Lucky Dragon, which became the first ground-up development to open in Las Vegas in six years in December 2016, is in the process of making some modifications to its offerings after a poor opening year, and pretty much no one in Las Vegas knowing where it was.
“In the hospitality industry, you have to be able to adapt and change quickly,” VP of Operations Blaire Dela Cruz explained to Casino City. “The plan you have on paper is most likely going to change once your guests start coming through the door, and we’re making those necessary changes.”
In order to accommodate the abundance of high-end players it claims that it has attracted, Lucky Dragon plans to add more VIP space. In addition to The Emerald Room on the main casino floor and the VIP Gaming Area on the second floor, its signature restaurant, Pearl Ocean, will move to the first floor and offer more space for VIPs. The second floor is more accessible for VIPs because it’s on the same level as the parking garage. The staff is bilingual, and there’s a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. There are also private butlers and a dedicated food and drink service to the area.
“The VIP program has been a huge success,” Dela Cruz said. “We pride ourselves on providing a seamless experience. They park their car, walk a few steps into the casino and start playing. We give them the complete service that they desire and deserve.”
While the food had great reviews, one of the complaints was that it was too expensive. In October, a new menu with competitive prices will be rolled out at Phoenix, a fine-dining venue that specializes in pork, deer tendon, abalone and other rare delicacies, and offers intimacy with 60 seats and a private balcony. Meanwhile, Pearl Ocean is rolling out new prices and will be making its own in-house dim sum.
“We are able to decrease prices to match the market while keeping the same quality and first-class service,” Dela Cruz added.
With a total footprint of less than three acres (by comparison, the Bellagio fountains alone take up eight acres), the resort’s other amenities are just like the casino floor – small in stature, but stylish. Just off the main lobby is an indoor/outdoor high-end tea garden and lounge with custom-built Gongfu tables and tasty tea-infused cocktails. There is a full-service 4,500 square-foot spa with, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicines and total relaxation techniques on the menu, and the pool cabanas are the complete opposite of what the Las Vegas scene has become known for, with loud music, DJs and dancing.
“That’s what I love most about working here,” said Dela Cruz, whose past experience includes a stint with Las Vegas Sands Corporation at The Venetian Macao. “There is a certain elegance to everything we do here. It’s not your typical Las Vegas resort, but it has all of the amenities and offerings and service you would expect. We think we’ve made the necessary changes to make it a complete experience for our guests, and we’re excited about what’s to come during Year 2.”
