Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Jerry Fink: DaSilva puts no limits on refurbished Artisan

Doug DaSilva bristles when he talks about misleading stories that have been printed about his boutique hotel, the Artisan, tucked away in a corner at 1501 W. Sahara Ave., just east of Interstate 15.

"They infer the hotel caters to gays," he said, sitting in a stuffed black-leather chair in the hotel's lounge.

The 49-year-old DaSilva says he welcomes all guests who are looking for a quiet, unique place to stay in Las Vegas. But this is not a venue that targets the alternative-lifestyle folks, he says.

Sometimes the Artisan is confused with the Blue Moon Resort, just around the corner -- a 47-room hotel for gay males that opened three years ago.

When DaSilva bought the former Travelodge Hotel in 2001, the purchase included the Blue Moon before it focused on an alternative lifestyle.

Both properties are in the general vicinity of I-15 and West Sahara Avenue.

"After I bought the property, I immediately sold the Blue Moon," DaSilva said.

Since buying the Travelodge and turning it into the Artisan Hotel & Spa (it actually will be another 90 days or so before the full-service spa is complete), he and his wife have devoted their time to making it one of the most interesting -- and eclectic -- places in town.

The lounge includes a 60-foot bar and deep, leather sofas and armchairs.

The walls -- and the ceilings -- are adorned with reproductions of art by the masters.

Everywhere you look, the eye catches paintings by Renoir, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Chagall, Cezanne and others.

Each of the 64 rooms in the hotel is dedicated to one of the masters. You'll be able to choose from rooms such as the Michelangelo Suite and the Chagall Suite.

Hallways are lined with hundreds of reproductions.

To say the facility is ornate is an understatement. A 15-foot-tall fountain adorns the center of the lobby. Bronze statues are everywhere. Walls are dark mahogany.

Several large, empty picture frames hang from the ceiling in the lounge, creating a surrealistic effect.

Doors that weigh hundreds of pounds open into a chapel whose ancient pews were rescued from a church and cut down to fit the small room.

There is a comfortable quietness about the lounge and the hotel.

It isn't a place where you go to get rowdy.

You won't find a jukebox in the corner or neon signs on the walls.

There is no happy hour or free food to draw in a crowd just looking for cheap drinks and something to eat.

"Our drinks aren't real expensive, but they aren't cheap, either," DaSilva said.

You won't find any gaming machines implanted in the bar.

"I believe they are a distraction," he said.

There is background music for entertainment most nights.

Frank Sinatra tribute artist Ryan Baker performs in the lounge Friday and Saturday nights.

For more than four years the Artisan has been a labor of love for DaSilva.

Little remains from its Travelodge days.

The property surrounding the hotel is richly landscaped, enclosing it in its own little world -- a world where everyone is welcome.

Lounging around

Dueling pianists Donnie Kehr and David Mauk perform at Paris Las Vegas' Napoleon's Lounge from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays through Thursdays and on Sundays; and from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Vocalist/pianist Shelly Taylor has two gigs at the new Wynn Las Vegas. She may be seen and heard in the B-Bar as part of a duo from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays. Taylor performs in the Parasol Up as part of a trio from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays and Mondays.

In the Plaza's funky Omaha Lounge are the Sunspots, Mojo, Six-Five-0 and the Stinson Brotherz. The lounge also features Kathy Lamar and Mary Williams, formerly of the Shirelles.

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