What's new in the Hotel World?
One of the most fascinating aspects of Las Vegas is that it is a city that is constantly changing. The excitement of continuous re-invention and rapid growth has helped Las Vegas to achieve popularity, resulting in 36.4 million annual visitors. In 2011, visitors will see and experience more in Las Vegas than ever before. Here are some highlights of what to expect this year and in the very near future.
Resorts
The new Cosmopolitan 2,995-room casino-resort opened in the CityCenter complex December, 2010. The Cosmopolitan features two 50-story towers across 8.7 acres of land, each featuring oversized residential style living space and expansive one-of-a-kind private terraces. The spaces are designed by a team of interior architects including David Rockwell, Jeffrey Beers, Adam D. Tihany and the Friedmutter Group. Resort features include 100,000 square feet of casino space; 60,000 square feet of world class shopping; 43,000 square feet of spa, healthclub and salon offerings; three unique pool experiences and multi-level integrated nightclubs.
The Siegel Group has opened boutique resort RUMOR located near Paradise Road and Harmon Avenue. Formerly the St. Tropez Hotel, the two-story resort features 150 suites, an intimate lobby and bar, a new restaurant called Addiction, and an outdoor courtyard with pool area, which transforms into a nightlife venue with live DJs and musicians. RUMOR also welcomes pets, offering an outdoor dog run, customized in-suite bowls and plush dog beds. RUMOR is an 18 and over resort.
Tropicana Las Vegas has begun a $165 million Phase I transformation to be completed in April 2011. The property will feature a redesigned façade, all new rooms and suites, all new amenities, restaurants, bars, entertainment and nightlife options reminiscent of South Beach with an island vibe. The four-acre pool area will become a tropical beach resort and the casino will add a new poker room and race and sports book. No corner of the
property will remain untouched. The conference center transformation is already complete with more than 100,000 square feet of versatile meeting space to accommodate up to 3,000 people.
On Dec. 28, 2009, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas opened HRH Tower, an all-suite tower located at the south end of the Hard Rock property. HRH Tower includes 359 standard suites, eight spa villas opening directly to the pool areas, and seven penthouse suites on the 16th floor, offering views of the Vegas Strip and mountains. HRH Tower is targeting high-end, luxury guests who want a sophisticated rock 'n' roll experience with extra privacy. The tower has its own VIP entrance and check-in, direct access to the new casino space, a spa and Vanity, a new nightclub.
Planet Hollywood Towers by Westgate Resorts opened a 50-story glass marvel on Dec. 28, 2009 featuring 1,200 luxuriously appointed vacation villas and 28 exclusive penthouse suites. Ownership amenities include an exotic tropical pool complete with sandy beach and private cabanas, an elite 46th floor pool for the penthouse suites, a world-class fitness facility, restaurants, casino and marketplace. The resort is connected to the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.
In December 2009, MGM MIRAGE debuted a 67-acre, $8.4 billion dollar "urban metropolis" called CityCenter. Vdara Hotel & Spa, an all-suite boutique hotel with a non-gaming, smoke-free environment, opened Dec. 1. Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district featuring high-end designer stores and restaurants like BESO by Eva Longoria Parker, opened Dec. 3. Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, a 47-story, non-gaming hotel and residences featuring an unparalleled spa and unique Sky Lobby, opened Dec. 4. ARIA Resort & Casino, featuring Viva ELVIS by Cirque du Soleil, dining experiences by world-renowned chefs and a luxurious spa, opened Dec. 16. CityCenter has earned its sixth LEED Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, marking the highest LEED achievement by any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. LEED certified components include Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, Veer Towers, Vdara Hotel & Spa, Crystals, ARIA Resort's hotel tower, and ARIA's convention center and theater.
Golden Nugget Las Vegas opened its $150 million Rush Tower in November 2009, adding nearly 500 guestrooms and suites to the property. The new tower includes a new restaurant called Chart House Aquarium featuring a 50,000-gallon tropical aquarium; an expanded casino; a new pool with six cabanas; and three new retail venues.
