When the bankrupt Aladdin was purchased by the twice bankrupt Planet Hollywood restaurant chain people, like me, rolled their eyes. When that company promised big changes that would totally revamp the hotel and make it competitive with more luxurious and trendy offerings in town people, like me, had a hard time not laughing out loud. As years went by without much happening people, like me, shook our heads and figured that nothing would ever happen and if it did it would be a major disappointment.
I am very happy to admit when I'm wrong and in the case of Planet Hollywood, boy oh boy was I wrong.
The extreme makeover happening at the hotel is not yet complete as of this writing in mid 2007 - very few of the rooms have been redone, many new restaurants are still due, the exterior is still being upgraded, and the mall that surrounds the property is just now getting it's facelift. But a big chunk of the work has been completed including the casino area and that, along with previews of the upcoming rooms, gives me enough information to declare Planet Hollywood a success.
Eschewing the kind of over-the-top Tinseltown idolization that puts their restaurants in theme park territory, the look and feel of the new Planet Hollywood hotel is upscale and modern, at times even dramatic, and a vast improvement over the Arabian Nights detail of the past. Dark woods line the walls of the casino and act as accents to the vibrant colors and warm lighting details, infusing the entire space with an air of classy energy. Notice the support columns - all gauzy cream fabrics, backlit to give them a healthy glow, and then offset by iron and ebony stained wood. It is design details like this that set this gaming space apart from ones that focus more on the games themselves than what surrounds them.
Even the slot carousels have been turned into works of art, many of which topped with eye-catching sculptures and flat panel televisions. It's a refreshing change of pace from the gaudy "Quartermania" type slot toppers that adorn most rows of one-armed bandits.
The casino floor is well laid out, with plenty of space between machines and tables and they kept the soaring 100-foot high ceilings so the claustrophobia level is near zero.
All of the usual slot machines are offered as are most table games. There is a poker room on the main level and a race and sports book on the second. The latter is due for its own upgrade in 2007 and will have food service featuring LA's famed Pink's Hot Dogs. More slots and a high-limit salon are found on the second floor, all of which will also be getting some décor love soon.
That second level also has a new theater featuring the fantastic "Stomp Out Loud" show plus a wedding chapel, a spa, a cool ultra-lounge called the Living Room and an upcoming nightclub called Prive.
Back down on the main floor are several bars and lounges including one with the "eXtra" entertainment television show branding. It will feature live remotes for the show whenever special occasions happen at the hotel.
A couple of restaurants including a very popular (already) coffee shop and a branch of PF Chang's are available now with much more on the way including Strip House, the bordello themed New York steakhouse; Alfredo's, a restaurant that supposedly invented Fettucine Alfredo; and the Earl of Sandwich, a deli-style concept from the descendents of the guy that first put meat between two slices of bread about 400 years ago.
The locals' favorite Spice Market Buffet, located on the lower level below the casino, is still in business and although it received some minor cosmetic upgrades, the new owners have wisely decided to leave everything else alone. It remains one of the best buffets on The Strip.
Also on that lower level is the new lobby area done with sleek marble and a color-changing backdrop behind the check-in desk plus stunning draped chandeliers that resemble no less than a '40s era ball gown.
As mentioned, the rooms will be upgraded to the Planet Hollywood ethos throughout 2007 and into 2008 so whether you get to stay in one will totally depend on when you call, but you should ask if they are available because they are pretty cool. Each will feature a Hollywood theme, from movies like "Pulp Fiction" and "Die Hard" to music or television and beyond. Although there may be multiple "Pulp Fiction" rooms, each will have its own set of glass-encased memorabilia meaning that, when complete, no two of the more then 2,600 rooms will be exactly the same.
That, in and of itself, is pretty cool, but when you throw in the rest of the upgraded décor it becomes an almost irresistible package. Oversized headboards are covered in crushed velvet, chairs come in leather or suede, giant armoires contain flat-panel televisions and dual closets, and full-sized desks have high-speed Internet hook-ups and dual line phones. Even the beds themselves are noteworthy. Since the hotel portion of the building is managed by Sheraton, they get that company's trademark Sweet Sleeper Beds with pillow-top mattresses, feather down pillows, and high-thread-count sheets and duvets. The overall package is a knockout.
The bathrooms don't get as much attention as the sleeping area but that's okay - they were pretty good to begin with; spacious with plenty of marble, deep tubs, and separate shower stalls.
So how much is all of this newfound glory going to cost you? Well, as of this writing before the rooms have been renovated, you can still get midweek rates under $100 and weekends under $200. Obviously busier times of year send those prices marching steadily upward and the rents will almost certainly go up once the new themed rooms come online, but I'm told that prices here will remain moderate meaning you can get all of this for less than you'll be paying at the super luxury resorts like Bellaigo and Wynn. I'd expect they will keep it competitive with the upper tier properties like Paris, Treasure Island, and Mirage.
Sometimes I'm actually happy when I'm wrong.
Planet Hollywood Rsort & Casino
3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
866-919-7472
website
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