The Southern California-based San Manuel Band of Mission Indians announced Tuesday that the Palms Casino Resort has started accepting room reservations ahead of its historic opening April 27th, one day ahead of the NFL Draft on the Las Vegas Strip and the week before the Kentucky Derby.
The opening will mark the first Native American casino ownership in Las Vegas after the tribe acquired the property from Red Rock Resorts in December for $650 million, a property that was shuttered in March 2020 and hasn’t reopened since.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for us to welcome everyone back to Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas,” said San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority Chairwoman Latisha Casas. “We look forward to introducing our guests to our rich history, culture and signature hospitality. We can’t wait to make history together.”
CDC Gaming Reports featured a story Monday that the announcement was imminent and how the timing for the property’s spring reopening was perfect.
The opening ahead of the NFL Draft isn’t a surprise. The Palms, with its proximity to Allegiant Stadium on the west side of the I-15, is touting the property with suites facing the stadium for being able to handle Raider and other football fans.
On Wednesday, William Hill will go before the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission April 21st for licensing to operate the Palms’ sportsbook.
Having undergone more than a $600 million renovation in 2019, the Palms will have a diverse mix of bars and restaurants, featuring the return of outlets such as the Scotch 80 Prime and Mabel’s BBQ by Chef Michael Symon, Murphey said. Casual dining options include Send Noodles and the debut of Serrano Vista Cafe.
What the Palms won’t have is the former Kaos nightclub on the ground floor that it was known for in the past, but the Ghostbar nightclub, an indoor/outdoor boutique club on the 55th floor that previously catered to athletes and celebrities, will return this summer. No announcement has been made on the future use of the Kaos space.
This new chapter in Palms history will be celebrated with a fireworks extravaganza on opening night.
“The speed with which they will achieve that opening is a testament to the team and Cindy Kiser Murphey’s leadership,” said Josh Swissman, a casino consultant and founder of The Strategy Organization. “Accelerating the opening to precede the important NFL draft is a lofty goal that should reap benefits for them in the short term. There will be a lot of eyes on the city for the draft, and it is beneficial for Palms to be part of that story. It’s a good way to generate brand awareness right out of the gate.”
“It will be a big week for Las Vegas as the Palms opens up on the eve of the NFL Draft,” added Brendan Bussmann, managing partner with B Global, a casino consultancy. “With thousands of visitors expected that weekend, they will have another option as this property reopens after a lengthy shutdown from the pandemic.”
The resort features a 95,000 square-foot casino and will also offer guests an expansive resort pool area featuring a multi-level, 73,000-square-foot space offering two main pools and 39 cabanas, most with their own private pool. The space also features oversized daybeds and poolside lounge chairs throughout.
Palms is touting the property as one that will be about creating experiences, showcasing its Las Vegas views and recording memories. It will be all about its energy and adapting to what’s become a new era in the gaming industry of creating experiences and memories, and the iPhone will be a big part of spreading that message, according to its General Manager Cynthia Kiser Murphey.
“From our locals to guests visiting from near and far, our goal is simple – to deliver a truly distinctive experience that makes you feel at home while you are in Las Vegas,” Murphey said.
“We will be all about building the new Palms. It’s a different era. The industry has changed a lot. It’s about adapting the new Palms to what the environment is. The last two years have changed the landscape of delivering entertainment, hospitality and gaming of course.”
Murphey said they’re creating a gaming floor “that’s very energetic,” and that starts with hospitality employees who care deeply about delivering service.
“How do we create energy? The Palms is a beautifully appointed stage, and it’s our job to make it come to life,” Murphey said. “I believe (guests) want to be very spontaneous. I don’t think they want a set agenda. They want a lot of opportunities to take pictures. We are in the business of creating memories. What you take away in your heart and mind and take away from your iPhone is important from a hospitality gaming experience.”
The Palms will draw from its San Manuel tribal database for its casino hotel in San Bernardino County – a 432-room hotel at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in Highland that opened in December – but also marketed to the rest of Southern California, Arizona, Utah and the Pacific Northwest. Las Vegas locals will also be an important part of its customer base.
“It’s a new era in Las Vegas with its first, full-fledged tribal owned facility as part of the resort corridor,” Bussmann said. “ With a California database in hand, it will be fascinating to watch how their existing customer base may change their patterns as they visit from the SoCal market.”
The resort also includes over 190,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and event space; the Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater that will reopen in the summer; wedding chapel; the Brenden Theaters 14-screen cinema that will reopen with the hotel and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums.
