Interestingly, Desert Inn was once emblematic of the original Las Vegas Strip. The Desert Inn Estates Island Park echoes tales from a bygone era. It was a time when Las Vegas was transforming into the entertainment capital.
Let’s journey back to the Desert Inn’s origins. It opened its doors on April 24 1950. Wilbur Clark’s vision materialized as the fifth resort on the burgeoning Las Vegas Strip. The Desert Inn quickly gained renown for its opulence and service.
Imagine the grand opening. Celebrities flocked to the Desert Inn. Edgar Bergen and Abbott and Costello graced the stage. Journalists chronicled the spectacle. The Desert Inn soon became a magnet for luminaries. Winston Churchill John Kennedy and Frank Sinatra all visited. Sinatra even made his Las Vegas debut at the Desert Inn in 1951.
The Desert Inn was the first hotel to have a fountain at its entrance. Its Sky Room restaurant offered unparalleled views. The chef hailed from the Ritz Paris adding to its prestige. The Desert Inn became synonymous with luxury.
Howard Hughes a reclusive billionaire further cemented the Desert Inn’s legacy. In 1966 Hughes booked the top two floors. He planned a brief stay but ended up buying the entire property. For four years Hughes lived in his penthouse. He remained unseen by the hotel staff.
The Desert Inn also had an 18-hole golf course. It hosted the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions from 1953 to 1966. Golfing legends graced its greens.
However the Desert Inn’s story took a turn at the dawn of the new millennium. Steve Wynn purchased the resort in 2000. He decided to demolish it. In its place he built the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. The Desert Inn’s towers were imploded. The final implosion happened in 2004.
Many lamented the Desert Inn’s demise. It symbolized the end of an era. Longtime residents felt a personal loss. It was a place where locals danced and dined. The Desert Inn was associated with Wilbur Clark Moe Dalitz and Howard Hughes.
Today the Desert Inn Estates Island Park serves as a reminder of what once stood here. Though the resort is gone its stories remain. The Desert Inn’s rich past continues to echo.