The $5.5
million Sahara Hotel and Casino opened in December 1952, on the site
of the old Club Bingo. The resort several years ago had undergone a
massive renovation, adding a new tower and new parking garage that
were completed just prior to the new millennium. The casino floor
also has seen an upgrade and doubled in size. Furthermore, the
famous Sahara sign, once the tallest in Las Vegas standing at 100
feet, has been replaced with a new sign that now displays a camel as
its most notable feature. The new sign joins a number of revitalized
African-style additions, including the Caravan coffee shop, Casbah
Lounge, and the Congo Showroom. These amenities were created not
only to fit the desert theme of the Las Vegas Strip but also to meet
the ever-increasing competition created by glitzy neighboring
resorts.
Moreover, the
Sahara’s facade and a number of hotel rooms have been changed in
an attempt to resemble a Moroccan atmosphere, characterized by
onion-topped domes and bright colors, among other attributes.
However, the resort rather looks more like Disney's Aladdin come to
life. Such décor is especially recognizable in some of the guest
rooms, where the kitsch factor is minimal, but gaudiness is rampant.
Nevertheless, the rooms are comfortable despite their garish
designs.
The
year 2000 has also ushered in a new era for the Sahara with the
completion of the 75,000-square-foot NASCAR Café; Las Vegas’s
newest roller coaster - Speed, and the new 950-seat Sahara Theater.
The
NASCAR Café is expected to feature stock car racing entertainment
and an “all-American” menu. The NASCAR theme, which will encase
the entertainment complex, includes giant surround-sound projection
television screens that will feature NASCAR racing, driver profiles
and the latest NASCAR news and merchandise. Nearly 20 authentic
NASCAR stock cars will be displayed throughout the venue, including
the world’s largest stock car, “Carzilla,” a Pontiac
Grand-Prix that weighs in at more than three tons.
The
Sahara claims their new roller coaster, SPEED, is the fastest in
Vegas. It was designed by the renowned high-technological
attractions company, Premier Rides. The roller coaster slingshots
riders from inside the NASCAR Café along the Strip at speeds in
excess of 70 m.p.h. It also features a loop and zips through the
192-foot Sahara marquee before stopping 224 feet above ground, and
then repeats the experience in reverse
In April of 2000, the
new Sahara Theater saw its first headline act, world-class magician
Steve Wyrick. The magician has been featured on numerous national
television specials and performances around the world, including an
appearance at the White House for President Clinton and
family.
With the openings of
the Sahara Theater, the NASCAR Café and Speed, the Sahara Hotel and
Casino will have completed its current renovations, which include
the aforementioned improvements finished several years ago, such as
the 95,000-square-foot casino floor, a renovated front entrance,
1,720 recently remodeled guest rooms and a new swimming pool area.
The Sahara has much to offer its visitors. However, it is also
important to note that, although the Sahara does not aggressively
discourage guests from bringing children, they feel other casinos
have better accommodations and activities for kids. Nevertheless, in
its entirety, the upgraded Sahara Hotel and Casino is definitely
worth a gander at the very least.
NOTE: Perhaps the greatest perk of the
Sahara hotel though, is that it now offers off-airport check-in
provided by CAPS (Certified Passenger Airline Services), becoming
one of two Las Vegas hotels that provides departing visitors the
convenience of checking their bags up to 12 hours prior to their
flight. In addition to transporting and checking in baggage, CAPS
issues passengers their boarding passes and seat assignments from
two through 12 hours before flight departure times. CAPS claims to
have the same security measures provided at the airport. When guests
check their bags to CAPS personnel, they are required to answer
security questions and provide photo ID. The program is approved by
the Federal Aviation Administration.
