The Cromwell is disappearing. In its place, early 2026 will bring the Vanderpump Hotel, a boutique property reimagined under the direction of television star and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump. For a Strip increasingly dominated by mega-resorts with thousands of rooms, this 188-room boutique rebrand represents something different: personality over scale, curation over capacity.
Caesars Entertainment announced the transformation in 2024, betting that Vanderpump’s brand, built through reality television appearances and her successful restaurant empire, can breathe new life into a property that has struggled to find its identity since opening as the Cromwell in 2014.
The timing is intentional. The rebrand coincides with broader renovations at Caesars Palace and the Flamingo, creating a coordinated refresh of multiple properties on that section of the Strip. But while those properties are getting updates, the Cromwell is getting a complete reimagining.
The Vanderpump Brand
Lisa Vanderpump built her public profile through Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and the spinoff “Vanderpump Rules,” but her business success predates reality television by decades. Her Los Angeles restaurants, including SUR, Pump, and TomTom, have become destinations that blend upscale dining with the kind of Instagram-worthy environments that drive repeat business.
Vanderpump Vegas at Caesars Palace, which opened in 2019, demonstrated that her aesthetic translates successfully to Las Vegas. The restaurant features pink-hued interiors, crystal chandeliers, and an overall ambiance that feels more European garden party than typical Vegas restaurant.
The Vanderpump Hotel represents an expansion of that aesthetic to an entire property. Every room will receive a complete renovation reflecting Vanderpump’s design sensibility. The rooftop nightclub, dayclub, and pool complex will get a new operator and fresh concept. At least one lounge will undergo full renovation.
This is not a licensing deal where Vanderpump’s name appears on signage while Caesars runs everything. She is actively involved in the design process, bringing her vision to a property that has cycled through concepts since its opening.
The Cromwell’s Identity Crisis
The Cromwell opened in May 2014 as a boutique casino hotel, carved out of the former Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon space. At just 188 rooms, it was the smallest hotel-casino on the Strip, positioned as an upscale alternative to the massive resorts surrounding it.
The concept made sense in theory. Boutique hotels command premium rates. Smaller properties offer more personalized service. And Las Vegas had room for alternatives to the standard mega-resort experience.
In practice, the Cromwell never quite found its audience. The property lacked the amenities that justify premium pricing. The casino was too small to generate significant revenue. The location, while central, did not offer the street presence that drives walk-in traffic.
Drai’s Beachclub and Nightclub on the rooftop became the property’s signature amenity, drawing crowds and generating revenue. But the hotel itself struggled to establish a distinct identity that differentiated it from the Caesars properties on either side.
The Vanderpump rebrand attempts to solve this problem by creating a clear brand identity that attracts a specific demographic: fans of Vanderpump’s aesthetic who want a more intimate Vegas experience.
The Boutique Strategy
Boutique hotels typically succeed by offering experiences that large properties cannot match. Personalized service, distinctive design, exclusive amenities, and a sense of discovery all justify higher room rates despite fewer amenities.
The Vanderpump Hotel will need to nail this execution. The property cannot compete with Caesars Palace or the Bellagio on amenities or scale. But it can offer something those properties cannot: a cohesive design vision and a celebrity brand that resonates with its target audience.
Room renovations will be comprehensive. Expect Vanderpump’s signature color palette of pinks and whites. Expect upscale furnishings and finishes. Expect design elements that photograph well for social media. The Instagram factor cannot be understated for a property targeting younger, affluent guests.
The rooftop transformation will be equally important. Drai’s built a strong brand at the Cromwell, but change can create opportunity. A new operator with a fresh concept that aligns with Vanderpump’s vision could attract different crowds while maintaining the rooftop’s status as a destination within the property.
The Target Demographic
The Vanderpump Hotel is not trying to attract convention groups or high rollers chasing comps. The target is younger couples and friend groups, likely 25-45 years old, who have disposable income and value experiences over traditional luxury signifiers.
These guests watch Bravo. They follow Vanderpump on social media. They visit Los Angeles specifically to eat at her restaurants. They want hotels with personality and stories, not just thread counts and square footage.
This demographic spends money differently than traditional Vegas guests. They might not gamble heavily, but they will pay for bottle service, spend on nice dinners, and extend stays to explore entertainment options. They share everything on social media, creating organic marketing that has value beyond direct revenue.
Caesars Entertainment has plenty of properties targeting high rollers and convention attendees. The Vanderpump Hotel allows them to pursue a demographic that has been underserved on the Strip despite representing significant spending power.
The Operational Challenge
Running a boutique hotel successfully requires different operational approaches than mega-resorts. Service must be more personalized. Staff must be more knowledgeable about local recommendations and amenities. The property must maintain higher standards because guests are paying premium rates for fewer rooms.
Caesars has operational expertise, but boutique properties require different mindsets. The best boutique hotels feel curated rather than corporate. Every detail, from welcome amenities to turndown service, reflects the property’s identity.
Vanderpump’s involvement can help maintain this standard, but only if she remains actively engaged. Celebrity-branded hotels often struggle when the celebrity treats them as licensing opportunities rather than extensions of their brand. Success requires real commitment.
The small size helps in one respect: with only 188 rooms, quality control is more manageable than in properties with thousands of rooms. A dedicated team can maintain consistency more easily, and issues can be addressed quickly before they become systemic problems.
The Competitive Set
The Vanderpump Hotel will compete with boutique and lifestyle properties more than traditional Strip resorts. The NoMad at Park MGM represents the closest analog: a boutique property carved out of a larger complex, offering distinctive design and service at premium rates.
The Virgin Hotels Las Vegas attempted a lifestyle hotel approach on the North Strip with mixed results. The property has struggled to find consistent footing, demonstrating that boutique concepts need strong brand identity and operational excellence to succeed in Vegas.
The Cosmopolitan, while much larger, demonstrates that distinctive properties can command premium rates and loyal followings by offering experiences that feel different from standard Strip resorts. The Vanderpump Hotel is chasing similar differentiation at smaller scale.
Early 2026 Timeline
Caesars has not announced an exact opening date beyond “early 2026,” which typically means first quarter. Renovations are already underway, with rooms being gutted and reimagined according to Vanderpump’s specifications.
The proximity to major events like Formula 1 in November 2026 or potential spring conventions makes timing crucial. Opening during slower periods allows the property to work out operational kinks before major demand surges test the systems.
Pre-opening marketing will be essential. Vanderpump’s social media reach gives the property built-in promotional channels, but Caesars will need to coordinate that with traditional marketing to reach beyond just Vanderpump’s existing audience.
Reservation systems will likely open several months before the debut, allowing Caesars to gauge initial demand and adjust pricing strategies accordingly. Early bookings will indicate whether the concept resonates with its target demographic.
Key Takeaways
The Vanderpump Hotel represents a strategic bet that boutique properties with strong brand identities can succeed on the Strip despite lacking the scale and amenities of mega-resorts. Lisa Vanderpump’s involvement brings genuine celebrity engagement and a proven aesthetic that resonates with younger, affluent audiences.
The 188-room scale allows for operational excellence and personalized service that larger properties struggle to maintain. Success depends on comprehensive renovations, strong operational execution, and Vanderpump’s continued active involvement.
For Caesars Entertainment, the rebrand allows them to pursue a demographic underserved by their existing portfolio. For Vanderpump, it extends her brand into hospitality at a scale larger than individual restaurants while maintaining the attention to detail that defines her aesthetic.
The early 2026 opening will test whether the Strip has room for distinctive boutique concepts or whether scale and amenities will always dominate. Initial results will be closely watched by other operators considering similar approaches.
If the Vanderpump Hotel succeeds, expect more celebrity-branded boutique conversions. If it struggles, the Cromwell’s identity crisis will have simply evolved rather than been solved.
Sources:
– PlayUSA Las Vegas Casino Updates: playusa.com
– Coyote Country LV Strip Transformation: coyotecountrylv.com
– City Cast Las Vegas New Attractions: lasvegas.citycast.fm
