The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has entered into a deal with Marriott to market the property as a part of its Autograph Collection of independent, high-end hotels. Although it won't specifically carry the Marriott name, you'll be able to find it on the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton websites and people who are part of the Marriott rewards program will be able to use their points at the Cosmopolitan.

The Comso will open with a couple thousand of its nearly 3,000 rooms (the rest will come online later as demand warrants), a 150,000 square-foot casino, more than a dozen restaurants, bars, lounges, three pools, a spa, a shopping esplanade, and more. It is scheduled to cut the proverbial ribbon on December 15, 2010.

return to the top

"One of our co-workers at the Rio has a little granddaughter who is going through chemo (and expected to be fine)," said Penn, "All the long-haired employees of the Rio were asked to donate some hair in her name. I don't think a two year old would look good in my long curly hair, but I hope someone can use it. There's no panic, I can give 10" and still have enough left for a ponytail to hide my microphone cables. We all wish her the best."

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. For more information, visit www.locksoflove.org.

return to the top

By the way... if you don't know who any of those people are, you probably can't afford to shop in their stores. I know who most of the are and I definitely can't afford to shop in their stores.

There will also be flagship new stores for Prada (adding a 3-level, 21,000 square-foot outlet) and GUCCI (putting their finery in a 15,000 square-foot store).

return to the top

return to the top

The company, which is the corporate arm of the government of the middle eastern country of Dubai, invested more than $5 billion to buy a 50% stake in CityCenter and a chunk of parent company MGM Resorts. It was a huge infusion of cash that MGM needed to finish the massive $8.5 billion project. Now struggling under a massive debtload, word on the Wall Street is that Dubai World wants to sell its share of CityCenter.

Unfortunately for Dubai World, their share isn't worth as much as it was. CityCenter's value has plummeted to a fraction of what it cost to build the place and now their slice of the pie has an estimated value of "only" $1.3 billion.

So who would buy the other half of the property? Most analysts agree that the only company that makes sense is the company that owns the other half, MGM Resorts. But they have a huge amount of debt on their books as well and many wonder whether the company can afford to take on any more.

To be continued...

return to the top

Twin brothers Cy and Jesse Waits have had an interesting ride in Sin City. As managers of the exclusive XS and Tryst nightclubs at Encore and Wynn Las Vegas, the two were among the Vegas glitterati, often seen at fantastic events with celebrities on their arms. Or at least hotel heiresses who are famous for reasons that elude me.

Cy and Jesse got a major promotion earlier this week when the founder of the two nightclubs, Victor Drai, and hotel owner Steve Wynn parted ways. Wynn promoted Cy and Jesse to the head job at the clubs, putting them on track to become even bigger players than they already were.

Just two days later he is driving with his girlfriend and he gets busted for a DUI. Bad enough but then add in the fact that said girlfriend is Paris Hilton and, oh yeah, she is charged with felony cocaine possission.

So what does this mean for his new job? You know... the one running some high-profile places where people drink a lot?

Let's just say it probably isn't good.

return to the top

return to the top

The balloon, billed as the largest tethered helium balloon in the world, gives riders a chance to go up more than 500 feet above The Strip for some really awesome views. It opened last year at a facility directly across the street from Mandalay Bay and was a big hit with thrill seekers. A freak storm earlier this year destroyed the balloon and many (including myself) wondered if it would be back. Wonder no more - the balloon is scheduled to take flight again starting on September 10.

return to the top

return to the top