The Unfolding Saga of Atari Hotels: Phoenix Takes the Lead
After an ambitious announcement six years ago regarding plans to establish Atari-themed hotels in several U.S. cities—including the buzzing locale of Las Vegas—only one location appears to be making strides towards reality: Phoenix, Arizona. According to spokesperson Sara Collins, the Las Vegas initiative has unfortunately “not materialized,” as reported by the Las Vegas Sun.
Originally slated to kick off in Phoenix, this project was intended to serve as the flagship location, followed by extensions in Austin, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. However, Las Vegas is now decidedly off the table, and there hasn’t been any notable progress reported for the other anticipated sites. Interestingly, the FAQ on Atari Hotels’ website mentions that “additional sites, including Denver, are being explored under separate development and licensing agreements.”
The vision for Atari Hotels was unveiled in 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to reshape the world. This unforeseen crisis led to significant development delays, with construction on the Phoenix hotel, which was originally supposed to commence in 2020, now set to kick off later this year. The hotel is anticipated to open its doors by 2028.
Yet, potential guests might want to temper their excitement—Atari is currently on the lookout for $35 to $40 million in funding to bring this “playable destination” for gaming enthusiasts to life in Phoenix. The dream of playing, dining, and staying in an immersive Atari world remains alive but still requires substantial financial backing to turn it into a reality.
As updates trickle in, fans of gaming culture will have to wait and see whether Phoenix can indeed become the first hub of the Atari hotel experience, while other proposed sites linger on the horizon, holding the promise of future adventures.