Aliante Station opens its doors

By Amanda Finnegan

Published Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 | 1:09 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 | 11:35 p.m.

UPDATED: Fireworks mark opening of Aliante Station

Station Casinos opened the doors Tuesday night of its latest venture, Aliante Station.

Set on a 40-acre lot within the Aliante community, Aliante Station general manager Joe Hasson calls the property “a resort for locals.” Station executives said they aimed for the high-end feel of Red Rock Resort and Casino and Green Valley Ranch, but with cheaper rates and more gaming to appeal to locals.

"Aliante Station was designed to be a warm, welcoming, exciting entertainment destination for locals that blends the natural beauty of the area with all the amenities and conveniences that have become synonymous with the Station Casinos brand," Hasson said.

The $662 million joint venture between Station Casinos and the Greenspun Corporation, which publishes the Las Vegas Sun, began with a groundbreaking in February 2007.

Aliante is opening during a rough time for the Las Vegas economy. On Monday, Station reported a loss of $23.4 million for the quarter ending Sept. 30. That compares to income of $3.7 million for the third quarter in 2007.

Station's earnings, before certain expenses, fell 13 percent in the third quarter to $108.7 million. The company said Monday it was unclear when market conditions might improve.

The hotel has 202 guest rooms and nine upscale suites. Standard room rates will range from $49 to $189.

Gaming options will include 2,500 slot machines, 40 table games, a 12-table poker room and a 170-seat race and sports book with 96 feet of plasma TVs. Aliante will have six restaurants, including T.G.I Friday’s, The Original Pancake House, Pips Cucina, Wine Bar and MRKT Sea and Land.

Aliante marked its grand opening Tuesday night with an 11-minute fireworks show for the property’s first guests and gamers.