Luxor Las Vegas Demolition Rumor
I’ll never forget my first visit to Luxor Las Vegas. It was October, 1993 sometime during the opening week. We had just moved to Las Vegas in June and I remember how exciting it was that three mega resorts (MGM Grand, Treasure Island & Luxor) were all opening within a few months of each other.
I also remember Luxor being a bit rough around the edges at opening. Landscaping wasn’t quite done and it was pretty evident, even to an 11 year old me, that it had all been rushed. But it was still so cool! I mean there was a boat ride around the casino and a monorail! What is cooler than that?!?
The Theme Is A Thing of the Past
Alas the Luxor isn’t the themed mega-resort that it once was. The family friendly era of 1990’s Las Vegas is solidly in the rear view mirror and most hotels on the Las Vegas Strip have de-themed. Over the years Luxor has lost a lot including it’s boat ride and so much of the unique Egyptian theming that once made it stand out.
According to Vital Vegas, it is possible that Luxor or perhaps even its neighbor Excalibur could be on the chopping block for demolition.
While no official announcement has been made, a decision to bring down Luxor during a period of weak demand due to the COVID-19 crisis could make sense for the resort’s owner, MGM Resorts.
The company has long felt its hands are tied by the distinctive, but limiting, Egyptian theme.
Our sources say company officials have discussed demolition of both Luxor and Excalibur for at least five years, but have been unable to proceed due to union contracts. It’s possible the COVID-19 shutdown has paved the way for what’s to come for Luxor.
Vital Vegas makes some good points about the property, its history and how iconic the pyramid is to the Las Vegas skyline. Demolishing it would definitely be a blow to Las Vegas. Still, one cannot argue that Luxor and Excalibur next door have long been on the lower end of MGM Resorts offerings in Vegas with prices pre-resort fee sometimes in the teens.
Luxor Las Vegas Demolition Rumor – Bottom Line
The current situation gives MGM options they didn’t have before with union contracts, but I still don’t think it makes sense in the grand scheme of things. They’ve sold off properties like Bellagio and MGM Grand just to get money to fund overseas investments, so it probably isn’t likely they’ll be funding a new expansion on the Strip. Which leaves the question. Is Luxor really that unprofitable?
As with any rumor we’ll have to wait to see how it shakes out, but one thing is for sure, I’ll certainly miss Luxor Las Vegas if it goes. What do you think?
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Luxor won’t be missed. Excalibur has a good location. We’ve stayed there many times. It isn’t Bellagio’s, but gets the job done. Sure would like to see some affordable properties survive.
[…] not all, as just this week, another rumor surfaced that one of the most iconic structures from the theme-hotel era might be on the way out. The Luxor Las Vegas (and the famous pyramid) might be the newest victim of Las Vegas’ […]
The Luxor building must stay!
Reinvent the place. Egyptian themes are always in vogue.
If I get in very late – like around midnight and I am on east coast time and just want to go to bed – I have stayed at the Excaliber a few times. I thought the beds were very confortable. All in price with resort fees is usually like $70 total. The I wake up early and head to the Bellagio. Saved hundreds doing it that way
A few years ago I got a room in the Excalibur “Resort Tower” (I think) and it was fine. I needed it for Hyatt credit and didn’t sleep in it, but the room was solid 3 stars admittedly and I had a pretty stunning view down the Strip. I think I paid $17 + resort fee. Hard to beat that.
I’ve stayed at Luxor once and Excalibur many many times. I agree that they are worn-out run-down properties. But the price is usually right. They are cheap and clean – no more than that.
They definitely serve a purpose and if they go away so do thousands of budget friendly hotel rooms.
WELL, AS THE OLD SAYING GOES IF YOU DON’T WANT IT SELL IT. MAYBE SOME CORPORATION WILL BUY IT IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT. THERE’S NO SENSE IN KEEPING SOMETHING THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO KEEP UP. IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO IMPLODE A UNIQUE BUILDING SUCH AS THE LUXOR. I HOPE IT’S SOLD AND REFURBISHED BY ANOTHER GAMING COMPANY.
didn’t mind staying @ Luxor for 1 nite during each visit LV twice last yr; for each comp stay, either for 1 or multiple nites, got a comp for +$100 F&B and a suite in the resort tower (newer & larger room than one in the pyramid); also, preferred MGM’s f&b or resort credit to Caesar’s, whereby it can be used at any MGM properties that accept room charge & can be used partially at multiple times
My wife and I stayed there on their opening night. No hot water, elevators occasionally worked, keys didn’t work. Only stay. Does make one feel a little old.
It was definitely not done but if I remember right they rushed to open before Treasure Island. I’ll never forget watching them lay sod outside as my dad and I walked into the casino for the first time.
Las Vegas is a kaleidoscope, forever changing.
The Luxor was a small casino with no excitement. The rooms were run down. I switched to the Venetian and Wynn/Encore. As for the Excalibur, it is filthy, very run down in one word a real dump. Went there once and have never gone back after I got over the shock of how dumpy it was. Time for both to go. Allow me to also include New York, Ballys (I do like the casino at Ballys).
You make good points. They were hotels built in a different era to serve a different purpose than newer hotel/casinos. These were very much built in the family friendly era which is long gone. They definitely don’t feel as nice or as fresh as newer casinos that’s for sure.
The Luxor is a dump and has been for many years as other properties passed it by and no real money put back in to refresh the rooms and common areas. Yes it once was a pretty nice place to stay at, 15 years ago.
Food and Beverage horrible as well
Interesting rumor. My first ever Vegas stay was at the Luxor, in 1996, which I recall coincided with the opening weekend of the New York New York hotel. I remember being excited to stay in the pyramid, and agree it is an iconic part of the Las Vegas skyline. While I haven’t been back to the Luxor, I sometimes get nostalgic and consider taking my own children, though I didn’t realize it had declined so much. Perhaps a moot point, anyway, because I have soured on the Las Vegas strip in general due a variety of reasons.
I don’t really stay at that end of the Strip and if I do, I stick with Delano for my hotel stay and Mandalay for gaming. There are times when I walk over to Luxor and Excalibur since I’m not a fan of the gaming floor at Mandalay and I like how Luxor and Excalibur have a pretty active slot scene and a good selection of older slot machines.
The entire complex from Mandalay to Excalibur being connected is nice too. Makes it easier to get around without going outside.
The inclinators are a little weird to get use to. Like you, I stayed a long time ago, and haven’t stayed there since. Did gamble for a bit there last time out and would agree that it seemed a little dated. Hopefully it wont be demolished
The inclinators are definitely fun! I remember being a kid and wishing I could try them, but they were checking room keys. I’ve since gone up in them many a times. Fun stuff.
My wife and I stayed at the Luxor three or four times in its early years and thoroughly enjoyed the first couple of visits. They closed the Imax cinema first, then one of the best 24-hour casino cafes was replaced by a mediocre coffee shop and we haven’t been back since. The spectacular shell remains, but the penny pinching and reduced attractions inside have robbed the Luxor of its previous desirability.
I too would miss the Luxor as a part of the Vegas skyline but MGM has long since killed our desire to stay there.