Michelle Harbi looks back at the launch of the
legendary Las Vegas hotel and casino
Opening of Caesars Palace
82 I Snapshot
T
his year marks the 50th anniversary of one of LasVegas’s best-known hotels
and casinos. Caesars Palace wasn’t the first property on the Strip, but it was
certainly the most opulent when it opened its doors on August 5, 1966.
Founder Jay Sarno conceived a lavish Roman Empire-inspired resort at
which every guest could be treated like a“Caesar”(hence no apostrophe in its
name). Built on 14 hectares next to the Dunes hotel (where the Bellagio now
stands), it had 680 rooms, a 2,300 sqm convention centre, towering fountains
and marble statues, and a pool inspired by the baths of ancient Pompeii.
A reported US$1 million was spent on the three-day opening party, at
which Andy Williams performed, more than 50,000 glasses of champagne
were consumed, and waitresses in mini togas greeted guests by saying:
“I am your slave.”
The trend for larger-than-life themed resorts on the Strip was duly
kick-started.Today, Caesars covers 34 hectares and has 3,960 rooms and
suites split across six towers, including a Nobu hotel, plus 28,000 sqm of
meeting space, more than 25 restaurants and a 59,000 sqm shopping mall.
You might even find time to have a flutter...QLAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAUJUNE (^2016) businesstraveller.asia