Travel Agent - September 3, 2007 - (Page LV17)

“The challenge to a property that is highly themed is that it has a lifespan. It’s something that is built that is more in tune with what is in fashion at any given time,” said Stillwell. Meanwhile, back at MGM-Mirage, the company has been aggressive in changing many of its properties. “Theming was a great idea to get companies going, but the downside is people can take it all too literally and these resorts can become fatigued very quick,” said Feldman. Last year, Treasure Island completed a multi-year reinvention that cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Many of the signature pirate features built to appeal to a family-friendly crowd were removed, and the property was injected with a more mainstream look, which Feldman says has made the resort more appealing. In fact, one of the original designers of the property agrees. Treasure Island was originally built by Steve Wynn’s Mirage Corporation, which he eventually sold, along with all his other resorts. Roger Thomas, executive vice president of design for Wynn Design and Development, said that the project taught them that heavy theming of a resort has no long-term viability. “You can’t successfully convince someone they are in another place. The minute we finished Treasure Island, we immediately started a booty-ectomy,” said Thomas. “We realized we made a big mistake.” Since then, Thomas designed Bellagio, which has Italian influences but is not meant to be a specific place. Most recently he designed Wynn Las Vegas, which he said evokes a sense of romantic drama through an authentic design approach. An upgraded king guest room at Excalibur (top); a rendering of the Echelon hotel project (above left); Liquidity, a bar that’s part of Luxor’s redesign (above right) Forefront of Change In July, MGM-Mirage announced a major $300 million project to recreate the Luxor, eliminating many of the over-the-top ancient Egyptian design elements in favor of a more subdued, yet upscale design approach. “It’s a fabulous piece of architecture, but you just don’t need to beat everyone over the head with a sarcophagus to get the point across,” said Feldman, noting that hieroglyphics, for example, will be removed and about 80 percent of the property will be entirely reconceived during the next three years in several phases. Phase One will see the casino level undergo changes with the addition of LAX Las Vegas and Noir Bar, two nightclubs that opened Labor Day weekend. Also to be added is the CatHouse restaurant and a new Cirque du Soleil production with illusionist Criss Angel. At Excalibur, you’ll no longer be greeted by King Arthur or worry that a knight will threaten you with a duel; Feldman said the “campus is capable of far more sophisticated things,” and to allow that to happen, the over-the-top kitsch has to go. Even Mandalay Bay has cut down on its island vibe and will be getting a fullfledged makeover of its own during the next couple of years. Meanwhile, the Venetian recently underwent a $100 million renovation that removed some of the more direct references to the Italian city and gave the rooms a more decidedly modern European persona. While Las Vegas will always remain in a state of inexorable change, it looks to always be at the forefront of design development. “Vegas is the center of great design. Every major designer is at least making a cameo appearance here,” said Wynn’s Thomas. “In the end, it’s about bringing an innovative voice to casino design with each project.” —Glenn Haussman September 3, 2007 TravelAgent 17

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 3, 2007

Contents News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Hotel Brand Expansion Africa: Egypt’s Newest Destination Hawaii: Hawaii Update Pacific/Asia: Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square Europe: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Caribbean & Bahamas: Marriott Expands Its Caribbean Portfolio El San Juan Hotel & Casino Upgrades San Juan’s New Doubletree by Hilton Mexico: Hotels Offer Post-Hurricane Deals Ski: The Inn at Lost Creek Agent Profile Meet Mame King Advertisers’ Information Classified Marketplace Luxury Travel Expo Update People & Places Special Supplement: Las Vegas Sales Guide

Travel Agent - September 3, 2007

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