June 2009 Archives

K Hotels, a collection of worldwide properties, announced today the addition of Treasure Island Hotel & Casino ("TI") to its member portfolio. TI was recently purchased by Ruffin Acquisition, LLC (wholly owned by Phil Ruffin). The K Hotels team of specialists will develop a personalized sales and marketing strategy guaranteed to improve the hotel's return on investment and market share.

Located in the heart of Las Vegas on the central Strip, TI offers 2,665 rooms and 220 suites, award-winning banquet and convention services staff, and 18,000 square feet of extremely convenient meeting facilities. TI is also known for their world famous entertainment including the breathtaking Mystere(TM) by Cirque du Soleil(R) and the iconic Sirens of TI(R). Whether indulging in the latest treatment at WET - The Spa & Salon at TI, feeling the pulse of the dynamic casino, experiencing one of eight restaurants and four lounges, or relaxing in a pool cabana, TI's amenities always bring people back.

"Being an established property in today's market is not enough. We know we will need to reach out to new customers. By becoming an independent hotel & casino we have more flexibility to really shine in the hospitality world, and we are confident that K Hotels will introduce new clients to a unique experience in the Las Vegas market," states Najam Khan, Executive VP and General Manager of TI.

"We are extremely excited to have TI as part of our collection. K Hotels will act as an extension of the TI sales and marketing department and work hand-in-hand with them to drive new strategies and increase ROI. We pride ourselves on being a sales-focused organization and because we are an intimate sized collection, we are able to provide clients with personalized attention and a targeted approach," states Lara Weiss, Managing Director of K Hotels.

TI reservations and group sales will be available through the K Hotels website at www.k-hotels.com. Fans and first-time visitors alike will be able to take advantage of special promotions, as well as the K Hotels newsletter by signing up on the website. For more information on TI, please visit www.treasureisland.com. For more information on K Hotels, please visit www.k-hotels.com.

Source: K Hotels

Gaming Partners International Corporation (Nasdaq: GPIC) announced the successful delivery of its order for the City of Dreams casino in Macau, which opened earlier this month. The order, which included all of the casino's gaming plaques for their 550 table games, was valued at US$2.7 million.

City of Dreams, a Melco PBL Entertainment property, purchased GPI's Bourgogne & Grasset(R) (B&G) line of gaming plaques fitted with high-frequency 13.56MHz RFID (radio frequency identification device) micro chips. The plaques were provided in a variety of styles, shapes and color combinations, available in the B&G line.

The RFID technology offered with all GPI's lines of casino currency, allows casinos to verify the authenticity and value of each chip, plaque and jeton almost instantly, reducing the possibility of counterfeits, staff pilferage or errors in casino currency counts. This technology enables casinos to track individual chips, plaques or jetons throughout the gaming floor and, with specialized readers and software, follow payments, fills and credits, table drops, tips, and win and losses per table at any time of the day. GPI's high-frequency RFID chips are compatible with special player tracking hardware and software that allow for accurate tracking of play data from tables so casinos can follow player bets and accurately rate and reward players.

"GPI is very proud to have been a part of the successful opening of this landmark casino," said Gerard P. Charlier, President and CEO of GPI. "The City of Dreams' acceptance of RFID is a testament to the advantages of this technology and our commitment in providing the best solutions for casino currency security and tracking."

City of Dreams, Macau is just the latest Melco PBL property to implement GPI's RFID technology with its casino currency. GPI has been providing the Crown Macau and Crown Melbourne casino with RFID Casino Currency Control(R) solutions since 2007. This latest delivery maintains GPI's dominance in the Macau casino currency control market.

SOURCE Gaming Partners International Corporation

MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and New Giza for Real Estate Development - an Egyptian company building a luxury, mixed-use community near the base of the famous pyramids - today announced plans to develop the MGM Grand New Giza. All equity funding for the development will be provided by New Giza for Real Estate Development. MGM MIRAGE will provide management services and brand fees through MGM MIRAGE Hospitality.

Conveniently located 40 minutes from the airport on the outskirts of Cairo, the 550-room MGM Grand will provide spectacular views of the city of Cairo and the famous pyramids of Giza. It will be connected via electric train to the new and highly anticipated Egyptian antiquities museum, currently under construction.

"The New Giza community presents an opportunity for us to be part of an extraordinary new master-planned development near Egypt's famed pyramids," said Gamal Aziz, President and CEO of MGM MIRAGE Hospitality. "Our partners share our focus on luxury, excellence, customer-oriented design and unparalleled service. Together with this spectacular location, this new resort will quickly become a tourism and conference destination that is both in high demand and fully reflective of the MGM Grand brand."

The New Giza development marks a new beginning for luxurious, master-planned communities in Egypt. Built over 1,500 acres of land, it will incorporate elegant homes, three resort hotels, lavish restaurants, shopping malls, all-inclusive sporting facilities and a high-end golf course designed by Thomson Perrett & Lobb. Built on graded elevations, approximately eighty percent of the 2,500 villas and townhomes will enjoy all-around views of Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. Developed as nine individual neighborhoods, the community will be surrounded by endless greenery, parks and lakes.

"We are delighted to have the MGM Grand anchor our hotel and hospitality sector in New Giza," said Mahmoud El Gammal, CEO of New Giza for Real Estate Development. "MGM's reputation for quality living, dining, entertainment, spa and nightlife offerings will provide the amenities, excitement and energy that reflect the lifestyle of this unique development."

MGM Grand New Giza is currently under design, and the resort is anticipated to open in 2013.

SOURCE MGM MIRAGE

Situated in the historic Warehouse District, the Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans Hotel (www.wyndhamriverfront.com) is convenient to the convention center, Harrah's Casino and the riverfront. Guests can find a great number of things to do nearby, such as shopping at Canal Place, hopping on a streetcar to the Garden District, exploring the iconic French Quarter, visiting the Aquarium of the Americas, touring Mardi Gras World, or strolling through the Arts District.

"With our location, guests can easily experience the many facets of New Orleans," said Area General Manager Craig Hulford. "In a day one can discover the charm of the French Quarter, the expanse of the Mississippi River, and everything in between."

The Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans "Play and Stay" hotel package includes*:

-Overnight accommodations for up to two guests

-For each night, complimentary parking for one car

-For each night, breakfast for two the next day

For reservations or for more information, visit www.wyndhamriverfront.com and choose the "Play and Stay" package, or call (504) 524-8200.

*Rates starting from $129 per night for standard room type, based on two guests per room, valid now through December 31, 2009 and subject to availability. Rates shown do not include applicable sales taxes or gratuities. Not valid with existing reservations, groups, or other offers or discounts.

SOURCE Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans Hotel

Highlights Include Appearances By Sting, John Legend and Smokey Robinson

The region's recreation calendar will heat up this summer when Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods bring together a star-studded entertainment lineup, further establishing themselves as the East Coast's premier destinations for just about any kind of fun under the sun. Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods have a season of sizzling spectacles in store, from exclusive concerts to world-renowned exhibitions, first-rate dining and championship-caliber golf.

"Foxwoods and MGM Grand at Foxwoods are incredibly honored to host some of the biggest names in show business this summer," said Michael Speller, President of Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprises (MPGE). "What's more, we pride ourselves in offering something for everyone, from sports enthusiasts to concert-goers and everyone in between. Our exciting summer events will continue to guarantee our guests enjoy an unparalleled entertainment experience."

Upcoming headliners include Keyshia Cole (June 5), who brings her "A Different Me" tour to Foxwoods with special guest Keri Hilson; "Empress of Soul" Gladys Knight (June 6); folk-rock super-group Crosby, Stills & Nash (June 13); "My Life on the D-List" star and comedienne Kathy Griffin (June 26); "King of Motown" Smokey Robinson (July 10); rock god and former Police frontman Sting (July 19); long-time ladies' man and pop sensation Tom Jones (July 24); neo-soul singer John Legend with special guest, India.Arie (August 8); classic blues-rock impresarios the Steve Miller Band (August 22); and the legendary Donna Summer (August 28)*.

Because Foxwoods and MGM Grand at Foxwoods understand that entertainment means different things to different people, the resort is also proud to present the new stage spectacle, "Cirque Illumination," a fantastical journey of the imagination from Broadway producer and director Neil Goldberg (July-September in the MGM Theater); the world-renowned "Bodies: The Exhibition," a celebration of the amazing and complex machine that is the human body (July-September on the Mezzanine level of the Grand Pequot Tower); and "Legends in Concert," the longest-running tribute show that features live recreations of yesterday's and today's superstars, including Elvis, Whitney Houston, Cher and Rod Stewart (July-September in the Fox Theater).

For foodies, Foxwoods and MGM Grand at Foxwoods offer a wide array of unparalleled culinary options, including the Phantom Gourmet Summer Beach BBQ Party (June 19 - 21), which will feature food from some of the world's best barbeque teams, from Australia to Texas to Virginia, in addition to 100 tons of sand, beer gardens, live music, and free mechanical bull and surf board rides. Several other new dining additions to the property include The Scorpion Bar Mexican Cantina, a sultry lounge meets Mexican cantina; Veranda Cafe, with three new upscale buffet stations including a "made-to-order" section; Burke in the Box, a casual burger and grinder concept built on value and freshness; and Dunkin' Donuts, the East Coast's favorite coffee shop. Other dining venues --- including the four-diamond Paragon restaurant, Alta Strada, Craftsteak, Juniors, Gelato Cafe, David Burke Prime and SHRINE Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub --- satisfy everyone from the casual to the upscale diner.

Golf enthusiasts also have reason to rejoice thanks to Lake of Isles, two award-winning golf courses on a picturesque lake that offer guests the ultimate golf experience. Number one in Connecticut on Golfweek's 2009 list of "America's Best Courses You Can Play," Lake of Isles offers championship tees stretching more than 7,300 yards, with multiple tee locations for golfers of every skill level.

Because relaxation is paramount at Foxwoods and MGM Grand at Foxwoods, the resort offers guests unmatched R&R amenities, including G Spa and the Grand Spa, where sensual surroundings meet personalized treatment from the professional staff; indoor and outdoor pools with poolside cabanas and an al fresco cocktail bar; and, for those in need of retail therapy, some of the area's finest stores and boutiques, including Pandora Jewelry and Mac Appeal.

Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods also continue to up the ante on the gaming front, offering the highest quality gaming entertainment with the launch of a sensational lineup of new options, including Wide Area Progressive slot machines, six state-of-the-art casinos, "Match the Dealer" side bets at all blackjack tables, and free "Foxwoods Fun Play" Internet games. The most recent improvement is the addition of 24 new table games in the Great Cedar Casino.

*Complete schedule available at http://www.foxwoods.com/Entertainment.aspx