LAS VEGAS — The new owners of the Sahara casino-hotel have spent $2 million on upgrades to the 55-year-old hotel-casino, aiming to refine the property rather than blow it up.

Los Angeles-based SBE Entertainment and Stockbridge Real Estate Funds of San Francisco have made efforts since August to refurbish the property.

The Sahara's outdoor landscaping has been trimmed. New carpeting and wallpaper have freshened the hotel lobby. Hotel staff sport new uniforms and the restaurants have new menus. Even the towels at the Sahara's pool are bigger and plusher.

"This makes the customers feel better, it makes the staff feel better and it makes us feel better," said Arash Azarbarzin, president of the SBE Hotel Group and of the Sahara.

The Sahara was the setting for the original "Ocean's Eleven" movie, and its Congo Showroom has hosted such performers as Johnny Carson, Tina Turner, Pat Boone, Don Rickles, Dean Martin and the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Nazarian said he wants to recapture some of the Sahara's old magic.