Five years have gone by but now it appears that the owners of the collection are actively looking for a reentry to the Vegas scene.

Casino Legends Hall of Fame founder and owner, Steven Cutler, is seeking a relationship with a gaming company, or individual investors, who may be interested in further developing the brand into a world-class attraction. A press release went out this week about the collection and how it has grown since the Tropicana attraction closed; it now contains more than 100,000 items.

I'm a big Vegas history buff so this one is a no-brainer to me. Hey Vegas casino people! Instead of opening yet another fancy nightclub or an overpriced restaurant, how about devoting some floor space to the history of the town that made you rich?

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According to Mr. Leach, a deal is going to be announced "anyminutenow" that will turn the property over to a major nightclub operator who plans to do a top to bottom remodel and rebranding. The goal is to transform the hotel into a hip party spot with stylish, boutique accommodations, a sleek and modern salon type casino, and several upscale dining and drinking venues. Leach says he knows who the nightclub impresarios are but he's not saying yet.

Although I'm not, in general, a fan of the Vegas nightlife scene, I do have to say that Bill's definitely needs help. The place is way past its prime and has gotten several bum reviews lately.

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The concept is nothing new: take a scenic city, country, or locale and recreate it in the Nevada desert. It's been done with Rome, New York, Venice, Egypt, New Orleans, and on and on. But from the massive Eiffel Tower replica to the cute little tins that the soap comes in, this place stands above the pack with nice touches and inspiring detail.

Of course the centerpiece of Paris is the Eiffel Tower replica, soaring some 50 stories above The Strip. As you pull in to the main drive you are greeted by a row of fountains leading to a faithful replica of the Arc de Triomphe. Since it is one of the few themed casinos in town that has retained its theme (I'm looking at you Luxor and New York-New York) I have to give them extra credit.

The casino area is surrounded by a Parisian village façade so you feel as though you are wasting your money in a park in the heart of the city. The ceiling is even painted to resemble the sky, lending to the feeling of openness. The turn of the century setting lends an air of romance and elegance that are probably missing from the real city at the turn of the millennium. When you come here you have to take some time to notice the little things like the ornate cherub statuettes holding up the light posts. Also notice the big things like the legs of the Eiffel Tower, which extend into the casino through the roof. They built the tower first and then built the casino around it.

Once you register in the ornate white marble lobby, it's a short walk alongside the casino to the elevators. Standard rooms are not the biggest in town and compared to more modern affairs they are starting to feel a little frumpy (floral bedspreads? Really?). But they are more than adequate with one king or two queen beds, a couple of chairs, a writing desk, alarm clocks, high-speed Internet, irons and boards, and an armoire with a big TV featuring pay-per-view movies and other online services. The bathrooms are average size with lots of marble, hair dryers, and your typical bath amenities.

The up-market Red Rooms jazz up the furnishings with lots of purple tones. No, I'm just kidding. Red is the theme from the padded oversized headboards to the throws, drapes, and accent pillows. Funky suede lip-shaped couches are a fun touch.

Back downstairs you'll find a host of entertainment and dining options scattered around the casino and through the French village themed shopping arcade plus a nightclub and a showroom. Check the related reviews below for a few of the things you can do at Paris.

There's also a pool and spa on the roof above the casino. It's a little too plain and expansive for my tastes but there is something about sipping a cocktail on a lounge chair at the base of the Eiffel Tower that is undeniably appealing.

Oh and of course there's the Eiffel Tower itself. If you can handle the stomach churning ride in the glass elevators up to the top of the thing you won't find a better close-up view of The Strip anywhere in town. It's also a great vantage point from which to watch the Bellagio Fountain Show across the street.

The staff is required to say "Merci" and "Bonjour" all the time, which at first seems silly and affected - especially when you hear Myrna from Little Rock saying it to you at the sundry store. But after a few times it becomes charming and part of the fun. Everyone here in my experience has been friendly, attentive, and forgiving of people who lock themselves out of their hotel rooms. Thank you Paris security.

In terms of price, this has become a medium-tier hotel - cheaper than your Venetians and Wynns but usually more than other themed places like Excalibur and Luxor.

It's hard to imagine using the word "charming" to describe a 3,000-room mega-resort on the Las Vegas Strip but I'm going to - Paris is a charming hotel and still one of my favorites in town.

For contact information and more details visit the Paris Las Vegas page on Vegas4Visitors.com.

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Harrah's has a fun carnival in Rio feeling that manages to be both upscale and whimsical at the same time. For every bit of marble you have a touch of humor that seems to say,"Relax, it's just Vegas! We aren't taking this too seriously and neither should you."

The casino is very large and has all sorts of festive touches like fiber-optic fireworks explosions in the ceiling and confetti pattern carpeting. There are parts of it that are a little cramped but I forgive them primarily because I often win money when I gamble at Harrah's. That will make you forgive a lot.

They offer up all of the usual slot, video poker, and gaming action plus their trademark "party pits" that throw in some pretty women for you to look at when the cards aren't holding your attention. Also of note is the Sports Pit, a sports book with gaming tables and food service all baked into one tidy package. If they could just find a way for you to not have to get up to go to the bathroom, you'd never need to leave.

The rooms in the two main towers are spacious and comfortable, each with an extra triangle of space at the end for a sitting area. The furnishings are simple and modern and there is not a single trace of the "party" theme that you see downstairs - a blessing when you think about it but it does make the rooms a little bland.

Updated bedding and carpets are a welcome touch, but it's nothing you can't find in your nicer chain hotel. Amenities include mini-bars, high-speed Internet, irons and boards, and some rooms have coffee makers and flat screen TVs. It's all very well-maintained, clean, and comfortable.

As you expect in a place this big there are several restaurants, several bars, a giant pool, a simple but satisfying healthclub/spa, some shops, and a few shows. Check the related reviews on the Harrah's page for more information.

Outside you'll find the Carnaval Court shopping and entertainment area, complete with an outdoor bar/nightclub and a bunch of vendors selling everything from t-shirts to souvenir mugs.

Improving the level of service has been high on the to-do list for all Harrah's properties and it shows here. Everyone I dealt with was friendly, attentive, and eager to help. That makes a big difference.

Prices are often all over the map and sometimes too high for the product they offer here. But when rates are reasonable, this is one of those safe-bet hotels that will offer you a dependable, comfortable, middle of the road experience every time. Like I said, there's something to be said for striking a happy medium.

For contact information and more details visit the Harrah's Las Vegas page on Vegas4Visitors.com.

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