A Quiet Hub in a Growing City

Las Vegas history isn’t just about the glittering Strip. It’s about the surrounding neighborhoods, the businesses that fueled its boom, and the lodging options that accommodated the ever-increasing influx of visitors. Nestled just east of the Strip, at 294 Convention Center Drive, stood the Somerset House Motel, a prime example of the mid-century motor inn that quietly underpinned the city’s growth. Opened in 1963, it served as a comfortable, convenient, and relatively affordable alternative to the pricier resorts, catering to a diverse clientele ranging from convention attendees to families on vacation.

Beyond the Mom-and-Pop: Comfort and Convenience

The Somerset House wasn’t your typical roadside motel. Designed with three stories and 104 rooms, it struck a balance between the smaller, independently-run motels and the sprawling, luxury resorts that were beginning to define the Strip. It aimed for a higher standard of comfort and service, reflecting the rising expectations of travelers in the 1960s. Vintage postcards touted its “spacious, luxuriously furnished” rooms, and the amenities truly set it apart. 80 rooms featured kitchenettes, a remarkable perk for families wanting to stretch their budgets. Direct-dial phones, TV and radio (a new luxury!), central air conditioning and heating – all were cutting-edge conveniences for the era.

A Full-Service Experience

The Somerset House understood that travelers needed more than just a place to sleep. It offered a full-service experience with an on-site restaurant, cocktail lounge, and coffee shop. An Olympic-size, heated swimming pool provided a welcome respite from the desert heat, and an electric elevator – another luxury not always found in motor inns – catered to guests of all ages and abilities. The complimentary coffee in the mornings was a simple but appreciated touch. Its proximity to both the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Strip proved hugely popular, especially for those attending trade shows or seeking a more budget-friendly option within walking distance of the action.

Lost to Progress

The Somerset House found itself surrounded by other Kishner-developed properties along Convention Center Drive, a testament to the area’s boom. However, as the decades passed, the economics shifted. The land’s value soared, and maintaining a mid-century motel became increasingly challenging. Sadly, the Somerset House’s era came to an end. It closed around 2010 and was demolished in 2011, erasing a piece of Las Vegas’s history. Irwin Kishner, the developer behind the property and many others along the corridor, noted its disappearance with a degree of regret. Today, the site remains vacant, a poignant reminder of a quieter, more accessible Las Vegas that’s now largely vanished. While new developments constantly reshape the city, the Somerset House serves as a tangible link to the motels and inns that played a critical role in Las Vegas’s evolution.