Westward Ho

Westward Ho Las Vegas has a rich history as one of the first hotels in Las Vegas. Initially opened in 1952, it became a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Known for its affordable lodging and vibrant atmosphere, it played a significant role in the development of the Las Vegas Strip. Over the years, the property has undergone several renovations and changes in ownership. Unfortunately, it closed its doors in 2005, marking the end of an era for this iconic establishment. The building remained vacant for many years, leading to its eventual demolition in 2017, making way for new developments in the area.

We stayed at Westward Ho once in the late 1990s at no charge. A Westward Ho employee was offering free stays on a Las Vegas chat forum, so we took him up on the offer. This is the room we had, it was set up kind of like Motel 6 with the sink and a mirror just outside of the bathroom. Despite being a low budget property we had a pleasant stay but we did lose $80 pretty quickly on video poker in the casino. We used to budget around $4o0 for gambling during Las Vegas trips, but as we spent more time taking photos, that amount went down to around $100.