The grand opening party cost $1 million and had famous guests such as Johnny Carson, Jimmy Hoffa, and a young Steve Wynn. Caesars Palace was opened by hotelier Jay Sarno, who wanted the hotel to be opulent and over the top.įrom the start, Caesars Palace was a place of excess. Lthough there were a few other hotels with distinct themes opened earlier, Caesars Palace is considered the first true themed resort in Las Vegas.
Photo source: Flickr via Bernard Spragg.NZĬaesars Palace is one of the only hotels on this list that has kept it original name and theme since it was first opened. Harrah’s Las Vegas recently had a $140 million renovation just in time for the 80 th anniversary of the Harrah’s Hotel Casino Company in early 2018. In 1992, the hotel’s name was changed to Harrah’s Las Vegas and a couple of years later, the riverboat theme was dropped in favor of a carnival/Mardi Gras theme, which the hotel still maintains today. acquired Holiday Casino as well as Harrah’s Hotel Casino Company. A few years after Shelby Williams died, Holiday Inns, Inc. The Holiday Casino had a riverboat theme.
The hotel was originally opened in 1973 as the Holiday Casino by former Silver Slipper casino owners, Shelby and Claudine Williams.
Harrah’s Las Vegas was not the first Harrah’s hotel and casino in Nevada - founder Bill Harrah started his empire in nearby Reno in 1937/38.
