Two Las Vegas giants, Caesars and MGM, are set to enter the Middle-East.  Both of them are planning to open their first non-gaming resorts in Dubai. This past Sunday, Caesars Entertainment announced their plans to manage two resorts opening by the end of 2018. In March 2017, MGM Resorts announced their plans to build and operate an MGM resort and Bellagio by 2021.

Artist rendering of Bluewaters Island, Dubai. Picture Courtesy: Meeras Holdings

Caesars Entertainment

Caesers Entertainment announced that it had signed up with Dubai based developer, Meraas Holding, to manage two upcoming hotels in the Bluewaters Island development. Set to open in the fourth quarter of 2018, the agreement includes the management and operation of two luxury non-gaming resorts and a beach club in Dubai. The first resort will be a 178-key Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, the world’s second, and then, a 301-room Caesars Bluewaters Dubai.

Caesars Entertainment operates 53 properties in five countries, including the US, Canada, UK, South Africa and Egypt. This will be Caesars Entertainment’s first entry into the Middle East and is aiming to promote its resorts as top hospitality, dining and entertainment destinations.

At present, Caesars Total Rewards program has a partnership with Wyndham Rewards with a 1:1 transfer ratio from the latter to the former. Details are limited at this point in time, so watch this space for more information on earning and redeeming points at the new Caesars resorts.

MGM Resorts

Last March, the president of MGM Resorts International – Bill Hornbuckle – announced the management of an MGM resort and a Bellagio in Dubai by 2021. The MGM aims to have 1000 rooms (including 10 villas), a water show and a 50,000 sq. ft. theatre amongst its other offerings. The resort will also include a diving club called The Cavern, diving pool 7,000 – 8,000 meters long and a snorkelling area. It will be part of a beachfront entertainment destination situated along Jumeirah Beach, near the Burj Al Arab. This will be the longest stretch of waterfront developed in Dubai.

Currently, MGM Resorts’ M life Rewards has a partnership with World of Hyatt for earning and redeeming points. You need to be a member of both programs in order to earn points in World of Hyatt for stays at M life Rewards resorts, but the same does not apply to redeem World of Hyatt points. No details are yet available about how much will be needed for a stay at the new Dubai hotels, but I’ll be sure to keep you updated. One thing is for sure, with most of the Hyatt hotels clustered around the old town and the Dubai International airport, this would be the perfect place to stay while in Dubai.

For us, having the two biggest Las Vegas staples in Dubai could be a potential turning point in the local entertainment scene. And for visitors to the city, the unique location and private expanse of beach should be a sight to be seen. In addition to that, the perk of the Bellagio being a hop, skip and a flight away from India will be unparalleled.