5 Things We’re Looking Forward To At The New Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

Las Vegas has a brand new casino-hotel with multiple brand names. After more than two years of construction, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opened its doors for the first time just before the end of March – and just in time for Vegas’ reopenings and travel resurgence.

While the Virgin brand is all over the property, most of the casino is operated and branded with Mohegan Sun. The Betfred sportsbook occupies a small nook inside the casino.

When walking into the former Hard Rock Hotel and Casino guests will notice the bright, hip desert-inspired design by Virgin Hotels. This changes when guests enter the dark casino floor.

The property located off the Vegas Strip is an odd mix of styles that will become the fabric of the property for many visitors. After an early visit, we’re looking forward to more venues opening at Virgin. Here are five things to keep an eye on:

1. Fewer fees and decent gaming

The new casino and hotel brands are bringing some new ideas to Las Vegas that some visitors will flock to. Virgin Hotels around the world usually don’t charge mandatory resort fees for ever
y night someone stays at its properties.

That continues as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is one of the few casino-hotels that doesn’t charge a resort fee. Like most off-strip casinos, Virgin doesn’t charge for self-parking. However, there is a fee for valet ($6 for up to 3 hours per vehicle or a maximum of $20 per day).

Additionally, there’s no charge for fast wi-fi service throughout the property.

The gaming in the Mohegan Sun casino is decent – but not great. All blackjack games pay 3:2 when a player receives a natural blackjack. All roulette games are single- or double-zero instead of the triple-zero games popping up more frequently. This is par for the course for an off-strip casino.

On the other hand, the video poker options are less than desirable. According to vpFREE2, the most playable games are $1 per credit instead of a quarter you’d typically find at a casino away from the Vegas Strip.

2. Restaurants we’re looking forward to

Virgin refreshed almost all of the restaurants at the property. There are plenty of places to eat inside the new property including longtime favorite Nobu. We’re almost looking forward to trying One Steakhouse and Casa Calavera.

Morton’s is one of the most famous names for US steakhouses. One Steakhouse is the brainchild of David and Michael Morton. Both bring vast steakhouse experience to this fun modern, yet traditional, steakhouse.

Casa Calavera replaces Pink Taco as the Mexican restaurant in this building. Nightclub and restaurant mavens Hakkasan Group opened walls and redesigned the space to be more open. The entrance to the restaurant is full of Instagram-able locations including outdoor seating with the resort pool as a backdrop.

3. Sports betting is coming soon

Betfred will operate the sportsbook inside the Mogehan Sun Casino. The sportsbook is only showing games for the time being. Betfred is on schedule to take bets in person at Virgin or via a sports betting app this summer.

The small traditional sportsbook won’t be the only place to watch and wager on the games at Virgin. A bar, restaurant and nightlife venue called Money Baby! will open in May.

This 15,000-square-foot venue was formerly a multi-level nightclub. The reinvented space will feature a sportsbook with a bar and restaurant. It will also have a golf simulator, shuffleboard, DJ booths and more.

4. Virgin rewards

The combination of brands at this property brings more ways to potentially earn and use rewards throughout the property.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Members of the Hilton Honors reward program can earn and use rewards on hotel rooms in Las Vegas and around the world. Unlike other Virgin Hotels, this is the default booking engine for the property.

There’s another hotel rewards program at the property. Virgin Hotels has its own rewards program called The Know. This is another way to access hotel room discounts and deals but visitors will have to book through the Virgin Hotels website.

Mohegan Sun also has its own rewards program specifically for gamblers. Momentum Rewards connects the various Mohegan Sun casinos around the US. This will be the first time players at the Connecticut, Pennsylvania and other Mohegan Sun casinos can earn rewards at home to use in Las Vegas

5. Kassi Beach House and dayclub

This European-style restaurant and lounge will offer a different experience and atmosphere than anywhere else at Virgin. The venue was designed with Coastal Italian and Greek influences inside and out.

The indoor and outdoor venue will act as the conduit to the dayclub which will open shortly. Hospitality group Wish You Were Here and restaurateur Nick Mathers, the creator of LA’s Élephante, are spearheading the operation of Las Vegas’ newest dayclub experience. This venue should also become a summertime brunch hotspot.

Virgin has a lot of entertainment planned for this summer. Some of the fun includes this unique dayclub experience. There’s also the modern sports-nightlife venue and plenty of indoor and outdoor dining. However…we’re looking forward to another venue.

Live music lovers are probably waiting for details on when The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will start booking concerts. This new music venue will occupy the same space as The Joint but it will have a different name and likely book more diverse acts.