W, the fun-loving hotel brand has announced that it will take over the Lux tower at SLS Las Vegas late next year, providing its’ first major hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. 

The SLS was formerly the Sahara casino, a regular hangout for legends such as Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack during the 1950’s.

Under the agreement, and after a series of renovations, the SLS Lux tower will reopen as W late next year with 289 Philippe Starck–designed guest rooms, a separate hotel lobby, branded as the W Living Room, a dedicated entry and reception area for W Hotel guests, and a W-branded spa, outdoor pool and bar area.

The W brand is considered a luxury product and is present in 47 locations across the world. The closest W Hotels to Las Vegas are in Scottsdale, Ariz, San Diego, West Hollywood and Los Angeles.

Guests will of course be able to earn and use Starwood Preferred Guest points for their stay, along with the ability to open their guest-room door with their smartphone. Which, given how crazy nights out in Vegas can be, may be quite handy.

W previously attempted to open in Las Vegas in 2005, but after securing the land, making an announcement, and even producing some room renderings, the plan fell through.

The W news is part of a larger shift at the SLS, which opened in August 2014. The other two towers at SLS, Story and World, will remain SLS in name but will become a part of Starwood Hotels’ new Tribute Portfolio, a collection of independent luxury hotels that was launched last April.

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