Virgin Hotel And Mohegan Sun Casino Toast Of Vegas After Opening

Written By Marc Meltzer on March 26, 2021

After being closed for 415 days, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has finally reopened. The latest casino and hotel, situated at the former location of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino just off Harmon Avenue on the Vegas Strip, adds a new flavor to Las Vegas.

The newly imagined property, formerly a casino, has been transformed into a stunning casino and hotel with a desert oasis theme. The whole property, including the lobby, is adorned with natural tones, gems, and plants, reminiscent of a tranquil desert oasis.

Colorful bursts adorn the casino and hotel at Virgin, which presents an entirely distinct ambiance compared to its predecessor. While recent visitors may spot resemblances to the old casino, the renovations have cleverly repurposed old spaces.

This property associated with Virgin is not the only one with multiple operators. Over the years, this business model has gained popularity, although it is not often marketed as such. For instance, the recent sale of The Venetian will result in new landowners and property operators.

It should first be noted that Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin brand name, will have minimal involvement with the hotel and casino. The entire property is actually owned by a company known as JC Hospitality.

The hotel and amenities will be operated by Virgin, while the majority of the casino operations will be handled by Mohegan Sun. Each presents a unique brand for guests of the hotel and visitors of the casino. Although the property carries the Virgin name, the casino maintains its own distinct branding.

The two distinct brands should appeal to diverse customer bases. Virgin, a brand renowned worldwide, boasts a widely patronized hotel chain. In contrast, Mohegan Sun is a favored casino brand among gamblers located in the north Atlantic states.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas comprises the two companies and other associated partners in total.

Virgin Hotel

Each room in Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has undergone renovation since the Hard Rock era. The updated colors and furnishings are noticeably different. Interestingly, the hotel has replaced the term “rooms” with “chambers.” Step inside one of the hotel towers and chambers for a peek.

Virgin’s hotel room prices are notable in Las Vegas for not including a resort fee, making them slightly less confusing, though not necessarily cheaper. In comparison, Virgin’s prices are less than those at Aria. However, they are more expensive than many of the mid-range hotels prevalent in the Vegas Strip area.

Most hotels in Las Vegas that are off the strip offer free self-parking. However, not all parking services are complimentary. For instance, valet service is available at a relatively low cost. This service charges $6 per vehicle for up to three hours, with a daily maximum charge of $20.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas falls under the Hilton’s Curio Collection. Hilton not only powers the primary booking engine for this Las Vegas property but also runs the Hilton Honors reward program, which stands as one of the world’s largest hotel rewards programs.

Guests who frequently visit Virgin Hotels in various cities can participate in The Know loyalty program, but they must book through the Virgin Hotels website.

It may seem excessive to have two loyalty programs, but there’s even a third one exclusively for gamblers.

Mohegan Sun Casino

Mohegan Sun, the first Native American tribe to run a casino in the Vegas Strip area, manages most of the 60,000 square feet of gaming space at Virgin. Despite overseeing 650 slot machines and over 50 table games, the company does not operate the sportsbook.

When it officially opens this summer, Betfred will take over the operation of the sportsbook. Although the sportsbook is currently open for game viewing, the betting desk will close later this year. Additionally, Betfred plans to launch a new sports betting app.

Hotel guests have the option of using Hilton Rewards and The Know, while gamblers can utilize Momentum Rewards. The rewards program that is compatible with other Mohegan Sun properties is also linked to Las Vegas.

Guests from the East Coast will be permitted to use and accumulate rewards in Las Vegas, and the same applies in reverse. The benefits offered in Las Vegas differ from those at Mohegan Sun properties located elsewhere.

Photo by AP / Matt York
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Marc Meltzer

Marc was raised in the tougher neighborhoods of South Bronx. His unique blend of being both a Yankees and Jets fan gives him a distinctively different perspective. As a freelance writer and social media consultant, Marc’s work revolves around topics like steak, alcohol, gambling, and Las Vegas – a challenging line of work that someone has to do.

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