Established In: 1973
Former Name: Hooters Casino Hotel (2006–2019)
Owner: Oyo Hotels and Homes
Number of Rooms: 696
Location: Tropicana Avenue, next to Tropicana Resort
*Other Former Names:Howard Johnson Hotel (1973–1975), Paradise (1975-1976), 20th Century (1977-1978), Treasury (1978–1985), Pacifica (1985), Polynesian (1985–1989), Hôtel San Rémo (1989–2006)
Hotels in Las Vegas seem to always be under some sort of remodeling or rebranding. Each year there are changes in ownership or brands that no longer fit the times. This is true of the Oyo Casino Hotel, which, if you are visiting it in 2020, may still have some of the branding from the old Hooters Casino Hotel still around. The full rebrand will be complete sometime in 2020, but for now, let’s look at the hotel and what it has to offer.
A brief history of Oyo Casino Hotel
With a location just off the southern end of the Strip, this property should have been a prime spot for players and travelers alike. What started as a Howard Johnson all the way back in 1973 has changed names and themes many times over the years. The longest tenure it had until the 2000s was as the San Remo, an Italian-themed hotel and casino that was popular until the sale of two-thirds of the company to a group of investors led by Hooters. A full rebrand was done in 2006, and from then the property took on the look and feel of the restaurant chain with the same name.
The Hooters Hotel and Casino had a good run with a specific demographic for many years, but ultimately the scantily-clad women didn’t fit with the changing of the times. The sale to Oyo Hotels and Homes brought with it another renovation, which is ongoing in early 2020.
Gaming at Oyo Casino Hotel
With a location near the busy intersection of Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard, the Oyo Casino is in a prime spot for attracting a walk-up crowd to go along with the number of hotel guests who will stay and play in the casino. The casino floor is only 35,000 square feet, which makes it a much more intimate gambling experience. There are 22 table games tables available for those fans of roulette and blackjack, amongst other games. T hose tables are surrounded by almost 700 slot machines that vary in both game detail and in minimum bet. All told, there is enough gambling available at Oyo to keep everyone who wants to play entertained.
Top 3 Suites at Oyo Casino Hotel
With the remodel of the hotel, there will once again be a modernizing of the rooms. This includes some suites which are available to those looking to upgrade their Las Vegas accommodations. When the rooms are completely renovated, we will update this area of the page, but we can tell you that the suites range in size from 700 to 1,000 square feet and feature jacuzzi tubs along with the top amenities. Some of these suites feature an amazing view of all the lights of the Las Vegas Strip, while others overlook the pool, which is always hopping during the day.
Top 3 Dining Options at Oyo Casino Hotel
The restaurant options currently at Oyo are not for those who are looking for fine dining. There are some great spots to hang out, grab some delicious food, and have a few drinks all with a very casual vibe, which is great for those looking to transition from the pool to a meal to a night on the town without having to spend hours at the dinner table. Here are a couple of highlights.
Hooters Bar and Grill
Of course, we had to mention the restaurant that the hotel was once named after! The only holdout from the sale in 2019, Hooters is the place to be for great wings, to check out the game, and to have some icy cold beers to wash down your meal.
The Porch
If you like to hang by the pool during the day when you are in Vegas, then the Porch is the perfect spot to sit in the shade of the hot sun end enjoy some great food and drinks. The menu is light, so you won’t feel like a nap on your pool chair unless, of course, you indulge in one too many of the amazing signature cocktails on the menu.
Steak and Shake
This is one of the best burger chains in the entire country, and the Oyo casino is the place to grab one of their premium burgers in Las Vegas. Many people don’t know that Steak and Shake are also home to some incredible breakfasts, which is very likely going to be at the top of your list to shake off the effects of the night before.
The One Thing You Can’t Miss at Oyo Casino Hotel
Oyo is undergoing a massive renovation project, which should always draw your attention. When a Vegas resort changes the name and the look, the paint on the walls is fresh, but there is also typically a great vibe that matches the new look and feel. If you are planning to hang out at the resort and you are staying there, you should definitely take advantage of the O-WOW pass. This entertainment pass gives you one ticket to every show at the resort, a nightly happy hour featuring free drinks and food, and a bunch of other perks. All of that comes to you at the cost of only $20 at check-in. That’s less than a couple of hands of blackjack, so even if you only go to the free happy hours, it is worth the investment. Make sure to ask about it when you check in as this offer expires after that moment, and you wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity to check out everything that Oyo has to offer.