Stratosphere Hotel Las Vegas
The Stratosphere Hotel Las Vegas is that
tall structure you can't miss if you are at the north end of the famous Las Vegas Strip.
It is now owned by a Goldman Sachs subsidiary,
Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, which bought the hotel and casino in 2008 for $1.3
billion.
The Stratosphere Hotel Las
Vegas is within two miles of downtown Fremont Street, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Madame Tussauds, and
the Fashion Show Mall. It is also in close proximity to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Valley of Fire
and Mt. Charleston, as well as numerous golf courses.
The Stratosphere was
originally conceived in the 1990's by Bob Stupak to replace his Vegas World Casino. At the start of the project,
one of the planned rides was a King-Kong like ride where a giant ape would carry you up and down a tower on top of
the building. The plan was to build a tower higher than the CN Tower (1,815 feet) so that it can be called the
highest free standing structure at the time. Unfortunately, because of it's proximity to the McCarran Airport and
it's associated safety concerns, the height was drastically reduced to what you what you see now, at approximately
1,149 feet.
In 1993, the Stratosphere
Hotel Las Vegas caught fire during construction, which led to repairs and numerous delyas. It was able to open
finally in 1996. A major addition was done in 2001 when a 1,000-room second tower was completed at a cost of $1
billion.
The Stratosphere Hotel Las
Vegas offers over 2,300 standard guestrooms and 130 suites. Many rooms and suites give you unparalleled views of
the Strip. Guestrooms and suites include satellite television and wireless Internet access for a fee. Select suites
include separate sitting areas, bedrooms, powder rooms and kitchens. Select bathrooms contain spa tubs and separate
showers.
The Stratosphere Hotel Las
Vegas 80,000 square feet casino offers every gaming opportunity imaginable. The revolving Top of the World
Restaurant, which revolves 360 degrees in one hour and 20 minutes, offers a fine dining experience. Fellini's Tower
of Pasta or Hamada Asian Village, The Crazy Armadillo Tex-Mex Grill and Oyster Bar, and The Courtyard Buffet fill
the Stratosphere's dining options.
The Stratosphere Hotel Las
Vegas also has a 67,000 square-foot resort pool and recreation deck. The deck is located on the eighth floor of the
Premier tower. In addition to the swimming pool the deck features private cabanas, a spa, waterfall, and a special
events area. Enjoy refreshing drinks at the poolside bar and eats at the poolside cafe. Beach Club 25 provides a
secluded adult environment.
The Stratosphere Hotel has,
on the 25th floor, table tennis, water volleyball, fitness equipment and space that can be used for private parties
and functions. Located on the 103rd and 104th floors are six fully catered meeting and banquet rooms. The Tower
Shops is an international marketplace that takes you on a cosmopolitan journey through the streets. The Tower Shops
mall is conveniently located on the second level at the top of the escalator near the hotel's main
entrance.
The Stratosphere has a lot
going for it but the main attractions are these rides that are located right on top of the main tower. These rides
would be boring if they were on ground level, but placed on top of a 1,000 feet plus tower, it's a totally
different heart-attack inducing experience. The Xscream is a coaster that teeters over the edge of
the tower, the Insanity just dangles you and tilts its cars as if it's going to
drop you on the Strip, and the Big Shot is a standard drop tower ride but ten times more intense
since it's right on top of the tower!
For 2010, a new thrill ride
called SkyJump is scheduled to open in April. It's a Bungee jumping-like ride that will allow
riders to plummet close to 900 feet while attached to a bungee cord. Cool!
If you are to squeamish for
these rides, just go to the top of the Stratosphere tower for the view, especially at night. It is well worth
it.
|