Frommer's Review
The inevitable outcome of the transformation of Las Vegas into an adult playground or yet another sign of an impending apocalypse? Either way, the world's first Hooters Casino Hotel has arrived in Sin City, transforming the decrepit San Remo into a raucous riot of questionable taste.
The makeover is, by and large, a successful one, although the old hotel had gotten so dingy that the bar was pretty low. Exterior changes were minimal, adding some of the company's trademark orange paint and their corporate owl mascot to the facing, but the inside has been totally revamped to the point that it's hard to imagine this is even the same building. A south Florida theme pervades, with lots of beachcomber hut-style wood and the occasional thatch roof creeping into view, and while there is a lot more to see and do here, the overmaximization of the square-footage combined with a "party all the time" soundtrack leaves the ground floor casino, restaurant, lounge, and lobby areas with a claustrophobia-inducing sense of smallness.
A 30,000-square-foot casino is packed with machines and tables, some of which are staffed by Hooter's Girl dealers (skimpy shorts, tight T-shirts, and ample assets). Several restaurants ring the main room, including a branch of the namesake eatery plus a Vegas outlet of Dan Marino's steakhouse, among others.
The rooms received a similar facelift, adding more of that plank wood detail (headboards, desks, tables) and plenty of tropical colors. As decor schemes go, this is a fun one, and the furnishings are comfortable, but they couldn't change the fact that these rooms are smaller than what most recent Vegas visitors have come to expect and certainly less luxurious. Add in the low ceilings in the halls, the lack of natural light, and a few other leftover structural details that weren't updated, and you realize why old Vegas hotels are torn down so often -- there's only so much you can do.
Facilities:
Casino; 5 restaurants; outdoor pool; spa; salon; concierge; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
