You’re walking down the North end of the Strip, past the neon glow of the Strat, and you see it—the Sahara. But wait, wasn’t it the SLS? Or was it the Sahara first? If you’re confused, you aren’t alone. The identity crisis of SLS Las Vegas a Tribute Portfolio Resort Las Vegas NV is one of the most fascinating "what happened?" stories in modern Vegas history. Honestly, it’s a tale of high-concept design crashing headfirst into the brutal reality of North Strip geography.
For a few years, this wasn't just another hotel. It was supposed to be the "L.A. injection" that saved the neighborhood. It was the place with the weird monkey statues, the Philippe Starck mirrors, and the $415 million price tag that promised to turn a legendary Rat Pack hangout into a millennial playground.
The SLS Las Vegas a Tribute Portfolio Resort Las Vegas NV Identity
Back in 2014, Sam Nazarian and the SBE crew took the bones of the old Sahara—which had closed in 2011—and performed a radical organ transplant. They didn't just paint the walls; they tried to change the soul of the place. They opened with three distinct towers: World, Story, and Lux.
But here is the thing people forget. About a year after opening, they realized they needed more "muscle" to fill those 1,600+ rooms. That is when they partnered with Starwood (now Marriott), and the property became part of the Tribute Portfolio. It was a massive deal. It meant you could finally use Marriott points on the North Strip. Eventually, they even carved out the Lux Tower and rebranded it as a W Las Vegas, creating a weird "hotel-within-a-hotel" dynamic that honestly felt a bit disjointed if you were staying there.
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Why the Concept Struggled
Look, the rooms were cool. They were edgy. Starck put mirrors on the ceilings and used "industrial chic" finishes that made the World Tower feel like a high-end boutique in Soho. The food was objectively incredible—José Andrés’ Bazaar Meat remains one of the greatest steakhouses on the planet, hands down.
But the location? Oof.
The North Strip was a ghost town for a long time. SLS was sitting there like a shiny spaceship in a parking lot. You had the unfinished Fontainebleau (which took forever to actually open) and the empty lot of the New Frontier nearby. It was "swanky" in a neighborhood that wasn't ready to be swanky yet. People would come for the Foxtail Pool or a show at The Foundry, but they weren't necessarily staying the night.
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The Great Re-Re-Branding
By 2018, the vibe shifted. Alex Meruelo bought the place, and the "Tribute Portfolio" era started to wind down. He realized something very important: Las Vegas locals and tourists actually liked the name Sahara. There was equity in that history.
So, they spent another $100 million to undo the SLS "coolness" and bring back the Sahara Las Vegas. They didn't just change the sign; they warmed up the casino floor, added the Casbar Lounge (a nod to the original), and ditched the aloof L.A. branding for something a bit more "Classic Vegas."
What You Need to Know Now
If you are looking for SLS Las Vegas a Tribute Portfolio Resort Las Vegas NV today, you won't find it under that name. It is fully the Sahara again. But the DNA of that Tribute Portfolio era is still there if you know where to look.
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- The Rooms: The "World Tower" rooms still carry that sleek, minimalist Philippe Starck aesthetic.
- The Food: Bazaar Meat survived the transition and is still the crown jewel of the property.
- The Loyalty: While it's no longer a Tribute Portfolio resort, the hotel now participates in various partnerships, but it’s no longer a direct Marriott Bonvoy "branded" property in the way it used to be.
The biggest misconception is that the SLS "failed." It didn't exactly fail; it just evolved. It proved that you can't just copy-paste a Los Angeles vibe onto the Vegas Strip and expect it to work without respecting the history of the ground it's built on.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip
If you're planning to stay at the current Sahara (the former SLS), here is how to play it right:
- Book the Marra Tower: This is the former "Lux" and "W" tower. It’s the most "premium" feeling and has its own dedicated valet and check-in.
- Eat at Bazaar Meat: Even if you aren't staying there, make a reservation. Get the cotton candy foie gras. It sounds weird; it's life-changing.
- Monorail is Your Friend: The Sahara is the last stop on the Las Vegas Monorail. This is the only way to stay at this end of the Strip and still get to the "Center Strip" (Bellagio/Caesars) in under 15 minutes without paying for an Uber.
- Check for Modern Perks: Since the property is independent now, they often have much lower resort fees or "locals" deals compared to the big MGM or Caesars blocks.
The "Tribute Portfolio" chapter was a wild, expensive experiment that paved the way for the North Strip's current revival. It wasn't just a hotel; it was a bridge between the old-school Sahara and the mega-resort future of 2026.