The Artisan sites on 1.35 acres 1501 W. Sahara Ave. and had beenplaced in bankruptcy by the former owners. The Siegel Group said ina statement regarding the purchase that it has assumed operationalcontrol of the property which it "will continue to operateutilizing the Artisan name and is committed to repositioning theproperty" and to "quickly identifying and correcting long-standingoperational issues that have recently negatively impacted thehotel's reputation."

The new owner says that the first order of business will be "torebuild and maintain the loyal following the hotel has developedover the years," pointing out that top-notch service is "thetouchstone of successful boutique hotels." The Siegel Group willfocus much of its attention on correcting deferred maintenanceissues and modernizing aspects of the hotel while expanding theamenities and services, it says.

The Artisan acquisition marks the fourth hotel deal by theSiegel Group in a little more than a year. The others were the150-room St.Tropez all-suites hotel across from the Hard Rock resort inLas Vegas last fall, the 179-room Barcelona Hotel &Casino at the intersection of East Craig Road and NorthNellis Boulevard, just outside the city of North Las Vegas nearNellis Air Force Base and the Mt. CharlestonHotel, a 64-room mountain resort located 35 miles fromDowntown Las Vegas in the Toiyabe National Forest.