more feedsLuxor's Remodel is Ummm.....
well, a few words come to mind when pondering the remodel of Luxor's casino:
Unfocused
Blurry
Hazy
Indistinct
They not only de-themed the place, they failed to give it any character at all (unless hazy is a character) The carpet looks old and faded (soft blues and tans), the ceilings are soft blues, the lighting is blueish. I found it difficult to achieve a focus, there is no contrast.
I uploaded some photos to the site, they are at the bottom of the Luxor section
On the up-side, it is an improvement from the tacky, older, over-themed motif. The new look is clean (albeit too clean for my taste). The lack of contrast does bring your attention to the slot machines which dominate the space.
The center bar, Liquidity, is very nice, as are all the new lounges and restaurants.
The lobby and entrance areas are untouched (let's hope they leave them alone).
What are your thoughts?
Unfocused
Blurry
Hazy
Indistinct
They not only de-themed the place, they failed to give it any character at all (unless hazy is a character) The carpet looks old and faded (soft blues and tans), the ceilings are soft blues, the lighting is blueish. I found it difficult to achieve a focus, there is no contrast.
I uploaded some photos to the site, they are at the bottom of the Luxor section
On the up-side, it is an improvement from the tacky, older, over-themed motif. The new look is clean (albeit too clean for my taste). The lack of contrast does bring your attention to the slot machines which dominate the space.
The center bar, Liquidity, is very nice, as are all the new lounges and restaurants.
The lobby and entrance areas are untouched (let's hope they leave them alone).
What are your thoughts?
Posted by Mark Adams at 2/5/2010 12:29 AM 
Categories: Vegas Project Updates
Tags: luxor photos construction
Categories: Vegas Project Updates
Tags: luxor photos construction
That's a beautiful white ceiling. I really like the way you can see the vents, lights, and sprinklers. It really makes you feel like you've been magically transported from the outside to the inside!
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Luxor was the first strip hotel I ever stayed at, so it'll always have a special place. I don't mind the redesign, but it doesn't seem like they're done. Their portable advertisement sign, showed in the first two pictures, (Gridiron Giveaway Drawings) is sorely out of place. This new aesthetic calls for something more than poster art to advertise events. Maybe a crystal with images inside of it. Something.
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It still seems inconceivable that one can de-theme a giant glass pyramid with a sphinx and obelisk out front. But inside I would have to say "Mission: Accomplished"....it looks as plain and unimaginative as can be. If I was shown those photos without being told I was inside Luxor, I would never have known.... Money well-spent! (not).....
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I visited Luxor a few weeks ago, and thought it needed more color and more light.
It's lack of color and brightness is the reason your impression was
Unfocused
Blurry
Hazy
Indistinct
They should look at what WYNN did to ENCORE.
ENCORE is bright, and colorful.
I don't expect the Luxor to become that bright and colorful. But any addition would improve the atmosphere, as I felt the atmosphere was a little depressing.
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They really dropped the ball with the casino look, its just blah. I think they are trying to make everything on the strip modern and loosing that themed look, which is why people go from hotel to hotel. I also have always felt the atrium is a great space, but nothen is up there and still nothen has been done with it. The cathouse was very nice though, good food too.
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Another Hotel/Casino goes all 'stylish and modern'. Any news on the Sphinx and other models outside?
The only thing that gets me with all these refurbs is that most hotels will start to look all the same. Half of the fun and uniqueness and excuse to wander around these places where their themes. But i suppose times change.
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Look at the real pyraminds there dark unfocused, colorless on the inside too. This is maybe what there trying for.
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I agree, an empty tomb with no treasures inside.
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I don't mind it... But I don't like the idea of de-theming. What's the point of 30 hotels without differentiation? I want to remember the hotel.
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I agree Mark...the colors are fairly bland and it lacks contrast. But, I'll have to admit, I do like the de-theming idea. Overall, I think it's better than what was there.
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Well, I'm very disappointed. I loved the all out Egyptian theme, anything that even hints at the ancient pyramids is cool by me. Was it over themed? Maybe, but if you use a theme then go full bore. In the atrium proper the stone look and soft lighting was such a warm and put-a-smile-on-your face experience. Great to go to an upper floor and look down over it all.
A couple of years ago I remember passing by the main desk when a young couple was checking out. They were both slowly turning together looking up, taking it all in and they actually said "Good bye Luxor, we'll miss you". Sounds like no one will be having that kind of sensual experience any more! Today, if people look at their vacation pictures (of the new Luxor) they'll say "Where was that honey?"..."Umm, I can't tell for sure.."
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I liked the OLD Luxor. I first visited Vegas 9 years ago and have been returning faithfully twice a year. I have always stayed at the Luxor but with all the changes I find the hotel very UNDESIRABLE. I am actually checking out other hotels because Luxor is taking a turn for the worse. The theming was nice and like others have said, if a hotel is just a hotel then why not stay at one of the cheaper ones. I feel Luxor no longer has anything to offer that I can't get elsewhere. BIG MISTAKE Luxor!!!
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I've stayed twice in the Luxor, 2008 and 2009. While in '08, the de-theming had barely begun and the place hosted an interior construction site, in '09 the public areas were largely finished. Rooms (pyramid/tower) then had barely been affected, if at all. IMHO, it strips the Luxor of its character. Sure, it was dated , but I still believe some renovation would have been more desirable. Though I will definitely come for a visit to Vegas latest in '11, currently I'm unsure if I'll ever stay there again.
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Just got back from Vegas!
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WOW. Why so bland? They could have just toned the egyptian theme instead of totally getting rid of it. It looks a casino in Oklahoma now. Very sad.
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Like Allen above the Luxor was the very first hotel I ever stayed at in Vegas back in 1995 and it still has a special place in my heart. It was so vibrant and exciting to visit coming from the boring Midwest. I loved the Egyptian theme and how they incorporated it throughout the casino. The new Luxor is just awful and I get sad now every time I go in the place. The carpet is gray and so is the mood and the vibe and the people working there. They should have kept the theme (it is a pyramid duh!) and just renovated certain areas slowly over time to freshen things up. Whoever approved the current design should be hung from the Eiffel Tower. Such a pity. All these casino executives seem to have forgotten that what made Vegas great was its uniqueness and its kitsch.
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How many of you have contacted the Luxor and told them how you feel? It does no good to vent on sights like this. Luxor's management needs to know how you feel. Talk is cheap--take action.
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In a word...... Ruined. Congrats MGM/Mirage. The inside of Luxor now looks like the inside of Aria, MGM Grand, and The Mirage. Do you suppose you could add some dark simulated wood grain paneling to the inside of Bellagio next?
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I disagree that the new Luxor is better than what it replaced. I always enjoyed the over-the-top Egyptian theming. I can find hotels themed like the new Luxor in many cities, but I could find the old Luxor in only one place: Vegas.
I think the Luxcalibur pair has changed for the worse in the past few years. Both have been heavily dethemed and now I'm not sure to whom they cater. Excalibur has become very coarse: Dick's, the dancing girls, the blasting music, the all-day buffet pass, the timeshare hawks, etc. Now Luxor: bland colors, strange lighting, little to attract the eyes. I wonder if the Rappaport administration's legacy will be one of identity crisis. To whom exactly are they marketing? There is a market for people who are price-conscious (like me) and who like Excalibur's low room rates (lofty resort fee notwithstanding) but if it's just becoming a loud, nondescript hotel casino then I may choose to spend more elsewhere -- and it may not in an MGMM property.
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Blimey! They will be taking the Circus out of Circus Circus next!!!
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MGM Mirage has ruined all of the best casinos in Vegas. I understand many of them were designed to attract families, and now want to market Vegas as an adult playground, but how dose taking out all the fun and play make Vegas an adult playground? How many bars, clubs, Coach purse shops, and Cirque du Soleil shows are needed in one city or even one street??? I’m no high roller, but I would go to Vegas and leave what I’d consider a nice chuck of change, and feel I got my money’s worth and had a great vacation. On my last trip I had a hard time finding any simple Quarter machines to plug in three quarters for a max bet. I saw a lot of penny and nickel machines that actually cost you $5-10. The shops had nothing I could afford, or anything I would want on a vacation. $100.00 steaks are great, but not at every meal. My point is Vegas was about feeling like a millionaire, now I feel like I need to be a millionaire. The appeal of Vegas for me was being able to save my money all year, come to Vegas for a week and feel rich. I could feel like the King of the castle, a pharaoh in Egypt, and Caesar in Rome. I could go from casino to casino blow my money and have a different experience all while doing the same main activity gambling. I understand the casinos probably don’t like casino hopping, they want to keep you in one place. If everything is the same I’m just going to stay at home and visit the local Indians. The key to Vegas is verity give us what every other casino has but in a different way, give us options, $5.00 prime rib, and $100.00 steaks, give us roller coasters, and showgirls, but don’t charge $15.00 for the coaster. Give us Adult Disneyland with lots of glitz and glamor not just another city with tall buildings.
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Randy, that was a great commentary. I couldn't agree with you more. I am sad to see Vegas becoming more expensive and less interesting.
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AMEN...couldnt agree with you more. Not even close the fun place it once was.
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Very true, the whole Las Vegas Strip is becoming a Rich-Persons play-ground. The clubs all have high covers to enter, and then the drinks are priced high too, the gambling is very tight, and the service is not what it was in the past. That is why I've discovered Downtown Las Vegas to be a much better experience. Fremont street offers much more glitz and glam for a whole lot less, while you may not feel like a millionaire, you will have an excellent time with free concerts on the street, and affordable food and drink. The Big Viva vision show is a little much, but its not bad and the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed. I've noticed people on the strip are uptight, and always in a hurry to go nowhere fast.
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Excellent. I agree. I have been going to Vegas for nearly 20 years... It seems to be really polarizing as well.... it's now either so ridiculously expensive that there's no fun and I feel i have no business even being here (I make 120k/yr.)... or when it's not $100 steaks, nickel slots that cost $10/pull.... Then you're left at O'Shea's which is the other extreme. Frat boy $1 beers. All the nice middle of the road casinos seem to go Super high end... or fall into disrepair.....sad. Vegas is loosing its appeal in a big way.
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I agree 1000%. I used to love visiting Vegas and on EVERY trip we would visit different casinos just for the different atmospheres. My home state now has casinos so I go there to play and will probably not visit Vegas as often since I can stay home and play more. The biggest attractions was the themes we don't have at home. Now once you are in the Luxor it is being like the inside of any casinos. Blindfold people and take them in the old Luxor and they saw a difference. Now blindfold them and take them in the "new" Luxor and they may just ask to have the blindfold put back on, lol. NO DIFFERENCE from other casinos now! BORING!
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I'll never forget the mini nile ride around the base of the pyramid when it first opened in the early 90's. Does anyone remember how many mos/yrs it was there before they took it out?
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how long did the Nile river last from opening date?
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When the resort opened, it featured a river that encircled the casino with a ferry that would carry guests to different parts of the pyramid. After guests complained that the ferry service took too long, it was turned into the Nile River Tour, a river ride that passed by many pieces of ancient artwork. Most of the ancient Egypt theme and the river ride were taken away as part of a campaign to tailor the property towards more upscale tastes in 1995.
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I truly believe that the heavy de-theming of Vegas will be part of its downfall. Luxor, while dated, looked amazing. Now it could be any casino anywhere. SO there's no reason to actually go in it anymore. The joy of Luxor is just outside now. The casino is just nothing.
Well done MGM/Mirage if nothing is what you were going for then nothing is what you got. Just how shortsighted can one company be?
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though I'm only 13 I have stayed at 14 casinos in my life
luxor is one of them, I stayed there in 2009 whey it was suposed the rooms had been re done but they were still pretty bad and the beds were really bad and after 2 nights we got a suite at the Bellagio.
I never liked Egyptian themed stuff and I always thought it was tacky (a part from Harrods) and as a child who would like to get in to property development and one day open a casino I still think there could be something that they could do with the pyramid like the louvre
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I am stilled baffled why de-theming every hotel has become a mission for almost all the chains. For about five minutes the hip Vegas
crowd ruled and stylized everything was the way to go. That gets boring very quickly and of course out of date.
Nothing wrong with tacky Vegas. It's fun,camp and sets the mood for a relaxed fun vacation.
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Bleh, looks like no need to stay there anymore.
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jon wrote:
"though I'm only 13 I have stayed at 14 casinos in my life"
Huh? Don't you have to be at least 14 to post on this site??? lol
What's up Mark? Hope you are doing OK. Hope for an update or 2 soon. Take it easy.
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TERRIBLE redo..what was wrong with that theme?? it just needed a fresh update..now it looks like a airport lounge..and tacky
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I have no idea why they decided to remodel!!! If they were going to take the Egyptian theme out they should've at least taken down the giant Sphinx from the front of the building!! I have stayed there since the remodel and they did a horrible job!! I was looking forward to staying at Caesars Palace but I got stuck at that dump!! Will not stay there again!! I am going back for the Summer of '11 and i am happily staying at the Palazzo!!
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The entire remodeling is done on the cheap..outside of the Aurora Bar everything else looks flat and gray. The former Egyptian motif was very colorful and encouraged gaming. The current design of the casino is me a headache the gray tone and the glaring white lights.. at least there is some Egyptian design left it appears a café in front entryway.. the rooms in the pyramid still retain the Egyptian style lets hope they can to their senses or ran out of money so this whatever's left at least put some color and soul into the hotel.. I first came to the Luxor in 1993 it was beautiful .
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