A plush, refined aesthetic greets guests to the newly renovated Vanderpump Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Fresh flowers in the reception area, ornate chandeliers in the casino, custom furnishings in its elegant rooms and whimsical art throughout the boutique resort help make it a relaxing respite.
Lisa Vanderpump and business partner Nick Alain collaborated with Caesars Entertainment to transform what was formerly known as the Cromwell with what they call an "industrial romantic" style. Its 188 rooms and suites feature moss-green hues, dusty lilac, warm gold accents and cool silver detailing.
The newly renovated Vanderpump Hotel at the intersection of Flamingo Road and the Las Vegas Strip features 188 rooms, Giada’s restaurant on the second floor and Soleia Beach, a pool and event space on the roof. Photo Credit: Michael Rudin / Caesars Entertainment
Playful images of Vanderpump -- the businesswoman, author and philanthropist who rose to fame on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" -- are thoughtfully placed, even in the cleverly conceived mirrored end tables in the rooms.
"This is our fourth project with Lisa in Las Vegas, and we all have come to learn over the years that Lisa and Nick have a unique vision," said Terrence O'Donnell, senior vice president and general manager of the Vanderpump Hotel. "Working with them is a real testament to her unique design inspiration, and to be able to pull it off in a way that resonates with her and has credibility with her fans has been really gratifying."
Vanderpump is on the tourist corridor's busiest intersection, steps away from not only the art deco Pinky's by Vanderpump lounge at the Flamingo but the giant Caesars Palace, Bellagio and Horseshoe.
"We have a lot of different amenities that we can offer that these larger resorts have gotten away from, including nightly turndown service. We have a house car service. We have full-service in-room dining. These are amenities that people experience when they travel outside of Las Vegas to hotels of this size, and we're really proud to be able to bring those to the Strip in this setting," O'Donnell said.
Putting an exclamation point on the transformation is the flirty Gigolo lounge, an homage to Vanderpump's late Pomeranian companion, also known as Giggy. During my recent hosted stay at the hotel, I was asked to use a safe word to stop the gradual introduction of the firewater tincture to my margarita. Guests are also invited to write down their darkest secret on a slip of paper to be put in the Vanderpump Vault, a box in front of Giggy's statue, when they order the Hush Hush, a strawberry-jalapeno cocktail.
Vanderpump Hotel’s 188 rooms and suites feature moss-green hues, dusty lilac, warm gold accents and cool silver detailing. Photo Credit: Caesars Entertainment
"Misbehave accordingly" is how the resort describes the sophisticated sexiness, and O'Donnell said the transformation has given it a clearer identity.
"While the Cromwell offered a boutique experience in a great location, the name never fully resonated with guests," he said. "Adding Lisa Vanderpump and her brand brings an established aesthetic and loyal fan base that guests already recognize and connect with."
One thing that did not change is the presence of the first restaurant by celebrity chef and television personality Giada De Laurentiis. It has served classic Italian cuisine with a California influence since 2014, including marsala herb chicken meatballs, lemon spaghetti and pappardelle with pork ragout.
"Giada has become a favorite among many guests over the years, not only for its delicious food but also for its incredible views of the Strip," O'Donnell said. "We are also excited to offer traditional in-room dining from Giada, a service you don't see very often anymore, which adds a special touch to the overall hotel experience."
Other familiar components are Soleia Beach, a resort pool and event space on the roof and Drai's After Hours beneath the hotel.
The transformation will be the subject of a new limited series on Bravo, "Vanderpump Rules: Lisa Las Vegas," to air later this year. "We're excited for audiences to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to bring the Vanderpump Hotel to life," O'Donnell said. "For those of us who were part of the project, it will be fun to relive the journey and see the transformation on TV."