Las Vegas: Historic Sahara Hotel Shutters

Talk about biting the dust: The 59-year-old Sahara Hotel, the oldest surviving resort on the Las Vegas Strip—outliving heritage properties the Sands, Landmark, Frontier, Stardust and Desert Inn—is shuttering May 16, thanks to the city's flagging economy.

Sure, the 1,720-room joint was a dump, positioned at the northern-most tip of the Strip (ironically, flanked by the incomplete Fontainebleau debacle). Even half-hearted renovations that took place in the late 1990s looked second rate. But the place was inexpensive and had reached a point of nostalgic kitsch not found in newer, brassier destinations. Oh, sigh.

I stayed at the Sahara a number of times covering various conferences in Vegas for Radio World and Billboard. My pal Teddy once had a huge bi-level terrace suite that looked like a surreal mesh of 1950s white metal railings meeting the mauve 1980s. The whole place smelled a little funny and the carpets looked like they'd been raked instead of vacuumed, but I've nothing but the fondest recollections.

Obviously, I'm not alone. The Las Vegas Sun published a sentimental story with reader reminiscences. And The Los Angeles Times recalls, "The Sahara was an exotic desert locale where Frank Sinatra could enjoy a cocktail and bathing beauties froliced in the Garden of Allah pool. In recent years, the hotel-casino sunk to touting $1 blackjack and a NASCAR Cafe known for its 6-pound burrito. Now the icon is yet another victim of a deep recession that has squelched the city's tourism for more than three years."

So long, sweetheart. The Venetian, Caesar's Palace, Paris and Bellagio are loads of fun, but you'll always be a grand dame. R.I.P. Sahara.Sahara resort rooms through the decades: top: 1950s, 1960s, bottom: the groovy 1970s and oh so sadly, today..."Artistically created residences for gracious living are luxuriously furnished in excellent taste. Rooms have private baths & individual thermostatic temperature controls. Interiors appeal to the most discerning in a sumptuous single or elaborate suite."
"Set like a royal jewel amid 20 acres of velvet lawn & blossoms, Las Vegas' largest temperature controlled pools provide endless moments of relaxation & fun beneath the healthful Nevada sun. A new high in resort living. 600 air-conditioned rooms, all with TV and radio."

One Last Romp Down The Las Vegas Strip

It's easy enough to return from vacation and say, "Oh, I'd love to live there," which, of course, in practical terms, is seldom realistic. I've been to Las Vegas at least two dozen times over the past two decades, and each time I return, I remain madly in love with the city.

I'm not a gambler, thank god (though I'm ashamed to admit I blew 5 bucks on the slots at the airport... yes, a whole 5), so that holds no appeal... I truly believe Vegas has reaped the best of New York, Los Angeles and Miami—the three greatest cities in America—in terms of music, dining, culture and entertainment... honestly, I could see myself living there. God knows the cost of living trumps the alternatives.

Alas, for now, I shall continue to hold onto so many memories that we've shared here on The Smoking Nun this past week. Hopefully, a year from now, I shall return for the first anniversary of Celine's show at Caesar's Palace, as I did each time during her "A New Day" residency.

In the meantime, let's take one final stroll down the Las Vegas Strip... with a little tease here and there of the past meets present...

Las Vegas: CityCenter's Swanky Vdara Hotel

The Aria, The Crystals, Harmon Hotel, Vdara, The Cosmopolitan, Mandarin Oriental & Veer Towers. Put the seven together and you've got the massive CityCenter, across 76 acres at the south end of the Vegas Strip. The largest privately funded project in the nation's history, which opened in late 2009, cost $9.2 billion to build.

During the first leg of our Vegas trip, Ayhan, Fredly, Leo and meese stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations on the north end of the Strip, in a beautiful 2-bedroom suite, complete with a kitchen (full-size fridge, oven, dishwasher), a washer/dryer, living room and beautiful bathroom... This 700+ square foot joint was more spacious than many New York apartments, cool cats.

On Wednesday, when Fred headed back to L.A., we transferred to the Vdara within City Center. Nuttin' personal, but suddenly, it felt like we were slumming at the Hilton... I have to say, not only was this among the most technologically sophisticated hotels I've ever seen (electronic "Do Not Disturb" and "Housekeeping" buttons, automated shades, flash card room entry, elevators that looked like a spaceship), but I felt like I should be wearing a velvet smoking jacket just to sit on the sofa.

It didn't hurt a bit that when we checked in, the front desk upgraded us from a king bed with living room suite to a complementary 800-square-foot one-bedroom suite on the 25th floor—and a corner room, at that. And here's the real brow-raiser: Because the complex (which opened in December 2009) is working its tail off to compete with more established high-end establishments on the Strip, our room was $125 a day (before Vegas' annoying $30+ in taxes)—in the same range as lower-end joints like Treasure Island. We got a fucking great deal, for sure.

Enough words: I'll let the picolas do the rest of the talking...The Vdara in its sleek mirrored glory...Looking down from our window...Sweet suite!Vdara lower level...Ayhan & Leo in the surreal elevator.
The view from our corner window... daylight and dusk...Room 25047 living quarters. Yes, baby!Kitchen, baby...The bathroom... and an idiot standing in the mirror...This, cool cats, is the view from the bathroom!! Daytime & nighttime. And why did I return to New York?