Rising on the horizon of the southwest Las Vegas valley, the 15-story Durango Casino & Resort represents a new chapter for the town that defines mega-scale high-standard hospitality. For the last 20 years, the most prominent off-Strip luxury resorts sat in the four corners of the city — Green Valley Ranch in the east, Red Rock to the west, M Resort Spa Casino in the south and Circa downtown. But as Las Vegas expanded, so has the need for a high-profile hotel and casino in the burgeoning, primarily residential, southwest. Opening November 20, Durango from Station Casinos will be where you can get to know locals who embody the city’s spirit while taking a break from the sensory saturation of the Strip.
Located at Interstate 215 and Durango Drive, the 200 rooms and suites reflect the chic vibes of desert life and offer an escape — both in proximity (Durango is 15 minutes from the Strip) and ethos (rest and relaxation). Here is a look at how this intimate hotel will provide a good night’s sleep and plenty of reasons to wake up.
The Rooms
Every desert needs an oasis and Durango will serve as a refuge for those who check in for a night. Before arriving at your room, you will sense that this off-Strip hotel is different. The natural stone-clad floors and walls throughout the entry let the light in. The hotel lobby emanates relaxed energy and the lobby bar comes with cozy nooks and sofas to facilitate interactions great and small.
Rest easy with sweeping views of the mountains and twinkling lights of the city in the 488-square-foot King and Queen Resort Rooms designed by Texas-based Looney & Associates. Enveloped in a neutral color palette with leather accent furniture in a distinct shade of burnt desert sunset, these accommodations match the tones of the earth and air.
The rooms encourage comfort, such as a corner with a curved leather seat overlooking the city and spa-like showers that rival those in luxurious homes. Details were thoughtfully considered — lighting for the bathroom runs the length of the double-sink vanity and centrally located outlets of every configuration alleviate the power struggle. Fixtures feel almost transparent and weightless in these bright, private sanctuaries. There’s a stocked mini-bar and curated snacks, a coffee maker, 65-inch TVs and plush robes.
The Suites
Station Casinos is known for its suites. The mega-suite collection at its Red Rock Resort is popular for being luxurious, expansive and accommodating to all types of gatherings. That reputation continues at Durango with seven variations of 29 suites, some with private balconies and butlers: Executive, Salon, Parlor, Terrace, City, Vista and Veranda. They all bear a different color, cut and type of exotic stone slab. A Crestron tablet powers each suite’s surround sound volume, television, drapes and sheers, lighting and exterior notification lights.
The top-floor 1,800-square-foot Vista Suite is ideal for entertaining with million-dollar views of the desert sunset. The centerpiece is the bar framed by stone-wrapped columns and floor-to-ceiling windows. It also has a living room with an 85-inch ultra-high-def television, a dining room, a pool table and a butler pantry. The master bathroom offers the biggest wow factor with a walk-in shower and freestanding tub overlooking the city. It’s stocked with toiletries from Agavia by perfumer Carlos Huber, a Dyson Supersonic Pro Dryer and a turbo luxury steamer. In the bedrooms, you’ll find 400-thread-count linens, custom down-proof cotton pillows and a menu from which to choose your desired style, embroidered robes and slippers and a Songbird Bluetooth speaker and alarm clock.
Smaller but equally impressive with all the same amenities, the one- or two-bedroom 1,555-square-foot Veranda Suite features a patio overlooking the Strip that runs the length of the living area.
The Art
One of the pillars of modern hotel décor is the requisite art collection. Durango’s gallery-style hallways provide a neutral platform to layer in unique and interesting works of art. California-based artist Mark Garry showcases cream-toned, crackle-textured paintings and Scott Idleman’s hand-cut, paper works nod to the organic feeling of cactus, among many others.
The Dining
Packed with food options, Durango is poised to draw a big local crowd with its dining. The Eat Your Heart Out food hall features Los Angeles staple Irv’s Burgers, New York’s Prince Street Pizza, Philadelphia’s Fiorella by respected chef Marc Vetri and the Hawaii-centric Ai Pono Café.
Clique Hospitality (the team behind The Cosmopolitan’s CliQue Bar & Lounge and Resorts World Las Vegas’ Eight Cigar Lounge) introduces Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant with a tequila and mezcal program guided by experts and tequila lockers to hold the goods.
Lobby-located Bel-Aire Lounge radiates opulent chill with gold and brass finishes complemented by DJs spinning vinyl records. Bel-Aire Backyard offers private cabanas, daybeds and pool chairs. Summer House from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants brings its California-inspired restaurant out to the desert with a beachy vibe. The George, created by entrepreneur Jonathan Fine, tips its hat to the big tippers, known as “Georges.” It’s more of a sportsman’s lounge than a sports bar.
Durango isn’t the Vegas you’ve always known. With its modern desert design, warm and inviting approach to luxurious touches and convivial restaurants and bars that serve as community gathering points, it’s a new entry point into one of the most exciting cities around.