In 1970, Las Vegas had 25,430 sleeping rooms. Last year, the count reached 150,593—and the city is aiming even higher, targeting 156,369 units by 2016. Investment in attractions and amenities is also strong, with over $3.7 billion going into new cultural, entertainment, dining and experiential assets over the same time frame.
On and off the Strip and in the valley, the keys to success are in winning hands.
Strip Stakes
In 1941, El Rancho Vegas became the first resort on Highway 91—the future Strip. Now walled with hotels and resorts, this famed corridor keeps enhancing its appeal, as the following highlights from on- and near-Strip properties show.
Adjacent to two other MGM Resorts International properties, Bellagio and ARIA, LEED Gold-certified, non-smoking Vdara Hotel & Spa, a CityCenter anchor hotel, is one of just eight North American resorts to earn the 5 Green Keys rating from the Green Key Meetings Program. Attractive to smaller corporate, incentive and social groups, the 1,495 all-suite, non-gaming Vdara recently debuted Silk Road, a versatile new 6,400-square-foot group space.
Investing $350 million in its resorts this year, MGM announced a $66 million expansion of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Plans include adding more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space to the existing 1.7 million-square-foot venue. With an anticipated opening later this year, the 1,100 all-suite Delano Las Vegas replaces THEhotel at Mandalay Bay.
MGM is also partnering with AEG on a new 20,000-seat indoor sports and entertainment arena, slated to open in 2016.
