Saloon will be April 30, 2012; his shows at Harrah's will begin on May 3, 2012.  Shows will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons at 2:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  All other aspects of the show will remain the same, so expect to hear a great vocal impersonator.  I have seen him three times, and he is a great performer and really gets the crowd involved.


The new venue at Harrah's is larger and more accessible than the stage at Bill's, and I think more people will stop in to see his show at Harrah's because of the central location and the increased seating.  Look forward to a great show, but be prepared for people to bottleneck the area in order to see and hear him.