Planet Hollywood to Buy Las Vegas' Aladdin Hotel
Las Vegas: The bankrupt Las Vegas resort will become a Planet Hollywood hotel and casino under the deal, with Sheraton managing the hotel. But will someone please save the Aladdin's buffet from becoming another Planet Hollywood slop-fest?
Okay, this isn't strictly a theme park story, but since we
rate and review Las Vegas hotels on this site, and the story involves an Orlando company with a strong presence at Disney World, I posted it.
http://www.calendarlive.com/family/themeparks/la-fi-aladdin24apr24.story
"After months of negotiations, Aladdin Gaming has agreed Wednesday to sell its struggling Las Vegas property [the Aladdin Hotel & Casino] to a joint venture that will rename the mega resort Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino."
Starwood hotels will manage the hotel, through its Sheraton brand. Planet Hollywood will retheme the facade of the hotel.
I haven't stayed at the Aladdin, but the hotel's buffet is clearly the best in Vegas, even better than those at the Paris and the Bellagio. The thought of the Aladdin's Spice Market Buffet getting busted down to Planet Hollywood quality just depresses me.
From Anonymous
Posted April 24, 2003 at 1:42 PM
I agree with the buffet assesment. I rarely eat the buffets at vegas for I got sick pretty bad a few years ago and vowed never to eat one again. But I was dragged to the Aladdin buffet by some friends and I have to say it was pretty good.
That same trip someone told me about the breakfast buffet at Paris, I must say that was pretty good too.
So those are the only two I will ever eat again. Since the steak houses in Vegas have improved so much that is usually where I eat.
Robert, are you stating that Aladdin's buffet might even be better then The Rio's? If so, I don't know...that's too close to call. The Rio's probably the best in Las Vegas.
Speaking of great steakhouses, Robert you need to eat at Loweries.( I think thats how you spell it) great steakhouse in Las Vegas!
Nothing beats the Paris buffet! Nothing! But the Bellagio buffet is quite good, especially if you are adventurous.
As for Planet Hollywood food. I see nothing wrong with it. Some of it is meh, but they do have some very good things on the menu. The LA Lasagna is very good and we haven't ever had problems with any of the appetizers. Anyhow, the place is about 1000 times better than the horrid Hard Rock, and those things are everywhere.
The funny thing is, with the PH restaurant practically across the street, what happens now? Do they just retheme the current Aladdin restaurants? I couldn't see just leaving one of the most popular places on the Strip.
All I hope for is for them to glitz up the extremely boring shopping mall the Aladdin has. It rains every hour in one area? Whoopee!
The Desert Passage mall next to the Aladdin is not part of the deal, and will remain under current ownership.
The Rio's buffet used to be the best, but it has slipped in recent years, IMHO. And while I'll grant that the Paris buffet is of equal quality to the Aladdin, the Aladdin's greater variety of food tips the scale in its favor.
At least, it did. We'll see if it lasts.
From Anonymous
Posted April 26, 2003 at 9:31 PM
i have had dinner at both the Rio and Aladdin buffets. I would have to say that the Aladdin buffet was much better more a variety and the food was much better in taste and quality. it's to bad that there going under. Its a nice resort to stay at. Planet hollywood resort thats creative.Didnt they learn the lesson with there resturant chains.
From Anonymous
Posted May 3, 2003 at 9:52 AM
Dear All:
You might surprisingly find out. the planet Hollywood is not going to get Aladdin Hotel. Some other group from oversea in the back will be the final winner. the London club of the Aladdin is the key of Aladdin Hotel lost 1 billion dollar for the past 2 years.
From Anonymous
Posted July 12, 2003 at 6:39 PM
Somehow the story af Planet Hollywood buying the Aladin Hotel and Casino has sparked mostly food coments in the responses. So here is my input. The quality of the food at Planet Hollywood in my opinion has been poor at best! I was unlucky enough to eat at the Seattle location just weeks before they closed a couple of years ago, really bad.
Now for the buffets in Vegas. Bellagio wins hands down, it's great. As for the Rio, if your idea of a great meal is to be at an all-you-can-eat food court, have at it! I didn't like it at all.
From Anonymous
Posted July 21, 2003 at 12:16 PM
For those who are die hard Las Vegas visitors...this may be a nice change from the current Aladdin. The Aladdin was poorly developed and the effects were being felt since they had opened.
Even though Planet Hollywood has been on the decline since the days of Sly and Arnold this may be the spark they needed. Also it should be interesting to find out if the Hard Rock is affected by this deal. Yes Hard Rock has its faithfuls but the PH Hotel might cater to stars just the same in a larger setting as well as its location on the strip.
From Anonymous
Posted July 21, 2003 at 7:20 PM
Aladdin is the "DCA" of Las Vegas. I hope the new owner will make it a success!!!
Yeah, but if DCA had that buffet, I'd be a lot happier with it!
No, the Monte Carlo is the DCA of Vegas. Oh wait, both those hotels are MUCH nicer than DCA, so maybe they aren't good comparisons. That run down thing next to the Monte Carlo with the fake roller coaster on top... now THAT is truly the DCA of Vegas!
I've been surfing around trying to see what the new PH looks like and have found only a few sources like
virtuals tours of Planet Hollywood and
planethollywood website has a couple 3d images.
Anyone know of any better sites thats have photos? I remember the last time staying there the Genie theme they had going was like a really old theme park.
I will miss the old casino, it was really well set up!
Planet Hollywood? I am not too thrilled with the one at Downtown Disney!
I like the one they have at Downtown Disney. It could be a little bit easier to get around in but I thought it was really neat and the food was great. Also, having a live DJ in the place really added a nice personal touch to it (I'm also a DJ myself and he was doing a great job seeing as how the crowd is always changing).
but last time i check planet hollywood in downtown disney wasn't a hotel so lets not get off track.
Planet Hollywood is a
Ls Vegas Show in itself! I am so excited to hear they are buying The Aladdin and can't wait to see if they make a
Ls Vegas Show out of it!
...
[Editor's note: Deleted obvious link spam from long-dormant thread. Sorry about that. Move along.]
From Kari Rush
Posted March 7, 2009 at 3:35 PM
I am a former employee of Knotts Berry Farm and find this site fascinating. I have recommended it to so many people that are planning their vacations to include the theme parks into their travels.
I love the idea of Planet Hollywood buying the Aladdin
Hotel Vegas. I wonder how it all worked out for them. I think it is one of the nicest
Downtown Hotels in Vegas and can't wait to go back.
It's weird to see some of the landmark hotels in Vegas being taken over by other companies. I think this is a good thing for Vegas though. If you don't keep the city fresh, then people will be less willing to come back in the future. The Aladdin will definitely be missed, but I think the new Planet Hollywood building will be incredible due to how much money they plan on pumping into it. Hopefully the next time I plan out a trip to Vegas the new Planet Hollywood building renovations will be complete. The last time I went there were a few new casinos and hotels being built, so hopefully
Hotels Vegas will start booming again.
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