MGM Resorts International and Morgans Hotel Group have partnered to introduce Delano Las Vegas to the city's hotel scene. Delano Las Vegas, an all-suite luxury hotel, will replace TheHotel at Mandalay Bay in late 2013.
The strategic partnership between Morgans Hotel Group, known for its signature luxury brand, and MGM Resorts is meant to create a boutique hotel experience that exudes energy and excitement while providing detailed, efficient and high-quality service, the two companies said. The Delano Las Vegas, which will be managed by MGM Resorts under a licensing agreement, will have 1,110 suites.
TheHotel's public spaces, including bars, lounges, restaurants and the spa, will undergo a complete redesign to reflect the transformation into Delano Las Vegas. According to releases from MGM Resorts, the lobby is expected to be a central meeting space, and the arrival from valet to the front desk will feel different for people familiar with TheHotel experience because of the personalization for which the Delano brand is known.
As a smaller, more intimate, all-suite property within a larger casino resort, TheHotel is particularly popular with business travelers and those who seek out a quieter experience away from the hectic vibe of Las Vegas. While Delano will still offer that intimate boutique experience, the energy in the common areas will become more social and dynamic.
The plan to make TheHotel a Delano came when Mandalay looked at doing a renovation of the property, which opened in 2003.
"With the lifespan of the property, it was time to renovate TheHotel, and we took advantage of this specific time to really look and see what needed to be done differently in Las Vegas," said Patrick Miller, vice president of marketing at Mandalay Bay. "When TheHotel first launched, it was something special. Since then, there have been other boutique offerings, and this gave us the chance to go out there and find another brand to partner with on really capturing what we wanted to do: provide a sophisticated experience while at the same time capturing that edge and energy that Delano has."
The property is the second of Morgans Hotel Group's Delano hotels in the U.S. (the first, Delano South Beach, is in Miami Beach). The art deco look of the Delano South Beach has proven popular with celebrities.
A third Delano property, located in Marrakech, Morocco, is distinctly different from the one in Miami Beach, based on an ideology that unique guest experiences are important and therefore no two Delano properties will ever be the same.
In light of this, although the Delano Las Vegas is currently in the design stage and no details are available regarding specific amenities or features in the accommodations and other spaces undergoing renovation, it is expected to have an exclusive design, as well.
"Delano's got a very high-energy feel in the public spaces, and we'll capture that here," Miller said. "In the suites, we're asking designers to look at the locale and figure out how to get that Las Vegas vibe in a sophisticated setting."
Morgans is not only going to convert TheHotel to a Delano: It will make some changes to the Mandalay Bay resort itself as part of a major upgrade at the property.
In addition to a complete renovation of the accommodations, Morgans Hotel Group will introduce several new food and beverage concepts at Mandalay Bay, which will be managed by the Light Group. These include a casual American bistro by chef Brian Massie, a Japanese restaurant by celebrity chef Akira Back and an updated dining experience at Red Square, a Russian-themed restaurant.
On the entertainment side, the Light Group will open a new nightclub for Mandalay Bay, and a new Cirque du Soleil show will be introduced. The casino will also undergo renovation in 2013.
"The launch of Delano Las Vegas comes at a great time for what Mandalay Bay is undertaking in the next 18 months," Miller said. "The property is really undergoing this transformation with this new show, these new restaurants and a new nightclub. With Delano Las Vegas in there, this really becomes a new Mandalay Bay throughout the year."
During the renovation and rebranding process, the building currently housing TheHotel will be open for business; construction and redesign will take place one floor at a time. Financial terms and the total cost of the renovation have not been disclosed.