Las Vegas: Nobu readies for February opening of 181-room hotel

East meets West and Hollywood meets Las Vegas with the scheduled Feb. 4 opening of the Nobu Hotel inside a remodeled tower at Caesars Palace.

The boutique hotel and its adjoining restaurant and lounge feature a blend of traditional contemporary and Japanese design with thoughtful touches throughout to heighten the visitor experience.

The project is a joint venture between chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Hollywood superstar Robert DeNiro. The actor helped Matsuhisa open his New York restaurant nearly 20 years ago. More recently, DeNiro was the driving force behind the Greenwich Hotel in Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighborhood.

The Vegas project is the Nobu brand’s first venture into lodging.

The property was designed by architect David Rockwell as a distinct destination within the much-larger Caesars resort.

“We have created a distinctly Japanese experience in the heart of Las Vegas ... with a playful interpretation of Nobu’s style and the Vegas bravado,” Rockwell said in a news release.

Hallways feature carpets with patterns blending elements of cherry blossoms and Zen gardens. The custom fixtures in public areas are inspired by origami.

Each of the 181 guest rooms and suites features sleek, modern furniture with an entire wall decorated with Japanese calligraphy. An upscale minibar is to include Nobu’s signature chilled sake.

The bathrooms are adorned with teak fittings and stone tiles, all hand-crafted. The focal point is the sink, designed to evoke a garden fountain.

Hotel guests get priority seating at the 327-seat Nobu restaurant. Besides dishes popularized in the chef’s other eateries, the menu is to include new items with Las Vegas themes, such as the “high roller,” a plate featuring lobster wasabi, Wagyu steak, spicy garlic shrimp and premium sushi rolls.

Weekend room rates at Nobu will start at $289.

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