Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino

Planet Hollywood Las Vegas is a luxury casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The resort was formerly known as The Aladdin. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is rebranding the hotel as a Sheraton Hotel and will operate the hotel portion of the project. Planet Hollywood rebranded and operates the rest of the property under the Planet Hollywood brand.

The property is owned by OpBiz, which is a partnership of Robert Earl, Bay Harbour Management and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

History

Tally-Ho and King’s Crown

The casino was originally opened in 1963 as the Tally-Ho. It was later called King’s Crown in 1964 and failed after six months when it was denied a gaming license.

In 1966, the King’s Crown was purchased by Milton Prell, and the hotel got a $3 million renovation, including a new 500 seat “Bagdad Theater” showroom. Prell turned the English-themed hotel into an Arabian Nights theme, but kept the original Tudor style room wings. A serrated canopy and a $750,000 15-story “Aladdin’s Lamp” sign were also added.

Aladdin

The Aladdin opened on April 1, 1966, with flower petals pouring from the ceiling and onto guests as they entered the hall. One guest was composer-pianist Warren Richards. The opening entertainment included comedian Jackie Mason, the “Jet Set Revue,” a musical review that showcased The Three Cheers and the Petite Rockette Dancers in the Bagdad Theatre.

Prell introduced an innovative main showroom policy by offering three completely different shows twice nightly with no cover or minimum charges.

The Aladdin contained a 9-hole golf course.

A little more than a year after it was opened, the Aladdin was host to Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s wedding.

In August of 1969, the Aladdin completed a $750,000 makeover including renovations to the Sinbad Lounge, which became enclosed and leveled above the casino floor with Arabic motif.

Also in 1969, Parvin Dohrmann Corporation took over the Aladdin, and in 1972, using the name Recrion Corporation, sold it to Sam Diamond, St. Louis politician Peter Webbe, Sorkis Webbe, and Richard Daly for the price of just $5 million. Under the Webbes, a $60 million face lift was conducted, including the addition of a 19-story tower and the new 7,500 seat Performing Arts Center replacing the golf course, which was $4 million over budget.

A $250,000 porte-cochere continued the tower’s arabesques. The Aladdin also added a new $300,000 140-foot blockbuster sign with little neon, huge attraction panels and none of the arabesque of the Aladdin’s original sign.

The Aladdin had a grand re-opening in 1976 with singer Neil Diamond being paid $750,000 for two shows.

Wayne Newton was a part owner from 1980 to 1982.

The Aladdin closed on November 25, 1997. On April 27, 1998, and the entire resort was imploded, except for the Aladdin Theatre, to make way for the construction of an entirely new casino.