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Snapshot :: Planet Hollywood Doesn't Look as Bad as We Thought

Where: 3667 Las Vegas Boulevard [map], Las Vegas, nv, United States, 89109

As we were leaving the Bellagio we noticed the brand-new facade over at the Planet Hollywood Resort and we actually liked it. (Literally, we snapped this shot as we were leaving the Bellagio in a cab.)

When we initially heard PH was opening in Vegas we kinda flash-backed to the days of jean shorts, bike shorts, bangs and anything else we were guilty of wearing in the 90s.

But this place looked very modern and cool with no cheesy Hollywood theme in sight (although the place is the set for several cheesy TV shows.)

Coincidentally, the NY Times had a feature article on the man behind Planet Hollywood. (No it's not Bruce Willis. Nor Arnold. Nor Sylvester.) It's some guy named Robert Earl who was behind the original restaurant franchise. After going bankrupt in the late 1990s (he blames it on expanding too fast, too soon) Earl has recovered enough to invest in the former Aladdin casino.

But he's not out of the woods yet. Newcomer and especially outsiders--which is anyone without the last name Wynn or who isn't a part of MGM Grand Mirage--are having tough times succeeding in Vegas (did someone say Hooters?) and Earl's got to be careful.

"Even with the revamping that has been done on behalf of Planet Hollywood, I don't know how survivable it is," William R. Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno, said. "It certainly is a better looking facility than it was before."

And we agree, although we haven't been inside yet. But if you have then let us know.

Related Stories:
· Save those Curly Fries: Planet Hollywood is back (again) [NY Times]