Ask just about anyone who visits Las Vegas, and you’ll find that there are typically two types of visitors. In one corner you have those who love the bright lights, nightclubs, expensive dinners, and high end shopping, then on the other end you have those who enjoy cheap booze, cheap gambling, and low frills. Lately, if you wanted the former, the Strip is where you’d go, and for the latter, downtown. While the Riviera and Circus Circus both offer an “Old-Vegas” experience, the Stratosphere is making it their lifeblood.
“Take Back Vegas” is the new slogan of the Stratosphere, founded in 1996. Although, it’s not the 90’s they are looking to bring back, but rather the idea they are setting out to appeal to all the Joe six-packs, and by “six-pack”, they aren’t referring to abs.
If you noticed any of the recent confusing billboards which read “What happened to Vegas?”, well, now you know it was the Stratosphere, who has pumped big money into their new ad campaign aimed at those who prefer less frills. The last large-scale marketing campaign by the Stratosphere was three years ago, with their slogan “Elevate your expectations”, which they spent $7.4 million on.
Lonely Planet travel guide writer Sara Benson, said the Stratosphere was smart for appealing to those who felt “nickel and dimed” by the modern Vegas. However, the Stratosphere isn’t shaking the $20.15 a night resort fee tacked onto the daily rate, according to the booking site Vegas.com. During the quarter ending September 30, their daily rate was $47.64 compared to the $267 at the Wynn and Encore. MGM Resorts average price was $131, but their portfolio spans from the Bellagio to Circus Circus.
