SLS Leaving Starwood
Some interesting stuff is happening on the North end of the Las Vegas Strip. A few weeks ago I covered the fact that the W Las Vegas was reverting back to its original brand and once again becoming a part of the SLS. It had previously been the SLS’s Lux Tower before splitting off under the W brand.
While the W’s de-branding back to SLS is still happening, the L.A. Times is reporting something else that is interesting. SLS as a whole is actually leaving Starwood/Marriott. Apparently the marketing partnership with Starwood wasn’t fruitful.
According to the L.A. times:
The 1,616-room SLS also ended its marketing and reservations partnership with Starwood Hotels. The hotel had hoped the 2015 deal, which allowed travelers to book stays at SLS using Starwood loyalty program points, would help boost its bottom line.
More Upgrades Coming
Since reopening after a complete overhaul of the Sahara Hotel & Casino in 2014 (more of a history here), the property has changed owners a couple of times and each owner has announced plans to fix it. Apparently the new owner Alex Meruelo (who purchased the hotel in April), plans to spend about $100 million to renovate it further. A name change is most likely in the cards as well.
My Thoughts
There are several big projects coming to the North end of the Strip which will help this hotel, but they are years away. I think eventually the former Sahara will find its groove and will be successful, but it is going to take some time. Meruelo is an experienced casino owner so it will be interesting to see what he does with the property.
Either way this represents one less option for booking hotel rooms with points on the Las Vegas Strip.
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I have stayed there many nights for trade shows at LVCC. The property itself it a total loser. I said that from day one. Taking 100 and dumping it into that property. That dude is nuts. He is as nuts as the original owner from the SLS who told the WSJ that he would charge 300+ a night there for that dump. Basically, the SLS took the Sahara and gutted the rooms. All small rooms mainly. Location sucks, there is nothing around them really. It would not matter if there is when that other property opens eventually down the block. It had also been a Hilton for a short time. Mostly flight attendants and some convention people stay there. Nobody gambles there. The W wing was another dumb idea. The new owner will go bust like the last one. Vegas is such a competitive place. The strip is dominated by big single brands-Caesars, MGM. Wynn and Venetian are also a mega brand in that control a nice chunk of premium rooms and customers. I am sure we will talk about the place when the new guy blows 100 million into the place.