As hotel-casino rebirths go, Dolce Hotels & Resorts' transformation of the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas into the Ravella may not be as dramatic as, say, Wynn Las Vegas rising up from the ashes of the Desert Inn, but it's certainly significant. In May, the Ritz-Carlton closed, a casualty of both the Great Recession and the inability to service debt (it sought bankruptcy reorganization on its $103 million mortgage). Two months prior, the neighboring casino shut down.
On Feb. 11, the next chapter begins with the opening of Ravella.
The name is based on the picturesque coastal town of Ravello in southern Italy. Officials say guests will enjoy a much more contemporary experience, including a redesigned lobby envisioned to be a high-energy, social gathering spot. New dining and spa concepts will complement offerings at the Village Lake Las Vegas. The resort sits on 15 acres of the master-planned development offering guestrooms with sweeping views of the mountains, desert and a 320-acre lake. Ravella's 349 rooms, including 33 suites and two presidential suites, feature European-style furnishings, oversized spa-style marble bathrooms, upscale bath amenities and luxurious bed linens. Other new offerings include:
Firenze Lobby Lounge: It offers three areas for guests to relax, eat, plug in their laptop or socialize over coffee or cocktails. A high-tech library adjacent to the lobby fireplace provides a large table with computers for those who wish to catch up on work. Nearby, the central lobby cafe transforms throughout the day to meet the needs of guests. And an open-air bar and lounge area invites guests to mingle over cocktails or sit down for a meal.
Restaurants in the Village Lake Las Vegas: Ravella has developed a partnership with the nearby Village, offering guests even greater dining variety while staying at the resort, from fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas to spicy tacos, savory tapas and more. The collaboration will enable guests to enjoy preferred reservations and have the option to bill Village meals to their guestroom at Ravella.
Meetings cuisine: Ravella can customize culinary experiences for meeting attendees. An evolution in coffee break snacks, Ravella also will introduce nourishment hubs, upping the ante on the danish by offering fresh and energizing refreshments throughout the day. The dining options will provide meetings planners with convenient, flexible options to plan meals for their attendees as well as all-inclusive pricing for easy budget planning.
Ravella will also focus on meetings and special events. The facility can host meetings of up to 1,000 people. Amenities include free WiFi throughout the resort, modern electrical, lighting and sound systems and soundproof air walls. Direct ballroom access will be available for large vehicles and other oversized display items.
To celebrate its opening, Ravella is offering a "Make Us an Offer. Anything Goes!" promotion. Meetings planners can submit dates with specified requirements, including price. Staff will evaluate each offer and coordinate the customer's meeting with their requested specifications or propose another offer to meet their needs.
By focusing on the meetings market -- small groups, corporate retreats, company outings -- officials from Dolce believe Ravella will be well positioned to capitalize on growth in the leisure and business travel markets as the economy emerges from the recession. As additional inducements, officials are also touting on-property amenities including:
• The Spa at Ravella: The 30,000-square-foot spa and wellness center features 24 treatment rooms, a full-service salon, fitness center, men's and women's locker rooms and an outdoor terrace overlooking the lake.
• Ravella's Ponte Vecchio Bridge: Reminiscent of Florence's famed Ponte Vecchio Bridge, this three-story bridge at Ravella features a collection of rooms and suites with unrivaled lake views. The bridge spans 375 feet across the lake and is tall enough to permit a 21-foot sailboat to pass beneath.
• Wedding settings: In addition to its exquisite ballrooms, Ravella offers several venues for weddings and social events. Situated on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Ravella offers Vegas' only over-water chapel, La Capella di Amore. Sweeping windows span the front of the chapel, revealing views of the lake and twinkling lights of the Village Lake Las Vegas. Additional settings with the lake backdrop include Ravella's garden, courtyard, beach and climate-controlled lakeside pavilion.
• Southshore Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas: The course is the first private Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Nevada. Named by Golf Digest as one of the "Top 10 New Private Golf Courses in America," SouthShore's award-winning par-71, 6,917-yard championship fits seamlessly with its surroundings on the shores of Lake Las Vegas.
"Ravella will be an outstanding addition to Lake Las Vegas, and we're excited to introduce the Dolce brand to Vegas this February," Steven Rudnitsky, Dolce president and CEO, said in a statement. "Our resort will offer guests luxury experiences at affordable price points, whether they are traveling for business or pleasure."
Those interested in reservations or more information about Ravella can call (888) 810-0440 or log on to www.ravellavegas.com.