The legendary Strat (formerly the Stratosphere) Casino is one of Las Vegas's key attractions. Virtually all billboards of the Las Vegas Strip and photos with views of the boulevard in Sin City use the Stratosphere observation tower as the background. Even now, when Las Vegas is filled with luxurious establishments that offer unique features, Stratosphere remains one of the most desirable tourist destinations.
Strat Hotel & Casino is located in the northern part of the famous Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas, Nevada). Its zest is the 350-meter tower. The Stratosphere Tower is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and the second-tallest tower in the Western Hemisphere. It is surpassed only by the C.N. Tower in Toronto, Ontario.
The Strat Las Vegas Description
The Strat is a 24-story building with 2,417 hotel rooms and a 7,400-square-meter casino. Stratosphere Las Vegas is owned by American Casino & Entertainment Properties.
The Strat is the northernmost casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Due to the unusually tall observation tower, this complex may offer visitors unforgettable high-altitude amusement rides and entertainment.
History of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas
In the late eighties, Bob Stupak, the legendary gambler and owner of the World Series of Poker bracelets and several casinos, wanted to build an unusual gambling facility as an alternative to his own Vegas World. Initially, he intended to create something like the Eiffel Tower in Paris but could not afford to build a broad base because of the small area. Bob searched for solutions and contacted an engineering firm in Texas to design radio transmission towers.
Ned Baldwin, the creator of the C.N. Tower in Toronto, assembled a team of local architects to evolve the design of the Stratosphere Tower project. The initial setupn of the tower included the construction of the 553-meters tower, making it the tallest building in the world. However, the presence of the nearby international airport forced the architect to reduce the height to the current 350 meters.
In August 1993, the observation tower caught fire while being under construction. Fortunately, nobody was injured, but the repairs led to the delay in the casino opening.
Stratosphere Las Vegas officially started its operations on April 30, 1996. Shortly after the opening, Stratosphere Corporation became bankrupt, freezing the construction of the second tower. Carl Icahn, the owner of Icahn Enterprises L.P. Holding, which is American Real Estate Partners, acquired this property.
The Strat Las Vegas Casino
Since the Strat is far from the famous Las Vegas Strip, it is much lesprevalentar than it is supposed to be. However, low accommodation prices, unique amusement rides, and attractive gambling-related offers have made it successful.
The casino occupies 7,400 square meters and offers customers fifty gaming tables, fifteen hundred video slots and poker slots, a poker room, and sports betting. There are various table games: craps, several variations of blackjack, three-card poker, pai gow poker, mini baccarat, etc. The administration holds daily No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournaments.
Stratosphere pleases visitors with unique incentive programs, bonuses, and discounts, standing out against other gambling houses in Las Vegas.
Entertainment
At the top of the Stratosphere Tower, users can find an observation deck, a revolving restaurant, and unforgettable thrill rides.
- SkyJump Las Vegas was opened in 2010. It allows thrill-seekers to jump from the top of the Stratosphere Tower (108 floors, 261 m) and enjoy the free fall. Those who decide to jump should wear a special jumpsuit. To make it safe, it is attached to the descender machine.
- The Big Shot is the highest amusement ride. It is formed by chairs that slide along the vertical tower, which is situated at a height of 329 meters.
- The carousel called Insanity the Ride was opened in 2005. It is located at a height of 274 meters. The amusement ride has a star-shaped design. Riders are fixed. Insanity the Ride spins visitors outside the tower at more than sixty kilometers per hour. Bold visitors of Insanity the Ride can see the ground from approximately 280 meters.
- X-SCREAM is located at a height of 264 meters and is considered the third-largest thrill ride.
- The High Roller was located at a height of 277 meters and used to be the highest roller coaster in the world. It closed on December 30, 2005.
The entertainment complex has a large shopping mall, comedy club, and Knopf Fine Art Photography Gallery. One of the complex's attractions is a 360-degree rotating restaurant called Top of the World, from which visitors can enjoy a great panoramic view of Las Vegas.
Should You Visit the Strat in Las Vegas?
Not all gambling clubs in Las Vegas have been able to withstand the tough competition and the test of time. The Strat Las Vegas Hotel & Casino has recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. It stays afloat and attracts numerous visitors, earning a considerable profit.
This gambling house has been serving Las Vegas's hallmark for many years. It should be attended even by those who are not used to spending large amounts on gambling. If you visit the capital of gambling, you should gamble at Stratosphere.
We ask all Casinoz readers who have visited this casino to share their experiences and tell us about the quality of the services provided.