Las Vegas Hotels and Casinos That Changed Names
If Las Vegas hotels and casinos could speak, they would tell tales of how they've been through a wringer of changing names, rebranding, and rebuilding. Here's a list of Las Vegas resorts that changed names and the reasons behind the changes.
1. Planet Hollywood
Many people don't realize that the glamorous and modern Planet Hollywood was once an Arabian-themed hotel and casino called the Aladdin and, before that, the Tallyho Hotel. In 2003, the Aladdin faced financial troubles and went into bankruptcy. The owners sold the spot and it was rebranded as Planet Hollywood.2. Virgin Hotels and Casino
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's transformation into Virgin Hotels exemplifies an era change. The Hard Rock Hotel closed in early 2020 to modernize, and after a transformation, it reopened as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in 2021.3. Best Western Plus Casino Royale
Nob Hill is one of the Las Vegas hotels and casinos that changed names, and few people know about it. It opened in 1978 and closed twelve years later, in 1990, when its lease expired. The Elardi family remodeled the space and reopened it as Casino Royale in 1992. Twenty years later, the name changed to the Best Western Plus Casino Royale after rebranding as part of the Best Western hotel chain.
4. Silver Sevens
The Continental Hotel and Casino is one of the Las Vegas hotels that changed names and then switched back to the original name. The original Continental Hotel and Casino opened in 1980 and lasted until 1999, when it closed because of financial constraints. The Herbst family purchased the property, closed it for renovations, and reopened it as Terrible's Hotel and Casino. In 2013, it was renamed Silver Sevens Hotel and Casino. However, that was not the end of the story. New ownership plans to change the name back to The Continental in 2025.5. Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino
Here is one of Las Vegas' properties that have changed names many times. This hotel began its journey as the International Hotel in 1969, and the name lasted for two years. In 1971, the International Hotel was renamed Las Vegas Hilton, and after the contract to use the Hilton brand ended, it was rebranded as LVH (Las Vegas Hotel and Casino) until 2014. Westgate Resorts bought the LVH and changed the name to Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. Whoa, what a roller coaster of names!6. The Sahara Las Vegas
The Sahara was renamed after operating for many years but then reverted to its original name. Between 1952 and 2011, the spot was called The Sahara. The African Sahara-themed hotel was among the oldest properties on the Strip. It closed in 2011 and reopened under the name SLS Las Vegas. Later, in 2018, a billionaire called Alex Meruelo bought the hotel, renovated it, and returned its original brand, The Sahara Las Vegas.
7. STRAT Hotel and Casino
After operating for more than 20 years, the Stratosphere remodeled and changed its name to The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in 2019, which was its nickname among the locals. Before the Stratosphere existed, the site was home to Vegas World, which operated between 1979 and 1995.8. Plaza Hotel and Casino
The Plaza Hotel and Casino was initially called the Union Plaza in 1971, named in honor of the Union Pacific Railroad station that once stood on the site. It's one of those Las Vegas hotels and casinos that has changed names multiple times. In 1992, the name was changed to Jackie Gaughan's Plaza, and in 2004, the new owners decided to drop "Jackie Gaughan's" from the name, resulting in the current Plaza Hotel & Casino.9. The D Las Vegas
The D Las Vegas Hotel and Casino has changed names, owners, and designs since 1980, when it was known as Sundance Hotel. The name lasted until 1987 when it became the 'luck of Irish-themed' Fitzgeralds Hotel and Casino. Under new owners, Derek and Greg Stevens, the Fitzgeralds dropped the Irish theme and renovated and rebranded it as the D Las Vegas. The two brothers modernized the hotel and settled on the new name based on a few reasons. The "D" stands for "downtown” (its location), Derek's nickname, and Detroit, their hometown.
