Virgin Hotels has named Mary Giuliano as managing director at the Hard Rock Las Vegas. In her new position, Giuliano will oversee the transition of the Hard Rock Las Vegas into the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Previously Giuliano served as general manager at MGM Resorts International’s Vdara, a 1,500-room non-gaming, all-suite hotel in the CityCenter development.
Virgin Hotels Chief Executive Officer Raul Leal said Giuliani has both “immense hospitality experience” and needed knowledge of Las Vegas. “As a long-time Vegas resident with 25 years of experience working in the hotel, gaming and entertainment sectors, Mary is uniquely qualified to help transition the property into a world class Virgin Hotels experience,” Leal said.
Under Giuliano’s leadership, Vdara generated more than $125 million in revenue. In addition, she repositioned the business model of the property from a condo-hotel to luxury boutique hotel. Giuliano also held leadership roles at MGM Resorts, Treasure Island and CityCenter.
Opened in 1995, the Hard Rock, located on Paradise Road just east of the Strip, will operate under its current name until February. It will then close and be rebranded as a Virgin property. The reopening is planned for November 2020 following a $200 million renovation, including guest rooms, restaurants, the casino floor and 5-acre swimming pool. New nightlife venues and Virgin’s flagship restaurant, bar and lounge, Commons Club, will be added, plus 110,000 square feet of newly renovated meeting, event and convention spaces.
