Las Vegas' seven deadliest sins...don't include the Imperial Palace

The Chicago Tribune's March 13, 2005 Travel Section article "Vegas's Seven Deadly Sins" really hammers the venerable Imperial Palace.

Author Steve Friess writes "The Casino Gold deal at the Imperial Palace (3535 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-731-3311). The IP thrives mainly because of its center-Strip location, but that's no excuse for blowing $85 a night for a weekend of tramping through an obnoxious casino with a section where cards are dealt by low-rent Elvis and Michael Jackson impersonators. The Casino Gold package—which wisely replaces their notoriously horrific room-of-mirrors-everywhere Luv Tub offerings of years past—includes a gym day pass that's invalid on Fridays and Saturdays, passes to a squalid buffet that's invalid for dinner and a why-bother $5 blackjack matchplay. Granted, the newly updated deluxe rooms are more palatable and the free passes to the auto collection are worth a half-hour of fun."

As an alternative Friess recommends the new off strip Westin Casuarina Hotel and Spa (160 E. Flamingo Rd.; 702-836-9775) . This property is newer and significanly more expensive than the Imperial Palace. Despite what he says we believe the location is not "at least as good" as the Imperial Palace.

When selling Las Vegas to first time visitors we often recommend staying at the Imperial Palace. Why? Location. A friendly looser casino. And the most affordable room rates in the center strip area . No one will confuse the Imperial Palace with the Bellagio. The elevators are slow and crowded. The buffets can be better. We've eaten at better ones for less money. But the Imperial Palace remains one of the few, if any others still exist, non-corporate locally owned casinos on the strip, a leader in hiring handicapped employees, and great value for someone visiting Las Vegas wanting to walk to the great surrounding Mega resorts. You can't beat the location. The rooms are clean. The monorail station is an easy walking distance at the back of the resort. The Casino Gold package is meant to keep you playing at the Imperial Palace. As far as one of Las Vegas' deadliest sins, don't rule out the Imperial Palace. It is find.