End of an era as Vegas casino closes - Yahoo! News

End of an era as Vegas casino closes - Yahoo! News
Hmm... this strikes a chord. Just the image of the Sahara sign evokes many sensations: hot, Vegas nights, an oasis in the desert: drink, excitement, dapper, elegant guests, elite vip treatment, some of which we could sample, some of which was enjoyed behind the thick doors by Elvis, the Rat Pack, the owners, etc.
Below are some of the top comments; don't get me wrong, I'm not a big gambler, and not sure how sustainable a vintage Vegas hotel is, but something is lost with its passing that should not go unnoticed. It was a bellwether of its time, a mark of the accomplishment and excitement of a modernizing society to place this experience in the middle of the desert, almost like at the edge of a dream. But it was not; it's only a handful of hours drive outside LA.

"The.Traveller - I'm going to guess that most of the people that miss places like the Sahara are old enough to remember when people expected to get something for their money. If they lost at the tables, they were 'comp'ed' rooms and meals. The style was used to draw people in and make them at least feel that they weren't getting completely ripped off. Now the corporate mentality is "screu" them, just take their money and knock them in the head if they protest (which they won't)"

"Big Daddy - In the 70s we got a buffet at the The Sahara for $1.99 and it was world class. In 2010 my brother and I paid $12 each for breakfast and it was about as good as day old McDonalds. Oh how the mighty have fallen."

"Carmen - High school graduation - 1966. My date took me to the Sahara for dinner at Trader Vics,, then to the lounge to see Waylin and Madame, then to see Roger Miller in the main showroom, dancing later...What a wonderful night. There will always be a special place in my heart for the Sahara....I left Las Vegas a long time ago, and have been so disappointed the few times I've been back. It's all so tacky, nothing is special, not even Caesar's."

"Greg S. - We're going to miss you, Sahara! You may have been worn down due to age, but you had a charm that the mega-casinos almost entirely lack. I sure hope someone finds the courage to invest in your resurrection."

"Boo - there will be more going down..........the slots are so tight in vegas ,that most people now only go to drink and walk around looking at the free stuff. Vegas is not the place to gamble anymore.......unless they start to payout more. It's all about resorts now, to bad really."

"Springtime - Oh, the glory days of the Sahara and Vegas, when ladies were knock outs in their evening clothes and men were so handsomely dressed... and the shows were fabulous. Now, look at Vegas. Obese women in short shorts pushing baby strollers through the casinos. Men in Hawaiian shirts and sandals with socks. No thanks, Vegas... you lost me as a visitor. I can see that same clientele in McDonalds"

"Albert A -I worked in luxury hotels for 10 years and I learned a thing or two. When a luxury hotel like that fails it's not the economy but POOR MANAGMENT that hotel was a gem until idoits were allowed to take over and run it into the ground. It's all about providing world class service."

"G - yes the good ole vegas days, at 6 pm everyone went to their room, the men put on suits and the laides evening wear. The place had class back then. The last time I was there at the tables some of the people looked like they hadn't cleaned up in weeks...such a shame...another wall street f^%king"