Grand Sierra Resort in Reno trying to fleece Burners...

[brody]

So Grand Sierra has some pretty nice pool cabanas. They tend to have a post-Burning Man Decompression party, which if you're into thumpy club-kid techno music is ok (but sucks if you want peace and quiet, honestly).

Their normal weekday rates for pool cabanas are $100 for an entire day, as published on their site, and as quoted to me earlier this year when I called to make a reservation (but didn't pay at the time, because the woman was "too busy" to take my payment).

Know what I was just quoted for Thursday post-event? $500/day. Apparently they're jacking up the prices for September 4-6 to grab all the returning Burners.

Fuck those guys. That's just absolutely ridiculous.

Anyway, just FYI that it's usually a popular Burner hangout, but it seems like they're now just trying to cash in on us. I hear the Peppermill is also Burner-Central post-event.

[PurpleKoosh]

That's a shame to hear. GSR has been my year-round hotel of choice for a while now.

Of course, the trick to any of the casinos is to sign up for their rewards club the minute you step onto the casino floor. I get email from them several times a year, offering me free room nights, casino cash, comp drinks, yadda yadda yadda - I haven't actually paid for the room the last two times I was there.

[Jackass]

Last time I was there I got a $80 heineken.

[Thecatman]

All the motor home/RV rental places in the Reno/Carson City area gouge their prices to burners as well. But to jack up the rates $400? To hell with them. The rip off (rib cook off) is the same weekend.

[AntiM]

Maybe they don't want the burners and are pricing them out?

[Eric]

Why are you shocked? Did you see how absolutely packed it was in there last year?

It's very common in business to raise the rates on a limited product to what the market will allow (see: ticket scalpers); the Grand Sierra knows it's going to be packed with people, knows that a lot of them (us) have money (not me, certainly), and has a limited quantity of an item in demand (cabana's). Of course they're going to raise the prices for their huge decompression party, and if you think a casino isn't there to take your money any way they can... well, you live in an ideal world that doesn't actually exist...

[some seeing eye]

I'm sure the original poster is not implying that burners are sheep!

[EspressoDude]

but, the higher priced cabanas are exclusive, and come with a cabana boy or girl, your choice, and lotion of your choice..........

[Bob]

In Soviet Russia, sheep fleece you.

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[Bob]

BTW, why is this thread on the eplaya? Don't these whiners usually go to Yelp?

[theCryptofishist]

It's obvious that Burningman needs to happen in March when Reno and RVs are cheaper.

[RedHeaven]

I stayed at Peppermill for the first time last year on Monday night, it was such a surreal crazy place. I got a coupon in the mail a couple months back that is good through October, $49 a night on a weekday. Hope that applies to that special weekend! It doesnt say anywhere on it that it doesn't. Crossing my fingers.....that would be awesome. I live 2 hours from Reno but sometimes it's nice to not go all the way home and just personally decompress for a bit. It would be especially fun with a friend or two next time. Gonna call for a reservation just for the heck of it and see what they say. I'll report back.

[wh..sh]

Why are you shocked? Did you see how absolutely packed it was in there last year?

It's very common in business to raise the rates on a limited product to what the market will allow (see: ticket scalpers); the Grand Sierra knows it's going to be packed with people, knows that a lot of them (us) have money (not me, certainly), and has a limited quantity of an item in demand (cabana's). Of course they're going to raise the prices for their huge decompression party, and if you think a casino isn't there to take your money any way they can... well, you live in an ideal world that doesn't actually exist...

Well said, Eric. You saved me some time.

[karlbaba]

For folks interested in the Burning Man afterparty pool chill thing. The Grand Sierra is having a 72 hours 50% sale on rooms. Don't use the BURN12 code (good for 20% off otherwise and during the blackout dates) or it goes up $40!

http://www.grandsierraresort.com/

72 HOUR ROOM SALE: Get 50% off your room rate! Valid now - October 3, 2012 with certain blackout dates. HURRY THIS SALE ENDS AT MIDNIGHT August 23, 2012! No offer code required, just book online and your rates are adjusted automatically.

Offer valid: Sunday - Thursday. (Guest can still book Fri/Sat, but discount only applies to midweek).
Blackout dates:
August 31
September 1 & 2
Grand Sierra Resort -
www.grandsierraresort.com

[Dr. Pyro]

Where were these people when we were trying to organize back in the spring? I asked them and they wouldn't budge on the prices, but the Sands was more than happy to. I say screw the Grand Sierra, even if it is a few bucks cheaper, because when it was time for them to step up to the plate they pretty much said "Screw burners" and showed me the door. Now that the competition has ran circles around them, only now are we welcome.