Park MGM will reopen on September 30th. When it reopens, it will be the only smoke-free casino and resort on the Strip. Park MGM was already one of my favorite resorts, but this puts it over the top for me.
Tag Archives: Hotels
What is Changing As Casinos Reopen?
Many things are changing as casinos reopen during the COVID pandemic. The most important change right now is that you are going to need to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth whenever you are inside a public area of the building. That means you need to be wearing it when in the casino, in the lobby, walking down the hotel hallway, in a public bathroom, at bars and restaurants, etc. That is a statewide mandate from Gov. Sisolak. The mandate also include public spaces outdoors where six feet of social distancing can be observed. That means you should wear it whenever you head out since you can’t guarantee that you’ll have six feet of space when walking down the Strip or on Fremont Street. The mandate goes a step further than what MGM and Caesars had already put into place require mask use, but only in a few areas.
There are limited exceptions for children 9 and under, individuals where wearing a mask would be a health or safety risk, when dining and drinking and when exercising or doing socially distanced recreational activities outside.
The new mask mandate actually simplifies a number of things. As a general rule, if you are staying at a resort you should be wearing a masks unless you are in your room with family.
Continue reading What is Changing As Casinos Reopen?
When Are Strip Hotels ReOpening?
UPDATED June 30, 2020
Las Vegas casinos and hotels will be able to reopen after the COVID-19 closures starting June 4, 2020. Everything isn’t going to instantly reopen and try to get back to normal, though. I plan to do a series of posts on the topic in the coming days. I am going to start with the most pressing one.
Which hotels are reopening on June 4th?
Continue reading When Are Strip Hotels ReOpening?MGM Is Selling The MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay
MGM Resorts is selling the MGM Grand Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay to the Blackstone Real Estate Group. MGM will lease back the properties and continue to operate them. This continues a recent trend where MGM is selling properties and leasing them back. A few months ago MGM sold the Bellagio to Blackstone with a similar arrangement.
The average visitor shouldn’t notice a difference in the short term, but it does mean that MGM Resorts no longer owns the actual structure. The properties will continue to be part of the Mlife players club program.
Resorts World Las Vegas Set to Open Next Year
The Stardust closed 13 years ago. After a few failed projects, it looks like there will finally be a new casino resort on the property.
Resorts World Las Vegas is set to open at the end of 2020, thanks to some new funding and settling some legal issues. The project broke ground in 2015 and is composed of three hotels in two 59-story towers that will have a total of 3,500 rooms. It will also include a 3,200-seat theater, 150,000 sq ft convention space, over 210,000 square feet for spas and numerous health clubs as well as the usual assortment of retail options. Keeping on theme, they are relying on Singapore’s Zouk brand for a day-and-night club complete with swimming pools on one of the floors.
Genting Group expansion
The development of the Resorts World Las Vegas is seen as a boost for the Strip as it’s the first new integrated resort to open in the area in over a decade. Genting Group appointed former MGM Grand President Scott Sibella as the head of Resorts World Las Vegas. Sibella was a key figure in the 2012 renovation of the MGM Grand. The Genting Group has over 5 decades worth of experience in managing casinos in Malaysia, as well as Singapore, Australia, the UK, and America — a dominance that Sandlot Games explains spills over to their online offerings. Genting Online Casino’s sleek design and easy-to-use web platform is home to over 300 games, including slots, a live casino, and a sportsbook that players across the globe can enjoy while waiting for Resorts World Las Vegas to open its doors. The resort casino will be the latest addition to the expanding Resorts World trademark under the Genting Group. Recently, it has also announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Genting USA will fully acquire Empire Resorts to salvage Resorts World Catskills in Kiamesha Lake, New York. The purchase, together with the Las Vegas opening, will put Genting USA in a leading position in the US gaming market according to the company.
Proceeding despite delays
Resorts World Las Vegas has undergone numerous changes from its original plans in 2013. The most recent redesign and delay was caused by the trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Wynn Resorts regarding similar construction designs. Both parties agreed to accept minimal design enhancements for Resorts World Las Vegas one day before the case would have gone to court. The changes focused on the bronze glass and dark horizontal bands between floors. The recent renderings show red strips instead of bronze – enough for the company to settle the dispute while still remaining on-brand. The company also forged a 20-year deal with NV Energy for power from 100% renewable energy sources. In a press release, Sibella highlighted that the deal is part of their commitment to be environmentally sustainable long-term operations.