Las Vegas, land of the 5,000-room megaresort and the Strip, is beginning to take a more intimate turn.
As smaller independent hotels have become more popular—and non-branded hotels within hotels are sought for their higher levels of service—well-known boutique names are making appearances.
Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace arrived in the former Centurion Tower in April, joining the similarly exclusive SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. And more are in the works. In 2014 the town will welcome the Delano Las Vegas, which will move into the space vacated by THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, and the new 188-room Gansevoort Las Vegas, a boutique renovation of Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon, a remake courtesy of Caesars and the Gansevoort Hotel Group. Hospitality company SBE follows with its SLS mixed-use resort and casino in the former Sahara.
The boutique trend is a fortunate consequence of some unfortunate economic times. New construction stalled during the financial downturn, making renovations to existing properties—even on a grand scale—an attractive alternative. Nearly every hotel has scrambled to keep pace with improvements; the overall quality of rooms on the Strip has never been better. While gaming will always be an important part of the Las Vegas economy, the city’s fine-dining venues, which are a major draw among boutique hotels, are slowly eclipsing the gaming floor in popularity as visitors put more of their money toward shopping, dining and shows.
And while much will be made of the “boutiquification” of Las Vegas in the coming year, it is worth noting that the standard is somewhat different there. Several hotels, like Rumor Las Vegas, hold true to Sin City’s debaucherous reputation. And while Nobu and Gansevoort, each with fewer than 200 rooms, adhere more closely to a boutique strategy, SLS will have more than 1,600 rooms and the Delano will house 1,100 (still small compared with the better-known behemoths on the Strip). Consider the trend to be more an aesthetic than a size—this town doesn’t do diminutive.
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Artisan Hotel Boutique
This 64-room property is a favorite with Las Vegas hotel industry folk, who gather for its popular nightlife scene and all-day weekend pool parties.
Inside the austere white building two miles off the Strip, Artisan’s maximalist aesthetic translates into Art Deco–inspired lighting and statues, leather furniture, heavy drapes and reproductions of paintings by the likes of Michelangelo, Klimt and Picasso—a disparate approach that somehow works.
Like at its sister property, Rumor Las Vegas, uniquely adult amenities are on offer. Rooms start at $80; 1501 W. Sahara Ave.; 702-214-4000; artisanhotel.com.
SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
MGM’s 51 two-level, one-, two- or three-bedroom SKYLOFTS feature (depending on your choice) their own private entrance, gallery foyers, sweeping staircases, butler pantries and billiard rooms.
Book the two-bedroom Terrace Loft, with a bi-level outdoor balcony and plunge pool overlooking the Strip and you’ll feel as though you’re in a villa miles away. The suites come with some of the best amenities around, including multiple in-bathroom televisions and spa butlers delivering baths with color-therapy lights to the infinity spa tub.
The MGM recently completed a “grand renovation” that encompassed major eco-friendly upgrades (solar shades, LED lights) to all of its 3,570 rooms and 642 suites. Another perk? SKYLOFT guests have preferred access to all the nightspots and restaurants, like Hakkasan, a new Cantonese-themed eatery and nightclub, and Joel Robuchon. Suites start at $750; 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-891-1111; skyloftsmgmgrand.com.
Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace
Right off the casino floor in the 4,000-plus-room Caesars Palace, star chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened his first hotel this spring within what was the Centurion Tower. His restaurant anchors the sanctuary, created with natural materials like mixed-wood wall tiles.
Guest rooms combine grasscloth wall coverings, traditional black Umi tiles in the bathrooms and an unconventional nod to the flowing Zen ink brushwork of Hitsuzendo on the walls—though the natural touches belie the high technology that runs it all. Special elevators deliver guests straight to their floor without stopping, and a smartphone app allows them to order all-day in-room dining from Nobu, reach the concierge and even contact housekeeping.
Eighteen suites, including a 4,350-square-foot Nobu Penthouse, just opened. Some suites even have their own sushi counter space for personalized chef service. Rooms start at $250; 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-785-6677; nobucaesarspalace.com.
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