Sonya Padgett of the Las Vegas Review Journal reports on a casino trend that’s been taking place over the past few years.  I call it The “blanding of Las Vegas.” The unique elements, styles, and characteristics of some large casinos are being dumbed down and succumbing to hip, modern, yet unidentifiable interior and exterior environments.

Nefertiti’s Lounge is gone, the Nile will probably never run through Las Vegas again and it could very well take an archaeology degree to find a hieroglyphic in the Luxor casino these days. The street lamps of New York-New York have been snuffed out. Treasure Island’s skull and crossbones belongs to a sign museum now but may as well have been sent to a watery grave. Years ago, the yellow brick road met its dead end at MGM Grand.

It’s the newest method of remodeling in Las Vegas: taking the theme out of themed hotels.

Standing on the strip in front of Treasure Island a few years back I looked up at the new sign wondering how exactly the newly branded “TI” was more appealing and attractive than “Treasure Island.”

I like some of the locals’ comments who question the need for change. People go TO Vegas for a fantasy/new experience. So why make the casinos look like nothing more than glossier versions of the midwest big box gambling halls?

Full article.