As with Las Vegas itself, Hilton has been busy reinventing itself in the city of Lost Wages, as the lodging company has nearly doubled its footprint over the course of three years by expanding its portfolio of hotel and resort properties in what is arguably the entertainment capital of the world — including a grand return to Las Vegas Boulevard, which is otherwise more famously known as The Strip.
Hilton Rapidly Expands Portfolio in Las Vegas 2021 to At Least 30 Properties
In its epic return to Las Vegas, Hilton is slated to have greater than 30 hotel and resort properties with at least 11,000 rooms across 12 brands in the market by the end of 2021. The lodging company has committed to continue its expansion in the market with a pipeline of seven hotels and nearly 4,000 rooms across five brands, which will increase its footprint by greater than 50 percent by 2023 and adds to the development pipeline of greater than 2,570 hotel and resort properties around the world; and 105 new hotel and resort properties totaling at least 16,500 rooms opened in the first quarter — along with achieving strong net unit growth of 5.8 percent.
Hilton has a storied history in Las Vegas in which it revolutionized the hospitality experience of what is known as Sin City over the decades — especially with the former Las Vegas Hilton, which was once the largest hotel property in the world and among the most iconic in the city before the hotel property defaulted on a loan of $252 million in 2010 and attempted to restructure its debt, which resulted in it to become The Las Vegas Hotel & Casino due to the expiration of a license agreement with what was then known as Hilton Worldwide in January of 2021. Hilton became the first New York Stock Exchange-listed company to enter the domestic gaming business in 1970 because of the Las Vegas Hilton, which became the first hospitality company to have “residency” for celebrities as it hosted notable entertainers — including Elvis Presley — for long runs. With these industry firsts, Hilton helped establish Las Vegas as the prime destination for leisure and business travel it remains today.
Also, Hilton had other iconic hotel and casino properties in its portfolio in Las Vegas in the past — including the Flamingo Hilton, Bally’s Las Vegas, and Paris Las Vegas, which were all divested from the Hilton portfolio greater than ten years ago…
…but that was then — and this is now…
What Is New in Las Vegas
Through a first-of-its-kind partnership, the reimagined and reconceptualized Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a relaxed, whimsical design with greater than 1,500 chambers and suites. The resort oasis also features an exclusive spa, a five-acre pool complex — including cabanas and daybeds along with a beach club — vibrant live entertainment venues, a state-of-the-art casino, and 110,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Guests can also indulge in a portfolio of 12 restaurants and bars — including Mediterranean dishes at Chef Todd English’s Olives, Japanese cuisine at Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Nobu, and hand-crafted cocktails at The Shag Room.
Additionally — through a historic partnership between Hilton and Genting Group — Resorts World Las Vegas is scheduled to open on Thursday, June 24, 2021; and it marks the largest multi-brand deal in the history of Hilton. The $4.3 billion development integrates the largest Conrad Hotels & Resorts hotel property in the world, one of the first LXR Hotels & Resorts locations in the United States, and a marquee Hilton Hotels & Resorts hotel property — each offering its own dedicated entrance, lobby, and distinct collection of accommodations. In addition, Resorts World Las Vegas is poised to be the largest Hilton property globally, with 3,500 guest rooms and suites. With its opening, Conrad and LXR will join Waldorf Astoria in the market for Las Vegas to be the only destination in the United States which houses all three of the luxury brands of Hilton. As the first ground-up resort development on the Las Vegas Strip in more than a decade, the complex is also conveniently located near the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Guests staying at any of the three hotel properties can enjoy premium amenities across the Resorts World Las Vegas campus — including at least 40 food and beverage outlets, seven unique pool experiences, an expansive next-generation casino floor, greater than 250,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, and a 5,000-capacity theatre which will be home to performances by Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan.
Other updates and recent additions to the portfolio of Hilton in Las Vegas include:
- Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas — Hilton’s first and most iconic luxury brand brought a new spirit to the Strip in 2018 and continues to deliver graceful service nestled in an oasis of modern luxury and intrigue. The hotel’s award-winning spa, inviting eighth-floor pool deck and gourmet dining experiences, including high tea in the stylish Tea Lounge or craft cocktails with splendid views of the Strip at Skybar, provide unexpected moments for all who visit. An upcoming transformation of the hotel’s guestrooms, meeting space and lobby experience boasts a sleek, contemporary design with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame spectacular views of Las Vegas Boulevard and the surrounding desert landscape.
- Hampton by Hilton Las Vegas Strip South — The property opened on the south end of the Strip in December 2020 and provides easy access to the city for travelers seeking value-driven, best-in-class accommodations. The colorful hotel offers friendly service, an outdoor pool, fitness center and lounge area, along with spacious rooms, complimentary breakfast, and free Wi-Fi.
- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Convention Center and Home2 Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Convention Center — The dual-branded hotel opened in August 2020 and is conveniently located across from the Las Vegas Convention Center. The property features a bespoke “Hello LoVe” design that celebrates the vibrant, innovative spirit of Las Vegas. Both brands offer complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi, and Home2 Suites is pet-friendly, providing an accessible extended stay option for the whole family, pets included.
Summary
According to a recent survey by Hilton, nearly a quarter of Americans surveyed ranked Las Vegas at the top of their must-visit destinations — and Hilton is converting those travel wish lists to become a reality for guests — including greater than 115 million Hilton Honors members globally, as it expands its presence in the market.
The Las Vegas Hilton property itself was showing its age when I last stayed there years ago. I stayed at this hotel property several times and was treated well overall, but it certainly was far from being one of the best properties of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio…
…but as with most of the other hotel, resort, and casino properties in Las Vegas, the rates were quite inexpensive — even “cheap”, as some people would say. With its introduction of new premium and luxury brands to Las Vegas, expect to pay hundreds of dollars per night for a room…
…but if those new and premium brands are not within your budget, Hilton thankfully has brands — such as Hampton Inn — whose rates may be more friendly to your wallet or purse.
I still have trip reports and reviews which are still yet to be written about my stays at Hilton hotel properties in Las Vegas — including Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Las Vegas Strip Hotel and the Hampton Inn Tropicana — and I still intend to write those articles…
Photograph ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
