Resorts World Las Vegas is all about the amenities. Compared to other Strip properties, the main gaming floor comes across almost as an afterthought.
That’s one of the first impressions of the $4.3 billion Malaysia-based Genting Group property that opens to the public at 11 p.m. on Thursday night. It’s the first Strip resort opening since The Cosmopolitan in December 2010.
On Tuesday, Resorts World executives took the media on a tour of the 88-acre property and it’s nothing if not impressive. Industry consultants have already suggested it will redefine the luxury experience in Las Vegas and place an even greater emphasis on non-gaming amenities to lure visitors — a notion the executives repeatedly emphasized.
During an interview with CDC Gaming, Resorts World President Scott Sibella said Tuesday the property will earn 73% of its revenue from income streams other than the casino. That easily surpasses the Strip average of 65.5%.
Cabana pool – credit Megan Blair
“We spent a lot of time designing the property, knowing that that percentage will continue to shift. I don’t think it will go up to 73% right when we open. But knowing that non-gaming was going to be a big part of our revenue, we programmed for that with the different restaurants, lounges, bars, rooms, and attractions.”
Sibella noted that because a Strip property hasn’t been built in a decade, Resorts World could capitalize on the latest trends in the industry. “We took advantage of what you can do today. Technology (including cashless gaming) has advanced and a lot of these properties don’t have the infrastructure or money. We started from scratch and did things in today’s world that they couldn’t,” Sibella said.
Sun’s Out Buns Out egg-themed restaurant
Resorts World designed the property, then placed the 117,000-square-foot casino in the middle of it. It’s easy to get around and know where you are, especially compared to some Strip resorts of similar size. Resorts World is as big as the MGM Grand or even bigger, Sibella said.
“This is a gaming city, of course, but we’re the Entertainment Capital of the World, so we wanted to make sure it was all about entertainment and that starts with the (4,700-seat) theater.”
The luxurious theater remains under construction and won’t open until November when Céline Dion hosts a charity concert.
DawgHouse Saloon
Although the theater isn’t completed, other significant amenities are, such as 70,000 square feet of high-end shopping in its retail, restaurant, and entertainment corridor called the District, along with more than 40 food and beverage outlets. In addition, a dayclub adjoining the nightclub is a Balinese-style oasis inspired by a Southeast Asian tropical village, with stepped rice terraces and a theater-like environment. The property has nine pools for different types of guests, ranging from VIPs to families.
Resorts World was designed to attract all types of customers and has a trio of Hilton-managed hotels to accommodate them, Sibella said. The first tier is operated by Hilton itself. The second tier is its Conrad brand for the luxury traveler, while Crockfords is its ultra-luxury third brand.
“Crockfords is a casino experience that no one else has,” Sibella said. “That’s for high-limit gaming customers.”
The high-roller element is vital to any major Las Vegas Strip resort and Resorts World is no exception. It has special gaming areas off the main casino floor for the international big players it hopes to attract.
Conrad Hotel
Sibella said Resorts World won’t be like Circus Circus, which draws families, but he expects higher-level customers to bring their families. “A family can come here and have some attractions that appeal to them,” Sibella said. “We’re a property that has a little of everything.”
Max Tappeiner, the senior vice president of hotel operations, said they’re excited to open after COVID-19 shut down the casino industry 15 months ago. It’s been a tough period for the city, but Tappeiner lauded how Genting committed to finishing the project even during the pandemic.
“We’re eager to be part of the resurgence of travel in Las Vegas and for the United States,” Tappeiner said. “The commitment to our guests and patrons is that we will have the absolute best entertainment Las Vegas has ever seen. Once we launch our theater (in November) and nightlife, I promise we will have the best entertainment in town. The lineup from Katy Perry to Céline Dion, along with Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood is unbelievable.”
Poker room
Tappeiner said the Bellagio fountains were the last major attraction in Las Vegas in more than 20 years, but Resorts World has its own attraction with a digital display on its building. Guests will want to come see and experience the more than 160,000 square feet of interactive screens that serve as a sort of skin for the exterior of the towers.
“Our guest experience will be super unique and the ability to have anything at any time on your phone is something we felt strongly about,” Tappeiner said. “You can order room service on your phone from any place on property, including the pool deck, and from any restaurant. You can order pillows and make reservations and check in and have a digital key with your phone.
“We are currently in the post-pandemic world and technology will continue to play a major role. But at the end of the day, the authenticity of warm and friendly service still sit sat the center of everything we do. That’s a reflection of our commitment to our Asian heritage.”
