Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

102
CHAPTER 5 . WHERE TO STAY
ages—no discount for children). AE, DC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking. Amenities: Casino; wedding
chapel; showrooms; 6 restaurants; outdoor pool; 2 night-lit tennis courts; health club and spa; concierge; tour
desk; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning;
nonsmoking rooms; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, hair dryer (deluxe rooms only),
iron and board (deluxe rooms only), safe.
MODERATE
Sahara Hotel & Casino Value One of the few venerable old casino hotels still
standing in Vegas (it’s come a long way since it opened in 1952 on the site of
the old Club Bingo), the Sahara completed a major face-lift in 1999. Alas, that
included the loss of the landmark sign, once the tallest in Vegas. (The new one,
featuring a camel, is frankly going to look just as dated even more quickly.) The
point was not only to keep up with the Joneses (as the newer, glitzy hotels make
the old ones seem not just quaint but shabby), but also to attempt to unify the
theme of the hotel. This meant trying to make everything more Moroccan,
though in reality, the hotel seems to feature details from all over North Africa.
A new entrance showcases an arched neon dome with Moroccan detail, plenty
of marble and chandeliers, plus small tiles and other Arabian Nights decorations.
This entrance is quite a hike from the actual registration area—be sure to bring
your camel. And then to top it all off, they added a roller coaster around the outside
(quite a good ride, enthusiasts assure us).
Unfortunately, none of this really adds up to a nice hotel experience. Recent
guests had found the place, renovations notwithstanding, just a bit dreary and
maybe even shabby. Again, this may simply be in comparison to the gleaming
new kids in town, a comparison suffered by most of the older hotels. It should
be noted that the Sahara feels they are not as well equipped as other hotels for
children and discourages you from bringing yours—and yet, they added a roller
coaster. Go figure.
The room decor suffers from overkill, with stars and stripes assaulting the eyes
and not looking terribly Moroccan. The boldly striped bedspreads on the otherwise
comfortable beds are a particular mistake. The windows open, which is
unusual for Vegas.
The hotel has just remodeled their Sahara Buffet. The casino is there, of
course, and there’s a headliner showroom as well.
2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (at E. Sahara Ave.), Las Vegas, NV 89109. & 888/696-2121 or 702/737-2111. Fax
702/791-2027. www.saharavegas.com. 1,720 units. $39 and up double. Extra person $15, no discount for children.
AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking. Amenities: Casino; showrooms; 6 restaurants; 2 outdoor
pools (including 1 Olympic-size monster unfortunately located at the foot of a parking garage); Jacuzzi; tour
desk; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; limited room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking
rooms; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, minifridge on request (free but limited
availability), hair dryer, iron and board.
Stardust Resort & Casino Opened in 1958, the Stardust is a longtime resident
of the Strip, and its 188-foot starry sign is one of America’s most recognized
landmarks. Don’t get too used to it: The owners (Boyd Gaming) have been vocal
about wanting to get rid of it, either through a sale or a teardown/do-over. It’s a
pity, in a way; it is a likable hotel, offering on-Strip accommodations at cheap
rates, but it has no personality, despite being the only star of the movie Showgirls.
(It was probably chosen for its oh-so-Vegas light bulb–intensive facade, which
turns up in just about every location-establishing shot for Vegas called for by commercials,
TV, or movies. The movie Swingers also shot a number of scenes here.)
Rooms in the Towers are perfectly adequate, nice even, but forgettable. If you
must know more, the 32-story West Tower rooms are decorated in earth tones