Sahara Las Vegas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sahara Las Vegas |
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Logo introduced in 2019
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The Sahara in 2006
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| Location | Winchester, Nevada, U.S. |
| Address | 2535 South Las Vegas Boulevard |
| Opening date | October 7, 1952 |
| No. of rooms | 1,616 |
| Total gaming space | 50,662 sq ft (4,706.7 m2) |
| Permanent shows | Magic Mike Live MJ Live |
| Signature attractions | The Foundry |
| Notable restaurants | Bazaar Meat Zeffer's Cafe |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | Meruelo Group |
| Architect | Max Maltzman (1952) Martin Stern Jr. (1959–1967) |
| Previous names | Original Sahara (1952–2011) SLS Las Vegas (2014–19) |
| Renovated in | 1954, 1959–60, 1961–63, 1968, 1988, 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2013–14, 2018–21 |
| Coordinates | 36°08′32″N 115°09′23″W / 36.14222°N 115.15639°W |
Sahara Las Vegas is a famous hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Winchester, Nevada. It is owned and run by the Meruelo Group. The hotel has 1,616 rooms, and its casino covers about 50,662 square feet. The Sahara is at the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, where it meets Sahara Avenue. It is also home to the northernmost station of the Las Vegas Monorail.
The resort was first called the Sahara from 1952 to 2011. Before that, a casino called Club Bingo opened on the same spot in 1947. In 1951, Milton Prell and his partners started building the Sahara. It opened on October 7, 1952, as the sixth resort on the Las Vegas Strip, featuring an exciting African theme. Over the years, the Sahara grew with new hotel towers and features.
In the 1960s, as bigger resorts opened, the Sahara faced challenges. It was sold several times and underwent many changes. In 1995, Bill Bennett bought it and spent $100 million on renovations, adding a Moroccan theme and a NASCAR-themed attraction with a roller coaster called Speed – The Ride.
The Sahara closed in 2011 because it was no longer making enough money. In 2013, Sam Nazarian began a huge renovation, reopening it as the SLS Las Vegas in 2014. This new version had a modern design and aimed to attract visitors from southern California. The SLS also faced financial difficulties. One of its hotel towers was even rebranded as W Las Vegas for a while.
In 2018, the Meruelo Group bought the SLS. As part of a big renovation, the resort was renamed Sahara Las Vegas on August 29, 2019, bringing back its original, well-known name.
Contents
The Sahara's Story: A Look Back
Before the Sahara, a casino called Club Bingo stood on this spot. Around 1942, Melvin D. Close bought a large piece of land on what would become the northern Las Vegas Strip. Milton Prell, who owned Club Bingo, had a dream of opening a small hotel. He first opened Club Bingo in Las Vegas, which was a success.
Club Bingo opened on July 24, 1947, and quickly became popular. It had a large bingo room and a dining area called the Bonanza Room, which offered food and entertainment. Famous entertainers like singer Dorothy Dandridge performed there. Prell eventually decided he wanted to build a luxury hotel, not just a small one.
In 1951, Prell gathered his business partners to start building the Sahara. The land was perfect because it was just outside the city limits, which meant fewer taxes. The project was expected to cost $2 million. Sam Boyd joined as a partner, and real estate developer Del Webb helped with the financing and construction.
Opening the Hotel Sahara
The $5 million Hotel Sahara opened its doors on October 7, 1952. It had an exciting African Sahara theme and was the sixth resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip. Max Maltzman was the architect, and Ragnar Qvale designed the inside. The hotel had a modern and simple look. Outside, there were fake camels and Arabian figures to match the theme. Inside, you could see statues of Arab guards.
The Sahara was built on 20 acres of land and had 240 hotel rooms. The rooms were in two-story buildings around a swimming pool. Each room had a patio or balcony. The resort also had a casino, a long bar, and two restaurants: The Congo Room and The Caravan coffee shop. These areas, along with the Casbar Theatre, featured African-inspired decorations.
The Sahara was the first hotel in Las Vegas to have an Olympic-size swimming pool. It also hosted hydroplane races on Lake Mead for several years, starting in 1956. In 1958, the hotel began sponsoring a golf tournament called the Sahara Pro-Am, which later became the Sahara Invitational.
Growing Bigger: New Towers and Features
To add more rooms, Prell hired Del Webb in 1954 to build an additional 192 rooms. This new section was called the Sahara Oasis Motel. It was designed by Martin Stern Jr., who would become a key architect for the Sahara.
In 1959, a big construction project began, including a 14-story hotel tower. This tower, also designed by Stern, opened in June 1960, adding 204 rooms. It was called the Sahara Tower (later the Tunis Tower) and was the tallest building in Nevada at the time. It had a flashing electric clock on top that showed the time and temperature. A tall, vertical sign was also added in front of the resort.
By 1961, there were plans for another major expansion, including a 24-story hotel tower. Del E. Webb Corporation bought the Sahara that year. A new, larger Casbar Theater and an expanded restaurant were also part of the improvements.
On February 9, 1962, construction started on the 24-story Sahara Skyscraper hotel tower. This new tower, built by Del Webb, would add 400 rooms, bringing the total to 1,000. Three swimming pools opened in April 1962. A fancy steakhouse called The House of Lords opened in August 1962 and became a favorite spot for celebrities like the Rat Pack.
In 1963, the 24-story hotel addition, known as the Alexandria Tower, opened. To attract visitors, the casino introduced its "Shower of Money" game. A person would enter a glass booth and try to push as much money as possible out of an opening in one minute, and they got to keep what they pushed out!
In August 1964, the Beatles stayed at the Sahara while performing in Las Vegas. U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson also stayed at the hotel in October 1964. In 1968, a large convention facility called the Sahara Space Center opened, which could hold up to 5,000 people.
Fires and Challenges
The Sahara experienced a few fires over the years. In August 1964, a rooftop fire caused significant damage, but workers quickly repaired most areas, and the casino reopened the next day. The Sahara even put up a sign saying, "Visit The Hottest Casino In Town."
In May 1967, three men were arrested after placing a homemade bomb in a Sahara hotel room. They were trying to get money, and the incident led to evacuations at several hotels. Luckily, no other bombs were found. Another fire in July 1968 started on the casino roof, causing more damage, but the hotel section was not affected.
Changes and New Owners
The Sahara's popularity began to decrease in the 1960s and 70s as new, larger resorts like Caesars Palace and the International Hotel opened nearby. The Sahara started to feel old compared to these modern places.
In 1981, Del Webb decided to sell the Sahara. Paul W. Lowden, who owned another hotel-casino, bought the Sahara for $50 million in 1982. Lowden wanted to attract more regular visitors instead of just "high rollers" (people who bet a lot of money). He expanded the casino and moved the hotel lobby so guests didn't have to walk through the casino to get to their rooms.
In 1988, a third hotel tower, the Tangiers Tower, was added, bringing the Sahara to 1,500 rooms. By 1989, another addition brought the total to 2,100 rooms. However, even with these changes, the Sahara struggled to compete with huge new resorts like The Mirage and the new MGM Grand.
Bennett's Vision: NASCAR and Moroccan Themes
In 1995, Bill Bennett bought the Sahara for $193 million. Bennett launched a $100 million renovation project in 1996. He brought back an African theme, but this time with a Moroccan style throughout the resort.
Part of the renovation included a new main entrance with a huge Moroccan-style dome, 140 feet high. A new sign with two neon camels was added to the Las Vegas Strip. The old motel buildings were removed, and a seven-story parking garage was built.
In 1997, the Sahara opened its new Sahara Buffet, which was one of the largest in Las Vegas. Bennett, who loved auto racing, also added Speedworld, a $15 million race car simulator attraction.
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In 1999, plans were approved for a roller coaster to be built outside the Sahara. This roller coaster was part of a new NASCAR-themed restaurant. The NASCAR Cafe opened on March 2, 2000, and the roller coaster, Speed – The Ride, opened a month later. It was the fastest roller coaster in Las Vegas, reaching 70 miles per hour.
The Sahara celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002. After Bill Bennett passed away in December 2002, his wife, Lynn, and her brother, Al Hummel, managed the resort. In 2005, Gordon Gaming bought the NASCAR attraction, including Speed – The Ride.
The Sahara Closes and Becomes SLS Las Vegas
In March 2007, Sam Nazarian's SBE Entertainment Group and Stockbridge Real Estate Group bought the Sahara for $331.8 million. They planned to renovate and redesign the resort. They spent $2 million on immediate upgrades like new carpets and uniforms.
In 2008, the Sahara created a "Locals Lane" in its casino to attract local residents with better slot machine payouts and discounts. However, the Great Recession hit, and plans for a major renovation were put on hold.
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On March 11, 2011, it was announced that the Sahara would close in two months. At the time, it had 1,720 hotel rooms and 85,000 square feet of casino space. Nazarian said that keeping the old Sahara open was no longer making financial sense. The resort closed on May 16, 2011, after 58 years of operation. A huge sale was held to sell off everything inside, from furniture to decorations. The famous camel sign from the back entrance was donated to the city's Neon Museum.
In September 2011, plans to redevelop the Sahara moved forward. The resort would be renamed SLS Las Vegas, standing for style, luxury, and service. Nazarian wanted to turn it into a luxurious boutique hotel, like his other SLS properties. The number of rooms would be reduced to 1,622, and Speed – The Ride would be removed.
Construction for the SLS Las Vegas began on February 13, 2013. The old Sahara hotel towers were "stripped down to their skeletons" for the renovation. This allowed them to reuse the existing buildings instead of tearing them down completely. The Sahara's camel sign on the Strip was taken down, along with the Moroccan-style dome.
The SLS Las Vegas opened on August 23, 2014, with a big party and fireworks. It was the first new resort to open on the Las Vegas Strip since 2010. The SLS had 1,620 rooms and a chic, modern design. It aimed to attract younger people and visitors from southern California.
The old Sahara hotel towers were renamed the Lux, Story, and World towers. The resort had nine restaurants, many of which were popular in Los Angeles. It also had three nightclubs. A 32-foot-tall abstract statue called Sam by Starck was placed in front of the SLS as a tribute to Nazarian.
Challenges and New Partnerships for SLS
The SLS faced some difficulties during its first year, including lower-than-expected visitor numbers. In October 2015, Nazarian sold his share of the resort to Stockbridge.
In November 2015, Stockbridge partnered with Starwood to rebrand the Lux tower as W Las Vegas. This new luxury hotel-within-a-hotel opened on December 1, 2016, with its own entrance and spa. The Life nightclub was also reopened as a live music venue called The Foundry.
The Sahara Returns
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In May 2017, Reno businessman Alex Meruelo and his company, Meruelo Group, announced they would buy the SLS Las Vegas. The sale was completed in April 2018. Meruelo planned a $100 million renovation and hinted at a rebranding.
In August 2018, the W Las Vegas was renamed the Grand Tower and brought back under the resort's main management. Meruelo's renovation began in October 2018, updating hotel rooms, hallways, and the lobby. He also made the casino floor brighter, as he felt it was too dark before.
On June 27, 2019, Meruelo announced that the resort would change its name back to Sahara Las Vegas. This was celebrated with fireworks and a light show. The Sam by Starck statue was removed during a ceremony on August 27, 2019.
The resort officially became Sahara Las Vegas again on August 29, 2019. The new Sahara has a modern design, but it still includes references to the original Sahara. For example, the new lounge is called Casbar Lounge, just like the original live-music venue.
In February 2020, a poker room opened, bringing poker back to the casino after almost a decade. In September 2021, the resort opened its newly renovated 35,000-square-foot pool area, called Azilo Ultra Pool. This Moroccan-inspired area can also be used for events and features two giant LED walls.
In July 2025, the Sahara announced it would no longer charge resort fees, making it one of the few hotels on the Las Vegas Strip to do so.
Famous Performers at the Sahara
Many famous entertainers have performed at the Sahara over the years. These include Buddy Hackett, Liberace, George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darin, Red Skelton, Lena Horne, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ann-Margret, George Carlin, and Tina Turner.
In 1953, singer Marlene Dietrich performed at the Sahara for three weeks, earning a large sum of money. The Sahara became known for bringing in high-priced acts. Later in 1954, jazz musician Louis Prima and his wife Keely Smith, along with sax player Sam Butera, became a very popular late-night act at the resort.
Abbott and Costello performed together for the last time on the Sahara stage in 1956. Don Rickles started his Las Vegas career at the Sahara in 1959 and was a regular performer. Judy Garland performed there in 1962, and Johnny Carson often appeared at the Sahara's Congo Room from 1962 to 1974.
Several live music albums were recorded at the Sahara by artists like Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Tony Bennett, and Connie Francis. The resort also hosted the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for many years. The Sahara Space Center hosted concerts by bands like Kiss and Rush in 1975.
In the early 2000s, magic acts like The Amazing Johnathan and Steve Wyrick performed at the Sahara. The hotel also launched tribute shows like The Rat Pack is Back. In 2021, a new show called Magic ... Live opened at The Foundry. Comedian Eddie Griffin has been a frequent performer since 2018.
Sahara in Movies and TV
- Club Bingo was a filming location for the 1951 movie Painting the Clouds with Sunshine.
- The Sahara was a key filming location for the 1960 movie Ocean's 11.
- A scene for the 1964 movie Viva Las Vegas was filmed in the resort's parking lot.
- The Sahara appeared in the first episode of the TV show Hardcastle and McCormick (1983).
- The Sahara sign briefly appeared in the 2003 movie Looney Tunes: Back in Action.
- In 2011, the TV show Storage Wars filmed a special episode at the closed hotel/casino.
Images for kids
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Hotel Sahara stationery featuring the 14-story tower around 1960
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Sahara's camel sign, 2007
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Casino in 2011
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SLS interior, 2014
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See also
In Spanish: SLS Las Vegas para niños
- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Stateline), formerly Sahara Tahoe
- The Montage Reno, formerly Sahara Reno
- SLS Brickell
- SLS Lux
- SLS South Beach Hotel
- List of integrated resorts
