Las Vegas has long been a challenging market for both Hyatt and Starwood, which are the two chains I'm most loyal to. They've had a limited footprint in the market, though have had a creative solution for dealing with that: -- In mid 2013, Hyatt and MGM announced a partnership, whereby Gold Passport members could…
Continue reading: SLS Las Vegas To Be Acquired By Starwood!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Headline correction - Starwood did not ACQUIRE the hotel…..it gained a presence in Vegas.
Clarification
The SLS consistently has much cheaper rates than the MGM and other hotels, so I hope it stays that way. I hate where it is, but Jose Andres can make anything better!!
I agree with Anthony. The Mandarin Oriental in Vegas is one of the finest hotels in North America.
Ben-- probably zero indication from this transaction of other SLS properties developing a closer relationship with SPG as SBE and Sam Nazarian are no longer involved with the Vegas property; rather, as part of their departure, they signed a licensing agreement allowing the SLS name to continue to be used.
Has anyone stayed at Nobu Hotel inside Caesars? How is it and do you get Starwood points?
SLS Las Vegas? Meh. In terms of nice, a base level room at Venetian/Palazzo (IHG affiliation) blows most of SLS Las Vegas away. The upside is that during dead periods in Vegas you would be able to get a room for less than $100 and get an SPG credit for it, but the base rooms at SLS are tarted up, standard issue hotel rooms anywhere else (which puts them on the low end of the scale for Vegas).
But hey, if you get one of those rooms for $30-40 a night and $30 resort fee, it's OK, but if you really like the Delano for your Las Vegas stays... you're just not going to be impressed by this. Vegas as a hotel market in summer and December (save for NYE) is very much like Dubai (rates crash), so you can get some pretty luxurious rooms for a lot less than otherwise- suites at places like Bellagio and Aria (Hyatt credit) are reasonable, and at one point I got a studio suite at MGM Signature + $150 food credit for a little over $225 all-in during a two-day summer stay (and MGM Signature's rooms are nicer than SLS's, plus $150 was a VERY nice dinner at L'Atelier Jöel Robuchon).
this doesn't solve the fundamental issues with the SLS: 1) the casino is tiny and terrible; 2) the location of the SLS is horrendous.
I'm a huge fan of the SLS brand, and I think the F&B at SLS LV is great, but this really doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in me. Perhaps they'll be able to swing more convention traffic as a W, but perhaps not.
With it being a Virtuoso property and now SPG, the rates can't be beat. I was at the property when it very first opened, so a visit after it officially changes is due to see the differences. This is good news for the SLS, in my opinion.
I've had dinner at Bazaar in the SLS Vegas. Definitely worth a visit for meat lovers. But Preston is right, there is a lot to overcome with those 2 big issues.
As for the Mandarin Oriental, I stayed there for a week in October and while it was nice (and much better than the Mandarin in Atlanta), I wasn't blown away by it. Ok, with the exception of the Lobby Bar view. Now that was something special. As for the rest of the hotel, maybe I'm missing something.
My favorite North American hotel is the Shangri-La in Toronto. Four Seasons luxury at 2/3 the price. Wish Shangri-La would bring their hotels to the United States.
Has anyone ever stayed at the Westin in Vegas?
I've stayed at the Westin on Flamingo in 2012 and was not impressed.
I stayed a few times at the Westin Lake Las Vegas over the past few years and have always loved it.