Marriott, MGM to Rebrand Delano Las Vegas as W Hotel

Posted on: October 21, 2024, 12:52h. 

Last updated on: October 21, 2024, 01:18h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

Marriott International and MGM Resorts International announced Monday that they’re teaming up to convert the Delano Las Vegas to the hotelier’s W brand.

The Delano Las Vegas. Marriott and MGM said they’re converting the hotel to the W brand later this year. (Image: MGM Resorts International)

The transition of that property is expected to occur later this year and marks an extension of the previously announced partnership between the gaming company and the hotel giant. Earlier this year, the companies debuted the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, which allows for some MGM properties to be booked on Marriott’s website and via the Bonvoy mobile application.

Located on the Mandalay Bay Campus, the property is slated to officially join the W Hotels portfolio later this year, with additional plans for the property to be announced in the future,” according to a statement issued by the two companies.

Delano is a nongaming hotel. Marriott and MGM didn’t announce plans to change that status upon converting the property to the W brand.

Delano Rebrand Extends Marriott, MGM Relationship

Converting the Delano Las Vegas to Marriott’s posh W brand is the latest addition to the relationship between the hotel operator and MGM.

W hotels are part of the broader Bonvoy portfolio, indicating the Las Vegas venue could be added to the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy. Revealed in July 2023, the licensing agreement covers MGM’s 17 domestic properties, including those on the Las Vegas Strip and the brand’s regional casino hotels.

That partnership, through which members of MGM Rewards can earn Marriott Bonvoy points, has already paid dividends. When the gaming company delivered first-quarter results in May, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle said the arrangement with Marriott had “surpassed our initial expectations,” adding that the operator expected it to be a “growth driver” this year.

“Since MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy officially launched in March 2024, bookings are significantly outpacing anticipated projections with hundreds of thousands of room nights booked. This collaboration between two trusted hospitality brands means more than 200 million Marriott Bonvoy members can enjoy unique benefits and redeem points at MGM Resorts’ destinations while MGM Rewards members can status match and receive member benefits at Marriott’s global portfolio of approximately 9,000 properties,” according to the press release.

Delano Conversion Blow to Accor

MGM’s plan to work with Marriott on converting the Delano to the W brand is a blow to Accor Hotel Group, which controls the Delano. With the upcoming loss of the Las Vegas property, the French hospitality company will have no US properties bearing the Delano name. Other hotels with that brand can be found in Dubai and Paris.

As for Marriott and MGM, the W will be the 12th Las Vegas Strip venue in the MGM Collection group.

The gaming company, which is the largest operator on the Strip, is also in the process of rebranding the NoMad at Park MGM. Hilton acquired a majority stake in NoMad operator Sydell Group and announced plans to part ways with the Sin City venue, which was run as a boutique hotel commanding four floors of Park MGM.