My first thought when I walk into the Cromwell’s casino is that this is a new destination.
It isn’t a rebrand or a renovation. The property, once Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon, isn’t a shadow of its former self.
Though the building’s shell remains the same, everything else has been gutted to make way for this new venue that Caesars Entertainment is calling the first standalone boutique hotel on the Strip.
The property is decorated in rich, warm colors — deep reds and heavy purples — with dark flooring throughout. At 40,000 square feet, the casino is small in Vegas terms, but intimacy is the name of the game at the Cromwell, with a single bar and lounge, one restaurant, one store and a club scene consisting of one beach club/nightclub and one after-hours club.
That’s it. No big stage shows, family attractions, food courts or crowded lobbies.
“The environment is different,” said Karie Hall, vice president and general manager of the Cromwell. “You aren’t walking through these massive open spaces that can be intimidating for a lot of people.”
On the second floor of the hotel, celebrity chef and TV personality Giada de Laurentiis has opened her first restaurant, Giada. Every detail of the Italian restaurant was overseen by de Laurentiis, down to each decor element and ingredient in the bread.
Nightlife guru Victor Drai also has paid careful attention to the details of his 11th-floor pool club and nightclub, which seamlessly meld its indoor and outdoor spaces. His after-hours lounge on the basement level of the Cromwell opens later this month.
“I want to create a social space, and I just want people to have a good time,” Drai said.
The 188 rooms and suites reflect the avant-garde undertones found on the casino floor. Near the elevator are complimentary beverage bars with coffee, lemonade and infused water.
In the suite bathroom, tiles spell out “Enjoy the good life,” and hallway carpeting is covered in sayings such as “You cannot desire what you do not know.”
“Our target demographic is maybe a bit younger and not specifically here for the gaming,” Hall said. “They’re here for the social experience, the nightlife experience.”
The Cromwell has turned the building into an entirely different destination, one reflected in these quotes. It plays up its intimacy angle and downplays oversize Vegas.
It is new and different, a little bit unexpected and ready to claim its spot as a small hotel among Las Vegas’ mega-resorts. When I leave, I know one thing for sure: I’ll be back.