Orange County opened up their Western Conference schedule with a 2-2 draw against Las Vegas Lights, securing their team’s 2nd point of the season after a tough March at home.
Orange County had a shaky first half performance. But in the second half, they looked more like the team we expect moving forward. Orange County will look forward to Hartford Athletic in their first road game of the 2023 season. Before we preview that game, let’s take one final look back at the team’s final community rankings for the month of March.
Since the Lights are “located” in the current home city of Orange and Black contributor Brad Palonsky, this week we are taking a look and comparing player performances to the properties in Paradise, NV.
That’s right, the Strip is its own town, called Paradise.
5 STARS: Wynn/Encore
In the heart of the Strip, next to other premier properties and shopping, the Wynn (and its sister property Encore) consistently sit at the top of most ranking lists. The Wynn boasts some of the best luxury dining options and resort amenities in town. It’s also the only strip casino to feature its own 18 hole golf course! The Wynn charges a pretty penny for you to stay on site, but unlike some of the properties on the strip… the price is worth the experience.
Players who achieved 5* rankings are:
Milan Iloski: Community Ranking 4.5*
4 STARS: Cosmopolitan
Opened in 2010, this “Best Hotel in the World 2013” property still feels fresh and new in a city that prides itself on being… exactly that. The Cosmo features a near endless selection of food options, including Superfrico’s “psychedelic” take on Italian American Cuisine. The property also has multiple elegant bars and speakeasies (including one in a barbershop!), the centerpiece of which is a 3 story chandelier bar, with one of LV’s most iconic cocktail creations… the Verbena Verbosa. Trust this author: this drink is a unique experience for your senses. Despite not being featured on the menu, it’s available year-round.
Players who received 4* rankings are:
Alex Villanueva: Community Ranking 4.2*
Bryce Jamison: Community Ranking 4*
Kevin Partida: Community Ranking 3.7*
Marc McNulty: Community Ranking 3.7*
3 STARS: Paris Las Vegas
Sitting just across the street from the Bellagio fountains is a half size replica of the Eiffel Tower, the centerpiece of the Paris Hotel & Casino in Paradise. Opened in 1999, this property doesn’t have the posh vibe of the newer, more extravagant properties across the street. That doesn’t stop Paris from being a unique gem in its own right: the resort still has a number of quality signature restaurants, like Martha Stewart’s Bedford, or the aptly-named Paris Restaurant located in the Eiffel Tower.
Players who received 3* rankings are:
Brent Richards: Community Ranking 3.3*
Dillon Powers: Community Ranking 3.3*
Daniel Pedersen: Community Ranking 3.2*
Markus Nakkim: Community Ranking 3*
Andrew Fox: Community Ranking 3*
Emil Nielsen: Community Ranking 3*
Thomas Amang: Community Ranking 3*
2 STARS: Rio Hotel
Constructed in 1990, this Brazilian themed property is dated and in dire need of some TLC. There are still some redeeming attractions at the Rio, most notably the longstanding Penn & Teller Magic show. You can regularly find rooms at this property for under $30, which is lower than the resort fee that is added on. It’s not the most luxurious experience, but it could still be worse.
Players who received 2* rankings are:
Cody Cropper: Community Ranking 2.6*
Kyle Scott: Community Ranking 2.3*
Ashish Chatta: Community Ranking 2*
1 STAR: Luxor
For all of the elegance, there is also no shortage of horrors. The Tropicana, Circus Circus, Excalibur or The Strat could go in this spot. Dusty and dated as the era it is themed from, Luxor takes the cake as the worst in show. Speaking of shows, Carrot Top (yes, really) and the Blue Man group are the terrors that headline the property’s theaters. Don’t just take my word for it, see its average ratings from Yelp. There should not be a low enough price to convince you to stay there, even if you're on a budget.
Players who received 1* rankings are:
Nobody on OCSC earned a 1* ranking in this game.
What are your thoughts on this ranking list? Do you agree with our choices on LV Hotels/Casinos? Let us know in the comment section below!
