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'{{Infobox Casino | logo=Luxor Las Vegas logo.svg | casino=Luxor Las Vegas | theme=[[Thebes, Egypt|Thebes]] | address=3900 Las Vegas Blvd South. <br/>[[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]] 89119 | coordinates = {{Coord|36|5|43.67|N|115|10|32.94|W|type:landmark_region:US-NV|display=inline,title}} | image=Sphinx at the Luxor 2.jpg | image_size=250px | rooms=4,407 | date_opened=October 15, 1993 | space_gaming={{convert|120000|sqft|abbr=on}} | attractions=LAX Nightclub<br>Cathouse<br>Ultra Lounge<br>Noir Bar<br>''[[Atrium (architecture)|Atrium]] Level''<br>Aurora<br> Liquidity<br>Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition<br>Bodies…The Exhibition | shows=''[[Jabbawockeez]]<br>[[Carrot Top]]''<br>''Fantasy''<br> ''[[Criss Angel Believe]]''<br> ''[[Menopause the Musical]]'' | restaurants=TENDER steak & seafood<br>T&T<br>Public House<br>Rice and Company | owner=[[MGM Resorts International]] | casino_type=Land-Resort | renovations=1998, 2007, 2008, 2009 | website=[http://www.luxor.com www.luxor.com] }} '''Luxor Las Vegas''' is a [[hotel]] and [[casino]] on the [[Las Vegas Strip]] in [[Paradise, Nevada]]. The 30-story hotel, owned and operated by [[MGM Resorts International]], has a {{convert|120,000|sqft|adj=on}} casino with over 2,000 slot machines and 87 table games.<ref name=JAMM_2010>{{cite journal |last1=Rudd |first1=Denis |last2=Mills |first2=Richard |year=2010 |title= Evolution and development of metro-casinos|journal= Journal of Management & Marketing Research|publisher= |volume= |issue= |page=2 |url=http://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/09310.pdf |doi= }}</ref><ref name=MGMOWNS_2010>{{cite news |title= MGM aims to adopt a new name |author=Howard Stutz |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=21 April 2010 |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-strategy-company/14328304-1.html }}</ref><ref name=LuxorPR>{{cite web | url=http://www.luxor.com/press_room/press_room_releases_template.aspx?ID=100| title=Luxor Las Vegas Fact Sheet - press kit |author=MGM Resorts International |year=2010 | work=Luxor.com | accessdate=12 November 2010 }}</ref> In the 2008 to 2009 renovation, it has a new, highly modernized, and contemporary design and contains a total of 4,400 rooms, including 442 suites, lining the interior walls of a [[pyramid]] style tower and within twin 22-story [[ziggurat]] towers that were built as later additions.<ref name="JAMM_2010"/><ref name=LuxorPR /><ref name=Farewell_07>{{cite news |title=Farewell to Egypt |author=Howard Stutz |newspaper=The Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=12 July 2007 |url=http://www.lvrj.com/business/8451727.html}}</ref><ref name=Texas_2003>{{cite journal |last1=Caine |first1=Rachel |last2= |first2= |year=2003 |title= The Best Game in Town |journal= Texas Monthly|publisher= |volume= |issue= |page=73 |url=http://business.highbeam.com/410545/article-1G1-75309601/best-game-town |doi= }}</ref> The hotel is named after the city of [[Luxor]] (ancient [[Thebes (Egypt)|Thebes]]) in [[Egypt]].<ref name=CST_92>{{cite news |title=Luxor casino: 30-story pyramid |author= |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=26 April 1992 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4107334.html }}</ref> Luxor is the second largest hotel in Las Vegas (the largest being the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas|MGM Grand]]) and the eighth largest in the world.<ref name=FootwearNews>{{cite journal |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |year=2009 |title=Checking In: The World's 10 Largest Hotels & Resorts |journal= Footwear News |publisher= |volume=65|issue= |page=97 |url=http://www.wwd.com/footwear-news/checking-in-the-worlds-10-largest-hotels-resorts-2222312 |doi= }}</ref> As of 2010, the Luxor has a 4 Key rating from the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, which evaluates "sustainable" hotel operations.<ref name="greenkeyforbes">{{cite news|last=Vartan|first=Starre|title=Bellagio, MGM Grand, other hotels earn high ratings from Green Key|url=http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/25/las-vegas-mgm-technology-greenkey.html|accessdate=13 January 2011|newspaper=Forbes|date=25 August 2010}}</ref> ==History== [[File:Luxor casino and hotel-20070722.jpg|thumb|left|250px|View of the pyramid also showing the two additional hotel towers]] Ground was broken for the Luxor in April 1991 and the resort officially opened eighteen months later at 4 AM on October 15, 1993, to a crowd of 10,000 people.<ref name="RMN_94"/><ref name=Ground>{{cite news |title=Co-op Owners Buy Westchester Land |author= |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=25 April 1992 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1002644.html}}</ref><ref name=Waddell>{{cite news |title=Resort opens a new era in LV |author=Lynn Waddell |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |date=15 October 1993 |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/1993/oct/15/resort-opens-new-era-lv/?history}}</ref> When it opened, the pyramid, which cost $375 million to build, was the tallest building on the strip and contained 2,526 rooms and a {{convert|100,000|sqft|abbr=on}} casino.<ref name=Farewell_07/><ref name=NYT_93>{{cite news |title=Imagination Runs Wild at Las Vegas Resorts |author= |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 November 1993 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/07/travel/travel-advisory-imagination-runs-wild-at-las-vegas-resorts.html}}</ref><ref name=Image_07>{{cite news |title=Luxor to shed its Egyptian Image |author=Liz Benston |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |date=29 July 2007 |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2007/jul/22/the-luxors-new-threads/}}</ref> The resort was financed by “petty cash” earned from other Circus Circus Enterprises properties and did not include any outside financial investors.<ref name=RMN_94 /> The hotel's pyramid is similar in size to the [[Red Pyramid]] and [[Bent Pyramid]] of Egypt. A theater and two additional hotel towers totaling 2,000 rooms were added in 1998 for $675 million.<ref name=Farewell_07 /> When the resort opened, it featured the Nile River Tour which was a river ride that carried guests to different parts of the pyramid and passed by pieces of ancient artwork on a river that encircled the casino.<ref name=NileRiver>{{cite news |title=Giant Resorts Turn Las Vegas Into Desert Disneyland |author=James T. Yenckel |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=2 October 1994 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4250451.html}}</ref> The casino also featured [[King Tut]]’s Tomb and Museum, a duplicate of King Tutankhamen’s tomb as found in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, Egypt.<ref name=RMN_94/> In July 2007, owner MGM Resorts International announced plans to thoroughly renovate the Luxor, spending $300 million to remodel 80 percent of Luxor's public areas, removing much of the ancient Egyptian theme and replacing it with more adult-oriented and modern lounges, restaurants and clubs.<ref name="renovation07">{{cite news|title=Vegas' pyramid-shaped Luxor hotel to get makeover|url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-07-18-luxor-makeover_N.htm|accessdate=13 January 2011|newspaper=USA Today|date=18 July 2007}}</ref> On May 7, 2007, a vehicle exploded in a Luxor Hotel parking garage due to a home-made bomb which left one dead.<ref name=Bomb_07>{{cite news |title=1 dead in casino parking lot explosion |author=|newspaper=USA Today |date=8 May 2007|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-05-07-vegas-explosion_N.htm}}</ref> Local authorities believe the victim, a 24-year-old employee at Nathan’s Famous hot dog restaurant in the Luxor food court, was the intended target. The hotel was not evacuated, operations continued uninterrupted, and the parking structure as well as the casino were undamaged.<ref name=BombJURY_09>{{cite news |title= Jury selection complete in Luxor bombing trial |author= |newspaper=Las Vegas Review Journal |date=20 August 2009 |url= http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/53871247.html?submitted=y }}</ref><ref name=Prison_09>{{cite news |title=2 avoid death penalty, get life in prison for Luxor bombing |author=Francis McCabe |newspaper=Las Vegas Review Journal |date=1 September 2009 |url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/56630592.html }}</ref> == Facilities and attractions == Luxor Las Vegas includes {{convert|20,000|sqft|abbr=on}} of convention space, four swimming pools and whirlpools, a wedding chapel, Nurture Spa and Salon and 29 retail stores.<ref name=FootwearNews /><ref name= PrimeNews_08>{{cite press release |title= BODIES...The Exhibition Now Open At Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas |url=http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2008/08/08/382944/148280/en/BODIES-The-Exhibition-Now-Open-At-Luxor-Hotel-and-Casino-in-Las-Vegas.html |publisher= PrimeNewswire |date=8 August 2008 |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref><ref name= PRN_08>{{cite press release |title= 2010 Pool Season Heats Up in Las Vegas with Hot New Venues, Cool New Experiences |url=http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/mgmmirage/43227/|publisher= PR Newswire |date=1 April 2010 |accessdate=12 November 2010}}</ref><ref name=Chapel>{{cite news|last=Audi|first=Tamara|title= Las Vegas Goes All Out To Attract Gay Travelers |author= |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=2 November 2007 |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119395703996679731.html}}</ref><ref name=SPA>{{cite news |title=Easy to trade in craps tables for massage tables in Vegas|author=Eliza Hussman |newspaper=The San Francisco Chronicle |date=2 May 2010 |url=http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-05-02/travel/20882868_1_spa-hotel-guests-bathhouse}}</ref> Luxor is also connected to the [[Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino]] through The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, a {{convert|310|ft|adj=on}}- long retail sky bridge with retailers such as Urban Outfitters, minus5° Ice Lounge & Lodge, a Guinness Store and a Nike Golf store.<ref name=MandalayPlace>{{cite news |title=Escada, Gucci, Dior, oh my!; Vegas takes shopping to a new level |author=Cathy Stapells |newspaper=The Toronto Sun |date=4 November 2007 |url= }}</ref><ref name=MandalayPlace>{{cite web | url=http://www.mandalaybay.com/thingstodo/mpshopping.aspx| title=The Shoppes at Mandalay Place |author=Mandalay Bay |year=2010 | accessdate=13 December 2010 }}</ref> The Luxor is home to five shows which consist of "Criss Angel - Believe", "PRiSM" starring the [[Jabbawockeez]], "Fantasy" (a topless [[revue]]), comedian [[Carrot Top]], and "[[Menopause the Musical]]".<ref name=Attract>{{cite news |title=Here's to you, Las Vegas; Or, How I learned that travelling with an old guy can make anyone look young |author=Cam Hutchinson |newspaper=The Vancouver Sun |date=30 October 2010 |url=http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Here+Vegas/3890395/story.html}}</ref> Luxor's most recent live show, ''PRiSM'', debuted in May 2013 and stars popular dance crew Jabbawockeez. The show features dance and mime comedy to tell a story themed around black, white and the 7 colors of the spectrum. ''PRiSM'' is housed in a new 850-seat theater and a mural of the crew is painted in the lobby by performance artist [[David Garibaldi (artist)|David Garibaldi]].<ref name="prismo">{{cite web |last=Lane |first=Richard |date=May 17, 2013 |title=Look Inside The World Of Jabbawockeez's PRiSM |url=http://www.vegaschatter.com/story/2013/5/17/17222/8593/vegas-travel/Look+Inside+The+World+Of+Jabbawockeez's+PRiSM |work=VegasChatter.com |accessdate=May 30, 2013}}</ref> Luxor's other star show is "Criss Angel - Believe", a collaboration between illusionist [[Criss Angel]] and [[Cirque du Soleil]] that began in Halloween of 2008.<ref name=Angel_08>{{cite news |title=Criss Angel Believe Theater review |author=Phil Gallo |newspaper=Daily Variety |date=3 November 2008 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-189742026.html}}</ref> The hotel also hosts “Bodies...The Exhibition,” an educational display on the human body, and “[[Titanic]]: The Artifact Exhibition”.<ref name="WFP_2010">{{cite journal|last=Quezada|first=Zeke|title=Bodies... The Exhibition at the Luxor Las Vegas|url=http://govegas.about.com/b/2010/12/26/bodies-the-exhibition-at-the-luxor-las-vegas.htm|publisher=About.com Las Vegas Travel Blog|accessdate=13 January 2011|date=26 December 2010}}</ref><ref name=Titanic>{{cite news |title=2{{fraction|1|2}} miles under the sea; Titanic artifacts exhibit at Las Vegas resort an amazing adventure |author=Amy Robinson |newspaper=Charleston Gazette |date=20 December 2009 |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/science-technology/earth-atmospheric-science-oceanography/13626800-1.html}}</ref> From 2000 to 2005, the Luxor Theatre was the home of the performance-art show [[Blue Man Group]], which has since moved to the [[Monte Carlo Resort and Casino|Monte Carlo]].<ref name=Las_Blue>{{cite news |title=Phase Two of Blue Man Group under way |author=Mike Weatherford |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=25 September 2005 |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Sep-25-Sun-2005/living/3472851.html}}</ref> On August 31, 2007, LAX Nightclub officially opened at a party hosted by [[Britney Spears]].<ref name=Spears_07>{{cite news |title=Expect the unexpected when Spears opens LAX |author=Jeremy Pond |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=31 August 2007 |url=http://www.lvrj.com/neon/29735794.html}}</ref> A number of other celebrities, including [[Christina Aguilera]], have also hosted events at the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clubzone.com/events/Las_Vegas/89653/Christina-Aguilera-Hosts |title=Christina Aguilera Hosts @ LAX Nightclub Las Vegas NV |accessdate=24 April 2010 | author= | year=2010 |publisher=}}</ref> The two-level, {{convert|26000|sqft|abbr=on}} venue contains 78 VIP tables and Noir Bar, which according to the Las Vegas Review Journal is an “ultra-elite bar” that is a reservations-only establishment.<ref name=Spears_07/> Additional nightlife destinations within Luxor include CatHouse, Aurora, Liquidity, and Flight.<ref name=SNL_2007>{{cite news |title=MGM Mirage to renovate pyramid-shaped Luxor casino in Las Vegas |author=John Yellig/Associated Press |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=17 July 2007 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07198/802094-37.stm}}</ref><ref name=LuxorNightLife>{{cite web |url= http://www.luxor.com/nightlife/ |title=Night Life|accessdate=12 November 2010|author=MGM Resorts International |year=2010|publisher=}}</ref> The [[McDonald's]] inside of the Luxor food court became the first out of two McDonalds in the entire world to vend [[Pepsi]] products instead of Coke products. The second opened up 3 years later in Excalibur. == Design == [[File:Luxor lobby.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Interior atrium and front desk in late September of 2014]] Designed by hotel architect [[Veldon Simpson]] and interior designer Charles Silverman,<ref name=LAT_93>{{cite news |title=Pyramid Scheme; Designer Bets on Egyptian-Themed Casino |author=Ted Johnson |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=26 March 1993 |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-03-26/business/fi-15534_1_initial-design}}</ref> the Luxor has received recognition as being among the most recognizable hotels on the Strip because of its unique design. The main portion of the hotel is a {{convert|365|ft|m|sing=on}}-high, 30-story pyramid encased in 11 acres of dark bronze glass.<ref name=Texas_2003 /><ref name=CT_93>{{cite news |title=A Bit Of Egypt Rises From Desert To Dazzle Las Vegas |author=Jessica Seigel |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=17 October 1993 |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-10-17/features/9310170165_1_king-tut-pyramid-theme-park}}</ref><ref name=NYT_93/> The guest rooms are situated on the outer walls of the pyramid and are reached by riding in "inclinators" that travel along the inner surface of the pyramid at a 39-degree angle. The hotel also features a {{convert|29|e6cuft|m3|sigfig=2|adj=on}} [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]], which was the largest open atrium in the world when it was built in 1993.<ref name=Texas_2003 /><ref name=RMN_94>{{cite news |title=Luxor River cruises, tomb tours and, oh, yes, a casino |author=Mim Swartz |newspaper=Rocky Mountain News |date=9 January 1994 |url= }}</ref> The hotel is marked by a {{convert|140|ft|m|adj=on}}-high [[obelisk]] and a {{convert|110|ft|m|adj=on}}-tall re-creation of the [[Great Sphinx of Giza]].<ref name=Sphinx>{{cite news |title= Array of Architectural Wonders Helps Statuemaker Gain Stature |author=Alan Edwards |newspaper=Deseret News |date=3 January 1996 |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/464708/ARRAY-OF-ARCHITECTURAL-WONDERS-HELPS-STATUEMAKER-GAIN-STATURE.html}}</ref> The tip of the pyramid contains a fixed-position [[Searchlight|spotlight]] that points directly upward and is claimed to be the brightest beam in the world at over 42.3 billion [[candle power]].<ref name=LuxorSite> {{cite web | url = http://www.luxor.com/attractions/attractions_property_highlights.aspx | title = Property Highlights - Stairway To The Stars | author = MGM Mirage | year = 2009 | work = Luxor.com | quote = Stairway to the Stars: At 42.3 billion [[candlepower]], the Luxor Sky Beam is the strongest beam of light in the world. Using computer designed, curved mirrors to collect the light from 39 xenon lamps and focus them into one intense, narrow beam ... visible up to 250 miles away ... clearly visible from outer space. | accessdate = 9 January 2009 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20081217142638/http://www.luxor.com/attractions/attractions_property_highlights.aspx | archivedate = 2008-12-17 }} </ref> == Luxor Sky Beam ==<!-- Note: there is a redirect to this section title "Luxor Sky Beam" --> [[File:Light beam, Luxor, Las Vegas (6433695339).jpg|thumb|left|250px|The light of the Luxor low view]] At 42.3 billion candela, the '''Luxor Sky Beam''' is the strongest beam of light in the world. Using computer designed, curved mirrors to collect the light from 39 xenon lamps and focus them into one intense, narrow beam, engineers claimed that newspaper can be read from a distance as far as 10 miles. This however, was later revealed to be a false claim. The light beam, however, was still unarguably bright. On a clear night, the Sky Beam is visible up to {{convert|275|mi|km}} away by aircraft at cruising altitude, such as over Los Angeles.<ref name="gforce"/><ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.oyster.com/las-vegas/hotels/luxor-hotel-and-casino/ |title=Luxor Hotel & Casino |publisher=oyster.com |accessdate=March 25, 2012}}</ref> Each of the 39 lamps is a 7,000 watt<ref name="knapp"> {{cite web | url=http://www.8newsnow.com/story/398319/the-story-behind-the-luxor-light | title=The Story Behind the Luxor Light | last=Knapp | first=George | date=July 11, 2012<!-- note that 2012 is assumed here: the website fails to clarify the year --> | publisher=KLAS-TV | accessdate=30 October 2012 | location=Las Vegas }} </ref> Xenotech fixture<ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?13129-Brightest-lights-on-Earth-Xenotech-makers-of-the-Skytracker-system | title = Brightest lights on Earth, Xenotech, makers of the Skytracker system | accessdate=30 October 2012 }} </ref> costing about $1,200. When at full power, the system costs $51 an hour to operate, with $20 per hour of that just for its 315,000 watts of electricity.<ref name="knapp"/> The beam has operated reliably since first enabled on October 15, 1993, and is an FAA designated navigational landmark for aviators.<ref name="gforce"> {{cite web | url = http://gforceiec.com/luxor_beam.php | title = The G-Force I.E.E. "Beam of Luxor" History | publisher = G-Force International Entertainment Corporation | accessdate=30 October 2012 }} </ref> The lamp room is about {{convert|50|ft|m}} below the top of the building and serviced by a staff of two workers during the day.<ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.reviewjournal.com/life/luxor-light-serves-beacon-millions-las-vegas-strip-visitors | title = Luxor light serves as beacon for millions of Las Vegas Strip visitors | author = Sonya Padgett | date = November 18, 2012 | quote = A staff of two, supervised by Hayes, maintains the Sky Beam. Every day, Hortizuela and co-worker Nick Mihalic take an elevator 30 floors up, then climb a series of ladders and stairs that lead to the Luxor's light room. | work = Las Vegas Review-Journal | accessdate = 2013-05-31 }} </ref> The room's temperature is about {{convert|300|F|C}} while the lights are operating.<ref> Padgett, ''Hortizuela and Mihalic work during the day, as it's too hot to work around the lights when they're on. It's also too bright. Just 5 inches above the surface of the lamp, Hayes says temperatures have been measured at 500 degrees. On the worker's platform 25 feet above the lights, temperatures reach 300 degrees when the lights are on.'' </ref> Since 2008, only half the lamps are lit as a cost and energy saving measure.<ref> Padgett, ''While the hotel management may have claimed that it was the brightest light on Earth, it has been dimmed considerably. It's not visible to the naked eye but the beam has been shining at half-strength since 2008. As a cost-cutting and energy-saving effort, management decided to use only half of the lamps every night, Hayes says.'' </ref> The light might be the world's best bug attractor, establishing a new ecosystem of moths, bats, and owls.<ref> Padgett, ''When the light was first turned on in 1993, no one imagined it would become the world's largest bug attractor. But it did. Soon after it debuted, moths flocked to the Luxor Sky Beam like, well, moths to a flame.... The light technicians soon learned that, where there are moths, there are bats. They came to feast on the moths. Then the owls showed up. Apparently, bats make for a nice meal, too.¶ "It's a whole circle of life thing going on in there," Hayes says.'' </ref> == Location == Luxor is located on the southern end of the [[Las Vegas Strip]].<ref name=Southern>{{cite news |title=Five of the best |author= |newspaper=Sunday Mail |date=12 September 2010 |url= }}</ref> The resort is flanked by the [[Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino|Mandalay Bay]] to the south and by the [[Excalibur Hotel and Casino|Excalibur]] to the north; all three are connected by free express and local [[trams]].<ref name=LAM_99>{{cite journal |last1=Lender |first1=Heidi |last2= |first2= |date=1 August 1999 |title=Luxe Vegas; varied sights of Las Vegas, NV |journal=Los Angeles Magazine |publisher= |volume=44 |issue= |page=80 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55241304.html|doi= }}</ref> All three properties were built by Circus Circus Enterprises, which in 1999 became [[Mandalay Resort Group]].<ref name=Name>{{cite news |title=Circus Circus Shareholders Approve Company Name Change |author= |newspaper=PR Newswire |date=17 June 1999 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54918084.html}}</ref><ref name=Circus>{{cite news |title=Hilton to acquire Promus Hotel Corp|author= |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=8 September 1999 |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1999/sep/08/business/fi-7807}}</ref> == Usage in popular culture == This [[destination hotel]] is often viewed as a prime example of 1990s [[Postmodern architecture]], and appeared on the cover of architecture scholar James Steele's book ''Architecture Today''.<ref name=Architect >{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/dp/0714840971|title=Architecture Today |author=James Steele |year=2001|publisher=Phaidon Press}}</ref> Since opening in 1993, the hotel has appeared in numerous films including the 1996 film ''[[Mars Attacks]]''<ref name=LVA_08>{{cite news |title=Hotel Spotlight: Luxor |author=Heather |newspaper=The Las Vegas Adventurer |date=28 April 2008 |url=http://www.thelasvegasadventurer.com/2008/04/hotel-spotlight-luxor/}}</ref> and can be seen in the destroyed Vegas in ''[[2012 (film)|2012]]''.<ref name=JohnCusack>{{Cite news |url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1194226/The-end-nigh-John-Cusack-Thandie-Newton-fight-survival-apocalyptic-film-2012.html|title=The end is nigh: John Cusack in fight for survival in apocalyptic film 2010|accessdate=12 November 2010|author= |year=2010|publisher=|location=London|work=Daily Mail|date=19 June 2009}}</ref> In ''[[Up in the Air (2009 film)|Up in the Air]]'', George Clooney's character, Ryan Bingham, is asked to take a picture in front of the Luxor hotel.<ref name=Clooney_10>{{cite news |title=Las Vegas abounds with quirky, pretty and fun souvenir settings |author=Mike Weatherford |newspaper=The Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=16 May 2010 |url=http://www.lvrj.com/living/93877764.html?imw\u003dY}}</ref> The hotel has also been featured in the television shows ''[[Fear Factor]]'', ''[[Criss Angel Mindfreak]]'', ''[[Great Hotels]]'', and ''[[CSI (franchise)|CSI]]''.<ref name=LVA_08/><ref name=CSI>{{cite news |title=Shooting Stars: Local atmosphere keys visits by ‘CSI,’ ‘The Odds’|author=Carol Cling |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=5 April 2010 |url=http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/vegasvoice/SHOOTING_STARS_Local_atmosphere_keys_visits_by_CSI_The_Odds.html}}</ref> A replica of the Luxor, named "The Camel's Toe", appeared in the [[Las Venturas]] area of the video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''.<ref name=GTA_04>{{cite news |title=Game of the Week|author=Misha Davenport |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |date=5 November 2004 |url= }}</ref> The Luxor Las Vegas also appears in ''[[Futurama]]'' episode, "[[Viva Mars Vegas]]". ==Gallery== {{Comparison_of_pyramids.svg}} {{Gallery |title= |width=200 |height=160 |lines=2 |File:The_Luxor_From_Airport.jpg|alt1=View from [[McCarran International Airport]]|View from [[McCarran International Airport]] |File:Sphinx_at_Luxor_hotel.jpg|alt2=Great Sphinx of Giza and the Luxor Sky Beam, exterior view|Great Sphinx of Giza and the Luxor Sky Beam, exterior view |File:Luxor hotel (Las Vegas) obelisc.JPG|Luxor Las Vegas obelisk |File:Luxor Light Beam by inSapphoWeTrust.jpeg|Luxor Sky Beam from across Las Vegas Boulevard. }} {{clear}} ==See also== * [[Cathedral of light]] * [[spectra (installation)]] * [[A Symphony of Lights]], * [[Tribute in Light]] == References == {{reflist|35em}} == External links == {{Commons category|Luxor hotel (Las Vegas)}} {{portal|Las Vegas}} *[http://www.luxor.com Luxor Hotel website] *[http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.095710,-115.175707&spn=0.004603,0.007060&t=k&hl=en Aerial image] {{Las Vegas skyscrapers}} {{Las Vegas Strip}} {{MGM Mirage}} [[Category:Casinos in the Las Vegas Valley]] [[Category:Skyscraper hotels in the Las Vegas Valley]] [[Category:Resorts in the Las Vegas Valley]] [[Category:Las Vegas Strip]] [[Category:Landmarks in Nevada]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Paradise, Nevada]] [[Category:Pyramids in the United States]] [[Category:Novelty buildings in the United States]] [[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1993]] [[Category:Architecture of the Las Vegas Valley]] [[Category:MGM Resorts International]]'