Visitreno

[bobhiker]

While in Reno this week we visited Fitzgeralds. This was our second trip to Reno in 2008. We stayed at Harrahs both times and were treated well, but wanted to see Fitzgeralds changes since the sale...not much in the way of upgrading from what we observed. Our first trip, on St Patricks Day (Monday) it was jammed with people in the afternoon, however by the evening it was pretty empty. The next afternoon found few people there. On this trip I was particularly curious about the bar crowd after reading a posting of a bad experience. The bar was visible from the machines we played and while there the only person I saw at the bar was the bartender. We were never offered a drink while we gambled. When we left I looked around and did not even see a cocktail waitress on the first floor. We did not return and most likely will not in the future. BTW, had breakfast at Toucan Charlies in Atlantis and were very impressed by the array of fresh fruit available as well as fresh made omelettes.

[hawk]

I said earlier that the Fitz needs some dramatic and positive changes NOW... they are foolish to wait. I don't think they'll make it. People keep coming in to check it out and find it no better than ever, perhaps worse.
Rooms are a disaster but most don''t see them. The casino is definitely unimproved. There is nothing to be encouraged about.

Toucan Charlie's has always gotten good reviews. I don't care for it.
Now, much worse than ever is the fact that:
They have an OPEN BAR adjoining the buffet and they permit smoking at this bar. THAT IS VERY DEFINITELY AGAINST THE NEW LAW MANDATED BY THE VOTERS A year and a half ago.

[remano]

The new owners of the Fitz are the same people converting the old Golden Phoenix into condos. My guess is that they are putting all available capital into getting those condo's going as soon as possible, and you won't see much change at the Fitz until that projext starts to turn a profit. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse has been confirmed as the first commercial tenant in the condo building. Maybe some of that class will work it's way down the street.

[Barb]

O.K. I will have to tell about my Fitz. trip. My sisters and I had our annual Reno trip and I stayed at the Fitz. There are no new changes there but for one elevator updated. Only 2 elevators were working and they were slow. I talked to casino host and he said it would take a long time to make all the changes needed. The buffet was closed on Wednesday and Thursday. We had a good dinner at Limericks(prime rib) and good breakfasts at Mollys. We had our badges so had all the drinks we wanted.
It is sad to see them not doing well. In spite af this we had a great time between Fitz and Eldorado on the slots. My sisters moved to Eldorado on the third night and really liked it there. After 4 days I came home down
only $150 which I consisder a win Trip was April 7--Barb

[lvbear584]

It is sad to see them not doing well.

When the new ownership put in improved blackjack, I was encouraged. Then they weaseled out and quickly changed it to constant-shuffling garbage blackjack. I am no longer sympathetic to them. I hope they fail quickly, and a better operator takes over. As it stands now, from my perspective, the place might as well be boarded up like the Golden Phoenix.

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Opinions and Commentary on the Gaming Industry: www.TheBearGrowls.com

[PEB]

Barb,

Is one of the elevators a new one? If so, is it in use yet? We heard (last Oct.) that they would be putting in all new ones.

Was wondering also if George Pickard is still performing there at the stage bar? Hope so.

We'll be at the Fitz on Friday, sure am hoping for the best.

PEB

[Barb]

Peb, yes one of the elevators is "new". Be sure and push the buttons for the new and the old ones as now they work seperately. They were slow and crowded when we were there. When they get all 3 elevators done it will be much better(I hope). I didnt get the name of the guy who was in the stage bar but he was very good so hope it was George.
THe buffet now takes 7 points each off your points instead of 4.
Hope you go and have a great time and give us a report when you get home. Barb

[jerry]

I really feel that, if they wait that long, their business will be dead.
It is like a tomb to walk through there now.

And, when I walked thru to change my address recently (did not feel pulled to drop a single quarter), it did not look to me as if Pickard was the featured stage act. Not sure, I could be totally wrong but it seemed that another name was on the blackboard.

I do not go to Reno to be depressed and the Fitz depresses me. I do not want it to be that way. I think there is room for a place like the Fitz. When I traverse the place, the buffet is rarely open. You go to the slot desk for a comp and they say, "What, you mean the buffet is not open today?"
The right hand does not know what the left hand doest.

[RenoLady]

It's funny, the new owners originally jumped right in with ideas (little implementation) and a butt load of free promotions. Honestly, we had free rooms, food and tournaments through the holidays and January.

We were last there in February with the Spokane family. I noticed some backing off of their "vision" and general cheapness about the changes. Though we placed in the tournament, I couldn't help thinking they were cheap in not even providing food/party to go with it. They used to. They also wanted to charge my MIL for a bungee cord for her card, have you ever seen that?

The offers used to come weekly; they've slowed down to a trickle. Now I hear the drink service was slow/non-existant? That used to be something you could count on!

I may need to find a new home.

Oh, when we were there in February, George was not performing. They had some alternative band that sounded worse than karaoke. We actually moved out of range of hearing.

[hawk]

OK, that confirms what I remembered about George.
Yes, I always thought the cocktail service was good on the floor, not so quick with the bartenders.
It helped that I was on a first name basis with the waitresses. Even when not serving my area, they would come by and make me an offer.