Long-standing boutique hotel, The Artisan, was recently acquired by a cannabis-friendly hotel operator from Phoenix. The Las Vegas Review Journal broke the news of the $11.9 million purchase by Pro Hospitality Group.
The Artisan has been the host of a variety of cannabis parties and other niches events over the years. The adult-only venue houses an eclectic ambiance, reminiscent of a Stephen King book. Unbeknownst to many, the boutique hotel was built in 1979 as a non-gaming hotel before taking on the Artisan title in 2006. Over those decades, guests have flocked to the Strip-adjacent property for after-hours parties, private dinners, and even weddings.
The buyer of the property is looking forward to what’s to come with cannabis lounges coming the city. Alex Rizk, owner of Pro Hospitality Group who purchased the Artisan, told the Journal about his plans for a cannabis-friendly hotel with shuttles to nearby dispensaries.
ARE THERE CANNABIS-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN LAS VEGAS?
We’ve all long-awaited cannabis lounges and smoking areas since legalization hit Las Vegas. At the moment, there are no legal places in Las Vegas to consume cannabis. The only exception is Nuwu Cannabis Dispensary and their attached Tasting Room, owned and operated by the sovereign Las Vegas Paiute tribe. When it comes to hotels, the policy is typically zero-tolerance with the chance of you losing your room if caught. If Rizk’s plans go accordingly, he could be opening the first cannabis-friendly hotel in Nevada by next year. For Rizk, however, it wouldn’t be his first.
The Clarendon in Phoenix, Arizona is the company’s flagship cannabis-friendly boutique hotel. The 4-star property boasts a sleek design, with a cannabis shuttle, membership lounge, and a variety of other cannabis-friendly amenities. For any interested travelers, the hotel is split between consumption and non-consumption, meaning that smoking isn’t allowed everywhere. Cannabis consumption is allowed in cannabis-friendly rooms as well as outdoor public areas, excluding the restaurant. It is not, however, allowed in public indoor spaces.
Ritz is rolling $3 million into renovation on the Artisan with hopes to finish in September 2022. Rizk reaffirmed in the news that the Artisan is a lifestyle boutique hotel. With their 420-friendly choices, it’s becoming even more true than before.
