Meruelo renamed the property from SLS Las Vegas to Sahara Las Vegas in 2019 after taking control of SLS in April 2018 for an undisclosed price from San Francisco-based investment fund Stockbridge Capital Group. Now, the property is owned by Alex Meruelo, founder of The Meruelo Group, owners of the Grand Sierra in Reno. 7, 1952, it was a 240-room Moroccan-themed hotel, then called Hotel Sahara, and was owned by developer Milton Prell.
The hotel, which has hosted the Rat Pack, the Jerry Lewis Telethon and the Beatles, has undergone several ownership changes and renovations over the years. “We have woven threads from our past throughout all parts of the hotel,” Sahara General Manager Paul Hobson said, noting a model of its old sign on the casino floor and desert-colored tones throughout the property. It’s also debuting a photo exhibit titled “70 Years of Extraordinary Images: SAHARA’s History in Photographs” that will showcase the property’s history and milestones. The historic Strip hotel will be celebrating the milestone with promotional deals all month at its bars and restaurants for visitors and locals.
Sahara Las Vegas is turning 70, and it brought out balloons and champagne-filled flutes Friday evening to celebrate. Paul Hobson, general manager, SAHARA Las Vegas, addresses guests gathered to celebrate the resort’s 70th anniversary.