It’s no shock that the SLS Las Vegas is a struggling property with a less than optimal location off the strip. Rates and occupancy of the 1600 room resort continue to drop causing SLS Las Vegas Drops to Category 4 SPG Property last year.
Anyways, the latest is the owner of the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Alex Meruelo, will be taking over the SLS property the end of the month.
Per the Las Vegas Review Journal,
Alex Meruelo will invest up to $100 million to revitalize the SLS Las Vegas after the Nevada Gaming Commission approved his acquisition Thursday of the struggling Strip property.
The Reno-based businessman will spend the money in the coming years to upgrade rooms, redesign the pool, brighten the casino floor and refresh the slot machine offerings, said spokesman Christopher Abraham.
Since Meruelo agreed to purchase the property in May, there’s been speculation that he may change the hotel’s name back to the famed Sahara. The SLS brand is owned by Sam Nazarian’s sbe Entertainment. Abraham said Meruelo will study SLS brand recognition before deciding on a name change.
“We will be using the SLS name for another year and will evaluate our options with the brand moving forward,†he said.
See:Â Hotel Review: SLS Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
With the new ownership, they’ll be replacing the General Manager and looking to hire a new management team. When it comes to the SLS brand, I’d be shocked if the property stays under SLS, as they’re looking to potentially re-brand it back as the Sahara, which is what the property used to be years ago.
Have you stayed at the SLS Las Vegas before? Feel free to share your experiences below.Â
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I stayed there a year ago. The rooms are very old as is the hotel. You could tell that they remodeled the rooms and you could also tell that it was a very old property.
A change o the name back to the Sahara is a good start. Also a good nightclub would be good also. The restaurant prices were very expensive so that’s one thing that must change. Then possibly having a great buffet like the Rio hotel has. Those are my suggestions.
The SLS is on the Strip: 2535 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas. That’s the Strip.It even has a Las Vegas monorail stop.
The problem is it’s on the NORTH Strip, well north of most other properties other than the Stratosphere (which is a downscale property) and Lucky Dragon (which just went bust). Genting is building a resort property nearby but it won’t be ready until 2020. The Fountainbleau is allegedly being built out to become the Drew, but that will also be a while.
There simply isn’t enough critical mass at that end of the Strip yet (Rock in Rio didn’t pan out, and that was across the street from the SLS). It’s a tough spot at the moment.
But will it still be under SPG?
I’ve stayed there several times. The rooms were the same old tiny Sahara rooms, redecorated and cool to look at. No closets, just hanging racks; showers only, even in suites. When it changed to SPG from Hilton, the service, which had slipped to very questionable, sort of stabilized. They did remove the bathrobes, slippers, and all the amenities that made the hotel worthwhile. Horrible stays that produced promises from the new management were never upheld because there was still an ever changing management staff (just as there had been before). One complete tower was removed and became the “W”, with it’s own check in and management. Frankly, I’m scared to go back, even as a Starwood/Marriott guest, because no one seems interested in honoring promises made regarding the lack of service. And I’m in Vegas about 40 nights a year.
On the other hand, Jose Andes’ Bazaar Meats is my favorite restaurant. I’ve eaten there almost 60 times since it opened and the food is divine! I can’t say enough good about the service, the management, and chef’s creations!!! It’s just a shame that I can no longer roll out of the restaurant and into my room, but have to drive back to where I am staying (I can’t enjoy more than a single drink).