The iconic Sahara Hotel on the north Vegas Strip will close it's doors on May 16, 2011, signifying the end of a locale that was once a favored hangout for the likes of Frank Sinatra and his famed Rat Pack buddies. The CEO of SBE Entertainment, which owns and operates the historic hotel -
My best half and I always appreciated the " old Vegas" aura at the Sahara. For us personally, the Sahara presented some of the most interesting and extravagant old - style chandelier lighting fixtures and overall decor to be seen anywhere in town. Those perspectives remain despite the fact that this property hasn't undergone any major renovations for years. Vegas will be losing one of it's few remaining historic Strip hotel - casinos when the Sahara shuts down. Vegas has always been noted for it's rapid property / attraction turnover and the shedding of it's skin, and we are emphatically reminded of that tendency when a storied locale such as the Sahara closes it's doors.
The Sahara closure is blatantly reflective of tough economic times in the planet's most popular destination city. The north end of the Vegas Strip has been particularly vulnerable to lowered visitation, increasing room totals, and less consumer willingness to spend money after arrival here. The nearby Riviera is in bankruptcy reorganization and the partially built big blue Fontainebleau is not expected to be completed for years; the steel structured skeleton of the planned Echelon project has remained idle since 2008 due to tough times as well. However, since it's inception Las Vegas has demonstrated boundless recuperative spirit and opportunities...it's a shame the Sahara got caught up in the Vegas machine. Generally, that machine can be alternatively described as "Money talks ...and the rest walks".
So long, Sahara...
Cheers...
Charles HigginsÂ
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