Visionary hospitality executive overseeing operations of a 67-story, vertically integrated luxury resort
Acclaimed leader in hospitality, Cliff Atkinson, has been appointed President of Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a vertically integrated luxury hotel, gaming, entertainment and convention venue conceived by Fontainebleau Development. Atkinson has already assumed leadership of Fontainebleau Las Vegas as it continues to build its in-house team, and he will continue to execute on the strategy laid out by Fontainebleau Development as the resort prepares for its global debut on the Las Vegas Strip in the fourth quarter of 2023 .
“When we set out to find a visionary leader for our next generation luxury resort, Cliff’s knowledge and relevant hands-on approach and experience, coupled with the perspective he has gained from nearly 30 years in the hospitality industry, made him the clear choice for Fontainebleau Las Vegas,” says Jeffrey Soffer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fontainebleau Development. “With Cliff at the helm of our team, we move forward with even greater confidence and confidence in our vision for the future of the Fontainebleau brand and Las Vegas.”
Atkinson comes to Fontainebleau Las Vegas after establishing himself as one of the Strip’s most dynamic leaders. Most recently, he served as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WE Advisory Group, providing direction for business development strategies, revenue management services, operations, turnarounds and new building development. Prior to founding his consulting firm, Atkinson was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Luxor Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, where his role included implementing a robust engagement strategy to increase employee communication and satisfaction among the hotel’s 3,300 team members.
“So much of Cliff’s success is rooted in his ability to build human capital and organizational cultures through a combination of business acumen, empathy, confidence and natural charisma,” added Brett Mufson, President of Fontainebleau Development. “These genuine qualities and its achievements align perfectly with the Fontainebleau brand, our culture and our commitment to providing superior service and memorable experiences for our guests.”
Mr. Atkinson has also served as senior vice president of hotel strategy for MGM Resorts International and in general manager roles for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in Las Vegas and San Francisco and Gramercy Park Hotel in New York. In 2014, Atkinson was named Hotelier of the Year by the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association.
“What the Fontainebleau brand has achieved in its 50 year history is unrivaled in this industry and now I have the opportunity to combine the team’s vision with my background in luxury, lifestyle and service as we seek to combine the hospitality and… reimagining the gaming experience on the Strip,” says Atkinson. “Fontainebleau Las Vegas is without question the beacon of change for the future of Las Vegas.
“I feel like my entire career has prepared me for this role. It is a great honor to direct Fontainebleau Las Vegas and bring the property to life.”
Fontainebleau Las Vegas comes full circle on Fontainebleau Development’s longstanding vision of hosting its iconic brand on the Strip. For more details about Fontainebleau Las Vegas, visit fontainebleaulasvegas.com.
About Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is a vertically integrated, 67-story luxury hotel, gaming, entertainment and meetings destination, scheduled to open in Q4 2023. Created by Fontainebleau Development, which specializes in premier hospitality, commercial, retail and luxury real estate, in partnership with Koch Real Estate Investments, Fontainebleau Las Vegas brings full circle the company’s long-standing vision to showcase its iconic brand on the Las Vegas Strip. Located at 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd. In addition to the acclaimed expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will feature more than 3,700 uniquely designed hotel rooms, more than 53,000 square feet of convention space and a world-class collection of restaurants and shops, poolside experiences, vibrant nightlife, and coveted spa and wellness offerings.
About Fontainebleau Development, LLC
Fontainebleau Development (fbdev.com) is one of the country’s leading real estate development and hospitality groups and has a diverse portfolio that includes properties in the hospitality, gaming, residential, retail, commercial and luxury service sectors. The company designs, builds, owns, markets and operates its properties, providing expertise at every stage of a project’s life cycle with an unrelenting focus on delivering the best quality in everything it does. To date, Fontainebleau has built a diverse portfolio including top notch assets such as Big Easy Casino, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa, Hilton Downtown Nashville and numerous landmarks such as Turnberry Ocean Club, Turnberry Ocean Colony and Porto Vita, the Tresor and Sorrento Towers in Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The Luxury Services division includes Fontainebleau Aviation, Turnberry Marina, Turnberry Isle Country Club and some of the world’s top-selling and well-known food, drink and wellness destinations. In its 50-year history, Fontainebleau has been involved in over 100 projects with a total transaction value of over US$25 billion.
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