Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Hospitality, Gaming
Founded	1966
Founder	Jay Sarno, Stanley Mallin
Headquarters	Paradise, Nevada, United States
Area served	Las Vegas Strip
Products	Hotel, Casino, Convention space
Owner	Vici Properties
Parent	Caesars Entertainment
Website	www.caesars.com/caesars-palace

Caesars Palace is a luxury hotel and casino situated in Paradise, Nevada, positioned on the western side of the Las Vegas Strip between Bellagio and The Mirage. Established in 1966 by Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin, its design was inspired by the grandeur of the Roman Empire, showcasing statues, columns, and Roman-themed decorations, including a statue of Augustus Caesar at its main entrance. Presently owned by Vici Properties and managed by Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Palace encompasses 3,960 guest rooms spread over six towers and features more than 300,000 square feet of convention space as of 2016.

The property caters primarily to high roller patrons with an extensive range of casino games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, Spanish 21, mini-baccarat, Pai Gow, and Pai Gow poker. It also boasts a 24-hour poker room along with a vast selection of slot machines and video poker terminals. Its dining establishments offer a variety of upscale culinary experiences to complement its luxury status.

Caesars Palace has been a venue for major live entertainment and sporting events since the late 1970s, including prominent boxing matches and the Caesars Palace Grand Prix (1981–1982). The resort has hosted legendary performers including Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, and Elton John. Its main performance venue, The Colosseum, accommodates 4,296 guests and features a stage originally constructed for Celine Dion’s 2003 production "A New Day...." Dion returned for her "Celine" residency from 2011 to 2018, performing up to 65 shows annually.

20th century

In 1962, Jay Sarno and Stanley Mallin, owners of a cabana motel, secured financing amounting to $10.6 million from the Teamsters Central States Pension Fund to develop a hotel on property owned by Kirk Kerkorian. Sarno envisioned the resort to reflect the splendor of ancient Rome, intending for guests to feel like Caesars; notably, the name "Caesars Palace" is plural rather than possessive. This establishment marked the beginning of a new era characterized by extravagant casinos in the late 1960s. Architect Melvin Grossman drew inspiration from his earlier design for the Cabaña Hotel (1962) in Palo Alto when creating Caesars Palace. Architectural critic Alan Hess highlighted that the theme was conveyed through classical statues and marble pillars, supported by effective marketing. Journalist Jefferson Graham described it as "the gaudiest, weirdest, most elaborate" resort in Las Vegas at that time.

The grand opening on August 5, 1966, involved $1 million in expenses for lavish catering and featured entertainment by Andy Williams and Phil Richards. Cocktail waitresses dressed in Greco-Roman costumes welcomed guests with the phrase "Welcome to Caesars Palace, I am your slave." Despite rumors regarding mob influence during its launch, Caesars secured $42 million in advance reservations.

On December 31, 1967, stunt performer Evel Knievel attempted a highly publicized leap over the hotel's fountains but suffered a serious crash; his son Robbie successfully completed this jump in 1989.

Initially named Circus Circus, the casino aimed to attract high-stakes gamblers with an energetic environment. In 1969, financial manager Jerome Zarowitz faced allegations linking him to organized crime, prompting Sarno and his investors to sell the property for $60 million to Stuart and Clifford S. Perlman, owners of Lum's restaurants. The new ownership shifted focus away from dining establishments and rebranded as Caesars World. That same year saw an expansion initiative marked symbolically by burying a time capsule.

Frank Sinatra began performing at Caesars Palace in 1967 after departing The Sands due to conflicts with management. He signed a contract lasting three years. In September 1970, Sinatra became involved in a high-stakes baccarat dispute culminating in an altercation with hotel executive Sanford Waterman, who drew a firearm; Sinatra left early and did not complete his scheduled performances. Waterman was charged but released without bail; no further prosecution occurred after Sinatra declined to testify. Although Sinatra initially vowed never to return, he resumed performing post-retirement in 1974 and became a regular entertainer at Caesars throughout that decade. He performed there following his mother’s death in 1977 and celebrated receiving his Grammy Trustees Award at the venue in 1979. After regaining his Nevada gaming license in 1981, Sinatra worked as an entertainment-public relations consultant earning $20,000 weekly.

In 1971, roughly 1,500 African American civil rights activists organized a protest at Caesars Palace supported by various advocacy groups. The spring of 1976 witnessed Las Vegas’s first major strike led by Black workers who blocked hotel entrances causing multimillion-dollar financial losses including $500,000 in cancellations. In 1973, Del Webb Corporation constructed an adjacent $8 million sixteen-story building.

In 1979, portions of two- and three-story hotel structures were demolished to make way for an Omnimax theater housed within a geodesic dome (operational until 2000), located where the current Colosseum Theater stands today. That year also saw installation of a people mover system.

A fire incident in 1981 resulted in sixteen hospitalizations. During the same year, the Perlman brothers sold their interests after failing to obtain an Atlantic City gaming license due to allegations from New Jersey regulators linking them to organized crime.

Throughout the 1990s, Caesars World strengthened its market position by developing The Forum Shops at Caesars (opened in 1992), one of Las Vegas’s pioneering retail centers focused on luxury shopping experiences.

21st century

The Forum Shops underwent an expansion that officially opened its doors on October 22, 2004.

In June 2005, Harrah's Entertainment completed the acquisition of Caesars Entertainment, Inc., thereby gaining control of Caesars Palace. To capitalize on the strong recognition of the Caesars name, Harrah's rebranded itself as Caesars Entertainment in 2010.

That same year, Caesars Palace faced a $250,000 fine imposed by the Nevada Gaming Commission due to an incident where a high-stakes baccarat player was permitted to dance atop a card table during gameplay. Later, in September 2015, the resort paid an $8 million civil penalty to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for breaching the Bank Secrecy Act.

Ownership shifted in October 2017 when Vici Properties acquired Caesars Palace through a corporate spin-off. Vici then leased the property back to Caesars Entertainment under an initial annual rental agreement of $165 million.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Caesars Palace closed its doors on March 17, 2020, and partially reopened on June 4 with several facilities still unavailable. The Nobu Hotel resumed operations in July 2020, followed by the Bacchanal Buffet reopening on May 20, 2021, after undergoing a $2.4 million refurbishment. Live performances recommenced with high-profile residencies announced for 2023, featuring artists such as Adele, Jerry Seinfeld, Sting, and Rod Stewart.

Architecture

Jeff Campbell from Lonely Planet characterizes Caesars Palace as an iconic Las Vegas Greco-Roman fantasy realm adorned with marble replicas of classical sculptures. The design fuses elements of art deco with influences drawn from Hollywood epics. Construction on the 34-acre property began in 1965, culminating in the opening of the 14-story hotel in 1966, situated adjacent to the Dunes Hotel and across from the Desert Inn. The initial layout included lanes lined with cypress trees and marble columns extending along a 900-foot facade set back by 475 feet. The parking area was designed to accommodate up to 1,300 vehicles.

The resort features numerous water installations, including no fewer than eighteen fountains that collectively use over 240 million gallons annually. At the entrance driveway stands a striking 20-foot statue of Julius Caesar hailed by a taxi. Nearby are statues replicating the Rape of the Sabine Women as well as figures of Venus and Michelangelo’s David that greet visitors upon arrival. Close to this entrance is an eight-armed Brahma shrine weighing four tons, crafted in Bangkok in 1983.

A major renovation project for the main entrance commenced in July 2021 and reached completion seven months later. The upgrades introduced a domed ceiling alongside a new 15-foot statue representing Augustus.

Exterior

The hotel's original Roman Tower, initially constructed in 1966 and expanded in 1974, underwent a $75 million refurbishment completed in January 2016. This 14-story building, which last saw updates in 2001, gained an additional 20 rooms, increasing the total to 587, and was subsequently renamed the Julius Tower. According to Entertainment Close-Up, this renovation formed part of an overall $1 billion effort to maintain Caesars Palace's status as the leading resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The Nobu Tower, formerly known as the Centurion Tower, is a 14-story structure finished in 1970 for $4.2 million; it was renovated and rebranded in 2011 as the inaugural Nobu Hotel featuring a restaurant. A significant multimillion-dollar renovation was finalized in 2021.

The Forum Tower began operations in 1979, followed by the Palace Tower’s debut in 1997. Both reflect the resort’s Greco-Roman aesthetic through design elements such as fluted columns, Corinthian pediments, fountains, and statues.

Development plans for the Augustus Tower were initiated in 2003 with Bergman Walls Associates, resulting in a $289 million expansion that introduced a 26-story tower standing 345 feet tall alongside new convention spaces. Opening in 2005 with 949 rooms, Augustus focused on delivering high-end luxury and exceptional service. The Octavius Tower was added in January 2012 as part of an $860 million expansion project; it contributes 668 rooms and shares a lobby with the Augustus Tower. The swimming pools at Caesars Palace draw inspiration from traditional Roman baths.

The Forum Shops at Caesars

The Forum Shops at Caesars, commonly referred to as "The Forum," is a luxury retail complex constructed as an extension of Caesars Palace hotel and casino in 1992.

This mall is distinguished by its spiral escalators and replicas of iconic fountains, including the Fall of Atlantis fountain which features animated figures and special effects.

Housing prestigious brands such as Cartier, Chanel, Calvin Klein, Dior, Emporio Armani, Gucci, Ted Baker, Tiffany and Co, Valentino, and Versace, it ranks as the top-grossing mall in the United States, surpassing Rodeo Drive in sales per square foot. Initially encompassing 280,000 square feet at its opening, it expanded by an additional 500,000 square feet in 1997 and further grew by 200,000 square feet starting in 2002. The Forum Shops are widely recognized as some of the most valuable retail properties within Las Vegas.

Interior

The original hotel tower featured 680 guest rooms, each outfitted with floor-to-ceiling mirrored walls. Facilities included an 800-seat theatre restaurant, three public dining venues, two fitness centers, an epicurean room, a convention hall capable of hosting up to 2,000 attendees, and twenty meeting rooms with a combined capacity for up to 5,000 guests. Marble imported from Italy and Brazilian rosewood were extensively used throughout the property, complemented by lavish gold leaf accents.

By 2015, Caesars Palace offered a total of 3,960 rooms and suites distributed among six towers. The resort includes penthouse suites along with fourteen villa suites named after prominent figures from Roman history. Numerous Roman statues imported from Florence—valued collectively at over $150,000—adorn the premises. Statues representing Julius Caesar and emperors such as Augustus and Nero are prominently displayed; several representations of Augustus appear throughout the property. A standout feature is a towering 25-foot statue of the goddess Fortuna alongside an eighteen-foot replica of Michelangelo’s David weighing more than nine tons.

In 2021, fine artist Melanie Stimmell from Las Vegas was commissioned to create a ceiling mural for Caesars Palace’s new lobby.

Caesars Forum and Gaming Amenities

Originally established in 1966, Caesars Forum began with a modest offering of 30 gaming tables alongside 250 slot machines. The casino’s interior is distinguished by 20 black Italian marble columns accented with white marble and gilded leaf decorations. The design prominently showcases Roman-inspired friezes and statues, all arranged beneath an elaborately decorated flat dome that features a chandelier crafted from 100,000 handmade crystals—once recognized as the largest crystal ceiling fixture worldwide. The cocktail servers continue to don Jay Sarno’s initial uniform: white, off-the-shoulder mini-tunics paired with Roman-style sandals.

The gaming options include table games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, Spanish 21, mini-baccarat, pai gow, and pai gow poker. Caesars Palace houses a 4,500-square-foot poker room, operational around the clock, situated between The Colosseum and the Race & Sports Book. Since its relocation in June 2014 during the expansion of Pure Nightclub, this poker room has featured 16 tables equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi and USB charging stations. Slot machine selections range from classic reel formats to video poker and video blackjack, with betting stakes varying from as low as one cent up to $500.

The casino’s fully enclosed layout, devoid of natural light, creates an immersive atmosphere designed to obscure guests’ perception of time and spatial orientation.

Music and Performances

Caesars Palace has hosted numerous globally renowned entertainers over the years, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Rod Stewart, Celine Dion, Cher, Bette Midler, Liberace, Liza Minnelli, Elton John, George Burns, Diana Ross, Paul Anka, Julio Iglesias, David Copperfield, Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan, Luis Miguel, Janet Jackson, Shania Twain, Jerry Seinfeld, Ricky Martin, and Adele.

In 1996, "Caesars Magical Empire" opened its doors featuring magicians such as Michael Ammar and Jeff "Magnus" McBride but closed in 2002 to make space for a concert venue designed specifically for Celine Dion. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace was constructed in 2003 at a cost of $95 million; it boasts a seating capacity of 4,296 and a stage covering 22,450 square feet. This venue was built for Dion’s production "A New Day...", which generated nearly $175,000 nightly on average and amassed $500 million in revenue over four years. Since then, the Colosseum has welcomed various artists including Gloria Estefan’s seven-day residency in 2003 and Bette Midler’s extensive schedule of approximately 100 shows annually beginning in 2007. Elton John maintained his Red Piano residency concurrently with Midler’s performances. Cher returned in 2008 under a three-year contract for around 200 shows.

On May 26, 2009, President Barack Obama appeared at the Colosseum to raise funds for Senator Harry Reid’s re-election campaign. Celine Dion resumed her residency there in 2011 with the "Celine" production under contract through 2017. In addition, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn launched their joint concert residency titled Together in Vegas in 2015.

Premiering in April 2011 on the hotel’s forecourt, Absinthe is a live performance staged within a Spiegeltent featuring a compact nine-foot diameter stage accommodating up to 600 spectators. The show is hosted by The Gazillionaire (portrayed by Voki Kalfayan) alongside his assistant Penny Pibbets (Anais Thomassian), blending elements of magic and acrobatics.

The Pussycat Dolls Lounge debuted in 2005 as part of Pure Nightclub, showcasing dancers performing every thirty minutes; celebrity guest appearances occurred occasionally. In 2007, Caesars Palace introduced the Pussycat Dolls Casino featuring go-go dancers performing inside cages. The ensemble relocated to Chateau nightclub at Paris Las Vegas early in 2010.

Omnia nightclub opened its doors in March 2015, replacing Pure after more than ten years of operation. This $107 million project combined the existing 34,000-square-foot Pure space with the adjacent World of Poker room to create a larger venue spanning 75,000 square feet capable of hosting up to 3,500 guests. Designed by Rockwell Group and managed by Hakkasan Group, Omnia incorporates state-of-the-art lighting systems, sound technology, climate control features, rigging infrastructure, and catwalks intended for aerial performances.

The replica bar and lounge known as Cleopatra's Barge was introduced at Caesars Palace in 1970. It became a favored spot for members of the Rat Pack such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin; Sinatra occasionally performed there following his main stage shows.

Sports

Caesars Palace gained the title "Home of Champions" through its long history of hosting prominent sporting occasions, ranging from boxing matches and auto racing to volleyball competitions. The Caesars Palace Grand Prix, part of the Formula One World Championship, was held in the hotel's parking area during 1981 and 1982. Although Nelson Piquet secured his inaugural World Championship at this venue in 1981, the event struggled financially and faced criticism due to the extreme desert heat and its counter-clockwise circuit design. Michele Alboreto claimed victory in the 1982 race; however, low spectator turnout led to the race’s discontinuation. Subsequently, CART (IndyCar) races took place for two seasons, with Mario Andretti and Tom Sneva emerging as winners before open-wheel racing ceased at the site. In 2013, Caesars Palace hosted a round of the Stadium Super Trucks series.

Since the late 1970s, the location has been a key site for boxing, featuring numerous high-profile bouts such as George Foreman versus Ron Lyle (1976), Roberto Durán against Esteban de Jesús (1978), Larry Holmes facing Muhammad Ali (1980), and Holmes versus Gerry Cooney (1982). Other significant fights included Wilfredo Gómez battling Salvador Sánchez (1981), Marvin Hagler versus Roberto Durán, Shane Mosley against Shannan Taylor, and the iconic 1987 "Super Fight" between Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler within the 15,356-seat arena. The venue also hosted Evander Holyfield's contests against Riddick Bowe (1992–1993) and Michael Moorer (1994). Boxing events returned in 2004 with Wladimir Klitschko headlining at the newly constructed outdoor amphitheater.

Throughout the 1990s, Caesars Palace was a popular location for professional wrestling events, most notably WWE's WrestleMania IX in 1993, which featured Roman-themed elements. World Championship Wrestling also held several events here, including Clash of the Champions XXX (1995) and XXXII (1996), along with an episode of WCW Monday Nitro.

On September 27, 1991, an NHL preseason outdoor game was staged in Caesars Palace’s parking lot between the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers on a specially built rink. The Kings rallied from a 2–0 deficit to win 5–2, highlighted by a goal from Wayne Gretzky. This event preceded the annual "Frozen Fury" preseason series in Las Vegas and played a role in paving the way for the establishment of the Vegas Golden Knights NHL expansion team for the 2017–18 season.

Restaurants

Caesars Palace is home to several distinguished dining establishments. Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill provides an authentic English pub atmosphere, addressing a gap Ramsay identified on the Las Vegas Strip. Nobu Restaurant specializes in Asian culinary offerings. The Old Homestead Steakhouse represents the chain’s inaugural west-coast venue. Rao's opened in 2006 as its second location beyond New York City boundaries. Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill debuted in 2004 as his first restaurant outside New York, focusing on southwestern flavors until its closure in 2020; it was succeeded by Amalfi by Bobby Flay in 2021, which emphasizes seafood and pasta dishes. Chef Brian Malarkey introduced Searsucker Las Vegas in 2015—the fourth branch following San Diego, Del Mar, and Austin—featuring a spacious 7,500-square-foot dining area with a "retro Americana" cowboy theme. Beijing Noodle No. 9 serves Chinese cuisine complemented by distinctive LED-lit interior design. Serendipity 3 operated as a 1950s-style diner known for ice cream treats from 2009 until it closed in 2017; Hell's Kitchen replaced it in 2018, initially intended as the filming location for the television series but later moved due to operational issues.

Located within Augustus Tower is Guy Savoy, a Michelin-starred restaurant that opened in 2006 after Caesars agreed to limit its operating days to five per week to uphold quality standards. Savoy brought his Paris executive chef to Las Vegas in 2008, earning two Michelin stars for this establishment. Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro—helmed by pastry chef François Payard and designed by the Rockwell Group—combines a bakery with full-service dining throughout all meals; a notable attraction is its 16-foot chocolate clock that dispenses truffles quarterly. Wolfgang Puck was among the pioneers of celebrity chef fine dining on the Strip with Spago at Caesars Palace, offering both casual café service and formal dining options.

Central Michel Richard operated as a round-the-clock lobby restaurant from 2011 until its closure in 2014 despite a $4.5 million investment and contributions from acclaimed chefs like Todd Harrington; it ultimately filed for bankruptcy. Café Americano took over in 2015 through collaboration with Miami’s V&E Restaurant Group, offering pizza, soups, sandwiches, and burgers within a spacious 3,585-square-foot venue. Mr. Chow opened that same year as an upscale Chinese restaurant seating 277 guests with views overlooking the Garden of the Gods pool.

In recent years during the early 2020s, Caesars Palace has continued to refresh its culinary lineup. Dominique Ansel—the inventor of the cronut—opened a bakery on-site in 2022. By late 2023, Rao's was replaced by Peter Luger Las Vegas, modeled after its Brooklyn original steakhouse counterpart. In 2024, The Old Homestead closed to make room for Brasserie B—a French dining concept by Bobby Flay. Additionally, Cleopatra's Barge was succeeded by Caspian’s cocktail and caviar lounge.

In popular culture

Caesars Palace has been prominently showcased in a wide array of films, such as Hells Angels on Wheels (1967), Where It's At (1969), The Only Game in Town (1970), The Electric Horseman (1979), History of the World, Part I (1981), Rocky III (1982), Oh, God! You Devil (1984), You Ruined My Life (1987), Rain Man (1988), Hearts Are Wild (1992), Fools Rush In (1997), Ocean's Eleven (2001), Intolerable Cruelty (2003), Dreamgirls (2006), Iron Man (2008), The Hangover (2009), 2012 (2009), the suite featured in The Hangover Part III (2013) which was later opened to guests, and Step Up: All In (2014).

On the small screen, Caesars Palace has made appearances in shows including The Partridge Family, the "Viva Ned Flanders" episode of The Simpsons, The Sopranos, Friends, The Strip (1999), Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Additionally, it was featured in the opening episode of season 12 of America's Next Top Model. The 1990s game show Caesars Challenge, filmed within the casino’s theatre, involved audience members competing for consolation prizes such as tickets to Caesars’ live performances and dining experiences; a final audience participation round offered opportunities to win casino chips and chocolate coins.

A fictional counterpart named Caligula's Palace is depicted in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, located in Las Venturas—a city modeled after Las Vegas—and serves as a central site for a heist mission.

External links

History of Caesars Palace