Vegas, revamped: Hot hotel upgrades in the desert

Emerald City: The MGM Grand is a recently renovated Las Vegas hotel.

By Mark Chesnut

A perennial favorite for business travelers and conventioneers (not to mention lots of vacationers), Las Vegas is in the midst of a wave of renovation. The result? Even more ways to indulge and be productive in so-called “Sin City.”

In September, the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino finished a $160 million remodeling of 3,570 guest rooms and suites in the main tower. Remodeled Grand King and Grand Queen guest rooms now feature modern design and eco-friendly amenities. The hotel also introduced the STAY WELL collection, which features 42 rooms and suites designed for guests looking to take their wellness-focused lifestyle on the road—complete with wake-up light therapy to reverse jet lag and shower water infused with vitamin C.

The Bellagio, which finished a $70 million redesign of 2,568 in its main tower in 2011, is now renovating all 928 rooms in its Spa Tower. As part of the remodel, slated to be finished by December, the Bellagio will introduce new Executive Hospitality Suites, which measure 2,500 square feet and feature private billiards lounges and home theater living areas. Also slated for completion in December is a large-scale renovation at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, which will sport chic interiors with Art Deco touches.

In downtown Las Vegas, the former Fitzgeralds Casino & Hotel has completed a full transformation to become the D Las Vegas, the tallest hotel in the neighborhood. New gaming, redesigned lobby, bars and restaurants, and 8,000 square feet of meeting space are among the draws here.

Visitors looking for fresh dining options can also check out ARIA Resort and Casino at CityCenter, which this fall opens Javier’s, a new branch of a hotspot for Mexican cuisine already popular in southern California and Los Cabos. Also new at ARIA is Tetsu, the creation of Michelin-starred Chef Masa Takayama, as well as the opening of Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil and a new Blue Man Group show. The Luxor Hotel, meanwhile, this fall unveiled Public House, the first west coast location for a beloved east coast restaurant and bar.

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com,which focuses on travel to Latin America. He’s never had much luck with slot machines. 

Tagged: Hotels, Las Vegas