Las Vegas Review-Journal<\/em><\/a> found documents that the Meruelo Group was using Grand Sahara as a working name for paperwork used for SLS Las Vegas. This information stoked rumors of a name change sometime in the future.<\/p>\nThe current tally on the renovation budget now stands at $150 million<\/strong>. The ultimate mark of the completion of these renovations will be when the property once again becomes Sahara Las Vegas this fall.<\/p>\nDuring a special event to reveal the new name, Merulelo said, \u201cThe Sahara played an important role in the evolution of the destination.\u201d He continued, \u201cwe are now responsible for shaping a new narrative. We are writing the next chapter in the city\u2019s evolution for the love of Vegas.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A rendering of what one of the new rooms at Sahara Las Vegas will look like.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Coming attractions for Sahara Las Vegas<\/span><\/h2>\nThe new Sahara Las Vegas will harken back to the iconic original\u00a0while creating a new casino<\/strong> for the north end of the Las Vegas Strip.<\/p>\nWhile there are a lot of changes taking place right now, one thing that won\u2019t be changing is that William Hill<\/strong> will continue to operate the sportsbook<\/strong>.<\/p>\nRenovations of the casino are currently underway and should be completed by the time the name changes from SLS to Sahara.<\/p>\n
Sahara hotel renovations<\/span><\/h2>\nNew paint<\/span><\/h3>\nThe changeover to Sahara Las Vegas begins before even entering the casino. The renovations begin outside on the hotel towers. The new hotel and casino will have a sand-inspired coat of paint on the outside.<\/p>\n
The new color on the exterior is an homage to the original casino. It also covers up the SLS Las Vegas paint that made the structure look more like a prison than a casino-hotel.<\/p>\n
Valet, hotel lobby and check-in<\/span><\/h3>\nSahara Las Vegas has two entrances. The Vegas Strip<\/strong> entrance will mostly remain intact. However, the east valet entrance on Paradise will see a total facelift. The entrance closest to the hotel towers will have a new modern design. This will lead to a more traditional hotel lobby and check-in area concept.<\/p>\nRefreshed hotel rooms<\/span><\/h3>\nAll three of the hotel towers, elevator lobbies, and room corridors are receiving an update. Guests staying in the Story and World\u00a0towers<\/strong> will see new and modern hotel rooms.<\/p>\nThe Grand Tower<\/strong> replaces the W hotel tower and will retain the AAA four-diamond<\/strong> status<\/strong> as well as its private entrance. In addition to new room redesign, the Grand Tower spa will receive an upgrade.<\/p>\n\n
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A rendering of the planned design for the casino space at the revamped Sahara Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Sahara casino renovations and additions<\/span><\/h2>\nChanges to the casino floor<\/span><\/h3>\nThe 60,000-square-foot casino floor<\/strong> might have the most notable changes. Much of the property already has new carpeting, lighting and ceiling fixtures. The lower ceilings and traditional, but modern, casino design are more welcoming and comfortable for guests.<\/p>\nThe new casino floor layout is a drastic change from high ceilings and industrial design from SLS Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
New poker room<\/span><\/h3>\nThe original Sahara was home to one of the more popular poker rooms<\/strong> on the Vegas Strip. The owners of SLS Las Vegas decided to ditch the popular card room.<\/p>\nThere will be a new poker room opening as part of the casino floor renovations. The poker room will be small and feature TVs for players to keep an eye on any sports.<\/p>\n
Revamped high-limits room<\/span><\/h3>\nSahara Las Vegas will debut a new, single high-limits gaming space this fall. This will be a significant change from the most recent high-limits gaming structure.<\/p>\n
The high-limits gaming<\/strong> areas have bounced around SLS Las Vegas and will once again change for Sahara Las Vegas. The high-limits gaming at SLS Las Vegas\u00a0started in one room. It was then split into two rooms: one for slot machines and another for table games.<\/p>\n