Caesars Empire Goes Modern

These days, Caesars Palace is looking a lot less Roman Empire and more Empire State.

When it opens its sixth hotel tower, Octavius, next summer the flagship property of the world’s largest casino company will be another step closer to the look and feel of luxury hotels found in other major cities.

At a time when casinos are forced to work harder to attract business, Caesars Palace is trying its best to bridge old and new Vegas by luring new, more discriminating tourists and younger hipsters as well as regulars who appreciate the property’s legacy.

The under-construction tower features the same white-walled Romanesque look of the adjacent Augustus tower and, like Augustus, sits apart from the casino and across the themed pool and garden complex known as the Garden of the Gods. Roman statues abound, and guests can grab snacks at a bar appropriately named Snackus Maximus.

Yet inside, the tower’s 665 rooms will feature a bold, modern look by Wilson Associates, which created the muted, urbane look of the Augustus rooms, with nary a Roman column or statue in sight. That firm has no kitsch on its resume, which includes suites for the Palms and the Mansion, MGM Grand’s high-roller oasis.

The sophisticated appearance has spread to other areas at Caesars, which has recently remodeled rooms in its Palace and Forum towers. Until a few months ago, the Forum Tower featured mirrors above beds and couples tubs a carpeted step away. The 21st century makeover includes Anichini linens, iPod docking stations, wireless Internet and dual rain showerheads.

For the complete story, please see Liz Benston, Caesars empire goes modern with latest hotel expansion, Las Vegas Sun, October 23, 2008.