As some of you may remember from my 2006 Bahamas report, the Crystal Palace will be moving up the status scale.

I was pleasantly surprised this trip to discover that the rooms had all been completely remodeled. bed spreads, new furniture, new shower curtains, new coffee pots, new towels, new lamps, new wide screen, flat panel plasma TVs !!

They have also taken out the tacky miniature gold and replaced it with the gold & platinum private beach area. Very nice !!

Chips are all the same, but the rf chip trackers have all been taken out. Pit bosses reported that they didn't work right from day one, and they were glad to see them gone. RF chips are still in play, and pit bosses have not heard of any plans to replace them at this time.

New Night clubs are trendy and for the young and hip. This will not ring well for the old with a replaced hip.

Live Poker tournaments are a big thing now and the poker room is going like block busters. Tournaments are in one of the Ballrooms.

Still a huge plus is the extremely friendly staff. I dare anyone to walk from their room down to the pool without having 4 staff people greet you with a smile and a hello, and to ask how you are or of they can do anything for you. It's amazing.