Rio getting desperate?

[MisterV]

I've yet to visit FB but I asked AI how they're doing...

_______________________________

per AI / google...

"Financial challenges
• Operating at a loss: As of mid-2025, reports indicated that the resort was "hemorrhaging cash," operating at a loss of as much as $400,000 per day in its early months.
• Refinancing debt: The resort's ownership is seeking a nearly $1 billion refinancing deal to restructure its capital and relieve mounting financial pressures.
• Cost-cutting and layoffs: In May 2025, Fontainebleau laid off over 60 table-game dealers. This move signaled deeper cost-cutting efforts as management works to stabilize the business.
• High operational costs: The property's early struggles are attributed, in part, to soaring operational costs.
Operational issues
• Executive turnover: The Fontainebleau has experienced a series of high-level executive departures, including its Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Director of Beverage Development. Industry insiders suggest this indicates leadership instability and growing concerns about the resort's direction.
• Quiet environment and low attendance: Visitors have described the casino floor and other public spaces as having a low-energy, empty feel. The hotel is located on the north end of the Strip, which may contribute to lower foot traffic.
• Struggles building a customer base: The property has had a difficult time building a customer database large enough to support its massive size. A campaign was even launched to attract more local residents amid a downturn in tourism.
Legal and regulatory issues
• Anti-money laundering investigation: The Nevada Gaming Control Board is investigating the Fontainebleau over potential violations of anti-money laundering protocols. The investigation was accidentally revealed during a licensing hearing for a company executive.
• Past bankruptcy: The current issues follow the project's tumultuous 20-year development history, which included multiple bankruptcies and ownership changes. The original Fontainebleau company defaulted on billions in loans during the 2008 financial crisis, leaving the structure dormant for a decade.
•
Positive aspects
Despite the challenges, the Fontainebleau has received some positive feedback, particularly concerning its amenities and physical property.
• High-end design: The hotel's decor and architecture are frequently praised as luxurious and elegant.
• Modern rooms: Guests often commend the modern, spacious, and comfortable rooms.
• Quality amenities: The fitness center and spa have also received positive reviews.
• Restaurant and nightlife options: Many visitors have enjoyed the on-site restaurants and venues like LIV nightclub, with some considering the dining and entertainment scene to be top-notch."

[MDawg]

As far as "empty" go there today, the place is bustling even midweek.

[kewlJ]

I will say this again. They are in a location where they lose out on foot traffic.

From Tropicana Road all the way up to Fashion show mall which is just past spring mountain, there are resorts and attractions every step of the way on both sides. And a steady stream of people walking those areas. Once you get north of Fashion show mall on the west side of Strip, and Wynn across the street on the east side, you lose that and there is no or little foot traffic.

RW isn't terribly far from fashion show, so not terribly far from where all the foot traffic ends, but it is far enough. A solid block past an empty lot. It is the same thing on the east side. Once you get past Wynn/Encore, foot traffic stops and it is a long way down to FB with no real attractions in between.

They would need to fill those areas in with attractions. Now you can drive to these places, but many visitor on the strip don't have a car or if they did come by car park it and don't use it until they leave. You can also get to these places on the Deuce double deck bus, which tourists do use, but most people when they get on the deuce just go right past that northern strip area on their way down to Fremont street (downtown).

To make that area north of Spring Mountain into something, that would make the foot traffic want to continue north past fashion show mall and Wynn, it will take more than just one or two resorts and attraction dotting the area. You need that steady flow that you have spring mountain south to Tropicana with one resort or attraction after another.

[Dan Druff]

It's a nice place, but the location sucks, the place is too big (and thus needs more revenue to stay afloat), and it's managed by retards.

That's the problem in a nutshell.

[mcap]

What would Druff know about how it's managed, he can't even manage a forum.

[DGenBen]

What would Druff know about how it's managed, he can't even manage a forum.

He knows what something managed by retards looks like, since he essentially lets the posters here run this forum.

[Dan Druff]

I will say this again. They are in a location where they lose out on foot traffic.

From Tropicana Road all the way up to Fashion show mall which is just past spring mountain, there are resorts and attractions every step of the way on both sides. And a steady stream of people walking those areas. Once you get north of Fashion show mall on the west side of Strip, and Wynn across the street on the east side, you lose that and there is no or little foot traffic.

RW isn't terribly far from fashion show, so not terribly far from where all the foot traffic ends, but it is far enough. A solid block past an empty lot. It is the same thing on the east side. Once you get past Wynn/Encore, foot traffic stops and it is a long way down to FB with no real attractions in between.

They would need to fill those areas in with attractions. Now you can drive to these places, but many visitor on the strip don't have a car or if they did come by car park it and don't use it until they leave. You can also get to these places on the Deuce double deck bus, which tourists do use, but most people when they get on the deuce just go right past that northern strip area on their way down to Fremont street (downtown).

To make that area north of Spring Mountain into something, that would make the foot traffic want to continue north past fashion show mall and Wynn, it will take more than just one or two resorts and attraction dotting the area. You need that steady flow that you have spring mountain south to Tropicana with one resort or attraction after another.

Yeah, Resorts World and Fontainebleau should have bought up the entire area of the strip. Yes, even the Peppermill. They could've built stuff in those spots and made them an extension of whichever resort bought them. I guess Peppermill could've been kept open in that way, kinda.

I've said many times that the location kills these two properties. They're too "out there", and the area is both shitty and semi-isolated, so as you said, no foot traffic.

Location is everything in Vegas. Hard Rock was smart. The rest were stupid.

[accountinquestion]

People with money aren't using the deuce and given the parking fees I don't bother to rent a car in lv very often. Yes I'm cheap but it isn't worth the time to pickup and return either.

[redietz]

My car rental routines changed dramatically with the advent of parking fees. If I'm dropping in to scout futures numbers at half a dozen places (or more), that's $150 a day in parking fees. And the extra time required to go airport to parking center is a hassle.

So now I rent from something in the neighborhood of where I'm staying, even though it costs 30% or 40% more per day. Just more efficient for the required run to South Point and LVHilton and so on. I can take a cab to mid strip and that's more convenient.

If parking fees get suspended, I may or may not go back to renting a car for the entirety of the trips.