Sahara Hotel and Casino: The End of an Era

Dean Martin Live at the Sahara Hotel and Casino

This is sad gambling news for me! Las Vegas closes the door on an era with the closure of the Sahara Hotel and Casino on May 16, 2011.  The hotel housed 1,720 guest rooms and suites with a casino covering 85,000 square feet all sitting on 55 sprawling acres.

The Sahara was opened in 1952 by Milton Prell as the sixth resort on the Vegas Strip. It featured some of the most famous performers in its day such as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Judy Garland to name a few. The Sahara was the only remaining Rat Pack hotel and casino. There’s a tear in my eye.

The most recent owner, Sam Nazarian, felt that the business wasn’t “economically viable”. The last hotel guest checked out at 12:00pm PDT. By 2:00pm the doors were closed. Ugh, approximately 1,600 people are out of jobs as a result. 

One of the first places I ever had the pleasure of visiting in Vegas was the Sahara. I was in love with the history.

The economy likely contributed to the closure of the casino. I wonder if the popularity of online casinos had any effect on business. With the added convenience of gambling from home, more and more people prefer it. For me, nothing can replace the ambiance and nostalgia of Vegas.

The website has the following message displayed on the homepage:

Thanks, for a wonderful engagement

1952-2011

Your loyalty to the Sahara over the years is appreciated. As we end our Las Vegas era, we want to introduce you to our preferred partner – Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

All pending Sahara reservations have been transferred to Circus Circus. Their Reservation Agents will be glad to assist you with your Sahara booking, as well as, provide you with a complimentary upgrade to their West Tower hotel rooms.

For existing reservation inquiries, please call Circus Circus Hotel Casino at 1-877-521-5201 and have your Sahara confirmation number available.

If you click on their homepage, you are taken directly to the Circus Circus website.

Please share your stories and experiences with Vegas and the Sahara Hotel and Casino. I’d love to read them.