Vegas Themed Hotels: From Neon Empires to New Gambles
Part 2: Survivors, Future Bets, and How to Save the Strip’s Soul
Missed the Mobbed-Up Mayhem?
Part 1 spilled the beans on the Strip’s gonzo glory days, Caesars’ toga parties, Luxor’s pyramid dreams, and Treasure Island’s cannon-blasting chaos, all torched by corporate greed and stale food courts. Catch up on the mobbed-up rise and epic fall.
Now, Part 2 rips into the survivors, the next big bets, and my plan to save the Strip’s soul.
Surviving the Theme-pocalypse
Vegas’s themed hotels got smoked, but a few still swing. Part 1 exposed the mobbed-up rise and greedy fall of the Strip’s gonzo empires, Sands’ Copa Room to rubble, Tropicana’s tiki to dust, Luxor’s “Motel 6 with a pointy hat.” Now, we’re diving into the survivors: Venetian’s canals still seduce, Paris’s Eiffel Tower delivers kitsch, New York-New York’s coaster keeps rattling. The Sphere’s $2.3 billion alien egg and recent Wizard of Oz-smashing hit, prove Vegas can still nail spectacle without turning into a CVS.
Hard Rock’s 2027 guitar tower is a step toward recapturing the ‘90s magic, but the Strip’s soul is on life support, $55 resort fees and influencers shilling bland resorts for profit are killing the vibe. My X crew’s buzzing about Luxor’s decay and how to fix it, and I’ve got a plan to save the Strip, from haunted clowns to hockey-themed floors. Let’s rip into what’s left, what’s coming, and how Vegas can Vegas again..
Current State: The Last Themed Holdouts
The Thrivers
The Venetian (1999, $1.5 billion) is the kingpin, its fake canals and singing gondoliers pulling 90%+ occupancy, per STR. People still ride those gondolas, pretending to be in Venice while some dude belts “O Sole Mio” (or Backstreet Boys) like he’s auditioning for The Sopranos. It’s peak Vegas, kitsch with a wink, not Luxor’s creaky elevators. The Grand Canal Shoppes add that extra layer of fake-Italy excess, complete with overpriced gelato and designer knockoffs that scream tourist trap, but in the best way. My goal is not to go through these shops; they sell those red-bottom shoes that cost more than my mortgage payment. (at Palazzo, connected to Grand Canal)
Paris (1999, $785 million) nails French flair with its half-scale Eiffel Tower and Mon Ami Gabi’s patio. ( I featured Mon Ami in another newsletter you can check out as well).
Somehow, Paris is my son’s favorite resort. My wife still roasts my “We’re going to Paris” gag, she got her croissants, I got a side-eye. But Paris’s sky ceiling is crashing down like a bad French soap opera. Fix it, Caesars! The Arc de Triomphe entrance still draws selfies, and they seem to be doing well with Bedford and Vanderpump for all the Reality TV chef fans.
New York-New York (1997, $460 million) rocks its Manhattan skyline and Coney Island coaster, with occupancy near 88%. I’m still pissed they ditched those steaming manhole covers—X agrees it was a crime. Fun fact: The coaster’s 203-foot drop was Vegas’s tallest until Stratosphere’s Big Shot in ’96. The rooms were recently renovated, and MGM did a really good job with it, keeping the NY theme alive with skyline views and urban energy that makes you feel like you’re in a mini-Big Apple amid the desert chaos. It’s next door to The Fortress; they are opening new quick food options upstairs, and there’s currently an $11.95 Slice and beer special in the Village Street eateries. The numerous food options and classic NY feel are so worth a visit and a budget stay.
The Stragglers
Luxor (1993, $375 million) banks on its black-glass pyramid, but the pharaoh vibes are buried under a sea of slots and emptiness. Its sky beam, powered by 39 xenon bulbs costing $1,200 each yearly, still cuts through the desert night, but the interior feels like a Motel 6 with a pointy hat. X is buzzing—@briancommeans raves about the suites but begs for an Egyptian refresh, while @optionscaller says a high-end dining vibe could make it a wonder again. My recent X post calling it a “Doritos chip” when the beam’s off struck a chord; folks agree it could be epic with some TLC, like new elevators or a return to Anubis statues and Nile River grandeur. Whispers of a shaky foundation needing a tear-down in 20 years? Urban legend nonsense, I roasted that April Fools’ joke on X. MGM, lean into the pharaoh fantasy and give it the upkeep it deserves.
Excalibur (1990, $290 million) pulls families for jousting, but X dubs it a “medieval motel.” The Tournament of Kings still serves forkless chicken, but the worn-out castle towers and dated decor make it feel like a forgotten fairy tale (and can I get more napkins, please). Its dragon mascot was banned from “smoking” after a 1990 fire scare, a fun tidbit, but the whole place needs a knightly overhaul to compete with the thrivers. I believe they updated the Casino center bar, and the casino has a fun vibe to it, it just needs a bit of love and attention, and certainly some dining line-up changes.
Harrah’s (1997 rebrand, $200 million) is Mardi Gras Lite, its jester heads sadder than a busted slot. Caesars gutted its soul, axing flair bartenders after a 2005 fire scare. Now it’s “slot purgatory” with no heart. I refuse to step back in unless they bring back the famous Buck and Winnie statue and real Mardi Gras with beads and jesters. The riverboat roots could shine again if they embraced the Louisiana gambling empire vibe of William Harrah, rather than this faded façade. Caesars even got rid of the Harrah's brand in New Orleans, rebranding to Caesars, which really makes zero sense considering it’s a Mardi Gras vibe.
Circus Circus (1968, $15 million) is a “clown nightmare,” its Adventuredome a budget fossil. Fun fact: Its pink-and-white tent was inspired by a 1960s circus poster. The trapeze acts and midway games still draw families, but the overall vibe feels trapped in time, with smoky casinos and tired rooms begging for a modern twist or a complete gut job. These relics need a gut job or a dynamite stick. They did remodel Slot’s of Fun next door, and if you haven’t been, it’s so worth the nostalgia.
The Future: New Themes, Old Magic, and Saving the Strip
Hard Rock (2027 ) is betting on rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m here for it. It’s the most exciting new resort the Strip has seen in over a decade, and a nod to history, with respect to the Mirage. This isn’t the same off-strip Hard Rock (although I loved that place) either. Think Luxury options with a fun, not stuffy, attitude. With a 700-foot guitar tower replacing Mirage’s volcano, its presence will forever change the Las Vegas Strip. Its subtle theme, reminiscent of vinyl records rather than foam swords, is the right kind of throwback, as evidenced by social buzz about music memorabilia like Elvis’s Rolls-Royce being moved, and I’m stoked for Slash headlining the opening, if those rumors are true. Even if they’re not, you can bet the Hard Rock will roll out the red carpet for Las Vegas.
I personally believe that within 5 years, Hard Rock will be eyeing Treasure Island for expansion. Buying TI could revive its pirate soul with a modern edge, rather than another Señor Frogs (oh wait, that closed too). I did an entire Newsletter on the Hard Rock, check it out.
The LVCVA’s new “Fabulous” campaign, launched September 4th, is a weak jab at fixing Vegas’s tarnished image, they really should of looked at revamping the infamous “What Happens in Vegas” campaign with a new twist for that sexy, rebellious vibe. The real issue, $50+ resort fees and $30 cocktails, are going to have to be fixed by the property owners, but a better campaign would have helped.
Station Casinos gets it, slinging $3 beers, $3 shots, and $1.99 margs while Caesars peddle $300 “deals” with fuzzy math that don’t add up. Seven shots at Station beats one overpriced drink at Caesars, do the math. And if you haven’t been to a Stations Casino, I recommend you visit one. Red Rock is my favorite of their properties. It’s across from the Aviators ballpark and the City National Arena, where the Golden Knights Practice. Just a few miles from the Red Rock scenic loop, which is beautiful btw.
The Strip’s dying for a reboot, and I’ve got the playbook.
MGM and Caesars need to wake up and lean into theming, and affordable options. MGM Grand could revive its Lion Habitat or Wizard of Oz vibe. X says MGM’s turning Bellagio “meh,” but I disagree; Bellagio, Aria, and VDARA (my second home) are solid; Aria and Cosmo’s next for a refresh, per MGM’s plans. They did a great job with the NYNY and MGM Grand rooms, so there is no reason to believe that trend won’t continue.
If you really think about it, Bellagio is the perfect blueprint that Vegas should follow, besides its luxury; people flock there for the iconic fountain show and the conservatory. These are arguably the last of the free shows; they survived and are thriving. Are some of the issues a case of companies fixing what wasn’t broken? I’ll save ya the trouble, the answer is YES! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. So what are they doing?
They need to lean back into the themes. What if NYNY had New York-style street performers on the Brooklyn Bridge every day? Not the cheesy (I’ll jump over 5 of my friends and make you wait 10 minutes while I hype for tips), but something choreographed, I mean, they do house the Jabbawockeez, so that should only be a phone call. What if Luxor had a free King Tut exhibit as part of your stay, and brought back the artifacts? The whole place could be a tour. Mandalay Bay has room. What kind of free show could they do to attract more people that way? People seem to miss a certain Volcano…
And Caesars? People don’t need another Reality TV chef experience; Paris’s falling ceiling and Harrah’s staleness are killing the vibe. Bring back Mardi Gras at Harrah’s, beads, jesters, jazz; a budget property like Harrah’s should not have a resort fee.
Circus Circus? Sell it or blow it up. If I had unlimited cash, I’d paint it white and black, call it Haunted Circus, and fill it with creepy clowns and dark rides, think It meets Adventuredome, not another budget dump. What could you do with a creepy midway and the world's largest Spirit Halloween store open year-round? Scary clown burlesque shows, a zombie rat pack group, really lean into it for adults.
The Oakland A’s stadium on Tropicana’s grave is a $2 billion (and rising) gamble, but Bally’s and owner John Fisher are fumbling it. This is a giant argument on X, but here’s my take. Vegas deserved an expansion team, not Fisher’s relocated mess. Some say this won’t be built, and the truth is it isnt currently funded, completely, now I do think that between the LVCVA, and MLB, they will find a way to get it done, my thoughts are that MGM should swoop in, build an “MGM at the Ballpark” with bat-shaped slot handles and bleacher bars, with the top floors a boutique hotel for a luxury experience. They already have a walkway that goes across the street.
Rio’s in deep trouble, sending “Hail Mary” letters to lenders offering “pennies on the dollar” with 20–30% midweek occupancy, per Vital Vegas. Rio could save itself by ditching its Cosmopolitan-lite act and leaning into carnival vibes: bring back the Masquerade show with free beads, affordable buffets, no-cover pool parties, and quirky casino floor energy. They bet on renovating the wrong side of their resort, and they’re losing.
Park MGM’s losing Nomad? What about calling it The Mirage at Park MGM, deck the floors out, and pay tribute in luxurious style!
A VGK-themed floor with hockey-stick chandeliers and Golden Knights flair could pack Park MGM, especially with Vegas’s hockey fever.
Vegas can save itself by betting on fun, not just cash—X’s plea to “bring back the theme” at Luxor says it all.
Let’s bring back the Vegas where pirates fired cannons, not resort fees, and the only thing imploding was your buddy’s blackjack budget.
If any of this happens, you heard it here first! This is my receipt.
-Jason
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