Sahara

One of the most famous and longest-standing hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, the Sahara has been the scene of many a Las Vegas tale, including the high jinx of the Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis, Jr. The hotel has 1,674 rooms and 26 suites. In March, 2007, the Sahara was sold to a California entertainment group that is planning a significant remodel of this history property.

The Vegas Cyber Speedway is a stock car race simulator that gives guests a life-like opportunity to race against up to seven other drivers. Race choices include the Las Vegas Motor Speedway or the Strip. The wrap-around screen is twenty feet wide with a convincing sound system. The racers are 87% of the size of their stock car originals. Speeds over 200 mph are attainable. Speed is also the name of a roller coaster ride at the Sahara. The ride generates multiple G-forces, corkscrews, goes through a mist tunnel, climbs a 224-foot tower and generates incredible speed, as the name implies.

The Sahara Casino is familiar to anyone who has seen Oceans Eleven. It is a great venue for blackjack of all kinds as well as the full array of other, classic table games (craps, roulette, baccarat, Pai Gow poker and the like). New, signature table games are also offered. Free lessons are offered. There is a non-smoking poker room with 16 tables of Hold-'Em and seven card stud. Tournaments are organized frequently. On weekends the Sahara organizes a flashback party called the "60's Party Pit." Also offered are classic slots, keno and video poker as well as specialty prizes and machines. Penny Lane has more than eighty penny machines. Leroy's Race and Sports Book offers the usual wager options on sporting events, horse races, auto races, tennis, golf and boxing. There are 16 TVs and 2 big screens with 35 seats in the book.

The House of Lords Steakhouse, like the whole Sahara, is nostalgic about the '60s. It is now done over to restore those days, and still provides the classic menu of New York strips, lobster tail and fancy lamb chops.

The NASCAR Café, host to the racing simulator is an enormous eatery.

Other options include Paco's Bar & Grill and the Sahara Buffet, which is open around the clock.

The Sahara Theater is the venue for one of the best Elvis impersonations to be found in the city once ruled over by "the King." Trent Carlini's Musical History of the King is scheduled for the theatre six nights a week. The show features the songs, the costumes, the band and the backup singers just as Elvis left them. Carlini "does" Elvis through the various career phases: the younger years, the time in the Army, the movies, and the Vegas era.

Also at the Sahara Theater is Matsuri, a popular Japanese show featuring Olympic medal winners and other athletes performing dance and acrobatics in a show filled with bright costumes, some comedy, very energetic music and especially, drums. There are more than 18 different presentations.

The Congo Room presents one of the top oldies shows in the nation. The Coasters, the Platters and the Drifters enjoy themselves on stage, and the audience has a wonderful time, going back to the 60's. Coasters hits "Searchin'" and "Love Potion #9" are featured, with Platters' favorites "Twilight Time," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Only You." The Drifters respond with hits like "Magic Moment," "There Goes My Baby" and "Under the Boardwalk."

Amazing Johnathan presents an off-beat and not very politically-correct comedy act premised as a magic show that just doesn't work very well. The performer is known as "the madman of magic and comedy." The show is presented in a small venue where the audience gets involved in the fun. Johnathan is assisted by Psychic Tanya, who is a funny satire of the dumb blonde assistant. "

The Casbar Lounge books musical acts throughout the year and otherwise provides a showy, nightclub atmosphere to the Sahara guest.

There is no course on the property, but a round of golf at local premium courses can be arranged through the concierge desk.

Destination Spa and Salon provides the full gamut of salon services (hair, nails, pedicures, cosmetics, waxing, etc.) and also massages facials and body treatments including Swedish and hot stone massage.

The Business Center is set up to support all the business needs of guests and to support the meeting and conference activities of the Hotel. Meeting and event planners will administer a client's event, relying on ample resources like the Golden Room (6,800 square feet), the Daytona Room (2,000) square feet, and various smaller meeting rooms. Two meeting suites are also available as well as a poolside venue.

The famous Casbar Lounge, the Oasis Bar (at the House of Lords), and the Thirsty Camel (main bar on the casino floor) are the principal watering holes at this desert-theme resort.

The Sahara's 5,000-square-foot outdoor pool is in the center of the property and keeps up the desert oasis theme. Circular fountains accent a gazebo under which the whirlpool is located. Bars, towels and other amenities are offered. There are also 8 cabanas, which may be rented.

The Sahara is at the northern end of a monorail tram that connects the Sahara to MGM Grand and Bally's, Paris, Flamingo, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton, the Mirage and Treasure Island.

Those looking for upscale jewelry, souvenirs of NASCAR and Las Vegas, and fashion apparel/swimwear can go to the shops at the Sahara. Shopping at the other resorts is also convenient because of the monorail connections.

The wedding chapel at the Sahara Hotel is decorated in an Italian classical theme with murals, columns and floral designs. Brides can also choose weddings at Red Rock Canyon or on horseback or on Harleys. The wedding staff can arrange for the latest technology in photographic and video services, as well as catering, flowers, music, and all the other details. Several different wedding packages are available.