CAESARS PALACE - A TIMELESS CLASSIC

A leader in the hotel, casino, fine-dining and entertainment industry since 1966, Caesars Palace sets the standard for luxury and excellence

When Caesars Palace opened on August 5, 1966 the standard of luxury and magnificence for the hotel and casino industry was changed forever. Its opulent Roman-Grecian world of fantasy captured international attention as the first deluxe themed resort casino of its kind. With imported marble statuary, cocktail servers costumed as "goddesses," a dining experience fit for royalty and nightly performances by the world’s greatest entertainers, Caesars Palace immediately became the industry standard for the ultimate luxury resort experience.

Originally named Cabana Palace, then Desert Palace, the hotel officially opened its doors as Caesars Palace. The name change and design were decided upon to create a world where everyone could be treated as an emperor, a palace for all Caesars – hence no apostrophe in the name. The original structure cost $25 million to build and was comprised of 680 guest rooms.

Caesars Palace earned a reputation for luxury, fine dining and entertainment from the beginning, largely due to the recruitment of world-class chefs, and nightly headlining acts.

The 980-seat Circus Maximus Showroom nightly brought in performers such as Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, Diana Ross and Ed Sullivan. Richard Pryor was an opening act for singer Bobbie Gentry; the Pointer Sisters opened for Paul Anka and a rising comedian, Jay Leno warmed up audiences for Tom Jones.  The Bacchanal, Caesars Palace’s fine-dining experience, was a diner’s delight featuring a sixcourse feast where Caesar and Cleopatra appeared nightly.

Belly dancers entertained the crowd while "vestal virgins" and “grape goddesses” roamed the restaurant’s floor pouring wine and feeding grapes to the regal crowd. After the main course, guests could sit back and enjoy a neck and shoulder massage, just like Julius Caesar would have all those many years ago.

As the resort grew to meet the demand of its guest, the Garden of the Gods swimming pool complex was constructed, originally consisting of one pool and spa conveniently accessed from all areas of the hotel. The design reflected the personality of its founder, business entrepreneur Jay Sarno. Sarno wanted to create the romanticism of ancient Rome and Greece, while attracting a cosmopolitan client. He believed the main building and casino’s oval shape were conducive to relaxation and ensured that his personal love for fountains and statuary, something also found heavily in Greek and Roman cultures, were everywhere for his guests to enjoy.

Today, Caesars Palace has expanded to over 100 times the original size, growing from 40,000 square-feet to more than 5 million. The 85-acre resort features 3,340 guest rooms and suites, the largest poker room in the city, a world-class health and beauty salon and a 4.5 acre pool and garden complex. The Roman Plaza, a 3,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre plays hosts to a variety of outdoor sporting events, concerts and private functions. In March 2003 Caesars Palace opened its 4,100-seat Colosseum providing nightly entertainment including legendary performers Celine Dion, Elton John and Jerry Seinfeld, the same caliber of talent that guests have come to expect from Caesars Palace. On December 15, 2007, Celine Dion took the stage for the last time at the final performance of A New Day…, after 717 performances since March 2003, making way for Bette Midler’s The Showgirl Must Go On, which premiered February 2008 and Cher, who debuted in May 2008.

Caesars Palace has become the Las Vegas epicenter for culinary greatness as home to over 24 unique cafes and restaurants. Among them include award-winners Bradley Ogden (2004 James Beard Award recipient for best new restaurant in the country), Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill and Restaurant Guy Savoy featuring the creations of Michelin three-star chef, Guy Savoy. In December 2006 Caesars Palace opened Rao’s, the legendary New York Italian restaurant that has operated under the same roof since 1896 and is widely considered New York’s ultimate dining experience. In November 2007 Caesars Palace and world-famous Pastry Chef and chocolatier François Payard opened Payard Patisserie & Bistro, offering guests three distinct experiences including a chocolate shop, pastry shop and the city’s only dessert-tasting menu.

Since the beginning, some of the world's most famous special events have occurred at Caesars Palace. On Dec. 31, 1967, daredevil Robert “Evel” Knievel took history to new heights and solidified his place as the world’s most renowned daredevil when he attempted to jump the Caesars Palace fountains on a motorcycle.  More than two decades later on April 14, 1989, Evel’s son, Robbie Knievel, successfully landed the jump his father did not – making him the first-ever to clear the hotel’s iconic fountains.

On Oct. 25, 1969, the U.S.A. amateur boxing team faced the U.S.S.R. in the first of the boxing contests that would forever link Caesars Palace with the sport. Over the years, boxing legends George Foreman, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hears, Marvin Hagler, Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson have all taken the ring at Caesars Palace. Other sports superstars such as Olympic legends Mary Lou Retton and Katarina Witt, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Andretti, Hulk Hogan and soccer-great Pele have also used facilities at Caesars Palace to showcase their various world-renowned talents.

“Caesars Palace has secured its place in history as the industry-leader in resort and casino destination locations by offering its guests the best in dining, entertainment, special events, service and luxury accommodations,” said Caesars Palace President, Gary Selesner. “As Las Vegas continues to grow and adapt to the changing needs and demands of its guests, so will Caesars Palace, ensuring its place among the industry leaders for years to come.”

About Caesars Palace

Caesars Palace is the world’s best known resort-casino, celebrating the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome, in an 85-acre destination location that sets the standard for entertainment, dining and luxury. Reigning at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace ranks among the world’s top luxury resorts known for their originality and beauty and features 3,340 hotel guest rooms and suites, 24 unique restaurants and cafes, 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods pools and gardens, the 50,000 square foot Qua Baths & Spa and 240,000 square feet of premium meeting and convention space. The 4,100-seat Colosseum spotlights renowned headliner entertainers such as Bette Midler, Cher, Elton John and Jerry Seinfeld. The magnificent theatre sits just steps away from celebrity chef restaurants and the acclaimed Forum Shops at Caesars. For more information, visit caesarspalace.com or call (702) 731-7110 or (800) 634-6001.