In the concrete jungle of Las Vegas, there exists a lush new oasis inspired by nature, the comforts of home, an eclectic sense of artistry and plenty of innovation: Park MGM.
The property, formerly Monte Carlo, was officially reflagged April 30, 2018. Attendees of Meetings Today Live! West, running from April 29 to May 2, 2018, had the pleasure of being the first group to partake in its new offerings.
Park MGM is a partnership between MGM Resorts and New York-based Sydell Group, known for its reinvention of existing buildings. The Park MGM transformation included the investment of more than $500 million to move from one on-site hotel to two hotels. The upcoming 292-room NoMad hotel is set to open next to Park MGM in fall 2018.
The $500 million also covered an increase in meeting space from 30,000 square feet to more than 70,000 square feet, the addition of signature restaurants such as Bavette's steakhouse and Koreatown-inspired Roy Choi's, and upgrades to a theater capable of hosting 1,000 to one that can host up to 5,000.
Park MGM is also set to unveil the first major food market concept in Las Vegas with the fall 2018 opening of Eataly. It will also debut some of the most innovative meeting concepts around.
“The launch of Park MGM is really about the transformation of this property and the ‘neighborhood,’” said Patrick Miller, president and CEO of the property, pointing to the adjacent Aria, Vdara and T-Mobile Arena, which opened last year. “Park MGM is at the epicenter, the capstone of the neighborhood, and it’s a special place in Vegas.”
Indeed it is. From the moment you walk into the lobby and adjacent Primrose restaurant, the green space and fresh air is immediately present. Tree roots extend from the ceiling to form a unique art piece that accentuates the wonderful garden-like setting of the restaurant’s outdoor patio.
The intimate sense of place is also readily apparent at Park MGM, particularly in the service aspect, which Miller said truly sets the property apart.
“Park MGM has a very genuine, personal way in which it delivers service—there’s intimacy at scale,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for groups to connect with one another and the property at a much different level than [is typically expected] at a big grand property.”
A Warm Welcome at Park MGM
The guest rooms are another welcoming aspect of the property, designed to give a residential feel that makes one feel as if they’re in a cozy yet slick New York apartment. Retro leather chairs, velvet sofas, plush throw pillows and eclectic, curated art “zones” with photographs and paintings of different eras and styles are some of the unique features. Meanwhile, rooms either have a calming green or a rich red color scheme.
The residential feel and the intriguing use of art carries over into the public spaces, and the meeting venues are truly a highlight of the hotel, with plenty of natural light and a fresh-air feeling. Like MGM Grand, Park MGM offers the Stay Well Meetings experience, with air purification, circadian lighting and nutritious food and beverage choices to create a healthy environment for productive gatherings.
Meetings Today kicked off the event with a ballroom opening reception, and Park MGM showcased its innovative use of alternative seating, including leather sofas and chairs with throw pillows to create a lounge-like ambience. Food stations included everything from hand-cut New York strip loin to a fresh shrimp cocktail and vegetable bar.
Meanwhile, Park MGM plans to break new meetings ground with the Madison Center, opening in June 2018, and its Ideation Studio, set to debut in fall 2018.
Incoming Meeting Innovations
The Madison Meeting Center is the first CMP and DMP program in Las Vegas, according to Amanda Voss, Park MGM’s vice president of hotel sales, who gave us a tour of the facility, an ideal setup for smaller groups of from 20 to 50 people. It consists of 10 slick plug-and-play meeting rooms and two inviting community lounges.
Madison Meeting Center clients pay a per-person fee that includes all technology and all food. Marble countertops, intriguing artwork and plush leather and velvet chairs give the center an elegant yet cozy vibe.
Voss is particularly looking forward to the opening of the Ideation Studio later this year.
“I think we’re challenged especially when it comes to board meetings and getting away from that typical conference room into an alternate environment and experience, and this will enable groups to do that,” she said.
“The rooms will feature unique setups that encourage collaboration and spark creativity, and we partnered with Cisco for the innovative technology," Voss added.
The lush pool oasis is another beautiful spot for group gatherings, she said.
Meanwhile, Park MGM’s dedication to delivering experiential meetings and a sense of discovery ties into the food and beverage offerings for groups, Voss added.
“In Bavette’s, there’s a speakeasy back bar that they don’t advertise, and we’ve had a lot of fun putting groups there,” she said. “It’s dark, it’s fun, it’s exclusive. The other is Primrose restaurant.
"The outdoor patio really feels like an English garden, and the food is to die for," she added.
Future-Forward Dining in Las Vegas
Later this year, Eataly will further elevate the culinary experience for groups, she said.
“Whether it’s mozzarella-making classes or another curated culinary experience, Eataly’s unique open-air market concept with the all-glass roof will be a perfect experience of discovery for groups,” she said.
Park MGM specializes in smaller groups ranging in size from 20 up to roughly 500, Voss added.
“Certainly we can partner with properties to use our Park Theater, which can host up to 5,000 people, but we look forward to making the small meetings feel just as important as the large meetings here,” she said.
Click here to check out our Meetings Today LIVE! West event gallery.
