Nearly a month ago, MGM Resorts International and Marriott Bonvoy completed their systems integration project. However, one hotel was conspicuously missing. New developments since then now have me asking – is the NoMad Las Vegas joining Marriott Bonvoy at long last?
Marriott’s and MGM’s partnership has been off to a rough start. Plagued with delays, ambiguity, and questionable benefits to members, it was a long road to Marriott’s and MGM’s joint announcement in early March declaring that their massive integration project was complete. However, in their initial announcements, both companies lauded that MGM’s overall collection would be comprised of 17 properties. But, when they made their all-finished announcements, the messaging changed to all 16 programs are now live with Marriott.
Comparing notes between the different announcements, it became abundantly clear that something had indeed changed. That something was that the NoMad Las Vegas was left out of the final list and wasn’t bookable via Marriott channels. I couldn’t figure out why at the time, but now a new development in the hospitality world has me asking—is the NoMad Las Vegas joining Marriott Bonvoy?
Is the NoMad Las Vegas Joining Marriott Bonvoy?
While I’ve been asked, “Is the NoMad Las Vegas joining Marriott Bonvoy?” I don’t actually have any concrete answers. What I do know, though, is that Hilton is acquiring a majority controlling stake in the Sydell Group, which is the owner of NoMad Hotels. Now, I know what you’re thinking – doesn’t that mean that the NoMad Las Vegas will become a Hilton? In short, no. In fact, according to Hilton’s own press release:
“NoMad Las Vegas is excluded from the transaction and will rebrand to a new flag in the coming months.”
Yup, that’s right. The NoMad Las Vegas was not only excluded from this transaction, but it’s also rebranding. Since the NoMad Las Vegas was originally going to be part of the Marriott deal, I suspect that the appearance of the Hilton-Sydell deal triggered a desire within MGM to rebrand their NoMad property to allow it to join the Marriott integration later. Again, nothing formal has been said regarding this – it’s just my $0.02.
Further speculating on the NoMad Las Vegas, I wonder if it’ll gain a Marriott brand? That’s not out of the realm of possibility, especially since there’s a Four Seasons inside of MGM’s Mandalay Bay Casino & Resort, along with the Delano Las Vegas. If so, I’d put my money on the NoMad Las Vegas becoming something like Le Meridian? The hotels eclectic design certainly makes it difficult to shoehorn it into an existing brand within Marriott’s portfolio outside of their independent hotel brands, which would require the hotel have its own name.
Of course, that brings us to the option of MGM creating its own brand for the soon-to-be former NoMad Las Vegas and stick it under Marriott’s Autograph Collection or Tribute Hotels. Though maybe not the latter, especially since the hotel the NoMad is in, the Park MGM, which is already a Tribute Hotel. That said, the NoMad Las Vegas would be a much better fit under Tribute or Autograph than it would Edition.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of what happens, we shouldn’t have to wait long to find the answer to the question, “Is the NoMad Las Vegas joining Marriott Bonvoy?” For Hilton guests, the rest of NoMad’s portfolio will become bookable sometime in “late 2024.” At any rate, while I personally haven’t considered a stay at NoMad Las Vegas, I sincerely hope the rebranded hotel does end up part of Marriott Bonvoy. After all, more options are always better than less. I just wish the Delano would join, too, but I know that’s not happening unless they rebrand it as well.
H/T: Miles to Memories