.jpg)
In a bold move that signals a new era for Las Vegas hospitality, the JW Marriott Las Vegas and Rampart Casino have announced a comprehensive property-wide rebrand, officially uniting under the name The Resort at Summerlin effective January 1, 2026. This $75 million transformation represents more than just a name change: it’s a strategic repositioning that places food and beverage innovation at the heart of a luxury destination experience.
For food and beverage professionals, this rebrand offers valuable insights into how integrated resort properties are leveraging culinary excellence to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive hospitality landscape. The Resort at Summerlin’s approach demonstrates how strategic F&B partnerships with celebrity chefs and renowned restaurant concepts can drive property-wide transformation.
A Return to Roots with Modern Vision
The rebrand marks a return to the property’s original 1999 identity, when it first opened as The Resort at Summerlin. However, this isn’t simply nostalgia: it’s a calculated business strategy that recognizes the power of authentic community connection in today’s hospitality market.
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve completed a significant renovation designed to revitalize and refresh the property while elevating the overall guest experience,” said Michelle McHugh, Vice President and General Manager of The Resort at Summerlin. This renovation reflects emerging trends in hospitality design that prioritize mindful luxury, well-being, and elevated guest experiences.
The transformation blends the resort’s signature Mediterranean architecture with contemporary design elements, creating expansive open spaces filled with natural light: a design philosophy that extends seamlessly into the property’s dining venues.
Celebrity Chef Partnerships Drive Culinary Innovation
The centerpiece of The Resort at Summerlin’s transformation is The Neighborhood Food Hall, featuring an impressive lineup of celebrity chef partnerships that exemplify current food and beverage industry trends toward experiential dining and authentic ethnic cuisines.
.jpg)
Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani brings two concepts to the property: ai Pazzi and ai Pazzi Pizza, representing the continued strength of Italian cuisine in the American dining landscape. Viviani’s approach combines traditional Italian techniques with modern presentation: a strategy that resonates with today’s consumers who seek both authenticity and innovation.
The addition of Nom Wah, the first West Coast location of New York City’s oldest dim sum restaurant, demonstrates the growing appetite for traditional Asian dining experiences outside major metropolitan markets. This expansion strategy reflects broader industry trends toward bringing authentic ethnic cuisines to resort destinations previously dominated by generic offerings.
Perhaps most intriguing is Wineaux, developed by James Beard Award winner Shawn McClain and master sommelier Nick Hetzel. This partnership exemplifies the growing importance of wine programs in resort F&B strategies, particularly in markets like Las Vegas where sophisticated beverage offerings can command premium pricing.
Elevated Gaming and Dining Integration
The property’s enhanced casino features new High Limit Rooms that integrate sophisticated bar experiences with gaming: a trend that reflects the industry’s recognition that food and beverage sales can significantly boost per-guest revenue in gaming environments.
These spaces feature cutting-edge gaming technology alongside personalized beverage service, demonstrating how modern casino design prioritizes the integration of F&B experiences with gaming rather than treating them as separate revenue streams.
Strategic Sportsbook Partnership Enhances F&B Opportunities
The announced partnership with Caesars Entertainment to open a new Caesars Sportsbook in early 2026 represents another opportunity for food and beverage innovation. The enhanced sports viewing experience includes a new video wall and 360-degree LED display at the sportsbook bar, creating an environment where F&B sales can thrive during major sporting events.
This integration of sports betting with enhanced dining and beverage experiences reflects broader industry trends toward creating immersive entertainment environments that encourage longer stays and increased spend per guest.
Accommodation Upgrades Support Premium F&B Positioning
The resort’s 549 newly renovated guestrooms feature expanded square footage (560 sq ft) with residential-style furnishings, dining tables, and coffee machines. These room enhancements support the property’s premium F&B positioning by creating spaces where guests can enjoy in-room dining experiences or prepare for visits to the property’s elevated restaurant concepts.
The inclusion of 98 rooms with walk-out or Juliette balconies and 11 with walk-out terraces creates opportunities for outdoor dining experiences: a feature that has become increasingly important to travelers in the post-pandemic hospitality landscape.
Wellness and Spa Integration
The renovation of Spa Aquae and the addition of a new Hydra Lounge relaxation area reflect the growing intersection between wellness and food and beverage programming. Modern spa facilities increasingly integrate healthy dining options and specialized beverage programs focused on wellness ingredients: trends that savvy F&B operators are leveraging across the hospitality sector.
Industry Implications and Future Trends
The Resort at Summerlin’s transformation offers several key insights for food and beverage professionals:
Celebrity Chef Partnerships: The property’s strategy of partnering with established culinary personalities demonstrates the continued value of celebrity chef concepts in driving destination dining experiences.
Authentic Ethnic Concepts: The inclusion of Nom Wah represents the growing consumer demand for authentic ethnic dining experiences in resort settings, moving beyond the generic “Asian fusion” concepts that dominated previous decades.
Integrated F&B Experiences: The seamless integration of dining, gaming, and entertainment spaces reflects evolving consumer expectations for holistic experiences rather than siloed offerings.
Community Connection: The emphasis on serving both locals and visitors reflects successful hospitality strategies that build sustainable revenue streams through community engagement rather than relying solely on tourist traffic.
Looking Ahead
With additional dining concepts planned for early 2026 and ongoing renovations including pool areas, The Resort at Summerlin’s transformation will continue to evolve. This phased approach allows the property to test and refine concepts while maintaining operational continuity: a strategy that other hospitality operators can learn from.
The success of this rebrand will likely influence similar transformations across the hospitality sector, particularly as properties seek to differentiate themselves through elevated food and beverage experiences. For F&B professionals, The Resort at Summerlin represents a case study in how strategic culinary partnerships and thoughtful design integration can drive property-wide transformation.
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve post-pandemic, properties that successfully integrate authentic dining experiences with luxury amenities and community connection will likely emerge as the strongest performers. The Resort at Summerlin’s approach provides a roadmap for how established properties can reinvent themselves while honoring their heritage.
The rebrand officially takes effect January 1, 2026, and the industry will be watching to see how this comprehensive transformation performs in one of America’s most competitive hospitality markets.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
