Wynn Resorts ended it two-year-old paid parking program in Las Vegas, announcing Monday it was offering free self-parking at its Wynn Las Vegas and Encore garages for all guests, without limitation, and without the need for validation.
The move – which takes place Wednesday – is the first reversal in the trend that began in 2016, when MGM Resorts International began charging for parking at its Las Vegas Strip resorts. Caesars Entertainment, Tropicana Las Vegas, and the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Wynn followed suit in July 2017.
Many Las Vegas residents said they would boycott Strip resorts that charged for parking. Locals viewed free parking as an unchallenged right on the Las Vegas Strip.
“Creating a seamless experience is a cornerstone of the five-star service we provide,” said Marilyn Spiegel, President of Wynn Las Vegas. “This extends to our complimentary parking facilitates, where we take great care to ensure they are safe, spotless, and accessible for all of our guests.”
On a conference call with analysts and investors Monday afternoon, MGM Resorts executives they would keep the paid parking when asked if the company would reconsider the initiative following Wynn’s decision.
MGM Resorts President Bill Hornbuckle said the company “spent a lot time, energy and money” on its paid parking program. “We believe we have the right policy. (Wynn’s) independent decision won’t change ours going forward.”
A Wynn official said the move was enhance guest experience and “eliminate points of frustration.”
Wynn Resorts added illuminated parking spot guidance systems, license plate reading systems, and entry and exit gate speed bumps at both self-park garages, which will remain for enhanced security measures and to help regulate traffic flow, the company said.
Last year, Wynn changed the paid self-parking policy for non-hotel guests and local residents. Self-parking and valet parking at Wynn and Encore will be validated once per day, per vehicle if the quest spend $50 within Wynn or Encore, which included all retail stores, all restaurants, theaters, nightclubs and lounges, and all game play.
Valet parking remains free for overnight hotel guests at both Wynn and Encore.
For valet parking at Wynn and Encore, non-hotel guests and local residents can receive validation upon receipt of a $50 spend within Wynn or Encore.
At a gaming conference in March, Oliver Lovat, CEO of Denstone REA, told the audience resort fees, which are added onto hotel room rate charges and range from $25 to $45 a night, are not the biggest deterrent to Las Vegas visitation.
The growth of paid parking over the last few years is hurting the market’s reputation, Lovat said.
He suggested the tourism community needs to reexamine many of the fees the resort industry has been charging guests.
“The experience we give people in Las Vegas is the main reason they come here,” Lovat said. “They can’t get that experience anywhere else.”
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgamingreports.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
