Indulging in a Taste of High-End Vegas Luxury in a Virgin Setting
Let's dive into the juicy details about what's cooking up at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas for the remainder of 2025, straight from the horse's mouth, aka President Cliff Atkinson.
Virgin's grand entry onto the Las Vegas Strip was pushed back by the pandemic, but it's been a successful story ever since its quiet debut in March 2021. The property has built a strong connection with locals and reclaimed the spotlight during last year's Formula One race. Atkinson enthusiastically describes it as a "re-coming out party."
Today, the resort is buzzing with plans for this year's Formula One race and the AVN Awards in January. It'll also be the official hotel for the Electric Daisy Carnival in May. Exciting changes are on the horizon for the now empty nightclub-theater. Plus, the famous Center Bar is gearing up for a comeback. We caught up with Atkinson back in September.
With a whopping 33 years in the hospitality industry, Atkinson has gained valuable experience at Mandarin Oriental, MGM Resorts International, and even a stint as President of the Luxor Hotel & Casino. And now, he's off-Strip at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, having been there for over a year now. So what drew him to the property?
Atkinson shares that half his career was with Mandarin Oriental, where he fell in love with the industry. He was looking for something a bit unique and different, and that's exactly what Virgin Hotels offers – a mix of boutique-style luxury, outstanding villas with butler service, and tons of hidden gems scattered throughout the property. It's all about creating an unforgettable lifestyle experience that combines gaming, food, beverage, and entertainment.
One of those hidden gems is the Shag Room, a speakeasy-style live music venue without a cover charge. Here, you can catch incredible performances by famous bands and up-and-coming local talent – perfect for anyone seeking some old-school Vegas fun.
Being off-Strip can have its challenges, but Atkinson is optimistic about the property's location. He highlights that traffic in town has never been crazier, and both locals and visitors are getting to know just how close Virgin Hotels is to the Strip. The resort is also the closest, most exciting casino environment to the airport.
Construction walls are going up as the station for the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop is being built. By next year, guests will be able to zip from the property to the Convention Center in an underground Tesla. The new transportation option has helped boost group business, with room nights doubling this year.
Virgin's partnership with Hilton has evolved for the better, with the resort taking over self-management. The partnership allows Virgin to market to over 100 million Hilton Honors members, and the relationship with Hilton has never been stronger.
When it comes to the rooms and suites, recent renovations have given them a fresh look, with 80-plus suites that can compete with any in Vegas. However, the focus is on changing retail, food and beverage, and the gaming-floor program. Atkinson says that's where they'll invest their efforts over the next 18 to 24 months.
Virgin Hotels targets a young, fun-loving demographic. Atkinson says they welcome everyone but their sweet spot is millennials looking for something different. To cater to this audience, they've been hosting events like the Wu-Tang Clan residency and a variety of entertainment for the NFR and Formula One. They've also set up the Shag Room and their burlesque show "Lady Luck."
There are construction walls up, but exciting new changes are coming. Virgin plans to launch new, Virgin-branded retail spaces, create additional meeting space, and build a new gaming bar. They're also working on revamping the former Magic Mike Theater space. No details have been announced yet, but Atkinson hints that the theater still holds a special place in their hearts.
Rounding things off, let's chat about Nobu – an iconic location since the Hard Rock days. With free parking and a non-Strip location, it's easy to enjoy a fantastic dinner here. There are plans for the former Todd English restaurant space, but Atkinson is tight-lipped about the details. Lastly, they're taking over casino operations and planning to introduce a new loyalty program in 2025. This program is sure to shake things up and provide even more value for customers in Las Vegas. Stay tuned for updates on the sports book and other exciting changes coming to Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in 2025!
- The casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, which offers a unique blend of gaming, food, beverage, and entertainment, is planning to launch new Virgin-branded retail spaces and a new gaming bar.
- The property is optimistic about the benefits of its location, as it's the closest, most exciting casino environment to the Las Vegas airport and traffic in town has never been crazier, making it more accessible to both locals and visitors.
- Atkinson describes the resort as a mix of boutique-style luxury, outstanding villas with butler service, and hidden gems, such as the Shag Room, a speakeasy-style live music venue offering performances by famous bands and up-and-coming local talent.
- Virgin Hotels is targeting a young, fun-loving demographic, particularly millennials looking for something different, and they've been hosting events like the Wu-Tang Clan residency and a variety of entertainment for the NFR and Formula One, as well as setting up the Shag Room and their burlesque show "Lady Luck."
