Visitors to the Las Vegas Strip will now see a significant alteration at CityCenter. The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas hotel, originally owned by CityCenter Holdings LLC, has been sold. The property transitioned to the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Hotel & Residences on August 31, maintaining its high-end offerings. The hotel is now under the ownership of Hilton Hotels.
Details of the Mandarin Oriental sale
CityCenter Holdings LLC shareholders are set to receive the majority of the $214 million from the sale of the Mandarin Oriental. CityCenter Holdings, a joint venture in which MGM Resorts International and Infinity World Development Corp each own a 50 percent stake, sold the property.
Several luxury properties are retained by CityCenter LLC on the same parcel as the new Waldorf Astoria. These properties are Aria, Vdara, The Shops at Crystals and Veer Towers. All these properties are non-gaming, with the exception of Aria that features a large, high-end casino floor.
In May of this year, CityCenter management issued a termination notice to Mandarin Oriental and halted operations on August 30. Immediately after, Hilton assumed control of the hotel. Several Mandarin Oriental employees have accepted offers for equivalent roles at the new company.
Mandarin Oriental is now owned by CCLV Luxury Hotel, LLC, which includes commercial real estate developer Tiffany Lam and the co-founders of the Panda Express restaurant chain among its owners.
“Dino Michael, the global brand head of Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that they have been considering entry into the Vegas market for a while. He added that it seemed like a necessary move for them,”
Luxe details at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
Despite the property still operating, the process of rebranding and redecorating the former Mandarin Oriental started promptly by removing its signs. Hilton aims to transition the Mandarin’s distinct Asian theme into the typical Waldorf Astoria style by the end of 2018. Room renovations are scheduled to commence in the middle of 2019.
The hotel, which doesn’t cater to gaming, boasts 389 rooms, inclusive of 57 luxury suites and 225 units owned privately. It also offers 12,000 square feet of space for conventions, four dining establishments, and a two-story spa spanning 27,000 square feet.
The property has retained the luxurious lounge area formerly known as the Mandarin Bar, which was incredibly popular due to its superior views from the 23rd floor, and has been renamed SkyBar. In addition, the Tea Lounge and Chef Pierre Gagnaire’s restaurant, Twist, both remnants of the Mandarin Oriental, are also still present. The MOzen Bistro has been transformed into the Zen Kitchen, offering a casual dining experience.
