The Imperial Palace: From Vegas Royalty to...The Quad? A Hilarious History
Las Vegas, the city of bright lights, questionable life choices, and enough buffets to feed a small nation. But even in Sin City, empires rise and fall. Today, we're investigating the curious case of the Imperial Palace: a hotel with a checkered past, a near-swastika snafu, and a name change that would make your ancestors roll in their royal tombs.
From Humble Beginnings to...Not-So-Humble Beginnings?
The Imperial Palace opened its doors in 1979, promising an experience fit for Caesar himself (though maybe with slightly less toga-wearing). However, unlike the Roman Empire, the Imperial Palace wasn't exactly destined for world domination. The decor was...interesting, let's say. Think more "budget disco" than "imperial grandeur." There were even rumors the building was designed to resemble a swastika from above! Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, and the final design was, well, not a giant Nazi symbol.
Caesars Takes the Throne (But Not the Name...Yet)
In 2005, Harrah's Entertainment (now Caesars Entertainment) swept in and purchased the Imperial Palace for a cool $370 million. Many Vegas veterans braced themselves for the inevitable demolition. After all, who wants a slightly-shabby Imperial Palace next to their gleaming new resort? Surprisingly, Harrah's opted for a makeover instead. Perhaps they were scared of the ghosts of disappointed Roman emperors.
The Great Renaming: From Imperial to...Huh?
Fast forward to 2012. The Imperial Palace is due for a name change. Maybe they were finally tired of the disco-vomit aesthetic, or perhaps the whole "not-quite-swastika" thing kept coming up in awkward conversations. Either way, Caesars throws out a bunch of suggestions, finally settling on...The Quad. Yes, you read that right. The "Imperial Palace" became "The Quad," which sounds more like a college dorm building than a luxurious Las Vegas resort.
The Quad: Finding Its Footing (and New Carpeting)
The Quad opened its doors in 2012 after a massive renovation. Thankfully, the disco ball theme was mercifully put to rest. The Quad offered a more modern, upscale vibe, complete with a swanky new entrance to the LINQ, a popular outdoor entertainment district.
While The Quad doesn't quite have the ring of "Imperial Palace," it's certainly a step up from budget disco. And hey, at least it's not accidentally shaped like a giant Nazi symbol!
Frequently Asked Questions (Vegas Edition)
How to find The Quad? Just look for the giant neon sign that doesn't say "Imperial Palace" anymore. You can't miss it (probably).
How to experience true Vegas opulence? Maybe skip The Quad and head to one of the flashier resorts on the Strip. But hey, The Quad has its own charm (if slightly faded grandeur is your thing).
How to avoid accidentally offending someone with your Vegas hotel choice? The Quad is a safe bet. Unless, of course, you accidentally offend someone with your questionable poker skills.
How to tell if a rumor about a Vegas hotel is true? There's a good chance it is. But hey, that's half the fun of Vegas, right?
How to have a great time in Vegas, regardless of where you stay? Easy! Bring your sense of adventure, a healthy dose of skepticism, and enough cash to avoid ending up on a pawn shop reality show.
