I want to assume the current state of affairs is still due to COVID. I wish we had waited until later in the year to visit. The experience sure wasn't what I was anticipating or what I had experienced in the past. There is no longer Valet service, and parking is quite far from the hotel. Thank goodness there is still a bell desk so bags can be unloaded and checked at the door. The long line to check in was less than pleasant with only two people working behind the desk. The checkin kiosks were not working for most people. The mask thing is a nightmare. Easy enough to move your mask to take a drink, but if you are a smoker you are told to replace your mask after each puff. What?! Then, walking through the casino the next day noticed at least half the patrons not wearing masks or having one in sight. Did the policy change all of a sudden? Overheard someone on staff tell a visitor that as long as they were vaccinated they didn't have to wear a mask. And don't get me started on the restaurant reservation app/clearing house! Best bet is to go directly to the restaurant that you want a reservation and make it in person. This has always been my favorite place to stay, but this trip is making me think twice. Like I said, I want to give them the benefit of still trying to navigate COVID, but some of the things we experienced were easily fixed if they want people to keep coming back. Also, there is a lack of cocktail staff on the floor, though this has always been a problem in the evenings.
