Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Caesars Palace is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip. It is owned and operated by Harrah's Entertainment. Caesars is located on the west side of the Strip, between the Bellagio and the Mirage, across from Harah's and the Imperial Palace Hotels.
In 1962, Jay Sarno, a cabana motel owner, used ten million dollars that had been lent to him by the Teamsters Central States Pension Fund to begin plans for a hotel on land owned by Kirk Kerkorian. Sarno designed the hotel and later bought the land from Kerkorian.
Building of the 14-story Caesars Palace hotel began in 1962. That first tower would have 680 rooms on the 34 acre site.
Sarno decided the name, Caesars Palace, would evoke thoughts of royalty because of Roman general Julius Caesar. The name of the hotel is often spelled "Caesar's Palace", although the real name is "Caesars Palace", making everyone that stays there a "Caesar".
On August 5, 1966, The hotel was inaugurated on August 5, 1966, with Andy Williams and Phil Richards providing entertainment. Latin musician Xavier Cugat and salsa dancer Charo became the first couple to marry in the new establishment.
The hotel was expanded in 1969 and 1973.
By the 1980s, Caesars Palace had become a boxing and gambling Mecca. Joe Louis, the former world Heavyweight champion boxer, worked at Caesars Palace as a greeter until his death in 1981. Fights were (and still are) particularly beneficial to the casino, with high-rolling boxing fans hitting the gaming tables and slot machines before and after bouts, as well as wagering large sums at Caesars' large sports book. In the 1990's boxing was discontinued in a effort to change the image of the casino to a more family-friendly one. On October 2, 2004, big-time boxing returned to the Caesars Palace hotel, with the Jeff Lacy - Syd Vanderpool match.
In 1992, The Forum Shops at Caesars opened; it was one of the very first venues in the city where shopping, particularly at high-end stores, was an attraction in itself. The fourth phase opened on October 22, 2004. It now has the 2nd circular escalator buil in the USA. The other escalator is at the Westfield San Francisco Centre.
Over the years, the hotel has been owned by various companies, including Sheraton and The Hilton International Corporation. Caesars Entertainment bought the property in 1999, before it merger with Harrah's.
Caesars has just opened the Roman Plaza, an open-air area with a cafe on the corner, and the Colosseum theater, where Céline Dion and Elton John are regular performers.
Currently, Caesars is in the process of another expansion, including a new hotel tower. In 2005, Harrah's Entertainment acquired Caesars Entertainment and became the owner of Caesars Palace.
There is a free shuttle to the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino (another Harrah's property) approximately every thirty minutes.
Caesars Palace offers four casual dining and seven fine dining establishments. Another fine dining establishment, the Restaurant Guy Savoy, is planned to occupy the second floor of the Augustus Tower, and provide diners with a view of the Roman Plaza. Guests can also enjoy a drink in one of Caesars' seven bars and lounges.
Caesars has 3,348 rooms in five towers: Augustus, Centurion, Forum, Palace, and Roman. The Forum tower features guest suites with 1,000 square feet of space.
