Donated by Heidi & Emliano Palustre
The scheduled opening of the Aladdin was on August 17, 2000, at 6:00pm, with fireworks at 10:00pm. Aladdin opened her $1.4 billion, 2,567 oversized room resort to the at 11:00am, on August 18, 2000, 16 hours after the scheduled opening. She is in good company as she now joins the Flamingo, Riviera, Las Vegas Hilton (International), and Venetian in the troublesome opening night category.
Even though the resort didn't open, the Desert Passage Mall opened 7:00pm to crowds that numbered in the tens of thousands. I Dream of Jeannie star Barbara Eden helped open the doors of the Desert Passage. This is not the first opening Barbara Eden had attended. She helped open the MGM Grand on December 23, 1973, with Dean Martin and Fred McMurray.
The scheduled opening was called off several minutes after midnight. This left thousands of Aladdin visitors leaving in disappointment as well as opening night hotel guests wondering where they'd spend the night. All guests on opening night were by invitation only, and included high-rollers, market analysts and reporters from across the nation and the world. Many high-rollers waited out on the sidewalks in front of the Aladdin for hours, as much in the dark as anyone else on the Strip. Most were unable to even get to their luggage, since the hotel had been locked down for testing. Aladdin employees did their best to arrange alternate accommodations for the guests with Paris and Bellagio, tempers still ran high.
The cause for the 16 hour delay was that Clark County Building Inspectors required the resort to complete its fire safety testing. The testing was complete, and the resort received its certificate to open at 7:45am on August 18, 2000. Apparently the delay was also caused by last-minute repairs to the casino surveillance system.
"It's part of policies and procedures. These buildings will be here for 100 years. What's a minute or an hour or a day when you're talking about the importance of what needs to be accomplished?" - Chairman Jack Sommer"You just don't know until the last test passes. But you have to be ready and geared up in case it does pass. Physically, it has been ready." - Thomas Lettero, Chief Financial Officer
Also present on August 17, 2000, were 100 handpicked members of Culinary Local 226, as well as an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 other workers who were marching on Las Vegas Boulevard between Harmon Avenue and Paris Las Vegas to protest the Aladdin opening without a union contract. The protesters were looking for sympathy but created an anti-union atmosphere when their bull horns drowned out the opening festivities of the Desert Passage as well as the speech of Barbara Eden. For the many people who spent their well-earned money to go to the opening and wasn't lucky enough to be close to the resort, they had to endure the protestors and their bull horns instead of hearing what was going on. It was reported that people were angered by the union members ruining the opening of the Desert Passage for them.
By 10:30am on August 18, 2000, a few people entered the resort and were playing slot machines. But they were told to leave as the resort had not officially opened.
The daughter of the Aladdin was the dream of Jack Sommer, Chairman of the Board; Richard J. Goeglein, President, Chief Executive Officer; Bill Timmins, President and Chief Operating Officer & Director; Ronald Dictrow, Executive Vice President & Director; Tom Lettero; Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer; Barbara Falvey, Senior Vice President, Human Resources; Jose A. "Mando" Rueda, Senior Vice President, Gaming Operations; and David Attaway, Senior Vice President, Entertainment, Sales, Marketing.
The Aladdin's design and construction teams were Tishman Realty & Construction Company, Inc., owner's representative for the Aladdin Project; ADP/FD, a division of Fluor Daniel, architects for the Aladdin Project; Brennan Beer Gorman Monk/Interiors, interior designer for the Aladdin guestrooms and common areas; RTKL/ID8, interior designer for the Aladdin casino and Desert Passage at Aladdin; HKS Architects, architects for the Aladdin Music Project; and Rockwell Group, interior designer for the Aladdin Music Project.
The Aladdin offspring sits on 34 acres of land located at 3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South. For guests the Aladdin offers:
"The Aladdin is designed to make it convenient for visitors to reach the attractions they want to experience quickly and easily. We believe Aladdin encompasses the best that Las Vegas has to offer, all in one easy-to-maneuver location. As the first and only mega-resort of the new millennium, Aladdin promises to offer the desert's most exciting and expansive list of attractions" - Richard J. Goeglein, Chief Executive Office of Gaming
Aladdin features an exotic main casino themed after the tales of 1,001 Arabian Nights. It offers 100,000 square feet of gaming amidst flying carpets, ebony horses and an ever-blooming "Enchanted Garden" of lights. A unique stacked layout places the hotel lobby, casino and restaurants on separate, easily accessible levels. Aladdin's innovative design eliminates long walks in public areas.
In the 1,001 Arabian Nights casino, patrons can find 2,800 slot machines, 87 table games, Keno, and Race & Sports Book.
The casino also contains the following:
Click Here to read about the origin of each one of these symbols.
Above the gaming tables float filigreed versions of the flying carpet with Aladdin's cocktail servers, dressed as harem girls, catering to patrons.
Contained in the main casino area is the 35,000 square foot separate The London Club. This area features an elegant 15,000 square foot main casino offering 30 high-limit table games, including baccarat, roulette and blackjack, 100 high-denomination slot machines, exclusive higher limit gaming facilities, a private lobby and dedicated elevator service, a 120 seat five star restaurant offering a multi-ethnic menu and al fresco dining on the Strip, and a multi-functional lounge and garden club, and private reception room. Smaller gaming rooms are designed to recall the exclusive "salle privees" found in Europe's most celebrated casinos.
The London Club holds paintings by Robert Porte, Michael Brangoccio and renowned French artist Persia grace the Club's stone-covered walls, while sculptures by Ann Gardner and Matt Gill add to the facility's sophistication. London Clubs International, one of the Aladdin's project's principal investors, operates gaming salons in Europe and around the world.
There are more than 135 stores in the Aladdin's Desert Passage, which is the 500,000 square foot shopping adventure that surrounds the resort.
Desert Passage offers the most shopping options of any Las Vegas resort, along with a theme that carries guests through Spain, North AFrica, the Arabian Sea and Old India. Shoppers can explore mysterious desert lands, reliving the days of ancient worlds, luxurious palaces and irresistible bounty. Retailers include as follows:
Designer Fashions - Alegre, Betsey Johnson, Herve Leger, Hugo/Hugo Boss, Jhane Barnes, Joan Vass, Manrico Cashmere, Melwani's, Napoleon, and St. Croix Knits.
Footwear - Cesare Paciotti, Footworks, Garys Studio, L'Idea, Rococo, and Steve Madden.
Health & Beauty - Aveda, Bath & Body Works, Clinique, Italee, Italee II, Origins, Sephora, and Sunglass Hut.
Home Furnishings - Addi Galleries, African Odyssey, Bernard K. Passman Galleries, Crystal Oasis, Rondo, Russeck Gallery, Thomas Kinkade at Le Gallerie Luministe, Tresor, and Z Gallerie.
Fine Art & Collectibles - Gallery of Legends, Ron Lee's World of Clowns, and Tolstoys Elegant Pens & Watches.
The Aladdin also contain 21 restaurants including:
P.C. Chang's China Bistro -
This two story restaurant offers a mix of authentic Chinese dishes served in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Built into Aladdin's 17 story rockscape, China Bistro offers seating for 360 on two levels, with an outdoor patio. Fan dishes traditionally include rice, noodles and dumplings. T'sai cuisine includes meat, seafood and vegetables. Adding to this restaurant is an exhibition kitchen where chefs prepare the food with traditional Chinese style and flair.
Commander's Palace - is located inside the Desert Passage. The Palace has been a Louisiana landmark since 1880 and is operated today by the Brennan family, an equally famous name in the gourmet world of New Orleans fine dining. Palace is the winner of the prestigious "James Bear Best Restaurant in America Award, offers 130,000 square feet of "cutting edge New Orleans food" according to Executive Chef Carlos Guia. One such speciality is seared jumbo crab cake served over fire-roasted corn and their world famous dessert, Bananas Foster.
The Anasazi - is located inside the Desert Passage and is the recipient of numerous fine dining awards, including the distinguished "Four Diamond Award". The Anasazi features cowboy cuisine with a mix of Native American and Northern New Mexico dishes.
Bice - creates Italian dishes with sister restaurants in New York, Miami, Palm Beach, and Chicago. Not only does Bice serve authentic Milan style dishes, a patron can choose from one of the finest wine cellars in the city.
Beluga Bar - recalls a turn-of-the-century wharf bar where patrons can enjoy raw oysters, claims, crab, shrimp, lobster, and the ultimate collection of the world's finest caviar. The bar service features a collage of drink specialties.
The Blue Note Jass Club - was founded in 1981 in New York's East Village, and has established an incomparable tradition of presenting the foremost jazz and blue artists. The menu is strictly American fare and the bar strictly first class.
London Club - is located where else but in the London Club. This restaurant will specialize in five different world cuisines, offering gourmet dishes made to order and served in private dining rooms. The restaurant will also feature the world's finest wines.
Restaurants located near the main casino are Elements - which features fresh seafood, prime cuts of selected corn fed beef, pastas and an extensive wine list; Tremezzo - offers Northern Italian food and patio dining; Spice Market Buffet - features traditional dishes from a variety of exotic points around the globe; Zanzibar Cafe - is opened 24 hours, offering a variety of specialities for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Bars and lounges include the Roc Bar, Lamp Bar, Ebony Horse Bar, and Sinbad's Lounge. The four diamond-rated Anasazi of Santa Fe; The Blue Note Jazz Club of New York; Bice, an authentic world-renowned Italian restaurant,
The resort's meeting and conference facilities include:
Click here to see a map of the Casino area. Click here to see a map of the Mezzanine area.
The first celebrity to appear at the Aladdin's Performing Arts Center was Enrique Iglesias. This show was Iglesias' only U.S. concert appearance this season. There was no opening act.
The second artist to be showcased at the Aladdin's Performing Arts Center was Iron Maiden. With the departure of Blaze Bayley, the return of both Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith brings a new twist to the Maiden tale, now a six-piece band with a formidable three-guitar onslaught. In addition to Dickinson and Smith, the band features Dave Murray, Nicko McBrain, Steve Harris and Janick Gers. Also scheduled to perform on the bill is Queensryche and Rob Halford. Also showcased was the artist formerly known as Prince.
When Prince was to appear at the resort, a nuder poster of Prince and his guitar received negative feedback when it was posted at at McCarran International Airport. The poster was taken down and a poster with just the musician's face was shown.
"We were surprised, but naturally we accommodated their wishes," - Lynn Holt, Aladdin
Prince's publicist could not be reached immediately for comment. Airport officials said they did not know about the removal of the sign.
In 2000 the Blue Note Club showcased Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Paul Mercer Ellington (8/27/00), Cassandra Wilson (8/28-9/2/00), Peabo Bryson (9/4-9/00), Chick Corea (9/11-16/00), Take 6 (9/18-23/00), Chuck Mangione (11/21-26), and Pat Metheny (9/25-30/00).
In December of 2000, A general contractor for the Theater for the Performing Arts sued Aladdin, alleging it defaulted on a $7.539 million payment for the theater's renovation. In a Clark County District Court lawsuit, Korte-Bellew & Associates Construction Co. seeks an order to foreclose on the hotel-casino and for proceeds of the foreclosure sale to be applied to the debt. At least 240 liens have been filed by general contractors and subcontractors against the Aladdin hotel-casino, said David Rivers, Korte-Bellew's attorney.
Also in December, the owner of the Denim-Denim Mens and Women's Casual Wear and Melwanis stores at the Desert Passage Mall sued seven contractors, alleging they tried to coerce the retailer into paying for change orders that were "excessive and unjustified" by foreclosing on its two stores. The mall is owned by development giant TrizecHahn of Toronto. Clotheshorse Inc. leased space for the two stores from its landlord, Aladdin Bazaar LLC.
In a Clark County District Court suit, Clotheshorse sued its general contractor, Camco Pacific Construction Co. Inc., alleging it "jeopardized" the stores' opening on Aug. 17, 2000, when Camco "unreasonably delayed the start of the project ... and mismanaged the project resulting in unreasonable overtime charges and cost overruns." The suit said Camco, which allegedly charged Clotheshorse for $240,000 in change orders after it paid Camco $264,041 for work done on the Melwanis store and $190,839 for the Denim-Denim store, said Camco failed to ensure its subcontractors completed work in a timely manner and to pay them, which caused numerous liens to be filed against the two stores. Defendants include Black Rock Inc., Paul S.J. Ogaz Inc., Western Tile & Marble Contractors Inc., Jessco Electric Co. Inc., Western Fire & Protection Co. and Great American Insurance Co.
"Black Rock has dropped its lien against the two stores. We've been paid in full and released the liens on the two properties in December," - Thomas Guarino, Black Rock's President.
Lastly in December, reports began circulating that Aladdin's owners' work to regain its financial footing, that the resort could be prime for a takeover, either through a sale or in bankruptcy court. One name emerges as most likely to attempt such a takeover -- Park Place Entertainment Corp., owner of one-third of the Aladdin's bonds. Park also owns Flamingo Las Vegas, Bally's, Paris, and Caesars Palace.
"The big question mark is what's going to happen to the Aladdin, and does the Aladdin go up for sale? I think there are interested buyers of the whole property. They could eventually in the position where it would be up for sale. If the Aladdin gets into financial difficulties, then it becomes a position where something needs to occur, either the sale of the asset or restructuring. I think Park Place still has an interest in acquiring the property, sure," Falcone said. "It's a great asset, drives additional foot traffic to their property, and there's a tremendous amount of cross-marketing opportunities. They could buy it at a pretty sizable discount to the replacement value. I don't think LCI is in any position right now to devote any more capital to the (Aladdin)." - Marc Falcone, gaming analyst with Bear Stearns."We have an interest in following the Aladdin very closely, since we are an investor in their debt securities." - Scott LaPorta, Chief Financial Officer of Park Place
Richard Goeglein, Chief Executive of the Aladdin, declined to comment on the possibility that the Aladdin could be sold, but noted that such a move would require an 80% vote of the company's board. That would require both LCI and the Sommer Trust, the property's majority owner, to go along.
Speculation about the Aladdin's future began in December 17, 2000, when London Clubs International, owner of 40% of the Aladdin's stock, reported a huge plunge in earnings and difficulties meeting the covenants of its debt. The reason, LCI said, was the Aladdin. LCI had originally intended to invest $50 million in the property, but increased its stake to $200 million after the majority owner, the Sommer Trust, failed to meet capital calls to cover increased construction costs because of liquidity problems. The problem, LCI said, is that the increased income that was supposed to flow from this increased investment did not materialize in recent months as the Aladdin struggled in its early days. LCI then raised the possibility that it was interested in selling part of its equity stake in the Aladdin. After the report, British investors shaved off more than 40% of LCI's share price, and the British press began speculating in earnest about LCI's future.
The Observer of London reported that LCI itself was now a takeover target, quoting an institutional shareholder as saying, "The company is all up for grabs." The Independent reported that it was likely that LCI Chairman Alan Goodenough would be forced to step down, and that LCI would attempt to refinance its debt and raise 40 million pounds ($59 million) from shareholders. The financial difficulties of LCI could have ramifications for the Aladdin. In its latest quarterly report, Aladdin Gaming Holdings stated that its $10.3 million cash on hand as of Nov. 9 might not be sufficient to cover debt payments, operations and capital improvements.
"The company is seeking ... additional sources of financing, if needed, through additional bank borrowing or debt or equity financing and/or contributions by London Clubs and the Sommer Trust," the report said. A $5 million payment to bondholders was due in 11 days, followed by an $11.7 million interest payment Feb. 1. Aladdin currently carries about $618.7 million in long-term debt, and any new debt financier will likely be last in position for repayment.
The British press has speculated one of the big four Las Vegas gaming companies will emerge to buy part of LCI's stake. The Times of London mentioned MGM Mirage, and Harrah's Entertainment Inc. as potential buyers of that stake, while the Independent named Park Place and Mandalay Resort Group. Analysts discount that possibility saying it would be cheaper for competitors to wait for a bankruptcy filing, then attempt a takeover. Park Place would be in an excellent position to attempt a takeover in bankruptcy court, since it could push for the conversion of its debt to equity in a restructuring plan. "For Park Place to buy some of London Clubs' equity doesn't make much sense," one analyst said. "If they own a third of the bonds, they might as well wait, and if the property goes into bankruptcy, they can step in. It's a much cheaper way to buy the equity."
In February, 2001, I was able to get pictures of the hallway outside the gift shop, and one of the elevator banks.
As of May, 2001, the Desert Passage is almost fully occupied and tallied its 10 millionth visitor a few months ago.
On September 14, 2001, Aladdin is encouraged all employees who were able to observe a moment of prayer or silence at midday, and to light a candle at 7:00pm in observance of the national day of remembrance in honor of the victims of the terrorist strikes in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001. Aladdin also encouraged employees to wear patriotic colors to work.
On September 20, 2001, Aladdin layed off 500 members of its 3,200-person workforce, as Strip room occupancy rates have plummeted in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist incidents.
On September 22, 2001, Aladdin Gaming Chief Executive Officer Richard Goeglein resigned, one day after company officials announced the resort could be forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after defaulting on recently scheduled debt payments and weeks of failed negotiations between the megaresort's bankers and owners. Aladdin's chief financial officer, Tom Lettero, acknowledged the pending move in a late filing with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2001. Gaming Chief Operating Officer Bill Timmins is expected to temporarily head the megaresort, and no permanent replacement was named.
Aladdin missed an estimated $8 million payment on August 28 that was needed to keep its books in line. That payment was postponed on several occasions, beginning in May, 2001, as Aladdin's owners negotiated with their financiers. The company also defaulted on a $4.3 million payment for financing to lease furniture, fixtures and equipment and has until September 28, 2001 to resolve the default with General Electric Capital Corp., according to the SEC filing. If executives don't, the Aladdin casino could lose its gaming equipment. Bosses of the $1.05 billion Aladdin have temporarily closed the property's St. James Restaurant.
London Clubs took a $71 million charge in the second quarter on its investment, a massive disappointment that led to the July resignation of London Clubs Chairman Alan Goodenough, 58, who quit citing health problems caused by the stress of operating the Aladdin. Throughout much of August, representatives of the resort's majority owners, the Sommer Family Trust and London Clubs, attempted to reach an agreement that would give the British company a controlling interest in the property. It was reported that it would be easier to operate or sell the megaresort if it were owned by one entity, but talks between the two sides dissolved, with family trust managing partner Jack Sommer apparently seeking concessions for his interest that London Clubs was unwilling to grant.
On September 28, 2001, Aladdin's attorneys went before bankruptcy Judge Robert Jones stating that the resort's situation had become dire. The bankruptcy documents stated "The cash needs of the Debtor are dire and immediate. Unless the debtor obtains ... financing, the Debtor will be forced to terminate its operations."
"There isn't enough money to keep operating through this evening without more funds." - Aladdin bankruptcy attorney Gerald Gordon
Fortunately for the Aladdin and its 2,600 employees, that fate was averted the Sommer Trust and London Clubs International gave their approval for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. With the bankruptcy, the Aladdin received approval for a $9 million loan from its banks -- enough cash to keep open for the next 45 days. The banks, led by the Bank of Nova Scotia, have said they're willing to lend the bankrupt property up to $41 million more, enough to keep the property operating through at least the end of 2002
The property listed liabilities of $593 million and assets of $698 million, though Aladdin attorneys admit the current value of the hotel-casino has yet to be determined. The Aladdin's holding company, which did not file for bankruptcy, holds more than $140 million in separate liabilities. The largest creditors, according to the Aladdin's bankruptcy documents, are the banks, which are owed $434.5 million. That number will rise, depending on how much of the $50 million credit line the Aladdin needs.
The Chapter 11 also stops GE Capital Corp. and GMAC, the Aladdin's lease financiers, from seizing the resort's 2,300 slot machines and other equipment -- something the companies could have done Saturday, following the Aladdin's failure to make a $4.3 million lease payment in early September. It also stops, at least temporarily, the $80 million in annual debt payments the Aladdin had been required to make. Until September, the Aladdin had been recording positive cash flow -- $20.9 million through the first six months of 2001 -- but these debt payments led to big losses: $67.6 million over the first six months of the year. Without those debt payments, the Aladdin would be marginally profitable if business starts to recover. It has yet to be determined how much in debt and lease payments the Aladdin will have to keep making while it is in bankruptcy.
If the Aladdin can once again record positive cash flow, it will give attorneys time to formulate a plan for emerging from bankruptcy. Typically, these plans fall into one of three categories: reorganization, refinancing or sale. In reorganization, the debt payment schedule can be altered, or debtors can agree to take stock in exchange for their debt. The most notable example of such a bankruptcy in Las Vegas was the Stratosphere, where financier Carl Icahn converted his debt holdings in the bankrupt property into stock, giving him majority control of the hotel-casino. If the Aladdin follows a similar path, it could open the door for Park Place Entertainment Corp. to take a position in the resort, as the Las Vegas casino giant holds about one-third of the Aladdin's junk bonds.
In a refinancing, new investors pump needed cash into a bankrupt company, allowing it to emerge from bankruptcy on a more solid financial footing. LCI had been trying to engineer such a deal before the Aladdin fell into bankruptcy. With either of these scenarios, it isn't out of the question that Sommer and LCI could remain in control of the Aladdin.
It is also possible is that the Aladdin could get funds for a makeover while in bankruptcy. Analysts often pointed to the property's layout and entrances as major weaknesses, and had the problems could cost as much as $100 million to fix.
The third possibility is the sale of the Aladdin. If this occurs, proceeds from the sale are simply distributed to creditors until the cash runs out. But a sale can have a disappointing outcome for creditors.
The jinx isn't done with this lady yet, on September 28, 2001, Aladdin Gaming Chief Executive Officer Richard Goeglein hauled Aladdin into court, accusing it of wrongfully firing him 12 days ago. Goeglein accused the resort of trying to avoid payment of a severance package. Goeglein left the resort seven days before it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and one day after the Aladdin warned investors it was at risk of closure.
In announcing Goeglein's departure Sept. 21, the Aladdin didn't specify if he was fired or had resigned. However, Goeglein claimed in the lawsuit he was told by an unidentified Aladdin representative that he was being terminated "for cause." That distinction is crucial. If Goeglein was fired for cause, the Aladdin would only have to pay him salary accrued through the day of his firing. If without cause, Goeglein would be entitled to a severance package. The lawsuit said Goeglein demanded twice that the Aladdin identify the cause for his firing, but has received no response.
For-cause definitions, according to the lawsuit, include gross negligence that isn't corrected after a written warning from the board, the revocation of Goeglein's gaming license, a material breach of Goeglein's employment agreement, embezzlement or conviction of a felony.
Goeglein's employment contract, initiated in January 1997, had a term of five years and six months, and entitled Goeglein to $600,000 per year. The lawsuit said about 40 weeks remained on the contract -- about $475,000 in pay. Goeglein's contract also called for a five-year, $500,000 consulting agreement to begin when his employment contract ended. In addition to these damages, Goeglein is seeking punitive damages for the Aladdin's alleged "malicious, oppressive and fraudulent" actions in relation to his termination.
Even if Goeglein prevails, there are already numerous creditors lining up for payment from the $1.2 billion resort. Goeglein also named Aladdin Gaming's parent company, Aladdin Gaming Holdings LLC, as a defendant. While this entity owns all of Aladdin Gaming's stock, it has not filed for bankruptcy protection.
On November 16, 2001, Bankruptcy Judge Clive Jones approved a $50 million financing plan designed to keep the megaresort open through the end of 2002. Jones previously agreed to a plan that saw a $9 million portion of the loan advanced after Aladdin's bankruptcy filing. The megaresort's operators had gone through $4.6 million of that total by Wednesday as the fortunes of the resort were further damaged by the impact of the worldwide travel decline that followed the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Aladdin lawyers said that the $50 million loan will be sufficient to pay employee salaries and other bills through next year because the property is expected to generate positive cash flow during the next 13 months. Aladdin owes its banks slightly less than $435 million, with the financial institutions holding a deed of trust on the property as collateral. As part of the agreement, London Clubs will pay as much as $15 million within the next seven years to a syndicate of banks led by the Bank of Nova Scotia, which arranged the financing of Aladdin Gaming's $440 million bank debt. Aladdin bankers were also given the right to acquire 5% of the company's publicly traded stock if its share price hits $.71. No timetable was announced for such a stock deal.
In 2001, Theatre For The Performing Arts showcased Blues Clues Live (8/10-12), Sara Brightman (3/3), Cats (10/9-14), Earth, Wind & Fire/Rufus w/Chaka Khan (10/7), Fame (4/22), Fosse (5/22-26), Kool & The Gang (2/8-10), Les Miserables (9/1-23), Stevie Nicks (8/25 & 10/5-6), Riverdance the Show (2/13-18), SHeDAISY (6/23), Marco Antonio Solis (9/15), String Cheese Incident (7/27-28), Super Diamond (6/9), Third Annual Winning Way Success Seminar featuring Reggie Jackson/Magic Johnson/John Elway (6/16).
The Blue Note Jazz Club showcased Gato Babieri (thru 3/3), Regina Belle (1/8-13), BET Awards After Party (6/19), Larry Carlton (1/15-20), Funky Meters (3/8), Bebel Gilberto (2/18), Dizzy Gillespie & Alumni Allstars (2/19), Buddy's Big Band Brunch (7/1), Buddy Greco Big Band, (6/28-30), Spryo Gyra (2/12-17), Ben E. King (3/26-31), Cleo Laine & John Dankworth (1/22-28), Jane Monheit (6/7-9), Lucky Peterson/KCI & JoJo After Party (6/14-15), and Pancho Sanchez (5/17-19).
In the typical Aladdin style, she certainly isn't giving up. In light of her bankruptcy and all the bad luck that this lady has encountered, she is announcing her new spa. In keeping with the 1,001 nights theme, the new Elemis Spa celebrated its grand opening on February 12, 2002.
The $13.5 million spa is spread out on about 32,000 square feet on the Mezzanine level of the resort near the London Club. Six Exotic Sensory Suites, Casablanca, Zegora, Sahara, Tangiers, Marrakech, and Arabesque are decorated with furniture from Moroccan antiquity.
In the Casablanca Suite, couples can relax in a large Jacuzzi bath infused with jasmine and then enjoy a massage while lying side by side. In the Marrakech and Arabesque suites guests can immerse in a slipper bath before the signature Jasmine Lulur ritual, Balinese Boreh hot spice ritual, the MOroccan scrub bathing ritual or the Moorish jasmine bathing ritual administered with endless cups of mint tea.
The Spa also includes a 3,000 square foot fitness room which contains treadmills, cross-trainers, steppers, recumbent bikes, upright bikes and free weights and is opened 6:00am-7:00pm. Certified Personal Trainers are available. to help you get the most from your work-out.
In 2002, lounges contained in the resort were London Club, Sinbads Lounge, Blue Note Las Vegas Cafe, & Blue Note Jazz Club.
In 2002, Theatre for the Performing Arts showcased Laila Ali v. Suzy Taylor (8/17), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (4/2-7), Blast! (10/22-27), Cinderella featuring the Tchailkovsky Ballet Theatre (4/16-17), Elvis: The Concert (8/24), Dan Fogelberg (6/29), Juan Gabriel/Ana Gabriel (5/26), Guys and Dolls (5/14-19), John Mellencamp (8/3), Bonnie Raitt/Lyle Lovett (9/10), Rent (4/23-28), Spirit of the Dance (2/12-17), Super Bowl Party (2/3), and ZZ Top (5/11).
The Blue Note Jazz Club showcased Brian Auger's Obliivion Express (5/27-6/1), Avishai Cohen & the International Vamp Band (4/15-20), Roy Ayers (6/10-15), Blue Note Jam Session (2/3; 2/10), Jimmy Bruno Quartet (5/13-18), Great Women of Jazz (2/11-16), Grant Green Jr. (3/4-9), Lucky Peterson (6/17-22), Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio (5/20-25), Hilton Ruiz (2/18-23), Jam Session (4/14), Bill Watrous Quartet (2/4-9), and Alvin Youngblood Hart (5/6-11).
On June 20, 2003, Bankruptcy Judge Clive Jones refused to accept offers from other interested bidders, effectively approving Planet Hollywood's $635 million offer to buy the Aladdin. Jones ruled two other offers weren't clearly better than the Planet Hollywood bid, then approved Aladdin Gaming's request to name the group fronted by Planet Hollywood Chairman Robert Earl as the winning bidder. The ownership transfer will take place after the Planet Hollywood ownership group, including Earl, Doug Teitelbaum of Bay Harbour Management and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide are licensed by Nevada gaming regulators. Teitelbaum kissed Earl when Jones said he would follow creditors' wishes and refuse to accept one of the competing bids as a bona fide "higher and better" offer, a requirement of the sales procedure order he issued last month. The new ownership group exchanged hugs all around. Note that Planet Hollywood chain has sought bankruptcy protection twice itself.
"This is an emotional time for me. This has been an incredible effort, and I couldn't be happier." - Robert Earl
The property will be renamed Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino, a Sheraton Hotel, and the hotel will be managed by Starwood and participate in its reservation systems and frequent guest programs. Earl said he plans to transform the megaresort, using $90 million to dramatically improve its Strip frontage, including using Planet Hollywood's logo to create a giant blue globe entryway.
The top two all-suite floors of the property will be rethemed, with the top floor hosting "celebrity suites" that will be themed based on the life and work of leading movie stars, entertainers and athletes. The next-to-top floor's rooms will carry movie themes. A television studio overlooking the Strip is planned, as are weekly movie premieres, Earl said.
Earl, known for his friendships with many celebrities and for his ability to attract stars to openings for his Planet Hollywood restaurants, pledged that the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino opening night will be one to remember. He declined to say what he has in store, but insiders noted his personal friendship with singers Elton John and Rod Stewart, suggesting that they might be part of an opening extravaganza. Earl does plan to keep Aladdin's 2,000-plus work force.
"They've performed wonderfully during a difficult time and they'll all make superb Planet Hollywooders." - Robert Earl
Several employees working at the Aladdin were asked after the court hearing about the winning bid, but they said they were told not to comment. Earl's group already paid a $12.5 million deposit, and must pay another $5 million by Monday. The buyers are also assuming $510 million in Aladdin debt owed to bankers and leaseholders. Two other bidders made pitches to buy the property during Friday's marathon bankruptcy court session. Financial Capital Investment Co. fronted a group that offered terms close to those offered by Earl, with a bit more cash up front, but Jones said he would follow creditors' guidance in refusing to qualify the group's bid as better than Planet Hollywood's.
Creditor lawyers said they were unwilling to allow Financial Capital to assume their $510 million in Aladdin debt, even though the group promised to pay down the amount by $45 million in cash after closing. Creditor lawyers also said they were troubled by the uncertain nature of Financial Capital's deal with Marriott International to run the hotel. Winning bids would have had to top the Planet Hollywood bid by at least $7.5 million, the amount that Planet would have received if another bidder won an auction for the Aladdin. Failed bidder Richard Alter of Financial Capital said he wished Earl and his team the best of luck.
A second group, Meruelo Group LLC, initially offered $510 million in cash but upped its offer to $530 million in court Friday. But creditors were unwilling to accept the bid, partly because the group had failed to pay the required $12.5 million deposit on time, instead depositing only $7.5 million in escrow. The group's cash offer required it to borrow $330 million, but the creditors said the money wasn't guaranteed to be there.
Former Green Valley Ranch boss Mike Mecca has been signed to run the hotel-casino. Mecca said he expects to apply for gaming regulators' permission to begin working in the casino in an observer's role until the new group is licensed.
In 2003, the Theatre for the Performating Arts is showcasing Miss Saigon (5/13-18); Friday Fight Night w/Alejandro Barrera v. Jorge Lacierva (5/23); Blues Brothers (5/24); Crosby, Still & Nash (5/31); Classical Mystery Tour (6/7);Bowzer's Ultimate Doo Wop Party (6/14); Weird Al Yankovic (6/21); B2K featuring Marques Houton/Mario/Nick Cannon/D.J. Justin Spalding (7/4); D.L. Hughley/Mike Epps/Bruce Bruce (7/5); Mariachi Festival (7/13); Sound of Music (7/23-26); Jackson Browne featuring Steve Earle/Keb Mo (7/27); and Kirov Ballet (9/6-7).
The Centerstage Showroom showcased Society of Seven (indefinitely, dark Mondays); and X (indefinitely, dark Mondays).
Click Here to see various souvenirs. This will open in a new window.
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