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| - With the days counting down to the last day of the Monte Carlo, it is appropriate that I pen a review for this mega resort that has given me so many memories.
For 19 years the Monte Carlo was the laid back property in the shadow of the High energy NY-NY and MGM Grand. In the heart of Bright Light City it never lit up the pizazz. However, it's laid back atmosphere carried a special aura.
The closing of the Monte Carlo coincides with the end of an era. With the pending name change and refurbishment, the days of complimentary parking to spend money at a property is going the name of the Monte Carlo name. But that act of greetiness would be factored into the new resort's review. This is a shame because the pre T-Mobile Arena Monte Carlo parking garage has was the best place to park on the Strip. Parking is as easy as turning off Frank Sinatra Drive onto Park Drive then making two lefts into a well designed garage. In the last couple of years this was my parking garage of choice on the Strip. The best part of parking here was a signalized exit onto Frank Sinatra Drive.
After parking my car, there were a few traditions that I enjoyed. After walking along the marble floor of the lobby under the chandeliers I'd sometimes turn right into the ordinary casino following the wall of the Blue Man Theatre to end up at the Monte Carlo Sambalatte to enjoy a cup of coffee. Then sometimes from the lobby, I'd turn left onto the Street of Dreams to enter the attached Aria for a drink in a pub. Regardless of what I did, the Monte Carlo was a gateway to the Strip.
After MGM built the City Center, I always considered The Monte Carlo part of the development. It is attached to the Aria which is the heart and soul of City Center. The Street of Dreams retail corridor leads from the lobby and casino to an escalator that transitions into the Aria walkway. The Monte Carlo is to the Aria what Bally's is to Paris, which is a glorified older wing. For the money conscious consumer that is not big on hotel room amenities, the Monte Carlo is a way to enjoy the Aria for less money. The Monte Carlo is also connected to a Monorail to The Bellagio.
I have had mixed reactions on the job they do with the theme. The outside of the hotel is interesting minus the pizazz of NY-NY and several Las Vegas Strip icons. Inside, the hotel lobby is where the theme shines. The Street of Dreams is a poor attempt at a Monte Carlo theme. Instead of the ceilings of painted changing skies at competing resorts, the sky of a Monte Carlo street is a black ceiling with exposed pipes. The relatively large casino is an ordinary expanse of indoor space that is more inviting for passing through than stopping to spend time.
Over the years I have spent plenty of time inside Monte Carlo. Taking into account that I am a coffee fan, in addition to Sambalatte that opened a year ago, there were fun times at the food court and Street of Dreams Starbuck's. Late at night I'd enjoy relaxing on a comfortable couch in the Street of Dreams Starbuck's before heading to the car. When I was in a beer mood, there were times that I'd venture into the Pub to enjoy a cold one while watching the Dueling Piano players. In the earlier hours, there were times I'd stop in the Monte Carlo Food Court for a quick meal at McDonald's (out of Business), Nathan's (Out of Business), and Sbarro. I was never impressed with the over priced buffet. It was more than food and drink that kept me inside. A few years ago, we saw Lance Burton perform in the theater. In the theater of slot machines and table games, I rarely gambled here.
In the 19 years that I knew the Monte Carlo, zero nights were spent in one of their hotel rooms. There really was no reason to; especially after the ridiculous resort fee. I do know that 1) it is a 4 Diamond AAA rated resort and 2) is associated with Hyatt. As a matter of fact there is a rumor that the name is being changed to Hyatt Park Place.
With the final curtain closing in on the Monte Carlo, I am left to say goodbye to one more Las Vegas icon. Monte Carlo resort, if I don't get the chance to see you again this review is my way of saying, "Goodbye and thank you for the memories."
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