MGM Resorts is about to debut the latest jewel in its casino/resort crown.
Designed by HKS Hospitality Group, the $1.4 billion, 22-acre MGM National Harbor officially opens Thursday, marking the company’s first foray into the Washington, D.C., area.
Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Prince George’s County, Maryland, the hotel boasts 24 stories, with 308 rooms and suites; a 125,000-square-foot casino (3,300 slot machines, 124 table games, 39 poker tables); a 3,000-seat theater (Boyz II Men, Lionel Richie, Bruno Mars, Duran Duran, Kings of Leon and Ricky Martin are already on the schedule); and expansive public spaces featuring the MGM National Harbor Heritage Collection — a showcase of nearly 70 works by such artists as Bob Dylan, Margaret Boozer, Alice Aycock, Sam Gilliam, John Dreyfuss and John Safer, among others.
“By the very nature of being adjacent to our nation’s capital and across the river from Virginia, and in Prince George’s county, it was a tremendous opportunity to grow our brand,” said Anton Nikodemus, the COO of Regional Operations for MGM Resorts.
The resort has plenty of the “magic touches” that MGM patrons have come to expect from the company whose assets include the stunning Aria and Bellagio resorts in Las Vegas and the glistening gold and silver MGM Macau, among its 26 properties across the globe. Highlights include the Bellagio Patisserie, with a 26-foot-tall chocolate fountain circulating nearly two tons of melted chocolate; an 85-foot Conservatory (the landscape will be changed seasonally); an 18,000-square-foot, ultra-high-end shopping district featuring Sarah Jessica Parker’s SJP, her first brick-and-mortar boutique (acessories and handbags will set you back $30 to $695; shoes start at $240 and the SJP “Little Black Dress” collection starts at $395); a dining landscape featuring restaurants by renowned chefs Jose Andreas, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, and Marcus Samuelsson; an outdoor plaza area with fountain and reflecting pool complimented by panoramic views of the Potomac and D.C. monuments (just 7 miles away); a 27,000-square-foot spa/salon; and an outdoor pool (scheduled to open next spring).
The property’s overall design is very much in keeping with the scope of the region, according to Nikodemus.
“We took a lot of time learning all we could about the heritage and history of the area,” said Nikodemus. “We wanted to celebrate the heritage and beauty of the region. We wanted the property to be approachable, dignified. … It’s the best of everything that is MGM Resorts. It’s not just about being a destination resort, but it’s a statement for the industry. [Its adjacency to Washington, D.C., and major airport affords us the ideal opportunity] to bring international customers and politicians to see what these entertainment experiences provide. … I want this also to be an entertainment hub for the local community, to offer area residents a class level of entertainment and service they’ve never experienced in this area.”
Reservations are being accepted for stays beginning Dec. 10, with room rates starting at $299 and suites at $599 (subject to availability).
“MGM National Harbor will introduce something unprecedented to one of the country’s most popular travel destinations. Under one roof, guests will enjoy a sophisticated hotel experience, high-energy casino, celebrity-chef restaurants, world-class entertainment, nightlife, destination spa, upscale retail and curated art, complemented by incredible panoramas of D.C., Maryland and Virginia,” said Bill Boasberg, the resort’s general manager, in a prepared statement.
For more information on MGM National Harbor, visit mgmnationalharbor.com.
