What It's Like to Stay at the Vanderpump Hotel as a Bravo Die-Hard
Our take
The allure of celebrity-branded experiences is undeniable, and the Vanderpump Hotel, a direct extension of Lisa Vanderpump's persona cultivated over years of reality television, taps directly into that fascination. For devoted viewers of *Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* and *Vanderpump Rules*, a stay isn’t just about luxury accommodations; it’s about immersion in a meticulously crafted world. The article’s premise – a devoted fan’s deep dive into experiencing the hotel – highlights the power of parasocial relationships and the growing trend of consumers seeking tangible connections with their favorite personalities. It speaks to a desire beyond simple product endorsement; people want to inhabit the spaces and lifestyles presented to them through media, a desire amplified by the curated aesthetics so prevalent on platforms like Instagram. It's a fascinating evolution of fandom, moving beyond merchandise and into experiential consumption, mirroring a broader cultural shift explored in articles like The United States of Diamonds: What Your Engagement Ring Says About Your City, where personal style becomes a statement about location and identity, and further emphasized by the desire to acquire pieces that reflect a specific aesthetic.
What’s particularly compelling is the article’s implicit commentary on authenticity. While the hotel undeniably embodies Vanderpump’s brand – the pink hues, the ornate details, the signature cocktails – it’s also a constructed environment, a stage set for a carefully managed narrative. The reader understands they aren’t getting a glimpse behind the curtain, but rather an amplification of the image already presented on screen. This isn’t necessarily a negative; many consumers knowingly engage with branded experiences precisely for this curated nature. It provides a sense of control and predictability, a departure from the often-unfiltered reality of everyday life. This controlled environment resonates with a consumer base increasingly drawn to aspirational lifestyles, often seeking refuge from the chaos of the everyday, a sentiment also echoed in pieces like I Live in L.A. and Just Shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale—These Are the Cool Items I'd Wear Daily, where carefully selected items offer a pathway to a desired identity. The success of the Vanderpump Hotel, therefore, isn't solely about the quality of the service or the design of the space, but about the strength of the brand and the emotional connection it fosters with its audience.
The broader significance extends beyond the hospitality industry. The Vanderpump Hotel serves as a potent case study for how media personalities can leverage their influence to create sustainable, multifaceted businesses. It demonstrates that reality television, often dismissed as frivolous entertainment, can be a powerful marketing tool, capable of generating significant brand loyalty and driving consumer behavior. The hotel’s popularity isn’t just about fleeting trends; it’s built on years of carefully cultivated character and a recognizable aesthetic. It also highlights the increasing convergence of entertainment, lifestyle, and commerce. We’re seeing a rise in individuals who are not just entertainers, but also entrepreneurs, designers, and influencers, blurring the lines between personal brand and business venture. This trend will likely continue to accelerate, fueled by the accessibility of social media and the growing demand for authentic, personalized experiences. The impact of these evolving traditions can even be seen in how we approach significant life events, as explored in This Bridal Beauty Tradition Is Steeped in Thousands of Years of History, and Symbolizes Love, Luck, and New Beginnings, where rituals are increasingly personalized and infused with individual expression.
Looking ahead, the question becomes: how will this model of celebrity-driven experiential branding evolve? Will we see more reality stars expanding into hospitality, or will the demand shift towards other forms of immersive experiences—perhaps virtual reality environments replicating the lifestyles of influencers? The key will be maintaining authenticity, or at least the *perception* of authenticity, while navigating the complexities of commercialization. As parasocial relationships become increasingly sophisticated, consumers will likely demand more than just a branded backdrop; they'll seek genuine engagement and a sense of connection with the personalities behind the experience. The Vanderpump Hotel has successfully laid the groundwork, but the future of this space hinges on its ability to adapt and evolve alongside the ever-changing landscape of fandom and consumer expectations.
I've spent more time with Lisa Vanderpump than I can begin to estimate. I've dined at her various Los Angeles establishments and watched all of her nine seasons of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and 12 seasons of the subsequent spinoff show "Vanderpump Rules" several times over. It can sometimes feel like I know her personally, her idiosyncrasies etched into my psyche. And now, I've spent the night at hers.
On June 11, the English restaurateur and reality star celebrated the grand opening of The Vanderpump Hotel, her Las Vegas boutique hotel in partnership with Caesars Entertainment. Smack dab in the middle of the Strip on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road, the hotel — formerly The Cromwell — has Vanderpump's fingerprints all over it, from the glamorous accommodations to the sultry, velvet-draped lobby lounge.
Asked to describe the hotel in three words, Vanderpump replies: personable, decadent, and, of course, sexy.
It's important to note that Vanderpump has become somewhat of a Vegas fixture in recent years since the 2019 opening of the Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, located in Caesars Palace. She subsequently opened the restaurants Vanderpump à Paris and Pinky's at the Flamingo. The hotel, however, is a first.
I spent three days exploring the Vegas Vanderverse in celebration of the hotel's opening weekend. It was my first time in Las Vegas, actually, which felt fitting for a proud Bravo buff. Here's how it went.
About the Vanderpump Hotel
The Vanderpump Hotel has 188 accommodations, including 21 suites.
The average nightly rate ranges from $200 to $500, depending on availability and time of year.
The ground-floor casino offers 21 table games and 440 slot machines.
The on-site restaurant is Giada, the flagship restaurant from Giada De Laurentiis.
The lobby lounge, Gigolo, features a full cocktail menu and bar snacks.
The lobby also features a Starbucks.
There is a rooftop pool, Soleia, featuring bungalows and cabanas.
The hotel's nightclub, Drai's After Hours, is back in its original home beneath the hotel after previously being located on the roof.
The 24-hour fitness center features Peloton bikes.
What I Like About the Vanderpump Hotel
The first thing I noticed upon arriving in Vegas was the air. It was barely noon and the desert heat nearing 100°F nearly took my breath away. But before I had too much time to think about it, I was whisked away in a purple Cadillac featuring the license plate "2VILLA."
On the 10-minute drive from the airport, Vanderpump was everywhere. Advertisements for her hotel and restaurants towered over the Strip.
I pulled up to the lobby, where I was greeted by a giant display of fuchsia orchids. After a pleasant check-in, I scanned the casino floor, clocking campy details like the red telephone box backdropped by a floor-to-ceiling photo of Vanderpump in London. Further down, a gallery wall displayed highlights from Vanderpump's life, including a photo of her with her daughter Pandora as a baby, but then also her official "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" cast portrait.
The ground floor met all my aesthetic expectations: purple velvet furniture, fringe lampshades, gold hardware here, there, and everywhere. What I didn't expect was the lobby's real statement piece: a five-foot tall resin statue of Vanderpump's late pomeranian Giggy, watching over his namesake bar, Gigolo.
The statue is Vanderpump's favorite detail in the hotel. "The little guy that saved thousands of dogs," Vanderpump told Popsugar, reflecting on Giggy as the inspiration for the Vanderpump Dog Foundation. "He's an icon, he belongs there. I felt it was a little too much to ask people to bow down at his feet, but I thought his being there was a nod to all he did for all the dogs in the world."
Upstairs, the hotel is comparatively understated. When I opened the door to my double queen room, I was struck by the soft lavender and pistachio color scheme. Photos of Vanderpump are everywhere (because duh) and a quote about the "good life" and "glory" appears in both English and French in the shower. Honestly, my first impression was that this is the perfect hotel for a bachelorette trip.
For a boutique hotel, this one has many convenient features. Before the grand opening party, I ordered a margherita pizza and arugula salad from room service, and it was just what I needed before a long night of imbibing and yapping in the sweltering heat. (The lemon cookies at Giada also can't be missed.)
In the morning, I appreciated being able to slip down to Starbucks for an iced latte as the all-night partiers and early-bird gamblers crossed paths.
And though no one associates a trip to Vegas with restful sleep, I did manage to reset at the end of each (very indulgent) day thanks to the notably comfortable bed with its crisp sheets and nice variety of pillows.
Vanderpump's got good taste, not that I ever doubted her.
What to Consider Before Booking the Vanderpump Hotel
While my stay made this Bravo fan quite content, there are a few considerations for prospective travelers. For starters, it is a boutique hotel, so it won't have as many amenities and dining options as some of the larger properties, like Caesars Palace or The Venetian up the street.
That said, Caesars is easily accessible via a walkway, so I enjoyed hopping over to the hotel to eat at Peter Luger and Nobu. Also, after a grand tour of every Vanderpump dining establishment in Vegas, I can report that Pinky's at Flamingo Las Vegas was my hands-down favorite. It's a four-minute walk from the Vanderpump Hotel and worth it for the Art Deco decor alone.
One other consideration: parts of the hotel still feel very much in transition, at least during my stay. The pre-existing Soleia rooftop pool, for example, didn't seem to have the full Vanderpump treatment yet. In fact, "Love Island USA" fans might recognize it as the season two filming location. I, however, look forward to its aesthetic upgrade, which I was told will eventually happen.
Who the Vanderpump Hotel Is Best For
My first impression remains true: the Vanderpump Hotel is primed for bachelorette trips. (Even better if the group consists of Bravo fans.) It's also fitting for anyone attending BravoCon, which typically takes place at the Caesars Forum.
Rating
4
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Kelsey Garcia (she/her) is the lifestyle director at PS, where she oversees coverage across Balance and Health & Fitness. Kelsey is passionate about travel, wellness trends, and evolving parenting styles. Before joining the PS team as an editorial assistant in 2015, she interned at Elle and Harper's Bazaar, among other publications.Read on the original site
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