Wilbur Clark opened the Desert Inn to the public in April 1950, a country club in the truest sense of the word. Everything about the DI was first-cabin -- the rooms, the restaurants, the golf course and, naturally, the gaming. Since then, the Strip has grown from a few scattered structures to wall-to-wall overkill, but amazingly enough, the DI retains its elegance and glamour in the midst of this tumult. Exactly what one would expect from a country club.

Certainly, the golf course stands out: An 18-hole, par 72 course that has hosted PGA, LPGA and Senior PGA tour events for more than four decades. A recent renovation added a brand-new clubhouse to this landmark, the only golf course on the Strip. And the DI's commitment to excellence doesn't stop at the 18^th hole. Rooms are spacious, well-appointed and highly functional. The dining rooms-the classic French Monte Carlo, the Hong Kong delicacies of HoWan and the popular Mediterranean tastes of the Portofino-are widely celebrated by vistors and locals alike. The Crystal Room Showroom hosts name performers regularly, from Smokey Robinson to Dana Carvey, while the Starlight Lounge boasts swing and cabaret acts the likes of Royal Crown Revue and Kid Creole and the Coconuts. And the casino floor is as elegant as the surroundings demand, with gaming of every kind in a refined setting.

Wilbur Clark could never have predicted that his quiet country club would end up in the biggest, most popular tourist attraction in the world. He would no doubt be a bit flabbergasted if he were to see Las Vegas today, but once he stepped foot inside the resort he founded, he would feel right at home-as would anyone with a taste for the high life.

• Number of rooms: 715
• Average room rates: $240. Room rates in can fluctuate widely and change without notice.
• Casino size: 32,000 sq. ft. Casino games include Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Poker, Roulette, Sportsbook, Slots, Baccarat, and Megabucks.
• Restaurants: Three casual restaurants, one gourmet: Monte Carlo, Ho Wan, Portofino, Terrace Pointe.
• Entertainment: 636-seat Crystal Room showroom with celebrity entertainment six nights a week.
• Pool: Yes, 14,500 sq.ft.
• Health Club: Yes
• Spa: Yes, (includes 10 hydro whirl spas, saunas, steam rooms, massage, skin care, toning, fitness, and outdoor jogging track.)
• Shops: Gift shop, Spa Shop, Tennis Shop
• Wedding Chapel: No
• Convention rooms: Yes, 15 Meeting Rooms; 30,000 sq. ft.
• Business Center: Yes, Fax, Typing, Secretarial Services; Computer Access; State-of-the-Art Audio/Visual Capabilities.
• Handicap accessible rooms: Yes
• Child care facilities: No
• Room service: Yes
• Amenities: Five lighted tennis courts, 18-hole championship golf course.

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