Sunday, December 20, 2009



Press Release:

ARIA RESORT & CASINO OPENS

FOREVER CHANGING THE LAS VEGAS STRIP

Grand Opening Day and Gala Party Highlighted by Rooftop Fireworks Finale LAS VEGAS – (NYSE:MGM) – Under a canopy of fireworks illuminating the night sky, ARIA Resort & Casino opened its doors last night and welcomed its first guests. Located at the heart of CityCenter, ARIA is the centerpiece of this extraordinary urban resort destination. Its debut signifies the official grand opening of this city-within-a-city, following two weeks of celebrations for the reveals of Vdara Hotel & Spa, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Crystals retail and entertainment district. Featuring an unprecedented combination of striking architecture, sustainable design, high-end service and spectacular amenities, the stunning ARIA has dramatically altered the skyline of the world’s most famous boulevard and will forever change the perceptions of the Las Vegas Strip. “ARIA and CityCenter reflect a combination of innovation, energy and visionary design that we believe will reshape how the world views the destination resort experience and attract visitors from around the globe as a landmark of taste and style,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE, which developed CityCenter in partnership with Infinity World Development Corp. Designed by the world-renowned firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, ARIA’s architectural expression reveals itself at every turn, from its two breathtaking curvilinear steel and glass towers to the clean use of natural elements including lush foliage, wood and stone. At 18 million square feet, CityCenter is the largest private sustainable development in the world, having received six LEED® Gold certifications for its buildings.At an early morning press conference yesterday, company executives and national dignitaries including the president, CEO and founding chairman of the U.S Green Building Council were on hand to pay tribute to CityCenter’s significant milestone in the arena of sustainable design, construction and operations. Among its sustainable distinctions, ARIA commissioned the first fleet of clean-fueled CNG stretch limousines. It also is the first resort on the Las Vegas Strip to generate its own electricity.Also part of yesterday’s opening events, senior executives from both MGM MIRAGE and Infinity World had the rare honor of remotely ringing the Closing Bell of the New York Stock Exchange, marking the project’s major contribution to the financial fortitude of Las Vegas. CityCenter is the single largest hiring effort in the country today, creating new jobs for approximately 12,000 people. Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of CityCenter said, “This is an incredibly proud time in our company’s history. We believe this moment marks a turning point in the financial future of our community.”A grand opening invite-only gala capped the opening day’s activities, giving VIP guests an opportunity to sample ARIA’s impeccable hospitality, creative personalized attention and incredible array of amenities. Finally, at 11 p.m. fireworks filled the sky with brilliant bursts of color, reflected in ARIA’s curved glass curtain wall, as Las Vegas visitors and locals gathered below eager to enter the resort when the doors opened shortly following the dramatic aerial salute.Murren said, “CityCenter will become the benchmark by which all new developments will be measured, and it won’t be surpassed in scope and grandeur for decades.”


Aria Resort and Casino

Vdara Hotel

CityCenter Las Vegas

Monday, December 7, 2009

Mandarin Oriental Opens

Following is the press release from CityCenter's newly opened Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas:

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MANDARIN ORIENTAL, LAS VEGAS MAKES ITS DAZZLING DEBUT

Luxury Hotel and Residences Opens at Prestigious New CityCenter

LAS VEGAS, December 7, 2009 – The luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas opened its doors on Friday, December 4, bringing the hotel group’s modern elegance and legendary service to the vibrant city. A festive ribbon cutting and feng shui ceremony marked the hotel’s official opening, and a celebratory gala party, attended by over 500 distinguished guests, launched the hotel to Las Vegas society.

“We are delighted to open in the heart of Las Vegas and look forward to bringing Mandarin Oriental’s renowned levels of service to this important leisure destination,” said Rajesh Jhingon, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. “Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is proud to be among the first of many exciting venues to open in the magnificent new resort destination, CityCenter.”

In honor of its debut, the hotel is offering a special opening package, which provides one night of complimentary accommodation in conjunction with one or more consecutive paid nights of stay. Valid through February 28, 2010, package rates start at $545 and reservations are subject to availability. The hotel’s 392 spacious and chic guest rooms and suites can be reserved via the hotel’s online reservations service at www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas, by phone at (888) 881-9578 or E-mail: molas-reservations@mohg.com.

About Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas

Ideally located at the gateway to CityCenter, the extraordinary urban resort destination, the 47-story, non-gaming Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas boasts spectacular accommodations, superlative dining, an unparalleled spa and state-of-the-art meetings and events facilities. Designed by the award-winning architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox, with contemporary interior design by Adam D. Tihany, the property dazzles with a 23rd floor Sky Lobby, providing a stunning arrival experience with glittering views of the city skyline. Every guestroom has exceptional technological enhancements, including keyless door locks and automated control panels that allow guests to manage the lighting, room temperature and entertainment systems at the touch of a button. Three lavish presidential suites are featured on the hotel’s top floors, each measuring over 3,200 square feet.


A host of stylish dining and cocktail venues are available at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, is the Michelin-star chef’s first U.S. restaurant, serving classic French cuisine with a modern spin. All-day dining establishment, MOzen Bistro features authentic Asian dishes and multi-national fare. Also located on the 23rd floor with windows overlooking the Vegas skyline, the 82-seat Mandarin Bar redefines Las Vegas nightlife with plush furnishings, VIP room, creative snacks and an extensive cocktail menu. The intimate Tea Lounge provides guests a scenic meeting place for a refreshing beverage. For those on the go, Amore Patisserie, located directly on Las Vegas Boulevard, serves a variety of gourmet foods, pastries, coffees and teas.

The two-level, 27,000-square-foot Spa is a prominent feature of the hotel, with 17 treatment rooms, multiple relaxation and water experiences, expansive Fitness Center and dedicated yoga studio. The Spa provides a tranquil and a completely holistic experience based on the union of modern techniques and Eastern traditions. Hotel guests and residence owners can also enjoy a magnificent pool facility with 20 cabanas and a Poolside Café, serving seasonal, light fare.

With more than 12,000 square feet of elegantly designed function space, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is the ideal setting for intimate gatherings or events for as many as 600 guests. Conveniently situated on the hotel’s third level and flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, the 7,650-square-foot Oriental Ballroom and the hotel’s three smaller function rooms are all equipped with state-of-the-art technology systems and spacious pre-function areas. A dedicated event planning team is on-hand to ensure every function is executed with the uncompromising attention to detail for which Mandarin Oriental is famed.


About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels, resorts and residences. Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, 41 hotels representing over 10,000 rooms in 25 countries, with 17 hotels in Asia, 14 in The Americas and 10 in Europe and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates, or has under development, 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental, connected to the Group’s properties. Photography of Mandarin Oriental is available to download, in high and low resolution, in the Photo Library of our Media section, at www.mandarinoriental.com.