A Las Vegas hotel-resort announced a major room and amenities upgrade while a new Marriott property opened its doors in Ohio.   

MGM Grand in Las Vegas Upgrades Rooms, Adds Suites   

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is embarking upon a $300 million remodel of its 4,212 guestrooms and suites within its main tower. The transformation, which is expected to be completed in December 2025, will feature modern, sophisticated design elements joined by a fresh lineup of new dining and entertainment experiences set to open later this year. 

A collaboration between Gensler and MGM Resorts Design & Development, the hotel’s main tower remodel blends disco-era glamour with modern aesthetics, creating a playful yet elegant atmosphere. The design prominently incorporates bold, original artwork as well as dynamic patterns celebrating The Strip resort’s rich history and forward-looking vision. 

MGM Grand is home to the modern MGM Grand Conference Center, which offers more than 850,000 square feet of meeting and event space. 

Guestroom Upgrades 

The resort’s king rooms showcase rich walnut wood finishes, warm gray textured wall coverings and vibrant carpet designs, while its queen rooms feature lighter gray stone finishes, vertical sconce accents, and tailored headboards. All rooms boast upgraded media consoles with a starburst wood pattern, convenient charging stations on both sides of the bed, and wall-mounted Smart TVs. 

Blending functionality, comfort, and style, additional features include: 

• Upgraded, spa-like bathrooms with spacious walk-in showers and bright porcelain finishes 
• Integrated closets with mirrored, illuminated interiors 
• Enhanced blackout drapery 
• Guest-use refrigerators 

New Selection of Suites 

MGM Grand will also add 111 suites to its main tower for a total of 753. Ranging from 675 to 2,572 square feet, the newly designed suites will showcase a sophisticated blend of dark wood finishes accented by lighter tones, with layouts reconfigured to enhance privacy. Suites also include multi-functional spaces for work and entertainment, sheer roller shades, comfortable sectionals, and lenticular artwork, while renovated suite bathrooms offer double illuminated mirrors and new showers with quartz benches. 

These refreshed rooms and suites add to the hotel’s collection of remodeled accommodations that include the 700-room Studio Tower, which was completed in 2022. 

“MGM Grand has long been recognized as the center of entertainment and excitement in Las Vegas and these newly remodeled rooms, coupled with new attractions on the horizon, demonstrate our commitment to evolving the guest experience for both leisure and business travelers,” said MGM Grand president and COO Mike Neubecker. “These new rooms are a significant milestone in the property’s evolution as MGM Grand positions itself for the exciting developments set for the south end of The Strip.” 

Additional Amenities 

MGM will also be introducing several new dining venues and attractions, including the early 2025 opening of Netflix Bites, featuring cuisine inspired by hit Netflix shows, and the summer launch of Palm Tree Beach Club, a tropical-inspired day club from world-renown DJ Kygo’s Palm Tree Crew. 

The first phase of the main tower’s newly remodeled rooms will be available for reservations starting March 1.  

Cincinnati Debuts a New Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott  

On January 17, the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, unveiled its latest addition to the Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott collection with the opening of Hotel Celare, a seven-story, 171-room luxury property boasting sophisticated rooms, two elevated dining venues, high-end amenities, 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, and a 24/7 fitness center. 

Located across from the University of Cincinnati and a short drive from the city’s downtown, the new hotel is a collaboration between developer Crawford Hoying and Shaner Hotel Group, marking the first Cincinnati development project owned and operated by both parties, respectively.  

“Collaborating with Crawford Hoying on Hotel Celare has been a wonderful experience and journey on this continued partnership,” said Shaner Hotels President Plato Ghinos. “Having worked with Crawford Hoying in the past, we knew that with their expertise and deep connections in curating the best team in architecture and design, we’d have the top development to visit in Cincinnati.”    

Meeting and Event Spaces 

Hotel Celare features four versatile event rooms with flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, including: 

• Onyx Ballroom: 2,621 square feet, offering floor-to-ceiling windows and capable of hosting up to 200 guests 
• Garnet Boardroom: 406 square feet 
• Emerald Boardroom: 181 square feet 
• Jade Boardroom: 176 square feet 
• A second-floor terrace for year-round events 
• Pre-function areas with built-in refreshment stations  

Artistically Thoughtful and Bold Design   

With architecture by Meyers+Associates, the hotel’s contemporary façade features expansive windows and inviting outdoor terraces, offsetting a 22-foot x 37-foot 4-inch mural by Miss Birdy, a well-known Ohio-based muralist and gallery artist, celebrating the unique and often overlooked beauty of the natural world. Designed by Texas-based design firm, Studio 11 Design, the hotel’s modern interiors weave in vibrant colors, lush materials, plush furnishings, and playful patterns nodding to Cincinnati’s rich history.  

Key Features and Amenities 

Available in a variety of types, modern guestrooms were designed to balance comfort with functionality and are each equipped with a comfortable workstation, complimentary Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, and a Nespresso Coffee machine, with modern bathrooms, featuring a rain shower, stylish mirrors and fixtures, and luxurious bath products. 

The hotel offers two onsite culinary experiences: the sleek yet cozy Iris Café, offering artisanal breakfast fare during the day and handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, artisanal beverages, and a full menu at night, and The Vick, an urban rooftop bar and restaurant located on the seventh floor. The latter boasts a retro 1950s design and panoramic skyline views, with a dinner menu featuring whimsical dishes including Carpaccio Piemontese, Prosciutto & Fig, Baby Beets, and Cheesecake Pops, and a signature bar serving creative cocktails.  

Situated in the heart of the dynamic District at Clifton Heights, Hotel Celare is surrounded by local shops, an abundance of parks, nearby hospitals, and more.  

Have some meetings hotel news to share? Reach out to lisa.savas@informa.com and danica.tormohlen@informa.com.

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