The newest resort in Las Vegas officially opened its doors tonight.
The Lucky Dragon, located near the north end of the Strip on Sahara Avenue, is the first casino to be built in town from the ground up since the Cosmopolitan was completed six years ago.
The hotel and casino has been in development for five years from concept to completion.
The Asian-themed casino-resort opened its doors for the first time Saturday in a special soft-opening.
Lucky Dragon comes complete with 203 hotel rooms and a casino floor with nearly 300 slot machines and more than 30 table games.
The resort is admittedly modest in size by Las Vegas standards.
"We didn't want to be a caricature of an Asian resort," said Dave Jacoby, the Chief Operating Officer of the Lucky Dragon. "Most of the other casinos here in Las Vegas are very large mega resorts trying to be all things to all people -- we have a different approach here at Lucky Dragon."
The hope is to tap into the growing Asian tourism base but to also attract locals with an authentic cultural experience -- from the Asian cuisine to popular games.
"I think this is the first casino in Vegas doing the Asian style ... if you go to the casino floor, you see a lot of baccarat tables," said Alvin Shih, a Las Vegas local attending the soft opening.
The Lucky Dragon was designed with the Asian tourist in mind.
Every detail here takes that into account, even with the signage -- the first language is Chinese, while the second is English.
"With our service standards, we try to make sure that we are putting the Asian cultures first and allowing the American cultures to follow behind," said Jacoby.
For example, inside the hotel elevator, you won't find a fourth floor.
That's because the number four is considered unlucky and just doesn't belong in a place called the "Lucky" Dragon.
"I think local people will like it," said Shih.
While Saturday was considered the Lucky Dragon's "soft opening" the casino-resort will have their grand opening on Dec. 3 -- with a lot of pomp and circumstance.
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