# Escape to Paradise (Briefly): Remembering the Polynesian Hotel and Casino Las Vegas **Location:** Polynesian Hotel and Casino Las Vegas Journey back to the 1980s with this vintage Las Vegas history post! Discover the short-lived Polynesian Hotel & Casino – a tropical oasis on Tropicana Avenue, & its fascinating transformations. #vintageLasVegas #LasVegasHistory URL: https://vintage-vegas.com/posts/polynesian-hotel-and-casino-las-vegas/ Last updated: 2026-02-28 --- ## A Constant State of Change on [Tropicana](/posts/tropicana-country-club-las-vegas/) Avenue The Las Vegas Strip has always been a place of reinvention. Properties rise and fall, themes morph, and names change with astonishing frequency. A prime example of this phenomenon is the building currently known as the OYO Hotel & Casino, located at 115 East [Tropicana](/posts/tropicana-country-club-las-vegas/) Avenue. Its history is a testament to the restless spirit of Las Vegas, and its brief stint as the Polynesian Hotel and Casino is a particularly fascinating chapter. Originally a Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge, the property’s identity has undergone a series of dramatic shifts since the 1970s. It cycled through names like [Paradise](/posts/paradise-hotel-and-casino-las-vegas/), [20th Century](/posts/20th-century-hotel-and-casino-las-vegas/), Treasury, and Pacifica before, in 1985, it was reborn as the Polynesian Hotel and Casino. This marked a deliberate attempt to capitalize on the burgeoning tropical-themed resort trend, albeit on a smaller, more budget-friendly scale. ## Island Time… For a Little While The Polynesian aimed for a distinctly tropical vibe. Think tiki décor, lush landscaping (intended to evoke a South Pacific oasis), and a promise of island escapism – a mini-vacation right on the edge of the Strip. The casino itself was designed to reflect this theme, and the hotel rooms, while modest, offered a thematic alternative to the increasingly opulent mega-resorts cropping up nearby. It was a clever strategy, targeting convention attendees and budget travelers who craved atmosphere without the hefty price tag of a Caesars Palace or MGM Grand. The 1980s were a time of big dreams and bold experiments in Las Vegas. The Polynesian’s branding was a perfect embodiment of that era—the belief that you could transport visitors, even briefly, to another world. It offered a distinct identity in a sea of glitz, promising a more intimate and relaxed experience. ## A Brief, But Memorable, Run Unfortunately, the Polynesian Hotel and Casino's run was short-lived. Despite its imaginative concept and clever marketing, the property struggled financially. The underlying instability of the land itself, reflecting a wider problem of several attempts at different ownership and branding, ultimately sealed its fate. In 1989, the Polynesian name vanished, replaced by the [Hotel San Remo](/posts/hotel-san-remo-las-vegas/). This signaled a strategic shift, attempting to attract a different clientele. The transformations didn't stop there; it later evolved into the Hooters Casino Hotel, and ultimately became the OYO Hotel & Casino we know today. ## A Legacy of Reinvention While the Polynesian Hotel and Casino may no longer exist as a physical entity, its legacy lives on. It serves as a potent reminder of Las Vegas’s relentless pursuit of novelty and its willingness to embrace – and discard – themes in the name of progress and profitability. The property’s journey exemplifies the fleeting nature of trends in a city constantly striving to reinvent itself. It's a snapshot of a particular moment in Las Vegas history, a brief, tropical dream that ultimately faded, leaving behind a compelling story of transformation and the ever-changing landscape of the Las Vegas Strip.

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