Nobu Open - Bill's Closed

After more than thirty years of operation, Bill's Gamblin' Hall and Saloon closed today at noon in preparation for a year long renovation project. The former Barbary Coast was a favorite spot among budget visitors to the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel will be transformed to an upscale boutique resort with a new name. Some of Bill's lounge performers, including the famous "Big Elvis" will be moving over to Harrah's.

Meanwhile the much anticipated Nobu Restaurant and Hotel at Caesars Palace opened on Saturday. Everything I have seen from the new hotel-within-a-hotel looks amazing. I would love to stay in one of the brand new rooms, but they are a tad pricey. Rack rate is $249 for most weekdays and $299 for most weekends. It will be interesting to see how this concept works. If successful I wouldn't be surprised to see other towers of different hotels being remodeled and branded to satisfy niche markets.