The Last of The Sahara

March 13, 2013

The Sahara closed in 2011.  Even then it was clear what the future held.  The Sahara would be no more, sadly to be replaced by a future non-descript hotel development.  A company daring to rebuild on the North end of the Strip that has been sadly neglected for years, next to the failed Fontainebleau and across from the long gone El Rancho Vegas.

So why am I mourning the loss of the Sahara today, a few years after its closing?

The big Sahara sign finally came down yesterday, after standing proudly, sadly and defiantly in front of the failed but historic property for the last two years.  Even though the Sahara was closed, the sign gave us a little hope that old Las Vegas still exists even just in our memories.  The porte-cochère was demolished too.  Another reminder of the loss of an era where the approach and entrance to a Las Vegas hotel/casino was almost as exciting as Las Vegas itself. 

The Sahara was opened in 1952 as Milton Prell’s Jewel of the Desert.  Over the years, it hosted the Beatles, launched one of many revivals of Louis Prima (with Keely Smith, of course), and provided a platform for comedic careers of the likes of Don Rickles and Red Foxx.  It housed the famous House of Lords steakhouse, The Casbar Lounge, and The Congo Room.   

Through the years, the Sahara became a dated and isolated property.  Even a remodel shortly before their sale couldn’t bring in new customers, presumably because of the lack of quality renovation of the hotel rooms and the remote location (in Las Vegas Strip terms). 

Still, there was something alluring about the relic.  The same way the other dated properties from the 50’s & 60’s, such as the Flamingo, the Riviera, and the Tropicana are alluring.  It is not because they are the most swank properties on the Strip, because they surely are not, but because they represent something.  The wonder of Vegas.

Sure, I am one of those old timers who thinks of Las Vegas in terms of the Rat Pack and Wayne Newton.  But I applaud progression and thoughtful development.  I like imagination, creativity and fun.  That is what the new Las Vegas is completely lacking.  Where is Jay Sarno when you need him?  A highly themed hotel/casino is just plain fun.  It makes Las Vegas unique.  A theme doesn’t need to be silly, like Excalibur.  It can be sophisticated like The Venetian or Paris or Caesars Palace. 

What all of the new developments lack is the fun factor.  Disneyland wouldn’t be the same without Main Street or Pirates of the Caribbean.  Why do we have to take the themes out of Las Vegas?   Sorry Mr. Wynn, but I find the Wynn and Encore a little dull.  Why?  Because if you have seen one fancy hotel, you have seen them all.  Seriously.  Yawn.  Yawn again.  If I wanted just a fancy hotel, I could go anywhere.  What I want is something different, something that makes me want to explore one casino after another. Something I can take pictures of and remember the fun times.  Oh, and I promise to drop some money in the casinos while I am there. 

While on this topic, some good lounge shows would be great too.  I don’t want to drop my entire entertainment budget on a Cirque de Soleil show or have bottle service in a ridiculously loud and dark nightclub where they are playing non-music.  What I want is a good singer, a comedy act, a band, some good old fashioned (yes, again I am admitting that I old fashioned) lounge act.  I want to dress up, go to the lounge, have some cocktails, flirt with the singer (hopefully the singer is male), and then gamble the night away in the casino.  Casino owners, take notice.  I will still spend a lot of money in your casinos, but the difference is that I will actually be entertained.  Oh, by the way, since I am older than your typical bottle service crowd, I actually have money to drop.  Perhaps you should remember my demographic. 

So the loss of the Sahara sign has brought about my mourning for the old Las Vegas.  Sure, the old Las Vegas may be more myth than truth, but I sure miss it anyway.