THE FEDERAL
TRADE COMMISSION (FTC) cleared the way for Harrahs
Entertainment Inc., to purchase the Imperial Palace Hotel &
Casino by granting Harrahs request for the early termination of the
waiting period during which the FTC and the Department of Justice
Antitrust Division normally would review the proposed acquisition.
Once the Nevada Gaming Commission approves the transaction, Harrahs
anticipates closing on the deal by the end of the year.
THE BLUE MAN
GROUP, which ended its run at the Luxor last month,
debuted a revamped version of the show last week in a custom-built,
1,760-seat theater at the Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino. The show,
which combines music, comedy and multimedia theatrics, marks the
propertys first permanent entertainment production. Tickets to the
performance, which are daily at 7 p.m. with a second performance at
10 p.m. on Saturdays, cost $75, $95 and $110 each plus tax and
service fees. To purchase or reserve seats, call (866) 641-SHOW or
(702) 414-7469 or log on to www.blueman.com. For groups, phone (702)
369-9455.
THE
ITALIAN-THEMED RESORT, meanwhile, also has welcomed a
taste of Asia with the opening of Tao-Las Vegas. The
40,000-square-foot dining and entertainment complex, which cost $20
million, houses a restaurant, banquet facilities, ultralounge and a
nightclub. The nightclub and lounge are open from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
and from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., respectively, Thursdays through
Saturdays; the restaurant is open daily from 5 p.m. to
midnight.
MARRIOTT
VACATION CLUB INTERNATIONAL opened the first phase of
Marriotts Grand Chateau, its first Las Vegas resort, just off the
Strip. Located on East Harmon Boulevard, between the Aladdin and
the MGM Grand, the property features 126 one-, two- and
three-bedroom villas, done in red, green and gold with tapestries
at the windows, that range in size from 820 square feet to 2,095
square feet. Amenities include fully equipped kitchens with tile
floors and granite counters; separate living and dining areas;
42-inch Sony plasma TVs, DVD players and stereos in the living
room; soaking tubs and oversized showers; washers and dryers; and
Wi-Fi accessibility. Three-bedroom villas can accommodate up to 12
people. The property also will offer for owners and guests a
rooftop pool with whirlpool and pool bar; concierge services and
valet parking; fitness center with locker rooms and steam rooms;
Marriotts Activity Zone Experience; and the MarketPlace convenience
store, which is open around the clock. When completed, the resort
will feature 895 villas located in four 37-story towers.
OLYMPIA
GAMING expects to break ground next fall on the Southern
Highlands Casino-Resort. The $750 million resort, which will be
located on Las Vegas Boulevard South at St. Rose Parkway, will be
bounded to the west by Interstate 15, making it the first major
casino-resort property travelers will see when they enter the Las
Vegas valley from California. Plans call for the first phase of the
100-acre, master-planned site, which will encompass 50 acres of
resort and casino development and another 20 acres featuring a
retail and entertainment venue, to include 610 hotel rooms and
suites; a casino; a swimming pool complex with a lazy river water
feature, a sun deck and main and private pool areas; spa, fitness
center and salon; convention and meetings facilities; more than a
dozen fine dining and casual restaurants; and a multilevel
entertainment venue for headliners and musical
productions.