Poll : 23 March - 05 April 2011

Analysis

The winning answer is perhaps a good indication as to why this historic property is set to close its doors next month, but although the majority of voters evidently won't miss the old dame, there were plenty of you who felt a pang of nostalgia for one reason or another.

Surprisingly, Anthony Curtis, who seldom eats desserts of any kind, remembered the milkshake with particular fondness, and the digital clock, although his most prized memories tend to revolve around various gambling opportunities over the years. Here's some of your feedback:

• ”I have to say I loved the huge slot machine you put your players card in once a day to see if you won a prize.”
  
  
• The great room rates. I’ve visited LV every year for about 15 years, but the first time I went I was kind of leery because of the hotel prices on the Strip. I got a great deal at the Sahara and booked the room. 15 yeas later some of our fondest memories are of sitting in the Casbar Lounge listening to a great band (Vintage) and eating a good breakfast with friends at the, I believe, Caravan Café. I stay at other hotels now but I still visit the Sahara for a day on every trip.”
  
  
• ”What I will always remember is when I was about 5 years old, my family was on vacation, which included a stop in Las Vegas. We stayed at the Sahara and spent most of the day in the pool, since in the early ‘60s children were truly not welcome in Las Vegas. Well, the waitresses wore 2-piece bathing suits, not bikinis, back then and there was one really cute one that my father kept following around to take her picture. I bet we have 5 or 6 pictures of her doing her job and probably trying to run from this strange man with the camera. She had this big pink sort of Medusa-looking thing on her head, really crazy looking. Also, in some of the pictures is the big “S” sign in the background. All of this really brings back some good family memories of my childhood.”
  
  
• ”I will mostly miss the balcony rooms at the Alexandria Tower.”
  
  
• ”I sure miss the cigarette girl that used to parade around selling smokes. A real improvement over the vending machines.”
  
  
• ”So disappointing that another or the Old Vegas casinos is going under. I enjoyed the Sahara casino and the shop in the casino. So long Sahara :( “
  
  
• ”I’ll remember most things about the Sahara fondly. What will stick in my tortured brain forever, however, is their horrible buffet. I won’t miss that. Sadly, I’ll remember it till Alzheimer’s takes it away.” [Ed: Whoa, we know it was bad, but we’ve definitely had worse!]
  
  
• ”My first trip to Las Vegas I stayed at the Sahara. Played all the spots on a single-deck blackjack table from 10 pm to 7 am for two nights with no heat.”
  
  
• ”Sweet Louie!” [Ed: RIP]
  
  
• ”I chose “Other” because we always stop at the Sahara when we are doing our coupon walkabout with our MRBs and any other coupons we have gathered before our trip. We pick a day and start somewhere in the middle of the Strip. We then walk our way north while stopping at every casino. We end up downtown after a short cab ride. The Sahara is always a good place to stop, rest, enjoy a couple of $1 hot dogs with some $1 beers and spend $20 at the $1 blackjack tables. Yeah, I know people complain about the odds, but it allows you to relax, meet new people, and it adds to the walkabout experience. The Sahara is also a good place to head out to our favorite local cigar shop (Don Yeyo), stop by the Golden Steer for a little nostalgia, a quick walk to the Stratosphere for that short cab ride or to the Hilton for a little more gambling (when they have a coupon in the MRB). I will miss the old gal when she closes.”
  
  
• ”While I have been a visitor many times at the Sahara, and love the NASCAR cafe (with the six foot burrito) and the Dollar Pit, my first (and probably last) visit to the House of Lords came only weeks ago. A place from another time with elegant wait staff and food. Old time beauty that will be sorely missed. Let's hope that the Sahara is a "re-model" and not an "implosion!" [Ed: 6-FOOT?! We think you mean 6-pound LOL.]
  
  
• ”I will miss the Strip-facing entrance with its dramatic arches. It was unique and I always would think of the people that passed under her in the past (Elvis, Sinatra, etc.)”
  
  
• Cyber Speedway -- one of the coolest rides I have ever done in my life. Do it before it's gone! Coming to LV in 2 weeks and will have to do it one last time. ” [Ed: This is the race-car simulator, not to be confused with Speed the Rollercoaster.]