HotelChatter

Snapshot / Viva Vegas / SLS Hotels / Sam Nazarian / → All Tags

An SLS Hotel is Still a Long Ways Off for The Sahara

Where: 2535 Las Vegas Blvd South [map], Las Vegas, NV, United States, 89109

We spent some time inside the Sahara in Las Vegas yesterday and despite the fact that this iconic Vegas property belongs to Sam Nazarian, he of the SLS Hotels, the Sahara is simply put, a tragedy.

The first thing to greet you when you walk inside is the smell of decades upon decades of (probably not filtered) cigarettes. While the casino at the front of the house is impressive-looking (lots of giant chandeliers hanging closely overhead and flashy Middle Eastern decor) it's all very downtrodden and sad. And it doesn't make any sense that the Nascar Cafe is inside here.

Yet at the front of the hotel's entrance there is a sign that says SLS Way, reminding us that good things are to come. Remember, Sam still has plans to change this into an SLS Hotel, which we think would be excellent for Las Vegas. Except there's just no money yet to do it.

So that means the Sahara will continue in its sad existence for a lot longer. Sigh. FYI, rooms start at $55 this weekend.