Lisa Vanderpump Spills on Her Vegas Hotel, Giggy, and Her Biggest Hotel Pet Peeves

The rose queen herself expands the House of Vanderpump with her latest hospitality offering, a new Vegas hotel.Entrepreneur, fashion icon, and reality television star Lisa Vanderpump and Las Vegas are a perfect match. Both are larger than life. Both command attention. Both love bold colors. And both are incredibly entertaining.It’s fitting, then, that after launching three successful cocktail lounges in Sin City, Vanderpump’s latest endeavor in town is a full-on hotel.The 188-room boutique property, dubbed The Vanderpump Hotel, opened June 11.The opening itself was grand and theatrical. When Vanderpump arrived to debut her namesake property, she did so from the back seat of a custom Rolls-Royce, wearing a shimmering silver dress and long sheer gloves while a fleet of 600 drones buzzed in the sky above.This project represents the first time the television icon and entrepreneur has extended her distinct brand of hospitality into a full-fledged hotel. The endeavor gives new life to a property that previously lived through multiple identities, including stints as the Barbary Coast, Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall, and most recently, The Cromwell.To pull off the massive transformation, Vanderpump collaborated closely with her long-time design partner, Nick Alain. Together, the duo custom-built the furniture and lighting through their design firm, opting for an “industrial romantic” aesthetic. The rooms rely on a soothing palette of moss greens and dusty lilac, mixing warm gold accents with cool silver detailing. Couches and daybeds are adorned with plush purple pillows with giant Vs on them. Naturally, there is also plenty of pink, a Vanderpump signature. Continue Reading Article After Our Video Recommended Fodor’s Video The bathrooms, which have been completely redone, now feature extra-large sinks and showers with tiny tiles that spell out a poem about the vagaries and sweetness of life.Even the minibars sport the new vibe—each offers a bottle of Vanderpump Rose.This aesthetic is a notable departure from the dark (and sometimes ominous) vibes of The Cromwell, which had rooms with a decidedly more masculine feel.Matt VillanoBecause the new hotel is a Vanderpump project, the details are unashamedly personal and packed with nods to her British roots. Guests walking in from the Strip are greeted by a classic English taxicab installation. Inside, a large mural depicts Vanderpump walking down a rainy London street next to a bright red telephone booth.In the rooms, nightstands use a mirror effect to reflect Vanderpump’s eyes, creating the sensation that she’s always watching. And in the hotel lobby, there’s a wall covered in Vanderpump family photographs, featuring faces both famous and furry.Speaking of furry, Vanderpump’s famous love of dogs takes center stage on the casino floor at Gigolo. The new, sultry lounge serves as a tribute to her late Pomeranian, Giggy, and a giant black statue of the pup overlooks the action from behind the hostess stand. Fans of Vanderpump’s reality TV shows will undoubtedly want to pose for selfies there.Other highlights of the resort include Soleia Beach, a 65,000-square-foot rooftop nightclub and pool deck that replaces Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub, and Giada, the Italian restaurant from celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis that originally opened with The Cromwell in 2014 and now runs the room service program for hotel guests. The beloved Drai’s After Hours nightclub still rages in the resort basement, carrying on a tradition that dates to the Barbary Coast days.Shortly after the grand opening celebration ended (and after a three-night stay), Fodor’s sat down with Vanderpump to talk about the transition from bars to bedrooms, the realities of building a brand with Alain, and what it takes to stand out in a town that thrives on being over-the-top. Here are some highlights from the conversation.Lisa Vanderpump arrives at the opening of her new hotel.Getty ImagesFODOR’S: Tell us about your relationship with Nick Alain. What is your collective creative process like? How do you navigate disagreements over design?LISA VANDERPUMP: I normally come up with the concept, the idea, the creative, and the branding, and then we work together to get into the details of unusual design. Nick is a genius and has wonderful ideas. It’s a great partnership because we actually listen to each other! Disagreements very rarely happen, and it’s been a truly creative and productive partnership.Are there any similarities between your home, Villa Rosa, and The Vanderpump Hotel? If so, what are they?I would say that the hotel reflects the spirit of Villa Rosa, as it’s a boutique hotel. You can walk from the lobby to your room in 100 steps. However, I don’t have a casino in my home! The Vanderpump Hotel has a lot of things I’d love to have at Villa Rosa: turn-down service, room service, and a complimentary hotel car to drop guests off.Tell us about the dog features at the new hotel. Well, dogs are of course welcome. Every furry friend is given the red-carpet treatment here, [including] doggy bowls and treats to start. We are in the middle of creating a gorgeous dog relief area in the front of the hotel too.What can we expect from room service at the new hotel? Goat cheese balls? Our room service is full-service dining, which is quite rare in Las Vegas at this time. It’s fulfilled by Giada [the restaurant from celebrity Chef Giada DeLaurentis], and we are very fortunate that she has an extensive menu. People have access to delicious Italian food for both lunch and dinner.I know the new Gigolo lounge pays homage to your beloved dog. How would you say the lounge captures his spirit? Giggy was the sexiest dog alive [when he wore] his little tuxedoes, so you’ll definitely see some of that at Gigolo. The entire vibe is mischievous and playful. Cocktails come with a gorgeous garnish and a wink. [It] is decadent and sultry.What are your favorite Vegas spots (that you don’t own)?If I’m going to cheat on my own restaurants, I always go to [restaurants from Chef] Gordon [Ramsay]! He’s the best chef and I love him. I also love Nobu in Paris Las Vegas and Caesars Palace. The quality is always amazing.What are your hotel room pet peeves?Terrible lighting, uncomfortable mattresses, and scratchy towels.What do you need in a hotel bathroom?Good lighting, fluffy towels, a lot of plugs, a good hairdryer, and good shampoo and conditioner. If the robe is soft and fluffy, that’s a plus.How do you usually fly: private or first class? What are some must-haves in your cabin?I most often fly JSX to Las Vegas. I think it’s wonderful; it’s like flying private without the price tag, and they’re so good to both me and my dogs. Give me a good Bloody Mary and no turbulence, and I’m happy.What do you always have in your carry-on?My iPad, my phone, lipstick, a compact mirror, Advil, vitamin C, makeup, eye drops, and English tea bags.