End of an era as Vegas casino closes

[big dog cowboy]

End of an era as Vegas casino closes
by Romain Raynaldy – Sun May 15, 5:31 pm ET

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) – Las Vegas marks the end of an era this week as one of the US gambling mecca's last original "Rat Pack" casino-hotels, the Sahara, finally closes its doors.

Opened in 1952, the Sahara hosted everyone from Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis to Frank Sinatra and the Beatles in the 1950s and 60s, and their photos still decorate the walls above the reception.

But in recent decades Vegas saw an explosion of mega-sized casino resorts which left the "small" Sahara struggling to fill its 1,700 rooms at the end of the famous Strip.

The death knell was sounded in March, when its owners since 2007, SBE Entertainment, announced that the casino-hotel complex with its more than 1,050 staff was no longer a viable business.

"In a way it was a surprise, but in a way it wasn't," Michael McLendon, a supervisor in the casino's poker room -- already deserted ahead of Monday's final day -- told AFP.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110515/lf_afp/useconomytourismgambling

 

[CowboyDan]

Sad news.....I'm glad I got to see a Rat Pack tribute there a few years back. Great show.

 

[dback]

I know that this Casino has an important place in Las Vegas lore, but it is just not a good place to stay.

I speak specifically of a recent stay there about a year ago. I was initially excited because of the cost of the room, but the rooms just seemed run-down and kind of dingy. Everything in our room had probably been patched a dozen times and it turned out to be not worth the low rate they charged. Many other casinos on the strip offer similar rates for better rooms. Their gambling floor just didn't evolve like the other casinos on the strip and I would say it was by design. There just wasn't that much to do at that casino. On top of that, I was charged for a rum and coke WHILE gambling at the bar. Unheard of.

Goodbye Sahara.

 

[Eric_Boyer]

only $1 blackjack on the strip

 

[kmp77]

I stayed there during college on a cheap package over spring break....AC went out...miserable!! Cheap gambling though.

 

[Joe Realist]

actually stayed there in the 90's. It was old then too.

 

[YosemiteSam]

It's surprising it lasted this long. That place was a complete dump compared to the other mega casinos. Hell even the Stardust is already gone. What is left from the original casinos on the strip? Circus Circus and Caesars Palace?

I haven't been to Vegas since 2000.

 

[dback]

It's surprising it lasted this long. That place was a complete dump compared to the other mega casinos. Hell even the Stardust is already gone. What is left from the original casinos on the strip? Circus Circus and Caesars Palace?

I haven't been to Vegas since 2000.

Circus Circus is still there, I have not been inside so I can't speak to it's appearance. Caesars Palace is an awesome place to be. I haven't stayed there, only walked through and it was as impressive as come of the other casinos. Harrah's and the Flamingo are still there and they still enjoy decent sized crowds. Those two benefit from their location with respect to other casinos on the strip and attract people looking for some cheaper gambling.