Just off the Strip on Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas' newest casino roared to
life Dec. 3 with a grand-opening celebration that included the usual
executive remarks along with ceremonies and performances that nod to the
resort's positioning as an "authentic Asian cultural and gaming
experience."
Thunderous taiko drummers summoned guests to the
Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino porte cochere, where the festivities
featured the Dragon and Lion Eye-Opening Ceremony (featuring people in
traditional costumes), dances and crackling Chinese fireworks. Before
entering the casino, the 'lions' ate heads of lettuce hanging from the
doorway, an act believed to bring wealth and good fortune to the
property. The lions and dragons then formed a procession that wound its
way around the casino floor and through the resort as players tried
their luck at the slots and tables.
A King Room at the Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino Photo Credit: Larry Hanna/Courtesy Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino
Lucky Dragon, which includes
203 rooms and suites in a nine-story hotel tower, was built from the
ground up with an explicit focus on providing a cultural experience to
both Asian and non-Asian guests alike.
That experience is
represented by a 27,500-square-foot casino floor where table games such
as baccarat and pai gow dominate, an indoor/outdoor tea garden with a
list of 50 teas developed by a tea sommelier and five restaurants
serving Asian street food, dim sum, bao, seafood and modern Chinese
fare. Signage, in Chinese first and English second, and a multilingual
staff cater to guests. A stunning, 23-foot dragon chandelier made of 762
individual glass scales serves as the centerpiece for the resort,
hoping to bring good fortune to everyone below.
"This project
was such a tremendous undertaking and, from the very beginning, we
wanted to be sure that every aspect of the hotel and casino was not only
culturally accurate and respectful, but approachable and accessible to
all," Lucky Dragon COO Dave Jacoby said.
At 10:30 p.m. during
the grand opening, guests and executives toasted the new casino with
glasses of cognac and flutes of Champagne.
"Seeing it all come
together, knowing that everyone involved absolutely nailed each and
every detail, has been exciting," Jacoby said. "Now we look forward to
operating, and growing, Las Vegas' premier cultural epicenter."