Las Vegas Weekly

May 11, 2010 · 10:51 AM

Nikki Beach to open with white party in Spring 2011 at Tropicana

By Robin Leach

Tropicana CEO Alex Yemenidjian, right, toasts at the Nikki Beach press party.

Photo: Michael King/Studio Rodd

Long before there were outdoor dayclubs and night pool parties in Las Vegas, there was Nikki Beach. It had the jet set commuting between St. Tropez, Marbella and Miami Beach for a nonstop merry-go-round of fun in the sun and delights after dark. Nikki Beach started the entire trend and described as “The Sexiest Place on Earth” by Britain’s stodgy, highbrow London Observer, it has grown to 12 locations in 10 countries around the world.

Today, it’s being announced that its newest expansion -- and the largest of all -- is headed to the Strip, with the Tropicana setting a grand opening one year from now in Spring 2011. The city’s newest and hottest destination will open with a star-studded, trademark Nikki “white party” extravaganza.

In advance of the media unveiling at lunchtime today, Tropicana President Tom McCarthy told me this morning: “It’s going to be the best of their South Beach-, Marbella- and St. Tropez-inspired designs enabling guests to party all day and all night in style, with a sizzling blend of haute cuisine, exotic cocktails and sexy entertainment -- but not topless. It will be a completely different experience to anything else offered in Las Vegas. This is truly exciting in every possible way.

“The focus at Nikki Beach at the Tropicana will be on the food experience. We will be the 13th location, and eventually there will be 18 around the world. This is a brand that has a major worldwide appeal appealing to a very broad demographic. The new Las Vegas location will be the largest Nikki Beach property in the world and will combine one of the most stylish brands in the world with one of the most legendary hotels on The Strip.”

Nikki Beach will sprawl over 4 acres of the tropical pool and landscaped oasis at the Tropicana complete with a restaurant, outdoor cafe, bar, swim-up blackjack tables and a private island in the center of the pool. Fountains and luxurious dreamy white beds will dot the property. Additionally, there’s a 15,000-square-foot ultra lounge and nightclub planned with interactive entertainment and dueling deejays. I’m fairly certain that this is what Tropicana Chairman and CEO Alex Yemenidjian told me last year would be the Strip front opening out onto the exotic beach locale.

“The creation of Nikki Beach Las Vegas marks a new era in Tropicana Las Vegas’ history,” Alex added. “Together, we will deliver a truly exceptional experience, joining two of the world’s most iconic brands in a way that has not been done before in this city.”

Nikki Beach owner Jack Penrod added: “After many years of looking into Las Vegas for expansion, we have finally found the right partnership. The Tropicana Las Vegas is the perfect location for our global brand. With exclusive beach clubs in the world’s hottest vacation spots, we are thrilled to bring Nikki Beach to Tropicana Las Vegas. Alex’s vision for the new Tropicana Las Vegas makes the perfect home for Nikki Beach.”

The Tropicana is undergoing a major facelift with new features and is expected to be completed this fall. Alex is betting more than $100 million on his hotel with a fresh redesign of every hotel room and suite, the casino, the conference center and exhibition hall, new restaurants, bars, a new poker room and a new race and sports book. He wants it to be hotter and better than the South Beach scene with the look and feel of a hot and exciting Havana night.

The Nikki Beach lifestyle is currently in Miami Beach; St. Tropez, France; Cannes Film Festival, France; St. Barths, French West Indies; Marbella, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; New York City; Marrakech, Morocco; Koh Samui, Thailand; Panama City, Panama; Toronto Film Festival, Canada; and opening this summer 2010 in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. After the Las Vegas opening, plans are already underway for a total of 18.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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