Stratosphere Tower

When a hotel casino consistently receives “Best Of” accolades from prominent publications, it's time to take notice. So consider the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower's recent haul: headliner Frankie Moreno being voted “Best All-Around Performer 2012” by the staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and named “Best Strip Headliner” by Las Vegas Weekly; the property's dramatically elevated Top of the World voted “Best Restaurant” by Nevada...

When a hotel casino consistently receives “Best Of” accolades from prominent publications, it's time to take notice. So consider the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower's recent haul: headliner Frankie Moreno being voted “Best All-Around Performer 2012” by the staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and named “Best Strip Headliner” by Las Vegas Weekly; the property's dramatically elevated Top of the World voted “Best Restaurant” by Nevada...

Bob Stupak, 67, the developer of the 1,149-foot Stratosphere tower on the Las Vegas Strip, died Friday at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas after a long fight with leukemia, a family spokeswoman said. A casino entrepreneur and colorful gambler known for outlandish promotions, Stupak opened the $550-million Stratosphere hotel-casino in 1996 in hopes that the tower would attract millions of visitors to Sin City. The casino filed for bankruptcy in 1997 and was eventually taken over by billionaire investor Carl Icahn.

Bob Stupak, 67, the developer of the 1,149-foot Stratosphere tower on the Las Vegas Strip, died Friday at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas after a long fight with leukemia, a family spokeswoman said. A casino entrepreneur and colorful gambler known for outlandish promotions, Stupak opened the $550-million Stratosphere hotel-casino in 1996 in hopes that the tower would attract millions of visitors to Sin City. The casino filed for bankruptcy in 1997 and was eventually taken over by billionaire investor Carl Icahn.

Flames engulfed a 500-foot, under-construction observation tower early Sunday, forcing evacuation of hundreds of gamblers from the adjacent 22-story Vegas World Hotel Casino, authorities said. There were no injuries, but a block-wide area was evacuated as the fire went to a third alarm just before 2 a.m. Flames leaping into the early morning sky could be seen for miles, and Las Vegas Boulevard became gridlocked before officials shut it down to motorists.

Even in this era of bigger and better, few recent Las Vegas openings matched that of the Stratosphere tower less than four months ago. Once designed as the largest free-standing tower in the world, the 1,149-foot Stratosphere came equipped with two sky-high thrill rides, cloud-level wedding chapels and a revolving restaurant. Alas, the structure now stands as proof that even in Las Vegas, glitz doesn't guarantee success.

"Want us to power up the Big Shot for you?" In the hot hazy afternoon sun, you're already standing 921 feet above the ground on a deck of concrete. Your eye travels up the length of the Big Shot--the white steel cylindrical shaft of the thrill ride that launches you 160 feet higher in 2.3 seconds, then sends you hurtling back down faster than gravity. For good measure it bounces you lazily up and down a couple of times like you're on the end of a Bungee cord.

For those who want to spend more time than money in Las Vegas, here are 21 things to do for less than $21, all aimed at keeping the bottom line low and the fun factor high. 1. Springs Preserve. Forsake the fake pyramid and fake Statue of Liberty for a power walk through the real Vegas: 110 acres of pre-Bugsy Siegel desert. There are miles of cactus-filled trails, botanic gardens and a museum that pays tribute to the city's Mojave Desert roots. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Feeling lucky? You might not have to be to cut your losses at one Las Vegas casino. The Stratosphere Tower Hotel and Casino says it will refund players' initial slot-machine losses up to $125 when they join its bonus club, which lets visitors accumulate points for discounts on rooms, beverages and other items. The offer, which a spokesman says is unique in Las Vegas, applies to the first 30 minutes of play on slot, reel and video poker machines after the player joins the club.

Stratosphere Suspends Next Phase of Casino: The beleaguered gaming company said it has indefinitely suspended plans to build more hotel rooms and retail shops in its Las Vegas casino complex because it will be short of cash and needs to restructure its $203-million debt. Stratosphere Corp., which is 42% owned by Grand Casinos Inc., said the move won't affect ongoing operations or guests visiting its casino, hotel and observation tower.

Even in this era of bigger and better, few recent Las Vegas openings matched that of the Stratosphere tower less than four months ago. Once designed as the largest free-standing tower in the world, the 1,149-foot Stratosphere came equipped with two sky-high thrill rides, cloud-level wedding chapels and a revolving restaurant. Alas, the structure now stands as proof that even in Las Vegas, glitz doesn't guarantee success.

"Want us to power up the Big Shot for you?" In the hot hazy afternoon sun, you're already standing 921 feet above the ground on a deck of concrete. Your eye travels up the length of the Big Shot--the white steel cylindrical shaft of the thrill ride that launches you 160 feet higher in 2.3 seconds, then sends you hurtling back down faster than gravity. For good measure it bounces you lazily up and down a couple of times like you're on the end of a Bungee cord.

Flames engulfed a 500-foot, under-construction observation tower early Sunday, forcing evacuation of hundreds of gamblers from the adjacent 22-story Vegas World Hotel Casino, authorities said. There were no injuries, but a block-wide area was evacuated as the fire went to a third alarm just before 2 a.m. Flames leaping into the early morning sky could be seen for miles, and Las Vegas Boulevard became gridlocked before officials shut it down to motorists.

Winds gusting up to 90 mph swept blinding dust across the city Monday, closing the airport and cloaking the Strip with near-zero visibility. The winds caused tall office buildings to sway; resort casinos closed pools and outdoor attractions as tree limbs whipped violently. "These are the strongest winds I've seen in years," said forecaster Don Maker of the National Weather Service here.