After a month of unconfirmed reports, it’s now official that the LVH, just off the north end of the Strip, has been sold to Westgate Resorts for an amount in the range of $150 million to $170 million. Westgate Resorts is known as a time-share operator but says that only about 200 of the hotel’s 3,261 rooms will be converted to time-share units.
Plans call for a complete overhaul that will include new restaurants, bars and nightclubs. While no timetable for the renovation has been disclosed, the marquee has already been altered to reflect the new name: Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. LVH was formerly the Las Vegas Hilton, and opened as the International in 1969.
Mamma Mia!: After only three months, the musical "Mamma Mia!" is closing at the Tropicana. The last show will be on Aug. 3, and there’s no word yet on what will take its place.
Final Shania dates: The final show dates for Shania Twain at Caesars Palace have been announced. The last 16 performances of "Still the One" will be scattered between Oct. 8 and Dec. 13. Tickets start at $55.
Flame closing: The Flame steakhouse at the El Cortez will close Aug. 21 to make way for a new vintage-themed 24-hour coffee shop called Siegel’s 1941 (Bugsy was once a part-owner of the casino). After many years of offering a top value-gourmet dining option, it doesn’t look as though the steakhouse will be replaced. The existing Cafe Cortez will be closed and may be transformed into a nightclub.
QUESTION: While driving into town last week, I saw a tower at Mandalay Bay with the letters DELA on top. What is DELA?
ANSWER: That’s the former THEhotel tower taking on its new identity. DELA is the first part of Delano, the new brand there that debuts officially Sept. 1. From the placement of the letters, it looks like the entire name displayed will be DELANO LAS VEGAS.
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