Caesars Palace celebrates 50 years, looks ahead to hot new ventures
It’s been 50 years since Caesars Palace opened its gilded doors, ushering in the Vegas of themed decadence we’ve come to know and love. Back in 1966, guests of the Roman Tower were greeted with super-chic shag carpeting, floor-to-ceiling windows, round beds and whirlpools — at a whopping $14 a night, considered high for the time.
Today the hotel honors its past — it’s still a monument to excess — but is far from resting on its laurels. As part of a $1 billion investment in the resort, the Roman Tower recently underwent a $75 million overhaul and was rechristened the Julius Tower. Its new 15th floor Signature Level features 14 suites, each with custom stone entryways and oversized bathrooms — starting at $900 a night.
Indeed, as did the Romans of antiquity, Caesars continues to expand its empire. This year saw the opening of the Montecristo Cigar Bar, a lavish haven for cigar aficionados with a retail shop, bar, lounge and patio. The 400-square-foot humidor is among the largest in the city. Sip perfectly paired selections of scotch, whiskey and rare spirits or try one of their hand crafted cocktails while enjoying televisions throughout the bar, a more than 200-inch digital screen and plush seating that makes Montecristo the perfect place to watch your favorite sports teams.
Legendary celebrity hot spot MR CHOW recently opened its seventh restaurant in the world inside Caesars Palace — and its famous fare and flashy vibe fit right in. Ride the private elevator up to the artsy lobby-lounge and the stark-white dining room with a kinetic sculpture that hangs from the ceiling as the centerpiece of the restaurant. Keep an eye out for the Champagne trolley and enjoy signature dishes such as chicken satay, green prawns, hand-pulled MR CHOW noodles and the famous Beijing duck.
Savor the most expensive of all dishes at the new Caviar Room in Restaurant Guy Savoy’s elegant lounge. The indulgent Colors of Caviar includes green beans as a bed for the black pearls of the Caspian sturgeon, creating a new taste that is utterly sublime. Or sample some Golden Osetra or Siberian Baerli Caviar, at $375 a serving.
Chef Guy Savoy also has a new eatery, Brioche by Guy Savoy, a quick-service space similar to his successful brioche concept in Paris. Go sweet with almond and candied fruit, Nutella, peanut butter and jelly, or savory with onion confit, prosciutto, cheese and jalapeno.
Caesars Palace expands its nightlife empire with the just-opened Alto Bar, now the largest bar at the Palace, featuring delectable cocktails and private booths with personal televisions.
The Roman Empire may have fallen — but Caesars Palace shows no signs of slowing down.
— Andrea Kahn, LA Times Custom Publishing
