Sahara Las Vegas Review for February 2026

The Sahara opened in 1952 at the north end of what would become the Las Vegas Strip. The site was originally a casino call Club Bingo, but that didn’t last long at all.

Unsurprisingly given the name, it had an African theme, and throughout the 60s and 80s it started expanding by opening new hotel towers. 

When it was opened, Sahara was just the sixth casino resort in town, but as Vegas started to grow, the property’s prosperity began to erode.

Further investment was sought in the 90s, and a big renovation took place. That started a period of identity crisis for Sahara, though, which probably goes a long way to explaining why, given its long history, it struggles for name recognition.

After all, the oldest casino resorts on the Strip still operating today such as Flamingo, Caesars Palace and, until recently, Tropicana, all carry a certain renown for the name alone. Sahara, though?

Much of that will be due to the fact that for five random years between 2014 and 2019, it abandoned the Sahara name in favour of SLS Las Vegas. It all got a bit confusing for a while.

Location

Many would say that Sahara’s location is restrictive, and considering it is right at the north of the Las Vegas Strip, that’s understandable.

In fact, only The Strat is further north than Sahara, but it’s not as remote as many realise. That is due to two main factors.

Firstly, Sahara is the last (or first if you prefer) stop on the Las Vegas Monorail. That connects it to the MGM Grand on the south end of The Strip, with stops at properties like Harrah’s, Flamingo, and Paris along the way. It genuinely opens up the whole Strip to guests staying at Sahara.

The other factor is Fontainebleau, which is the newest casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip and it’s right next door, meaning Sahara is nowhere near as isolated as it used to be.

The Strat, Circus Circus, and Resorts World are also within walking distance, so gamblers have a few casinos from which to choose now. That never used to be the case.

Really, the only problem there is that they all use a different rewards card, so it’s hard to consolidate your play. When you are staying at the south end of the Strip, for example, you have five or six MGM casinos within easy walking distance of each other. Centre-Strip is Caesars Rewards country. At the north, though, it’s every rewards club for itself.

If you’re traveling from the airport, Sahara is in Zone 3 of the airport taxicab zones, meaning the fare is set at $29 plus tip. If you’re travelling by car, then the good news is parking is always free at Sahara Las Vegas for hotel and casino guests.

Remember that subtle African/Moroccan theming I mentioned before? Yeah, it’s so subtle that, in truth, it is barely detectable these days. It’s certainly no Luxor or Paris where the theming is in your face everywhere you look.

The carpet has a certain African tone to it, but aside from the odd bit of lighting here and there, that is about it. You certainly are not in danger of losing yourself for a moment feeling like you’re playing slots in the Serengeti, put it that way.

It’s still a pleasant space, though, and most casino execs and marketing gurus will tell you most people don’t like themed casino resorts anyway nowadays. I’m certainly not among their number, as I just love a theme, but they spend millions of dollars researching these things, so guess I’m in the minority.

The casino isn’t one of the biggest in Vegas either. In fact, at around 60,000 square-feet, it’s positively modest by Vegas standards.

Still, the games are nicely spaced out and how big does a casino need to be anyway? Sahara’s certainly has everything you’d realistically want. Well, except a poker room, that is. That closed in November 2024. It was a small one at just seven tables, but it’s still a shame to see another one go. Poker rooms are certainly an endangered species in Las Vegas casinos nowadays.

Table Games Selection

All in all, there are around 50 table games within the Sahara. They come with quite a diverse list of games as well.

• High Limit Blackjack (Eight Deck w/ Ties Win Sidebet)
• Blackjack (w/ Buster Blackjack & Jackpot Blackjack Sidebets)
• Blackjack Frenzy (w/ Lucky-Lucky & Buster Blackjack Sidebets)
• Free Bonus Blackjack (w/ Push 22 & Freebie Sidebets)
• Craps
• Crapless Craps
• Midi-Baccarat (w/ Dragon Bonus)
• Dealer Open Pai Gow (w/ Bonus Spin Xtreme Progressive)
• Double Zero Roulette
• Triple Zero Roulette
• 3 Card (w/ Bonus Spin Xtreme Progressive)

As is usual in Las Vegas now, the Blackjack tables pay 6:5, although you will occasionally find some 3:2 tables with a higher minimum and only during busier times.

Similarly, roulette at Sahara has followed recent Vegas trends and the dreaded triple zero tables have made their presence felt on the casino floor. There are double zero tables too, but I didn’t see any European Roulette, not even in the high limit room.

I do think the loss of the poker room is a big shame at Sahara. It’s understandable as casinos make money when gamblers play against the house, not each other.

However, properties like Sahara need to make themselves a bit different and offer what others don’t, so it feels like a big missed opportunity. I know, I know, they will know the financials and exactly how profitable that space was, and if it’s gone, it wasn’t making enough money. Still, from a gambler’s perspective, it’s a shame.

One thing that I really did like was the mauve coloured tables. They were really striking and in excellent condition.

I enjoy slots more than anything else on the casino floor, and I’d certainly say that the Sahara has a solid enough selection.

It only has 600 or so slots which, for Las Vegas, is not really all that many but is more than enough, though. Most of the games that I like to play were there, although there was a shortage of Dragon Link banks meaning it was tough to get on one despite most of the casino being open.

Still, while I was waiting there was plenty of choice, and that choice included a good selection of traditional three-reel low volatility slots.

It also gave me time to go a good, thorough scout of the casino and I saw everything from penny slots all the way up to $25 dollar denominations. The latter came with a minimum bet level of $125 though, which is far too rich for my blood.

Back at my level, my $2.50 Huff ‘N More Puff session was going badly, but Dragon Link saved my night when a machine freed up and I escaped after just about breaking even.

Some of the games I saw in the casino were:

• Buffalo Link
• Dragon Link
• Huff n More Puff
• Dancing Drums
• Wheel of Fortune
• Buffalo Diamond
• Double Top Dollar
• Lock It Link

I had no complaints about the quality and comfort of the chairs and the spacious layout of the casino meant I always felt like I had my own space.

All in all, it was a good gambling experience, although I wouldn’t say I was excessively impressed either. 

Bar-Top Gaming

I think most people love a bit of bar-top gaming nowadays and, frankly, what’s not to love?

Sit at the bar for a while, play slots or electronic table games or video poker right there while getting served comped drinks by the bartender. It’s a great way to while away a couple of hours, gambling permitted.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see any bar-top gaming in the main casino at Sahara during my visit. It did look like there was a bar being renovated, though, so maybe that’s where the bar-top gaming lives at Sahara.

There were some bar top games in the high limit room (The Infinity Room), but they were busy so I didn’t get a chance to play.

Sportsbook

William Hill are in charge of sports betting at Sahara, and they certainly know what they are doing. They have been an industry leader for years and look after many of the best sportsbooks on the Las Vegas Strip.

One of the best things about a William Hill sportsbook is that after you settle into your seat to watch the game, you don’t even need to get up to place your bets. You can do it from the William Hill app on your phone. For those who don’t gamble on sports enough to justify an app, you can also place bets in person or at the automated kiosks.

The sportsbook itself is a nice area with sleek, modern lighting and comfortable seating. The video wall is also okay, but casinos like Circa, Caesars Palace and Cosmopolitan have raised the bar in recent years and Sahara can’t reach it. It’s still decent though.

Waitress Service

If you have never been to Las Vegas yourself, you have probably heard about the ‘free’ drinks in the casino. You are probably wondering if it’s a myth too, right?

Well, it’s no myth, but it isn’t everything it seems either.

The important bit is that, yes, waitresses circulate the casino floor offering complimentary drinks to gamblers. You can order cocktails, bottled beers, mixers, and soft drinks. There is no menu and there is no price list, so just tell them what you want.

When the drinks are delivered, though, you are expected to tip the waitress. The more generously you tip, and it can be anything from $2-5 or more, the better service you’ll get on her next round.

The service can vary though and is often determined by staffing levels. I’m always, therefore, a little unwilling to talk up the service I got at any casino as, on any other given day or shift, it could be very different.

What I will say, though, is that when I was at Sahara, the waitress service was actually very good.

High Limit Gaming 

Sahara has a high limit table room called The Infinity Lounge. I can’t confirm whether it’s named after the maximum bet.

It definitely offers a more intimate environment and VIP service, and blackjack, roulette and craps are all offered. It was frustrating that there was no single-zero roulette, but not devastating.

There is a high-limit slots section on the casino floor as well, but the game choice wasn’t extensive. In all honesty, if I wanted to play high-limit slots, I’d wander next door to Fontainebleau.

Cash and Payment Options

When I am walking around in my everyday life, there are times when I genuinely forget cash exists, or ever did exist. It’s something that appears to have vanished since Covid, like critical thinking.

If you walk onto a casino floor in Las Vegas, though, you are going to need to have cash if you want to gamble. Cash is still very much king there.

Sahara does not buck this trend, and nor does it buck the one for extortionate withdrawal fees from casino ATMs. If you want to use them, expect to pay around $10 for the privilege. For that reason, I recommend taking cash with you.

If you are set on cashless gaming, it’s worth noting that the only place on the Strip that currently offers it – Resorts World – is within walking distance.

There are a total of around 1,600 rooms at Sahara in three different towers. That might make you think it’s one of the bigger hotels around, but by Vegas standards it’s actually quite small.

Don’t forget that the Las Vegas Strip is the land of the giants when it comes to casino resorts. Many of them surpass 4,000 rooms, so compared to that Sahara is practically boutique level.

While many of the rooms in Sahara do have a boutique décor and feel, in actuality it’s a large resort with plenty of amenities to check out.

Let’s have a closer look at it.

Sahara Las Vegas Rooms

Sahara has three towers, all built in different expansions, and all have their own distinct décor and style. I actually really like that. Most casino resorts in Las Vegas have a standardized look and feel to them, and that’s fine. Sahara, though, almost feels like three hotels in one.

The Marra Tower is the largest and most contemporary of the three. It contains 1,131 rooms and they are subtly on the African theme with sandy colours and gold trim defining the décor.

The rooms are around 320 square feet, which would be pretty luxurious in most places in the world. On the Las Vegas Strip, though, they are among the smaller rooms on offer. Don’t be too precious about that, though, because they are big enough.

The Marra Tower also has suites at around 550 square feet if you are desperate for some extra space.

And, in fairness, I thought the room was nice. It may be a little bland for some people’s tastes with the colour scheme being 50 shades of beige but they make it work with some nice flashes of colour here and there.

The Alexandria Tower is a much bolder option, and it has a real boutique feel. It just wasn’t for me. The walls were covered in odd artwork and the furniture was very much on the chez lounge end of the scale.

One thing that the Alexandria Tower does come with though is a roof-top pool and easy access to the spa and fitness centre.

Finally, the Blanca Tower has 196 recently remodelled rooms, and they are decorated in bright colours that are about as far away from African theming as you can get.

The rooms are definitely very modern, but also feel quite cramped. They are 325 square feet with some suites starting at around 440 square feet. They felt a bit budget to me if I am honest.

The Marra Tower is definitely my favourite of the three, but one thing you can give Sahara a lot of credit for is providing something for all tastes.

Bars

As I have mentioned a few times, the Sahara’s North African theming is subtle at best, but they do make a real effort with their bars. Well, at least they do with the names.

There are two main ones in the casino resort. The first is the Casbar, presumably named for the world ‘Casbah’, which is a type of North African fortress. However, before you try to rock it, it’s really more a swanky cocktail lounge than anything else.

And what kind of swanky Las Vegas cocktail lounge would it be without some regular entertainers? They have scheduled live music acts with resident entertainers, to whom they presumably outsource any responsibility for rocking the place.

Movie buffs might also want to check out Sahara’s other bar. Many people watch the classic De Niro flick Casino and want to visit the resort that is featured in the movie – The Tangiers.

Sadly, The Tangiers is a fictional casino created purely for the movie, but if you want to say you have gone to Las Vegas and visited The Tangier, well that’s the name of a whiskey bar in Sahara.

It’s quite nice too with its own series of signature spirits and a bit of a retro vibe. Oh, and Tangier is a city in Morocco, so it is bang on theme.

Buffets and Restaurants

I wouldn’t say that Sahara is especially known for dining, but while it doesn’t boast any headline Las Vegas eateries, it does offer good variety.

Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres is the steak restaurant at Sahara, and it’s a good quality one. It’s definitely a little more daring than your average Vegas steakhouse in terms of spices and subtle flavours. However, if you want to eat there you will need to be quick as it’s closing in 2025.

Bella Italian Soul is relatively new and offers exactly what it claims – just good quality, simple Italian cuisine. Most Vegas casino resorts have the standard trio of steak, Italian, and Asian, and Sahara completes the set with the Noodle Den.

For the less daring, Zeffer’s Café is your simple American food like burgers and wings.

My favourite was probably Chickie’s & Pete’s Crabhouse and Sports Bar, though. Delicious crab (and other stuff) and sports. Wonderful.

Meanwhile, the cheap(er) quicker eats are provided by Uno Mas Street Tacos, Prendi Bakery, and Starbucks. There’s always a Starbucks. 

Shows and Entertainment 

There are two resident shows at Sahara. To be fair, given somewhere like Aria doesn’t have any at all, Sahara does exceptionally well here.

MJ Live is the first and, in my opinion, the best. It’s billed as the number one Michael Jackson tribute show in the world and, having seen it, I think that’s probably fair. Okay, so it’s not the real thing and it’s never going to really come close, but it’s still exceptional.

The other is Magic Mike Live and, as you can probably guess, it’s one for the ladies to enjoy. Las Vegas really does offer sexual equality when it comes to live stage erotica featuring barely clothed people and it probably doesn’t get the credit it deserves for that. I recommend it as a discussion topic for your next dinner party.

In addition to occasional comedy and music acts in the theatre, every Friday the Sahara hosts the Mala Vida Latin Nights, which claims to be the hottest Latin party in Vegas.

While Sahara is not especially standout in any regard, it is certainly keeping a very naughty secret with its AZILO Ultra Pool.

It doesn’t have the square-footage to create an epic pool complex like those at MGM Grand or Mandalay Bay, but what they have done with the space is exceptional. The décor is nice and on theme and every bit of room is utilised to maximise its appeal.

The best things about it, though, are the giant video screens. It’s not quite Stadium Swim at Circa, but it does show live sport while you relax at the pool and you have got to love that.

You can also get poolside cocktails and snacks, and there are a small number of daybeds and cabanas for hire as well.

And, as I mentioned earlier, there is a rooftop pool on the Alexandria Tower. It’s smaller and more intimate, and has no giant video screen, but it does offer some superb views of downtown Las Vegas and the mountains.

Just bear in mind that the Sahara pools are seasonal, which means they’re only open from early March to mid-October.

Spa

Sahara has a very reputable spa on site, which is a good move given its location at the north end of the Strip. The Amina Spa is located on the second floor of the Alexandria Tower and offers a wide range of relaxing treatments.

There are 10 treatment rooms in total with additional private spaces for dressing and massage.

It is actually closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, though, so if you’re a midweek visitor you may be disappointed.

Close to the Spa in the Alexandria Tower you will also find the 24-hour Fitness Centre.

Sahara is part of the Infinity Rewards programme and, in truth, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. That doesn’t mean it’s not good, by the way, because it is. I just mean there is nothing it does that any of the others don’t.

There are some nice touches, like free standing parking and valet for even the lowest tier member, and all members can enjoy 20% off Magic Mike Live tickets and discounts at the Spa.

In total there are six levels, which is quite a lot: Select, Premier, Elite, Legend, Iconic, and Infinite. The latter is invite only though.

The rewards, as with all of these programmes, increase the higher level you reach, with VIP host services and complimentary room upgrades starting in the middle tiers.

It’s a perfectly decent rewards programme, with the extra benefit of you being able to earn and use rewards at Sahara’s sister-property Grand Sierra Resort in Reno. All I’d say is to moderate your expectations unless you are planning on spending a lot of your Vegas vacation at Sahara.

Still, it can’t hurt to join up, play and spend naturally, and see what they offer you. 

I started this review promising to answer whether Sahara is a hidden gem or a missed opportunity. Well, I think it’s actually both – with caveats.  

There is no question that the north end of the Strip still feels like a bit of a poor relation compared to the south and centre. Resorts World singularly didn’t really move the needle on that, but Fontainebleau has.

I could actually make a case that Sahara has more going for it as a Las Vegas vacation base than either of those new casino resorts too given it is connected to the rest of the Strip via the monorail.

It’s also got some real history and, to be perfectly honest, I am a little sad that they don’t make more of it. They should be shouting their story and longevity from the rooftops, but instead they almost try to brush it off. Las Vegas is not a place for modesty, and Sahara is like the celebrity standing in the corner of the party hoping no one notices or talks to them.

I really wish it would just proudly tell its story. It’s like it lacks a bit of confidence, if that makes sense. 

Anyway, as a modern casino resort, Sahara is very good. Great décor, subtle theming, large but manageable size, good pool area, varied food options, established entertainment residencies with mass appeal...

Yeah, the hotel rooms have maybe been left behind a little in terms of room and luxury, and it is slightly out of the way, but they are the only real complaints anyone could have about the place.