Key Largo
Former hotel and casino in Paradise, Nevada, known for its low-cost lodging, gaming, and South Florida-themed relaunch.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Key Largo was a hotel and casino property located at 377 East Flamingo Road in Paradise, Nevada, approximately one mile east of the Las Vegas Strip. Although the Key Largo name was used only during the property's final operating period, the site had a longer history under several hotel and casino identities. It opened in 1974 as the Ambassador Inn, a hotel associated with a larger lodging chain. A separate casino operation, the Ambassador Casino, was added in 1978 while the hotel continued to use the Ambassador Inn name. The property changed hands and identities repeatedly. After a 1981 sale, the hotel received a substantial renovation the following year. The casino, however, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in 1982 and closed in September of that year amid weak tourism, difficult local economic conditions, and financial problems. The hotel and casino were separately owned, allowing the hotel side to be treated differently during the casino's insolvency, although the property temporarily lost most of its operating activity. The casino reopened in 1986 under the La Mirage name under the ownership of the Robone family. The name soon became the subject of a trademark dispute with the owner of the Mirage Motel. A court injunction favored the motel owner, and while the case was being appealed, businessman Steve Wynn acquired rights to the Mirage name from both businesses in 1988 in preparation for his own Mirage resort. The casino therefore changed its name again, becoming Anthony's Casino, while the hotel became a Quality Inn. Further rebranding produced the Quality Inn & Casino name in 1993. In 1997, the property underwent a reported $7 million renovation and reopened as Key Largo on August 29. The redesign used a South Florida theme and paired the Quality Inn hotel affiliation with a small casino. At reopening, the property had approximately 320 rooms, three table games, 248 slot machines, and about 150 employees. A sportsbook was added in 1999. Key Largo competed primarily through affordability rather than luxury positioning. Its low hotel rates and inexpensive food, including its widely noted $1.99 hamburgers, attracted some local residents and budget-conscious visitors, although the property remained less prominent than nearby competitors such as Ellis Island and Terrible's Hotel and Casino. Plans approved in 2004 called for replacing or redeveloping the site with a new hotel tower and condominium tower. Key Largo closed on January 18, 2005, after some operations, including the sportsbook, had already ended. At closure, the property reportedly employed about 200 people and operated 245 slot machines, four blackjack tables, and a roulette wheel. A larger resort and condominium proposal received county approval later in 2005, but it was never built. The abandoned property deteriorated, lost its gaming license, and was eventually offered for sale without producing a completed redevelopment. The vacant complex suffered fires and repeated trespassing problems. A 2008 fire was associated with an attempted theft of copper wiring. A much larger fire in March 2013 severely damaged the former casino and hotel structures. Investigators later indicated that arson was suspected, while searches found no human remains despite reports that squatters had occupied parts of the building. Clark County required demolition, with asbestos abatement and structural stabilization needed before the work could proceed. Demolition began in 2013, ending the physical presence of the former Key Largo property. The brand is therefore defunct and survives primarily as part of Las Vegas-area casino history.
History
The property associated with Key Largo began operating in 1974 as the Ambassador Inn, a hotel located on a 4.85-acre site at East Flamingo Road in Paradise, Nevada. A separate casino, the Ambassador Casino, was added in 1978. The hotel and casino were not always under the same ownership, a distinction that became significant when the casino later encountered financial problems. The Ambassador Inn changed ownership in 1981 and received a major renovation in 1982. During the same year, the casino filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It closed on September 7, 1982, after financial difficulties were compounded by weak tourism and an unfavorable local economy. The closure affected the property's hotel, bar, and restaurant operations temporarily, although the hotel company was separate from the casino entity. At the time, the casino had six blackjack tables, one craps table, and approximately 140 slot machines. The casino reopened in January 1986 as La Mirage Casino under Nicholas and Mary Robone and their son Anthony. Nevada regulators initially issued a short-term gaming license while investigating an anonymous allegation that Nicholas Robone had previously skimmed money at another casino. The allegation was not proven. In March, the family received a longer limited license, with Nicholas and Mary holding most of the casino and Anthony serving as manager. The La Mirage name created a legal problem. Allen Rosoff, who owned the Mirage Motel, argued that the casino's name could confuse prospective customers. He obtained a permanent injunction, but the casino pursued an appeal. In 1988, Steve Wynn purchased the Mirage name from both businesses in connection with preparations for his own Mirage resort. The casino stopped using La Mirage and became Anthony's Casino. The hotel adopted the Quality Inn name, and the combined property was later known as Quality Inn & Casino. A major repositioning followed in 1997. The property received a reported $7 million renovation and reopened as Key Largo on August 29 with a South Florida theme. The hotel remained affiliated with Quality Inn. The relaunch included 320 rooms, three table games, 248 slot machines, and approximately 150 employees. Management planned possible expansion onto vacant land, including more casino space and a hotel tower, if the operation performed well. A sportsbook was added in 1999. Key Largo's market proposition was based on value. It offered inexpensive accommodation and low-priced food to tourists and Las Vegas-area residents. Its promotional identity was reinforced by widely reported bargain items such as $1.99 hamburgers. Despite having loyal customers, it remained a small property in a highly competitive market and did not achieve the profile of nearby casinos such as Ellis Island and Terrible's Hotel and Casino. In 2004, Clark County approved plans for two towers: a replacement hotel tower with 344 rooms and a condominium tower with 905 units. The property's future casino configuration was uncertain. Key Largo ceased operations on January 18, 2005. Approximately 200 people worked there at closure, and the casino had 245 slot machines, four blackjack tables, and a roulette wheel. A subsequent proposal called for a much larger resort, including a 20,000-square-foot casino and three towers, but the development did not materialize. The site remained vacant and deteriorated. Its gaming license expired by June 2007, and new regulatory requirements meant that a future operator would need substantial hotel, restaurant, and public-space improvements to qualify for a new license. The property was offered for sale, but no completed redevelopment followed. A 2008 fire occurred during an attempted copper-wire theft. On March 28, 2013, a larger fire broke out at the abandoned complex. The blaze damaged the former casino and hotel, forced the temporary closure of nearby roads, and required a large emergency response. Investigators from local authorities and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives examined the cause, with an initial finding indicating that two separate fires had started in different parts of the building. A later ATF report suggested arson. Searches found no human remains, although several squatters were discovered. Clark County determined that the fire-damaged structures were unsafe and ordered demolition, subject to asbestos removal and structural stabilization. The owners received additional time to complete the work, and demolition was underway by June 2013, with further work approved later that year. The Key Largo identity ended with the closure and removal of the property.
- 2013
Fire and demolition
[1]A major fire severely damages the vacant property, and Clark County orders demolition after safety and asbestos concerns are assessed.
- 2005
Key Largo closes
[1]The hotel and casino cease operations on January 18 amid plans for a larger replacement development.
- 1999
Sportsbook opens
[1]Key Largo expands its gaming services with a sportsbook.
- 1997
Key Largo launches after renovation
[1]The property reopens on August 29 as Key Largo with a South Florida theme and a value-oriented hotel and casino proposition.
- 1993
Quality Inn & Casino identity is adopted
[1]The combined property adopts the Quality Inn & Casino name.
- 1988
Property changes to Anthony's Casino and Quality Inn
[1]Following a Mirage-name settlement involving Steve Wynn, the casino and hotel adopt new names.
- 1986
Casino reopens as La Mirage
[1]The Robone family reopens the gaming operation under the La Mirage name after receiving limited Nevada gaming licenses.
- 1982
Casino enters bankruptcy and closes
[1]The casino files for Chapter 11 and closes in September because of financial problems and weak market conditions.
- 1978
Ambassador Casino is added
[1]A casino begins operating on the property while the hotel continues as the Ambassador Inn.
- 1974
Ambassador Inn opens
[1]The hotel property opens on East Flamingo Road in Paradise, Nevada, under the Ambassador Inn name.
Products and positioning
A small, budget-oriented Las Vegas-area hotel and casino with a South Florida theme, serving local customers and cost-conscious tourists rather than competing as a luxury resort.
Hotel accommodation · 1974
Key Largo Hotel
The hotel was the lodging component of the property and remained affiliated with the Quality Inn chain after the 1997 Key Largo relaunch. It targeted visitors seeking inexpensive accommodation near the Las Vegas Strip rather than a full-scale luxury-resort experience. The hotel had approximately 320 rooms after the 1997 reopening and was later slated for replacement by a proposed larger tower that was never built.
Casino gaming · 1978
Key Largo Casino
The casino was the property's principal gaming operation, offering slot machines and table games. At the 1997 relaunch it had three table games and 248 slot machines; at closure in 2005 it reportedly had 245 slot machines, four blackjack tables, and a roulette wheel. The casino was deliberately positioned as a smaller, lower-cost alternative to larger Las Vegas resorts.
Sports betting · 1999
Key Largo Sportsbook
A sportsbook was added to the casino in 1999, extending the property's gaming offer beyond slots and table games. The sportsbook closed shortly before the hotel-casino itself shut down in January 2005.
Restaurant and bar service · 1997
Key Largo Food and Beverage
Food and beverage service supported the property's budget-oriented identity. Key Largo was particularly associated with inexpensive food, including widely reported $1.99 hamburgers, which helped distinguish it from more expensive resort properties and appeal to local customers.
Brand decisions
2005
Closure for proposed redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The small property faced intense competition and was targeted for replacement by a larger hotel, condominium, and casino development.
Action taken
Key Largo ceased operations on January 18 while redevelopment plans proceeded through county approvals.
Aftermath
The planned replacement resort failed to materialize, leaving the site vacant until fire damage and demolition ended the property's physical presence.
1997
Rebrand and South Florida-themed relaunchProduct launchBackground
After multiple earlier names and ownership changes, the property needed a new identity in a competitive Las Vegas market.
Action taken
The site underwent a reported $7 million renovation and reopened as Key Largo on August 29 with a South Florida theme, Quality Inn affiliation, hotel rooms, casino games, and slot machines.
Aftermath
The relaunch established the property's final brand identity and reinforced its value-oriented market position.
Reported renovation cost. $7 million (1997 renovation)
Sources1 sources
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