Las Vegas has seen its share of celebrity branded ventures over the decades, but few have sparked quite as much heated debate as the Vanderpump Hotel. Opening in spring 2026, this transformation of The Cromwell into reality television star Lisa Vanderpump’s first hotel venture has ignited discussions about authenticity, excess, and whether a Bravo personality can truly reshape a piece of the Strip.
The buzz started the moment Caesars Entertainment announced the partnership. Some hailed it as a genius move. Others rolled their eyes at yet another celebrity cash grab. What nobody expected was how quickly the project would become one of the year’s most talked about hospitality openings.
The Bravo Star Who Conquered Sin City
Lisa Vanderpump’s partnership with Caesars Entertainment began years ago, but the decision to transform The Cromwell into The Vanderpump Hotel represents her most ambitious Las Vegas project yet. This marks her first foray into hotels, following her successful ventures with Vanderpump Cocktail Garden at Caesars Palace, Vanderpump à Paris at Paris Las Vegas, WOLF by Vanderpump at Harveys Lake Tahoe, and Pinky’s by Vanderpump at Flamingo Las Vegas.
Here’s the thing though. Lisa Vanderpump’s three lounges have done very well at Paris, Caesars and Flamingo, while The Cromwell never really had an identity. The building needed something to distinguish it from the competition crowding the Strip. Whether that something should be floor to ceiling pink opulence was another question entirely.
Money Talks Louder Than Critics
Sources estimate the total investment from Vanderpump and Caesars at roughly between 180 million and 200 million dollars, covering room overhauls, lobby enhancements, thematic branding, staffing ramps, and launch hype. That’s serious money for what some dismissed as a vanity project. Yet the financial projections tell a different story.
Analysts forecast around 50 million to 60 million dollars in yearly revenue once doors open, fueled by stays, meals, events, and branded perks, with cost recovery projected in just three to four years. Those numbers silenced quite a few skeptics. Still, critics questioned whether reality TV fame could translate into sustained hotel success.
Attainable Luxury or Affordable Kitsch?
The phrase “attainable luxury” became a lightning rod for controversy. Vanderpump described the concept as attainable luxury, stating it has to be something that everybody who has supported her can afford, adding she’s not going to price herself out of the market. The hotel targets nightly rates between 250 and 400 dollars, undercutting ultra elite properties while outshining basic accommodations.
Critics pounced on the marketing speak. Was this genuinely accessible elegance or just bougie baroque on a budget? Vanderpump is known for non subtle, old world crystal chandeliers, velvet, florals and unapologetic excess, with expectations of ovary friendly rooms with lots of pinks, golds and mood lighting, making the Vanderpump Hotel about to become a temple for high end kitsch. Some potential guests found the aesthetic thrilling. Others found it suffocating.
The Fire That Nobody Saw Coming
Just when momentum seemed unstoppable, disaster nearly struck. In July 2025, a fire broke out inside the parking garage of The Cromwell, though it was quickly extinguished by the Clark County Fire Department. No injuries were reported, though several guest rooms were briefly evacuated as a precaution.
The incident raised questions about construction safety and project timelines. Honestly, it could have derailed everything. While The Cromwell remained operational during renovations, the temporary fire scare gave the hotel’s upcoming transformation an unexpected jolt. Vanderpump’s team quickly reassured investors and fans, but the episode added another layer to an already complicated narrative.
Identity Crisis at the Corner of the Strip
The Cromwell never really had an identity; it was a she, but not overtly so, and it needed something. Now, it will have personality. This gets to the heart of why the rebrand proved so divisive. The property has cycled through multiple identities since opening in 1979 as the Barbary Coast.
The property first opened in 1979 as the Barbary Coast, was rebranded as Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall and Saloon in 2007, and The Cromwell name was introduced in 2014. Each iteration sought relevance in an increasingly competitive market. The Vanderpump transformation represents the boldest departure yet. Whether bold equals better remains hotly debated.
The Licensing Deal Nobody Wants to Talk About
Perhaps the most controversial element isn’t the design or the pricing. It’s the business arrangement itself. According to reporting, Vanderpump and designer Nick Alain are leading the refresh, and according to her licensing deal, she will be obligated to show up for a photo op once a year, while Caesars will operate the hotel entirely on its own.
This revelation sparked outrage among those who expected hands on involvement from the celebrity namesake. Celebrity branded venues in Las Vegas typically involve them lending their name and getting a piece of the action, usually around 5 percent of the gross. Critics called it exploitative branding. Defenders argued it’s standard industry practice. Let’s be real though, fans booking a Vanderpump Hotel room probably expect more than an annual appearance.
Disruption During Transformation
Hotel rooms at The Cromwell became unavailable for reservations beginning February 15, with Caesars Entertainment’s online reservation system showing availability restarting on April 13. The casino floor and Giada, the property’s only restaurant, remained open during renovations.
The decision to pull all rooms offline simultaneously sparked fresh controversy. The original plan was for the hotel to continue operating during renovation, but with its petite 188 rooms, the decision was made to just tear off the Band Aid and do all the rooms at one time. Guests with existing reservations scrambled to rebook. The aggressive timeline suggested either supreme confidence or mounting pressure to launch.
Drai’s Gets the Boot
Another flashpoint emerged when popular nightlife destination Drai’s lost its prime rooftop real estate. Caesars quietly booted Drai’s nightclub and dayclub from the rooftop, as it was a source of ongoing drama often involving law enforcement, with the last day of operation being October 31, 2025.
The Vanderpump influence became evident as Drai’s Nightclub and Dayclub moved into its original, underground space after 10 years atop the property. Longtime fans of Drai’s rooftop experience felt betrayed. The relocation symbolized how completely the Vanderpump aesthetic would dominate the property. Some changes cut deeper than room decor.
Success Beyond the Scandals
Despite the controversies swirling around it, early indicators suggest the Vanderpump Hotel is poised for commercial success. The full immersion targets big spenders and influencers alike, pricing smartly to snag weekend trippers and devoted fans, locking in the repeat business that keeps finances humming.
Las Vegas thrives on star studded draws, from Nobu to Zouk, and Vanderpump’s entry amps that energy with her reality rooted polish. The formula isn’t revolutionary. It’s the execution that matters. The new hotel is expected to attract both visitors to the Strip and fans of Vanderpump’s work, offering a one of a kind experience featuring custom designed pieces that reflect Vanderpump’s flair for creating high end, stylish environments. Whether you love or loathe the aesthetic, nobody can deny its distinctiveness.
What the Opening Means for Vegas
The broader implications extend beyond one boutique property. The rebranding aligns with ongoing trends in Las Vegas hospitality, where themed hotels and celebrity partnerships continue to shape the industry, with Caesars Entertainment’s investment in The Vanderpump Hotel part of its strategy to diversify offerings and adapt to changing customer preferences.
Vegas tourism is up roughly 5 percent yearly, though economic dips could trim edges, with Vanderpump’s track record at Pinky’s and beyond showing resilience, promising a venue that evolves with guests through pop up events and seasonal twists. The hotel represents both a gamble and a calculated bet on experiential hospitality. It’s hard to say for sure, but this could influence how other operators approach celebrity partnerships moving forward.
The Verdict from the Street
The new concept focuses on sexy elegance and comfort, blending luxury with a fresh atmosphere, with 19 redesigned suites described as attainable luxury. The design features signature Vanderpump Alain furnishings and lighting fixtures, with everything bespoke and created specifically for the location, emphasizing sexy elegance and comfort with gorgeous rooms and a fresh, new feel to the casino floor.
Public reaction has split predictably along taste lines. Vanderpump superfans cannot wait to immerse themselves in her vision. Design purists cringe at the thought. Most potential guests fall somewhere in between, curious enough to book a night but skeptical enough to maintain emotional distance. The controversy itself became marketing gold.
Why It Matters More Than You Think
The Vanderpump Hotel represents something larger than one celebrity’s Vegas expansion. It’s a test case for how much brand loyalty translates into sustained hospitality revenue. The people who love the Lisa Vanderpump sensibility really love it. The question is whether that passionate niche can support nearly 200 rooms year round.
Vanderpump prefers the business climate in Las Vegas, noting that nearly everybody she knows in the restaurant business with many restaurants have pulled out of California, calling it a shame due to costs and litigation. This candid assessment reveals the economic pressures driving celebrity entrepreneurs toward Vegas. The Vanderpump Hotel embodies both the opportunities and risks of that migration.
The Spring Launch Everyone’s Watching
The Vanderpump Hotel now has a firm spring 2026 opening date, confirmed during the Formula 1 Grand Prix on November 22, 2025. Rooms are probably available again with The Cromwell becoming The Vanderpump Hotel likely by April 13, 2026, though that isn’t set in stone as renovations can sometimes take longer than expected.
No official date has been announced for the official launch of The Vanderpump Hotel, but there’s likely to be some pomp or circumstance. You can bet the opening will generate maximum spectacle. Vanderpump knows how to work a crowd. Whether the hotel can maintain momentum after the initial media frenzy fades will determine if this controversial project becomes a Vegas institution or a cautionary tale.
Final Thoughts
The Vanderpump Hotel encapsulates everything fascinating and frustrating about modern Las Vegas. It’s excessive, calculated, polarizing, and potentially brilliant. The controversy surrounding it stems less from any single decision and more from what it represents: the collision of reality television fame with traditional hospitality, the tension between authentic luxury and accessible glamour, the question of how much personality is too much personality.
Spring 2026 will reveal whether Vanderpump’s vision resonates with guests beyond her established fan base. The early signs point toward commercial success, even if critical opinion remains divided. Sometimes the most controversial openings become the most successful precisely because people cannot stop talking about them. Will you book a room when it opens? The answer might say more about Vegas’s future than you think.
