Following the withdrawal of the Mohegan Tribe as casino operator, the head of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas sees an opportunity to revitalize the struggling property and streamline its operations.
Cliff Atkinson, president of the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, views the split with Mohegan Gaming, announced jointly on Tuesday, as a chance to integrate resort operations in a manner more familiar to Vegas visitors.
“I think the goal of going to one experience, one property is similar to how most of the integrated resorts, especially in our market, (work),” Atkinson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in an interview on Wednesday. “That’s the customer expectation, and that at the end of the day is really what we see as the future growth opportunity.”
Since its rebranding from the Hard Rock Hotel to Virgin three years ago, the hotel-casino has faced challenges in gaining traction in the market, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. With three partners overseeing the property – the Mohegan Tribe, Virgin Hotels, and Hilton’s Curio Collection portfolio – there have been discrepancies, including separate loyalty programs, causing confusion among guests.
Atkinson acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding the property’s opening in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the need for stability, citing examples across the Strip of properties that initially struggled before finding their footing.
The departure of Mohegan will mark the end of the tribe’s presence in Nevada. Ray Pineault, president and CEO of Mohegan Gaming, expressed confidence in the transition.
“It was determined that the best path forward was for the hotel and casino to operate as an integrated resort and anticipate that this transition will further integrate the casino, hotel and resort’s many amenities,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Before joining Virgin, Atkinson held leadership positions at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Mandarin Oriental (now Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas), and Luxor. He hinted at visible changes to casino operations, such as integrating the loyalty program and potentially refurbishing iconic features like the Hard Rock’s Center Bar.
“I think people want excitement. They want fun. They’re looking for what this property offered historically,” Atkinson said. “Now it’s packaged and branded in a different way, but we want to continue to deliver on entertainment and excitement and fun.”