Long considered one of downtown Las Vegas' least opulent properties, the Gold Spike is slated for an upgrade. A developer who purchased the casino for $15.6 million plans to convert the Spike into a trendy boutique hotel, with rooms running $125 to $150 per night, among the most expensive downtown. The transformation is part of a bigger renovation movement in Glitter Gulch.

PALAZZO DATE: Las Vegas Sands Corp. has announced the opening date of the Palazzo as Dec. 20. Palazzo is being positioned as "an extension of the Venetian," and will be the largest integrated destination resort in the world, with 7,128 hotel rooms (including the Venetian's).

HACHI: A new Japanese restaurant called Hachi has opened at Red Rock Casino Resort. It features a sushi bar and more than 30 varieties of sake. It opens daily at 5 p.m.

FREE TICKETS: Here's an interesting way to get free show tickets: Have your car washed for $11.99 at a Fabulous Freddy's in Las Vegas and get a free pair of tickets, normally $54 apiece, to "Mesmerized at the Miracle Mile Mall" at Planet Hollywood. The deal is good till the end of August.

SPORTS PIT: Harrah's has opened a new "sports pit," with blackjack, craps and other table games, along with TVs tuned to football at every table.

Q. It seems that you can do anything you want 24 hours a day in Las Vegas. What about eating sushi?

A. There are a few late-night sushi places in Las Vegas, but only one that serves 24 hours a day. The noncasino Lahaina Grill, on the west side of town at 4570 S. Hualapai Way, is the only place that can satisfy a sushi jones at 5 a.m.

For information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and deals, see www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.