Amanda Finnegan

Story Archive

Staff putting finishing touches on Cosmopolitan: Las Vegas Strip's newest hotel-casino set to open Dec. 15; Friday, Dec. 3, 2010; Workers at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas are busy putting the finishing touches on the resort, with just days left before its debut on the Strip. Situated between the Bellagio and CityCenter, the $3.9 billion, 2,995-room resort will open to the public on Dec. 15.
New Year's at Cosmopolitan: 1 room, 3 nights, $5,600: Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010; A night of New Year’s Eve partying at a Las Vegas Strip resort can be extremely pricey, but ringing in the new year at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas could cost you a small fortune. The soon-to-open resort released details this week of its exclusive (and expensive) New Year’s Eve package, which comes with a whopping $5,600 price tag.
Search begins for 125 workers at former Lake Las Vegas Ritz-Carlton: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010; Dolce Hotels and Resorts has begun the process of filling 125 positions at the former Ritz-Carlton site at Lake Las Vegas.
Cosmopolitan launches six-part video series ahead of Las Vegas Strip opening: Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010; The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas began a mini documentary series this week, giving viewers a glimpse inside the soon-to-open Strip resort. “Stay” is the first of six videos airing on the Independent Film Channel and the Sundance Channel in November and December.
Las Vegas tops list of AAA Five Diamond winners: Monday, Nov. 29, 2010; Las Vegas is now home to 15 AAA Five Diamond resorts and restaurants, more than any other city in the country, AAA Travel announced Monday.
A suite deal: El Cortez redesign contest, on a budget: Monday, Nov. 29, 2010; The secret to success may be in improving the most basic of hotel amenities — the room itself.
Buffalo Bill’s at Primm to close temporarily for renovations: Monday, Nov. 29, 2010; Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino at Primm Valley is temporarily closing today until late December for renovations. The hotel-casino will be remodeling its guest rooms and adding a Denny’s restaurant.
Local, national Web retailers looking for Cyber Monday boost: Monday, Nov. 29, 2010; Black Friday lines have long cleared from Las Vegas Valley storefronts, but true bargain hunters know another high holy shopping day is upon us: Cyber Monday.
A suite deal: El Cortez redesign contest, on a budget: Seven-decade old El Cortez invites designers to breathe new life into the aging downtown property by creating new guest rooms; Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010; While posh Las Vegas Strip hotels boast touch-screen remotes and 600-thread-count sheets, the El Cortez mostly leans on its 70-year history and downtown roots. The El Cortez thinks the secret may be in improving the most basic of hotel amenities — the room itself.
Bellagio Conservatory: Out with autumn, in with winter display: Friday, Nov. 26, 2010; The Bellagio Conservatory will begin its transformation from a Northeastern autumn into a winter wonderland during the early morning hours Sunday.
Resorts roll out holiday deals for Strip performances: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010; The holidays are right around the corner and Las Vegas Strip shows are gearing up with deals for locals and visitors alike.
Game developers unveil technology to keep slot players engaged: Friday, Nov. 19, 2010; It takes more than a three-reel slot game and bucket of quarters to hold the attention of today’s gamblers. The gaming industry knows it needs to play catch-up if it wants to keep its customers engaged. Gaming manufacturers answered the call at this week’s Global Gaming Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Three Strip hotels earn prestigious five-star rating: Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010; Three Las Vegas Strip hotels have received a five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide for 2011. Skylofts at MGM Grand, Tower Suites at Encore and Tower Suites at Wynn all received the guide’s top rating. Wynn has received it for five consecutive years, while Encore has received it for two. The Skylofts at MGM Grand were added to the list in 2009.
Harrah's boss says gaming industry gets a bad rap: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010; Harrah’s Entertainment Chief Executive and President Gary Loveman said a major roadblock in the path of the growth of casino companies is misinformation about the industry. Rather than talk about the industry’s recovery, Loveman used his afternoon keynote address at the Global Gaming Expo Wednesday to campaign against the misconceptions that surround the casino industry.
Gaming execs: Competition could spur creativity in Las Vegas: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010; Gaming industry veterans during Wednesday’s discussion at the Global Gaming Expo said they don’t see markets like Macau or Singapore replacing Las Vegas.
Penn National exec on Fontainebleau bidding: 'We feared CityCenter more than we should have': Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010; Penn National Gaming Chief Financial Officer Bill Clifford said Tuesday his company over-anticipated CityCenter’s effect on the Las Vegas market when it backed out of bidding for the stalled Fontainebleau project on the Strip.
Gaming executives say timing of industry's recovery still unclear: Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010; Gaming professionals are unsure about the industry's recovery, according to a recent survey by the American Gaming Association. AGA President and Chief Executive Frank Fahrenkopf said today during the first day of the Global Gaming Expo that 47 percent of those polled believe it will take the gaming industry three or four years to return to pre-recession levels.
Social media a tool for real estate pros: Facebook, Twitter become the new norm for Las Vegas agents; Friday, Nov. 12, 2010; Real estate professional and Nolf Group head Nick Nolf encourages his agents to spend one hour a day on social networking sites such as Facebook, a behavior most company leaders would frown upon.
Las Vegas records 2 percent increase in visitors in September: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010; Las Vegas visitor volume in September increased by 2 percent, according to numbers released today by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
Wynn: Strong demand prompted $110 increase in Garth Brooks ticket prices: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010; Ticket prices for Garth Brooks' next 16 performances will increase by more than $100 due to an "overwhelming" demand, Wynn Las Vegas announced today.
Tropicana Las Vegas implodes wing containing resort's oldest rooms: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010; The Tropicana Las Vegas imploded a small portion of its resort during the early morning hours today.
Wynn Las Vegas executive resigns, longtime Harrah's exec to fill spot: Monday, Nov. 8, 2010; Wynn Las Vegas President Andrew Pascal will be resigning from his position, the company announced today. Pascal’s position will be filled by Harrah’s Entertainment Regional President Marilyn Winn.
Killers frontman Brandon Flowers to highlight Cosmopolitan's opening night show: Monday, Nov. 8, 2010; The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has tapped Las Vegas native Brandon Flowers and other musicians to help open the new Strip resort on Dec. 15.
Rapper Lil Jon signs DJ residency contract at Encore Las Vegas' Surrender nightclub: Monday, Nov. 8, 2010; Rapper Lil Jon has signed an exclusive DJ residency contract with Surrender nightclub at Encore Las Vegas, the upscale resort announced today.
Harrah's, Palms to offer specials through new Facebook Deals app: Friday, Nov. 5, 2010; Two Las Vegas resort companies have signed on to offer discounts through Facebook’s newly released Facebook Deals app.
Las Vegas to serve as test market for Wendy’s burger line: Ad campaign next week will feature daughter of founder Dave Thomas; Friday, Nov. 5, 2010; Wendy Thomas remembers sitting anxiously in her red, braided pigtails and blue-checkered dress while her photo was taken to create a logo for her father’s hamburger joint. In her 8-year-old mind, it seemed like hours, Thomas recalls.
Q&A: Larry D. Woolf, CEO of the Navegante Group: Friday, Nov. 5, 2010; Like most gaming executives, Navegante Group CEO Larry D. Woolf started his education on the front lines, working as a valet-parking attendant, baggage handler and doorman in Atlantic City. He worked his way through the ranks and became a credit and marketing host at MGM Grand, taking over as CEO for Navegante, a casino management and consulting company his father, Larry J. Woolf, founded.
Wynn Resorts falls to 3Q loss on debt repayment: Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010; Wynn Resorts said it saw its profit swing to a loss during the third quarter, primarily due to an early debt repayment of $64.2 million. The Las Vegas-based casino operator reported a net loss of $33.5 million.
Barry Manilow promotes music education on CBS, wants Lady Gaga duet: Monday, Nov. 1, 2010; Las Vegas Strip performer Barry Manilow stopped by CBS’s “The Talk” Monday to talk music education, parenthood, his new album and Lady Gaga.
Tricks and treats: The Halloween plans of Vegas celebs: Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010; How Holly Madison, Human Nature, the boys of 'Thunder Down Under' and others are celebrating
Nevada notables offering sugary sweets for Halloween handouts: Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010; In a city where over-the-top costumes are standard attire, Halloween might seem like any other night, but prominent Las Vegas locals are proving that’s not the case. From Halloween parties to special performances to even more over-the-top costumes, the Las Vegas Sun found out how Las Vegas notables are spending their holiday. Who said Halloween is only for kids?
AOL Travel lists 5 best casinos in Las Vegas: Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010; The Las Vegas Strip can be an overwhelming mess of flashing lights and monstrous resorts for any first-time visitor, so AOL Travel has broken it down into an easy to digest list of must-see casinos.
Cosmopolitan chief reveals more details about new resort: Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010; With only about 45 days until the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opens, Chief Executive John Unwin is still slowly revealing facets of the $3.9 billion resort. The amenities guests will find at Cosmopolitan can’t be found anywhere else in Las Vegas, Unwin said.
Tourism officials seek to make international travel to U.S. easier: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010; One of the most daunting challenges major international destinations like Las Vegas face in attracting overseas tourists is strict visa regulations, tourism officials said during the U.S. Travel Association’s annual conference at Caesars Palace on Tuesday.
Strip casinos offer Halloween scares and deals: Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010; In honor of Halloween, Las Vegas Strip casinos are turning their attractions into haunted houses and offering deals to go along with them to get guests in the mood for the holiday.
Sparks flying in Vegas’ nightclub industry: Friday, Oct. 22, 2010; New Year’s Eve is months away, but Las Vegas’ night life industry already has had its fair share of fireworks.
Cosmopolitan's jarring ad aimed at the 'curious class': Friday, Oct. 22, 2010; What do hundreds of furry, little animals have to do with the Las Vegas Strip’s newest resort? Apparently nothing, but they piqued viewer curiosity during the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ first commercial earlier this week — and that’s exactly what the resort wanted. Just two months before its opening, the $3.9 billion hotel-casino debuted its curious and provocative TV ad during the season finale of “Mad Men” on AMC Sunday evening.
Cosmopolitan announces lineup of stores, boutiques: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010; The Las Vegas Strip will soon be home to more high-end retail brands, thanks to the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ newly announced lineup of stores and boutiques. The Cosmopolitan released its list of nine luxury brands Wednesday, all of which are new to the Las Vegas market.
Strip pool parties pack it in for the season: Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010; As cold weather begins its descent on the Las Vegas Valley, Strip pool parties are beginning to pack away the bikinis, bottle service and occasional bad behavior until next spring.
With all-day buffet under belt, Harrah's uses concept for live shows: Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010; First came the all-day buffet pass. Now, Harrah’s Entertainment has unveiled the all-you-can-handle show pass for guests to binge on Strip shows.
Las Vegas nightclub execs in legal battle over club profits: Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010; Nightclub executives Jesse and Cy Waits are claiming that nightclub impresario Victor Drai didn’t pay them their share of profits from the nightclubs they managed, according to a lawsuit filed this week in Clark County District Court.
Full recovery expected for Chamber president on medical leave: Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010; Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Matt Crosson will be on medical leave through the end of the year as he recovers from heart surgery and a stroke.
Businesses announce deals in time for 10/10/10: Friday, Oct. 8, 2010; Businesses announce deals in time for 10/10/10
7 Strip casinos to host New Year's Eve fireworks displays: Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010; Fireworks will be shot off from Strip casino rooftops for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations. Officials announced the displays will be shot from seven casino rooftops.
Lawsuit filed over management of Pure nightclub: Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010; Professional tennis’ husband-wife duo Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, who own a stake in Pure nightclub, claim that managers of the club mismanaged finances and used money from Pure to fund competing nightclubs, according to a lawsuit filed this week.
Nightclub operator Angel Management Group to acquire Pure Management Group: Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010; Angel Management Group announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire fellow restaurant and nightclub operator Pure Management Group. The price for the acquisition wasn't released in today’s announcement.
Downtown shop preserving Las Vegas history by offering it for sale: The newest antiques — from midcentury — fill a downtown shop and bring back childhood memories for many who visit; Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010; Browsers find themselves wandering through a maze of dining room sets and patterned armchairs at Bill Johnson and Marc Comstock’s downtown Las Vegas antiques store. Then, they are drawn into the vortex that is a bubble gum-pink kitchen at the rear of the shop. “Every day people walk around and say, ‘Oh, I remember my grandmother had this!’ — and it’s never the grandfather, it’s always the grandmother,” Johnson said with a laugh.
Cosmopolitan to fill thousands of openings with virtual job fair: Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010; The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is ramping up its hiring process with a virtual job fair today in an effort to fill thousands of open positions at the resort.
8 Nevadans make Forbes list of richest Americans: Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010; Eight Nevadans landed on the 2010 Forbes 400 Richest Americans list, including one casino billionaire who made the top 20 and another making a first-time appearance. Las Vegas Sands Chairman and Chief Executive Sheldon Adelson ranked No. 13 on the list with a reported net worth of $14.7 billion.
Veteran journalists discuss future of news in digital age: Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010; Watchdog journalism needs to be preserved but finding a way to financially sustain it will remain a challenge in the coming years, industry experts said.
During a panel discussion Wednesday entitled “The Death of Old News” hosted by the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, three longtime journalists discussed how the Internet is impacting the news industry and the industry's growing financial struggles.