Sahara Las Vegas sits at the northern tip of the Strip at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue, on a site that has hosted a casino resort since 1952. Owned and operated by the Meruelo Group, today’s Sahara is the product of a multi-year renovation that followed its 2014-2019 run under the SLS name, blending mid-century Rat Pack pedigree with a modernized, Moroccan-accented look across its three towers.
The draw here is value without giving up Strip energy: free self-parking and valet (a rarity on the Strip), the Afro-Caribbean steakhouse Maroon from James Beard-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi, the acrobatic residency Magic Mike Live, and a 50,000-plus-square-foot casino, all at rates that typically undercut the mega-resorts a mile south.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: North Strip, Las Vegas Blvd & Sahara Ave, Winchester, NV
- Operator: Meruelo Group
- Opened: 1952 (current towers/branding since 2019)
- Rooms: 1,616 rooms across 3 towers (Alexandria, Tangiers, Tunis)
- Price tier: Budget to mid-range
- Casino: About 50,662 sq ft
- Signature attraction: AZILO Ultra Pool with 240-ft poolside LED wall
- Headline venue: The Foundry (live music); Magic Mike Live residency
Rooms, Pool and Casino
Sahara’s 1,616 rooms are spread across the Alexandria, Tangiers and Tunis towers, ranging from standard rooms up through suites, with the Alexandria Tower generally holding the newer, higher-end renovated inventory. The roughly 50,700-square-foot casino floor keeps table games and slots on a manageable scale compared to the sprawling floors at nearby megaresorts, which appeals to players who don’t want to walk a quarter-mile to a blackjack table.
The pool deck is split between the adults-oriented AZILO Ultra Pool, with Moroccan-inspired decor, cabanas and a giant LED screen for sports and events, and the quieter rooftop Alexandria Pool, which trades party energy for panoramic desert and downtown views.
Shows, Attractions and Dining
The dining lineup is now anchored by Maroon, chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean steakhouse built around a live-fire jerk pit, which opened in spring 2026 in the space long occupied by Bazaar Meat by José Andrés (that restaurant closed at Sahara on July 31, 2025, and relocated to The Palazzo at The Venetian). Other options include Balla Italian Soul for coastal Italian fare, Zeffer’s Café for breakfast and brunch, and Uno Más Street Tacos + Spirits for a quicker, casual bite. Entertainment centers on Magic Mike Live’s 360-degree dance production and the tribute show MJ Live, with The Foundry hosting touring concerts and club nights.
Location and Who Should Stay Here
Sahara anchors the far north end of the Strip, a walkable but noticeably longer trek to T-Mobile Arena, the Sphere or the Colosseum at Caesars Palace than resorts in the Strip’s center — the Sahara monorail station and taxi/rideshare are the practical way to reach those venues and Allegiant Stadium. That distance is the tradeoff for lower rates, free parking, and a calmer casino floor, making Sahara a strong fit for budget-conscious travelers, couples wanting a quieter home base, and concertgoers headed to The Foundry, while families or visitors prioritizing walk-everywhere access to Sphere-area shows may prefer a more central resort.
Explore more: More Las Vegas Strip hotel guides, Tips for catching a Las Vegas residency show, Plan a trip to T-Mobile Arena.
Stops phones and fries from vanishing between the seats on long road trips.
Fit a week of park clothes in a carry-on and find the poncho without unpacking everything.
Put one in the checked bag, one in the kid's backpack and one on the stroller. Then you can see where everything is.
Sahara Las Vegas FAQs
Does Sahara Las Vegas charge a resort fee, and is parking free?
Sahara’s standard resort fee has run around $55 per night plus tax, though the resort has periodically offered all-in rates with no resort fee. Parking is a standout perk: both self-parking and valet are free for hotel and casino guests, unlike most Strip resorts.
Is Sahara Las Vegas within walking distance of the Sphere or T-Mobile Arena?
Not comfortably. Sahara sits at the Strip’s north end, so it’s a considerable walk to the Sphere, T-Mobile Arena or the Colosseum at Caesars Palace; most guests use the Las Vegas Monorail (Sahara station on-site) or rideshare to reach those venues and Allegiant Stadium.
Is Bazaar Meat still at Sahara Las Vegas?
No. Bazaar Meat by José Andrés closed at Sahara on July 31, 2025, after more than a decade at the property, and relocated to The Palazzo at The Venetian Resort. Its old space now houses Maroon, chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean steakhouse.
Get More from Sahara Las Vegas
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Sahara Las Vegas, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Johnwalton at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.