MGM Resorts International and Marriott International are doubling down on their collaboration, introducing the celebrated W Hotels brand to the illustrious Las Vegas Strip. This strategic move will see an MGM property undergo a transformation to bring W Hotels into the heart of Sin City, exemplifying a powerful fusion between these hospitality titans.
Strengthening the MGM-Marriott Pact
In a high-stakes game plan, MGM Resorts has announced that the conversion is expected to hit the jackpot by the end of 2024. This initiative will not only add another feather to the W Hotels’ cap but also roll the dice on their long-standing licensing agreement with Marriott, bringing a fresh twist to their luxurious offerings.
Since the inception of their partnership back in 2023, MGM and Marriott have upped the ante, enhancing expectations for both parties. The MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy launched triumphantly in March 2024 and has already hit a winning streak by boosting bookings significantly.
Here’s what’s at stake: Marriott Bonvoy’s vast network offers over 200 million members unique experiences at MGM’s glitzy properties, while MGM Rewards members can enjoy similar exclusive benefits across Marriott’s expansive empire of nearly 9,000 properties worldwide. It’s a win-win relationship that keeps both guests and the companies coming back to the table for more.
Planning to place its mark on the Mandalay Bay Campus, the new W Hotels property is expected to be a game-changer. As MGM and Marriott gear up to reveal more plans, one can feel the buzz akin to the thrill of hitting a royal flush.
A New Era of Opulence on the Strip
As the MGM-Marriott partnership draws another ace from their sleeve, Steve Zanella, MGM Resorts’ president of operations, illuminated the collaboration’s triumphs. According to Zanella, the partnership has been dealing a loaded deck of expectations, allowing MGM’s guests to experience the unparalleled pomp and circumstance promised by the iconic W Hotels.
W Las Vegas, the latest venture off our collaborative pipeline, is set to offer our guests a new luxury lifestyle experience — an experience as tailored and memorable as striking gold on the Strip.
— Steve Zanella, President of Operations, MGM Resorts
And while MGM is holding a royal hand, Leeny Oberg, CFO and EVP of development at Marriott, expressed her excitement for this new chapter, marking this agreement as a crown jewel moment for both companies.
This landmark agreement with MGM allows us to set W Hotels as a key player on the Strip, ready to show travelers a truly bold design and nightlife experience.
— Leeny Oberg, CFO & EVP of Development, Marriott International
Even as MGM strides boldly forward, partaying with exiliration akin to hitting 21 in blackjack, a note of caution hums from behind the casino curtains, with recent analysis from J.P. Morgan hinting at cautiously tempered projections for 2025.
In the world of high-stakes hospitality, both MGM and Marriott seem intent on winning hearts and minds — and, most importantly, wagers. The opening of W Las Vegas is set to expand the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy to a dynamic dozen destinations on the Strip, which already includes blockbuster venues like Bellagio, ARIA, and The Cosmopolitan. Get ready for another thrilling chapter on this glittering stage where every roll, bet, and deal spells a new opportunity for greatness.
