On a previous visit to Las Vegas, I met someone who dealt blackjack here and was encouraged to stop in on my next trip.
Obviously, the location is excellent and credit the designers for building the main entrance of the hotel so it faced AWAY from Las Vegas Blvd and just off Flamingo.
The word that first came to mind as I walked in those front doors was intimacy. Unlike the hotels that surround The Cromwell on The Strip, this is much smaller yet with plenty of room to navigate wherever you wish to go.
One thing that seemed missing was any sort of real atmosphere or energy on the night that I came through. Sure, there were people playing video machines, table games or having drinks at the bar, but none of it really made me want to participate.
Entrances for Giada and other destinations within the hotel were very clearly marked and easy to find. The large escalators that take you up to Giada's host stand are big and it is obvious she got a prime spot here since she seems to have the clear frontrunner of dining destinations of all these Food Network "Celeb Chefs."
Ok, here's an observation: I found it odd that none of the dealers wore name tags. Nope, not a single one at any of the table games. Honestly, I would not want to make wagers with any Vegas employee where I cannot identify them by name in case there's a problem and they are no longer right in front of me.
Boutique hotel? Sure. I get it. Quality dining at Giada? Yes, I have no doubt. Fun place to be on the casino floor if you do not have the convenience of a room right upstairs? Not the case.