On our drive back from Flagstaff to Los Angeles, we decided to do a pit stop at Las Vegas, this time staying at The Mirage Las Vegas! You can’t miss this property along The Strip. It is instantly recognisable from the erupting “volcano” visible from traffic and pedestrians along The Strip since it opened back in 1989.
However, Hard Rock International has since acquired the property from MGM Resorts International back in 2022, and major renovation and refurbishment works have since commenced. In its place will stand a newly erected guitar-shaped hotel tower right on the site of the iconic volcano. Upon its completion, the entire property will be rebranded to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
As our trip took place before construction works officially commenced, our stay was not interrupted by the impending works. Check-in was straightforward upon our arrival, and we were glad to have been assigned a room facing The Strip!
The layout was fairly standard, no surprises there. It was a shame that the windows weren’t floor-to-ceiling though.
The bathroom had seen better days, but since we were only staying for the night enroute to Los Angeles, we weren’t too fussed about that.
Touring the premises, we ventured to the resort pool that featured cascading waterfalls, which was a key highlight of this facility.
The fitness centre was massive, featuring countless rows of cardio machines and then some. Funnily enough we thought the fitness centre was grossly under utilised, given that most guests would have been down at the casino floor.
The Spa & Salon was also available for guests to pamper themselves during their stay.
Part of the property featured a huge glass dome, which housed towering palm trees and some water features too. The guest towers are clearly visible towering above the glass dome.
At night, the exteriors come to life, starting with the low rumbling that signals the start of the volcanic spectacular several times a night. Accompanied with realistic sound effects, bright orange and red lights illuminate the manmade volcano with jets of water and balls of fire spewing metres above the volcano. The free show literally stops traffic along The Strip.
It’s a pity that with the takeover of the property by Hard Rock International, the volcano will now cease to exist. In fact, a petition to save the volcano fell through, and the icon will now be relegated to the Las Vegas archives.
Only time will tell how the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will fare. As with most developments in the hotel industry, it’s almost always out with the old and in with the new. Overall, it’s bittersweet to see The Mirage fade away from the Las Vegas Strip, but it sure did wow guests for some 30 years since it opened its doors in the late 80s!
