W Las Vegas coming to Mandalay Bay — a blow to Accor’s Delano brand
Marriott’s growing partnership with MGM Resorts means one lifestyle hotel brand hits the jackpot while another is leaving Las Vegas.
Marriott and MGM Resorts are bringing the W Hotels brand to the Mandalay Bay campus on the Las Vegas Strip. The W Las Vegas will occupy what is currently the Delano hotel tower on the Mandalay Bay complex. The Delano-to-W conversion is expected to wrap up sometime later this year, and it’s a loss for Accor’s Ennismore lifestyle hotel collective, which includes the Delano brand.
“We’re thrilled to continue working with MGM to bring W Las Vegas to the legendary Las Vegas Strip,” Leeny Oberg, Marriott International’s chief financial officer and executive vice president of development, said in a prepared statement. “This agreement is a pivotal moment in our collaboration, which continues to expand hospitality and entertainment offerings for guests. As a luxury brand rooted in bold design and nightlife, W Hotels is well-positioned to elevate experiences for travelers in this destination.”
The move comes a little more than a year after Marriott and MGM Resorts announced their strategic partnership that officially took effect earlier this year.
“Our relationship with Marriott has far exceeded our expectations, demonstrating the power of its brand portfolio and the strength of their distribution channels,” Steve Zanella, president of MGM Resorts operations, added in a prepared statement. “W Las Vegas, the latest hotel to come to life as part of our collaboration, will allow our guests to access a new luxury lifestyle experience recognized worldwide for its distinct personality, dynamic programming and elevated service culture.”
The addition of W Las Vegas means the MGM Resorts-Marriott partnership will include 12 locations on the Las Vegas Strip, from Bellagio, a Luxury Collection Resort & Casino, Las Vegas to Aria Resort & Casino and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas — both part of the Autograph Collection. Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is part of the MGM Collection with other properties like Luxor Hotel & Casino and MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
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While details on the upcoming W Las Vegas conversion are limited, the Marriott announcement indicates “additional plans for the property” following the name change are in the works. So, any stays at W Las Vegas later this year are likely to feel pretty similar to one at the Delano — except you’ll be earning Marriott Bonvoy points.
W Las Vegas isn’t the only conversion at MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas taking place in the next few months. NoMad Las Vegas within the Park MGM campus is also expected to change its branding, as NoMad is now a Hilton-affiliated brand.
The W Las Vegas conversion is also a temporary setback for Accor and Ennismore with Delano in its home country. Delano, which started as a cooler-than-cool hotel concept on Miami’s South Beach, will no longer have a U.S. home. It will only be in Paris — at Maison Delano Paris, one of TPG’s best hotels of 2023 — and Dubai for the time being.
TPG reached out to Accor for comment but didn’t hear back in time for publication. The company’s lifestyle offshoot did announce last year that the Miami property “will undergo a substantial renovation” and eventually reopen as a flagship for the brand amid its broader global growth.
In the meantime, Marriott Bonvoy members have another way to earn and use points in Sin City. It will continue to cement Marriott’s status as the hotel loyalty program leader in the U.S. gaming capital, thanks to its MGM Resorts partnership.
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