Big Las Vegas news: Company executives say that when Virgin Hotel and Casino Las Vegas opens its doors on March 25 it will not charge widely-despised resort fees. That’s an anomaly in Sin City.
“We can’t wait to open our doors, and we’re proud to be one of the first major casino-resorts in Las Vegas without a resort fee,” says Richard Bosworth, president and CEO of JC Hospitality.
Virgin Hotel and Casino Las Vegas is taking over the just-off-Strip property that used to be the Hard Rock Hotel.
Resort fees are the daily charges, in addition to taxes, that properties include on your bill at checkout. They’re rarely, if ever, disclosed in quoted nightly room rates.
The fees range as high as $45 at some Strip properties.
Depending on an individual property’s policy, the resort fee may cover a variety of services, including WiFi, parking and gym access.
Note: The 1,500-room Virgin Hotel and Casino also will offer free parking. That’s a specific, relatively new added cost that has irked many locals, as well as visitors to Las Vegas who drive to the destination.
So is Virgin Las Vegas a bargain? I did a quick comparison of rack rates on Thursday, March 25–Virgin’s opening night. Virgon is priced at $190/night. Caesars Palace lists $158 (plus $45 resort fee). ARIA Resort & Casino is $139 (plus $45 resort fee). The Venetian’s website says $113 (plus $45 resort fee).
For a comprehensive listing of Las Vegas resort fees, go to Las Vegas Jaunt.
March Madness
A smaller version of March Madness in Las Vegas is returning in 2021. The popular casino ballroom viewing parties will be absent, per pandemic safety and health protocols.
Instead, college basketball hoops-heads will socially distance themselves in sports books and sports bars throughout casinos.
It remains to be seen how many visitors will venture back to Vegas for March Madness. When the NCAA cancelled the 2020 tournament due to COVID, the city was a ghost town.
In 2019, March Madness caused 99 percent occupancy rates. More than $350 million was gambled on college basketball in Vegas that year.
Light ‘Em Up
Downtown Las Vegas is considerably shinier after a fairly recent $32-million upgrade to the overhead light shows at Freemont Street Experience.
The renovated Viva Vison screen now broadcasts with 16.4 million more pixels and 49.3 million LED lamps. Suspended 90 feet above the Freemont Street pedestrian mall, the screen is 1,375 feet long and 90 feet wide.
Watch your step while you gaze up at 3D visuals featuring music from Shakira, The Killers, The Chainsmokers and other pop acts.
More Las Vegas News
Looking for more Las Vegas news and insights? Check out these links:
New Restaurants in Las Vegas: 2021’s Notable Short List. Beast Food Hall, The Mayfair Supper Club, Din Tai Fung and more.
Las Vegas Shows Return, with New State Guidelines. David Copperfield, The Australian Bee Gees, Carrot Top and more.
Las Vegas 2021: Museums. Yes, Museums. The Mob Museum, Pinball Hall of Fame and The Neon Museum. J&J
I wasnt aware of any of this. All the hotels look lovely!
I am definitely checking out the Virgin Hotel when in Vegas as it looks wonderful 🙂 I am well overdue for a good getaway and Las Vegas is always a blast!
I’m extremely about this because that’s less money I’ll have to spend to have a great time. I am definitely going to be planning a trip there soon myself.