USAExchange: Reina Herschdorfer, Director of Marketing, National Meetings & Events, Caesars Entertainment National Meetings & Events
The exterior of the Vanderpump Hotel. Credit: Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment recently celebrated the Grand Opening of the Vanderpump Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Herschdorfer joined USAE to discuss the property, wellness and developments in Las Vegas.
USAE: What do you believe will be a visitor’s initial reaction when entering the Vanderpump Hotel?
Herschdorfer: Guests are likely to feel an immediate sense of immersive glamour and theatrical design, thanks to Lisa Vanderpump’s signature industrial romantic aesthetic. The arrival experience includes dramatic visual moments such as a classic English taxicab installation and a mural of Vanderpump on a rainy London street that set a tone of whimsical elegance and high style. The layered textures, mixed metals, and bespoke furnishings create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and deeply personal.
USAE: What can the meetings industry look forward to at the property?
Herschdorfer: Meeting planners can expect a boutique, high‑design environment that supports elevated group experiences:
• Soleia, the reimagined rooftop pool and event venue, offers 65,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor space with sweeping Strip views—ideal for receptions, activations, and VIP events.
• The hotel’s intimate scale (188 rooms) allows for full‑property buyouts or highly curated group programs.
• Exclusive VIP programming and proximity to CAESARS FORUM make it a strong option for VIP stays and high‑touch incentive groups or executive meetings.
The design-forward environment provides built‑in décor value, reducing the need for extensive theming.
USAE: How did Caesars Entertainment work with Lisa Vanderpump on the design?
Herschdorfer: Caesars Entertainment partnered closely with Lisa Vanderpump and designer Nick Alain through their firm Vanderpump Alain. Together, they led a full transformation of the former Cromwell, shaping everything from guest rooms to public spaces. Their collaboration included:
• Developing the hotel’s cohesive industrial romantic aesthetic.
• Designing custom furnishings and lighting specifically for the property.
• Curating personal touches—such as gallery walls of family photos and British‑inspired installations—to create a narrative throughout the hotel.
This partnership builds on a long‑standing relationship that began with Vanderpump’s cocktail lounges and expanded into this first‑ever hotel venture.
USAE: How will wellness will be incorporated into the property?
Herschdorfer: While the hotel is not positioned as a traditional wellness resort, its design intentionally emphasizes calm and restorative environments.
Wellness‑oriented elements include:
• Serene guest rooms featuring moss‑green and dusty‑lilac palettes, soft textures, and reflective furnishings that create a soothing, retreat‑like atmosphere.
• A focus on relaxation and escape, as described by Vanderpump herself, who envisioned rooms that feel like a “true retreat.”
• Soleia, which doubles as a day pool and open‑air event venue, offers natural light, fresh air, and a sense of openness supporting attendee wellbeing.
USAE: Please share some of the developments Caesars Entertainment has in the works for Las Vegas.
Herschdorfer: The Vanderpump Hotel itself—representing a major reflag adding a new boutique option to Caesars Entertainments’ portfolio. There’s continued expansion of the Vanderpump brand across multiple Caesars destinations, signaling an ongoing strategy of celebrity‑driven hospitality experiences. The introduction of new culinary and nightlife offerings at the property, including Gigolo cocktail lounge, The Bar at The Vanderpump Hotel, and Giada by Giada De Laurentiis. The transformation of Soleia into a dual‑purpose pool and event venue, enhancing Caesars’ group‑friendly footprint on the Strip.
Caesars Palace is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year with ongoing capital improvements planned. Caesars Palace has undergone a broad transformation designed to enhance its appeal for high-end conferences and events, highlighted by the debut of ultra-premium Presidential and Sky Villas in 2026 that offer expansive, residential-style spaces ideal for VIP accommodations, executive retreats, and private hosting. At the same time, the resort is investing heavily in renovating thousands of guest room including a $100 million refresh of the Palace Tower to deliver a more modern, cohesive experience for large groups while maintaining its iconic brand identity.
The arrival experience has also been reimagined with a full redesign of the main entrance and porte-cochère, improving flow and creating a more impactful first impression for arrivals and events. Complementing these physical upgrades is a continued evolution of dining, wellness, and social venues, including distinctive outlets like Caspian’s Cocktails & Caviar, the recently opened Omnia Dayclub, as well as the redesigned luxury Qua Baths & Spa, providing planners with a broader range of flexible venues for receptions, buyouts, and curated attendee experiences. Collectively, these initiatives position Caesars Palace as a more contemporary, experience-driven destination with expanded capacity and elevated options tailored to today’s meetings and incentives landscape.
Flamingo Las Vegas is undergoing a strategic refresh aimed at enhancing its appeal for meetings, conferences, and events, anchored by a series of renovations timed to its 80th anniversary in 2026. The property is introducing a completely redesigned lobby with a new bar, upgraded VIP check-in area, and improved arrival flow to create a more modern and efficient first impression for group attendees.
These updates are complemented by refreshed public spaces and reimagined social venues, alongside a growing collection of dining concepts such as Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Gordon Ramsay Burger, and Havana 1957, adding energy and variety for off-agenda programming. The resort has also invested in experiential amenities, including the all-new $20 million GO Pool complex with multiple pools, cabanas, and event-ready environments that can support receptions and group functions. With more than 73,000 square feet of meeting space and continued reinvestment across guest rooms and shared areas, Flamingo is positioning itself as a vibrant, value-forward option that blends its iconic history with updated spaces and flexible experiences for today’s event planners.