Reno-Sparks isn’t quick on resort rooms — there are greater than 16,000 rooms accessible at various properties throughout the Truckee Meadows, the Reno-Sparks Conference and Guests Authority studies.
Traditionally, resort rooms had been situated at giant casinos such because the Grand Sierra, Atlantis and Peppermill, and downtown properties reminiscent of Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy. However as Northern Nevada drifts away from its longtime gaming roots, its most popular lodging mannequin is also drifting away from the intense lights of the casinos.
Positive, a couple of small non-gaming accommodations have all the time existed in Reno-Sparks, however over the previous couple of years, there’s been a proliferation of non-gaming lodging choices constructed within the Truckee Meadows. Examples embody new boutique resort properties close to Reno-Sparks Worldwide Airport, Legends at Sparks Marina, Meadowood Mall and Higher Nevada Subject, to call just some.
The final hotel-casino tower inbuilt Reno-Sparks was the Peppermill’s 600-room Tuscany tower, which opened again in December 2007. And that very properly could possibly be the final large-scale hotel-casino growth for fairly a while.
“The inflow of non-gaming properties is nice for the native economic system, however it’s additionally a touch at the place Reno-Tahoe is heading … a sign of sustained financial progress and a promising signal for the way forward for Reno Tahoe’s tourism trade.”Ben McDonaldSenior communications supervisor, Reno-Sparks Conference and Guests Authority
There’s been speak of recent hotel-casino properties within the area — specifically at Sparks Marina, Park Lane Mall and throughout the road from the Reno-Sparks Conference Heart — however these plans all got here to naught, whereas builders proceed to leap on the boutique resort lodging mannequin.
‘It’s not as dangerous’
The brand new four-story, 132-room Hyatt Place resort to be constructed at Summit Sierra in south Reno is the newest select-service property to hitch the ranks of non-gaming accommodations. Developer Steve Pelzer of Pelzer Hospitality Group says the property’s cutting-edge structure will set it aside from competing properties. The resort will likely be situated between Jared Galleria of Jewellery and the Century Summit Sierra movie show.
The brand new Hyatt Place resort will likely be constructed by Tolles Growth Firm, with groundbreaking anticipated this spring, with opening someday in 2021, says Kyle Rea, chief working officer of TDC.
The select-service mannequin is just a greater, extra environment friendly growth choice, Pelzer says.
“It’s not as dangerous,” he says. “You don’t require as a lot workers, and it offers vacationers with what they actually need: a clear, snug room, (together with) a bar, lounge, enterprise heart, health club and pool. Service ranges additionally will be extraordinary as a result of you aren’t operating a giant monster resort.”
Friends additionally could have their decide of facilities from close by Summit outlets, which embody various eating places, clothiers and upscale retailers reminiscent of Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma.
“We now have to present credit score to the house owners and managers of the Summit for being impressed by this concept with us and pondering outdoors of the field on the thought of placing a resort within the buying heart,” Rea says. “While you decide on a plan to construct a shopping mall, you sometimes aren’t enthusiastic about placing a resort there.
“However they’ve seen the developments throughout the nation in hospitality.”
Elevated each day room charges
In the meantime, the addition of almost a dozen select-service accommodations to Higher Reno-Sparks room choices not solely bolsters the area’s diversified economic system, however robust occupancy within the sector is lifting the tide for all lodging properties.
Ben McDonald, senior communication supervisor for the RSCVA, says the spate of recent, non-gaming accommodations continues to drive a rising regional common each day fee — significantly at a time when casino-resort rooms are on a slight decline. The common fee for all resort properties in Reno-Sparks was $114 in January of 2020, the RSCVA studies — down simply 1.5 % from one yr earlier. The slight dip seemingly will be attributed to the gentle winter that’s saved hordes of skiers and fly-in guests on the opposite aspect of the Sierra.
Midweek occupancy is bolstered by the addition of non-gaming properties as properly, McDonald says.
“The inflow of non-gaming properties is nice for the native economic system, however it’s additionally a touch at the place Reno-Tahoe is heading,” he says. “With Reno-Tahoe Worldwide Airport steadily including flights to key markets, and an area economic system that continues to draw new, numerous companies, the addition of those properties is a sign of sustained financial progress and a promising signal for the way forward for Reno Tahoe’s tourism trade.”
Shifting the mannequin to downtown Reno
Whereas most of those new boutique accommodations are scattered round city and tackle infill want, there’s additionally a shift underway within the historic gaming heartbeat of the area.
The downtown core has seen lots of its former hotel-casino properties transition to non-gaming, together with Whitney Peak, Harrah’s (forthcoming) and Renaissance Reno. There are also plans underway to erect upscale non-gaming accommodations within the downtown core.
Because the area provides extra non-gaming accommodations across the perimeter of the city areas, McDonald says, it is smart that a few of these accommodations will push into the downtown core, McDonald says.
“One thing to remember, nonetheless, is that these are primarily select-service properties,” he provides. “Whereas they’re handy or acquainted for a few of our guests, they don’t supply the huge array of eating places, spa facilities and household actions you’ll discover all through the vacation spot’s bigger on line casino resorts.”
And that final level is what actually appeals to the hundreds of thousands of tourists who go to Reno and Las Vegas, says Virginia Valentine, Las Vegas-based president of the Nevada Resort Affiliation. Resort-casinos supply unmatched facilities and experiences at cheap value, Valentine says.
“Gaming resorts are a fantastic deal,” she says. “We now have on line casino gaming, sports activities betting, every kind of expanded eating choices, leisure, nightlife and retail buying. A lot of our members have fabulous spas, huge swimming swimming pools, night time golf equipment, leisure amenities, bowling and conference area.
“Pound-for-pound it’s a fantastic worth, and we are going to proceed to attraction to all kinds of visitors. What we provide is basically onerous to beat.”
