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A 'boutique-style resort' near Las Vegas' McCarran Airport is in the works -- here's what to expect

Oct. 10, 2021
•
3 min read
The Strip at night, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
A 'boutique-style resort' near Las Vegas' McCarran Airport is in the works -- here's what to expect
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When you think of Las Vegas accommodations, the first thing that comes to mind likely isn’t a boutique-like property.

Sprawling megaresorts -- some with multiple casinos, dozens of restaurants and thousands of rooms -- dot the Strip from end to end. Many of the world’s largest hotel brands also have a flag property in the city, allowing guests a multitude of options using points.

But the Dream Hotel Group is doing something different. By Vegas standards, the Dream will be a much smaller property with “only” 527 rooms on a footprint of five acres near the south edge of the Strip.

After addressing concerns for its close proximity to McCarran International Airport (LAS), developers of the proposed Dream Las Vegas cleared a major hurdle to begin construction by mid-2022 with an opening by 2024.

(Photo courtesy of Dream Hotel Group)

Related: Getting to Las Vegas on points and miles

The 20-story hotel, slated to cost $500 million, had to undergo various design changes after pushback from federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Dream’s close proximity to parked military aircraft, commercial planes and runways at McCarran International Airport raised various safety concerns. But after major design changes, including scrapping guest room balconies, Las Vegas’ Clark County Commission voted 6-1 to approve plans to move forward with the Dream.

McCarran
(Photo by Darren Murph / The Points Guy)

Developers think the closeness to the airport and its more boutique nature will draw in visitors who don’t want to stay in a sprawling hotel-casino. The luxury property will also feature seven dining and nightlife venues (including a rooftop pool deck), 12,000 square feet of private meeting and event space, a full-service spa, fitness center and on-site parking.

However, the smaller Dream Hotel Group will face stiff competition from larger brands, including many large Vegas hotels where you can easily redeem points.

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Hilton now has Resorts World Las Vegas, the first new-build resort complex in Las Vegas in more than a decade. Hilton also welcomed the recently opened Virgin Hotels Las Vegas to its Curio Collection.

Hilton’s Resort World pool. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

Related: TPG’s review of the first new casino in Vegas in a decade – and it accepts points

Hyatt has been a major player in Las Vegas for several years thanks to its partnership with M Life, the loyalty program of MGM resort properties. Those properties include the Bellagio, Aria, Park MGM Las Vegas, Delano Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay, among others.

Marriott also has several properties in Vegas, including the massive Cosmopolitan, part of the Autograph Collection. Even IHG has some midrange hotels in the Las Vegas area and its crown jewels in Vegas, The Venetian and The Palazzo.

This begs the question: Will travelers opt to stay at a boutique hotel and casino near Las Vegas airport? We’ll find out in a couple of years.

Featured image by Getty Images/Cultura RF
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.