It’s official! Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas is open for business. Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson, made his grand arrival to the newly reimagined and re-conceptualized, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, as part of the property’s “Unstoppable Weekend” celebration, marking the complete opening of the resort. In the early afternoon, Branson was the first to arrive at the casino-resort in a parade of classic British cabs where he was welcomed by executives from JC Hospitality, Hilton, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas team members.
Kicking off summer in a way only Branson and Las Vegas can do, he headed over to Élia Beach Club, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas’ Mykonos-inspired dayclub. He was welcomed by executives and investors of the property and alongside Damon Damato, the “breath visionary,” as he led the Élia Beach Club team in a breath work and meditation session. In true Vegas fashion, Branson insisted on dropping the first beat the at beach club, “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones.
“Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is unstoppable. What an incredible time with the Virgin Hotels team and all our guests. It was so delightful seeing such energy and excitement in the air as we welcomed the latest Virgin Hotel to the family,” he said. “We celebrated with a fun party, a lot of dancing, and of course, many surprises and delights for our guests. Looking forward to my next visit!”
Virgin Group founder, Richard Branson with Governor Steve Sisolak.
Branson was joined by Richard “Boz” Bosworth, president and CEO of JC Hospitality, owner of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas; Gary Scott, COO of JC Hospitality, owner of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas; James Bermingham, CEO, Virgin Hotels; Gary Steffen, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Signia by Hilton; Jenna Hackett, global head, Curio and Tapestry Collections by Hilton; Joseph Mancinelli, international vice president, regional manager Central and Eastern Canada at LIUNA; and Governor Steve Sisolak for a press conference where they discussed their vision of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the impact the property has on the city and the Virgin brand and more. Paying homage to the acquisition announcement press conference in March 2018, Branson celebrated with a champagne toast, after spraying his cohorts with the bubbly.
“It felt great to welcome our partners, friends and family to Virgin Hotels Las Vegas to celebrate the completion of the resort and the opening of Élia Beach Club,” said Bosworth. “We’re eager and prepared for a busy summer at the reimagined resort for anyone who is ready to get back to the business of good times.”
Branson made a surprise appearance at T-Mobile Arena during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup playoff game versus the Colorado Avalanche. He rang the siren before puck drop of the first period, rallying the home crowd ahead of game six, where the Knights eventually went on to win the game 6-3 and the series 4-2.
The party continued at the Theater inside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas with special performances by Mix Master Mike, Flo Rida and Christina Aguilera in front of a sold-out crowd. Flo Rida made the crowd get on their feet, performing “Low,” “My House,” and “Wild Ones.” The event was hosted by Mark Shunock and included a surprise appearance by Sir Richard Branson who welcomed GRAMMY Award-winning crooner Christina Aguilera to the stage, who performed smash hits “Lady Marmalade,” “Fighter,” and “Ain’t No Other Man.”
The casino at Virgin is operated by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, the first casino in Las Vegas to be run by a tribal gaming enterprise.
