Two years ago, when Aziz Gamal visited the site of the future MGM Grand in Foxwoods, he could only see piles of dirt and blueprints with unlimited potential. When MGM Mirage, the president and hospitality CEO, returned last weekend for the $700 million gala grand opening of a new venue, he saw something very familiar.
"It looks a lot like home," Gamal said Friday afternoon inside a 30-story glass tower, looking at the gold and glitter surrounding him. "The surroundings are starting to look more and more like Las Vegas."
This is perhaps the best flattery for a new casino, especially considering the source. Gamal, 50, has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, including serving as senior vice president of food and beverage at Bellagio, and has come to be recognized as one of the architects of "New Vegas."
More than 4,000 invitees first saw what Gamal means from Friday night before the new venue opened to the public at midnight on Saturday night. Attendees were the first to witness the final results of what would happen when two gaming giants on opposite U.S. coasts decide to collide in the deep forests of Connecticut.
"When two entities, Foxwood and MGM, come together, amazing things can happen," said Kenneth Reels, the Mashatucket Tribal Chairman.
And how? MGM at Foxwoods is a luxurious resort and casino that has added 2 million square feet to what was already the largest gaming spot in North America. Dubbed the "Lower Next Door" for its familiar lion logo, this new MGM is designed to "inflate" the outdoors by harnessing the resort's natural environment through the exterior walls of its windows.
The hotel has 825 rooms and suites, a 4,000-seat theater, a casino, and four restaurants. The hotel also offers 115,000 square feet of conference and convention space, bringing the total convention space available in Foxwood to 170,000 square feet. It also has a Greta Monahan-inspired 21,000 square feet of G Spa, which offers swimming pool-like amenities, and a men's and women's jacuzzis with flood protection.
With more than 2,000 jobs created for local residents, Foxwoods' MGM is connected to the Foxwoods Resort Casino by a covered walkway with about five walkways. The property will also house stores such as Bali, Dunhill, Grand Effects (MGM Grand Logo Store), and McAfee, an authorized reseller of Apple products. 바카라사이트
As for the games, MGM Grand's casino has 1,400 slot machines and 53 table games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, Spain 21, and 3-card poker. The new casino is located just off the main lobby, offering two critical gaming spaces that are separated from the main casino through colored glass, wire mesh, and wood grid framed panels to provide privacy. Located in the middle of the casino, the aptly named Center Bar features a plasma television and video poker machines installed on the bar. Adding to the atmosphere is a large, glassy fireplace and a circular-shaped ultra lounge that can be rented for private and ceremonies. Center Bar – Go Grand's signature drink is perfect for shooting scenes.
