Palms Las Vegas reopening after more than two years in the dark with new offerings

The Las Vegas casino resort Palms has remained closed for more than two years, a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 shutdowns.

That changes this month.

The property, about a mile west of Bellagio on Flamingo Road, will reopen to the public on April 27. Rooms are already available for stays starting April 28.

"Las Vegas is known to be such an amazing, iconic destination. And I think as the Palms, we have a responsibility to continue to make Las Vegas so special," Palms General Manager Cynthia Kiser Murphey told USA TODAY. "We're super-excited."

GRAMMYS 2022: All the best photos from music's biggest night

Palms: First Las Vegas resort owned and operated by Native American tribe

Palms initially closed in 2020 under state orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, a governmental instrumentality of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, closed its purchase of the property from Red Rock Resorts Inc.for $650 million in December.

With new ownership under San Manuel, Palms will be the first Las Vegas property to be owned and operated by a Native American tribe. (A Native American tribe runs Virgin Hotels Las Vegas' Mohegan Sun Casino, but the resort is owned by Virgin Hotels and partners.)

A recent makeover worth more than $600 million allowed San Manuel to leave much of the property's decor untouched, but Kiser Murphey said guests can still expect to find upgrades.

LAS VEGAS: Sneak peek at Palms Casino Resort's $620 million makeover

A refreshed casino floor will have a new slot and table game layout (think "pods" of slots that allow guests to chat while playing alongside friends as opposed to rows of machines, Kiser Murphey said), as well as new machines. The sportsbook will also be "completely refreshed."

Players looking to earn rewards will need to join the property's new rewards program, Club Serrano. The loyalty program is also in place at the Yaamava' resort and casino, another property run by San Manuel roughly 3½ hours away in Highland, California.

On the nongaming side, the 14 movie theaters inside the resort have been "completely redone" with new reclining seats, a remodeled lobby and refreshed wall murals from local graffiti artists, Kiser Murphey said.

As for the pool area, Kiser Murphey said, the property aims to offer a mix of offerings in the 73,000-square-foot multi-level space.

"We're going to have relaxed days and we're going to have days where we have a little vibe and a little more fun going (with DJs)," she said. "I think another element of that will be some kind of poolside brunches. We're working on all that right now."

Many of the intricacies Palms is known for will remain. This includes the property's nine themed suites (the Hardwood suite offers a personal basketball court, and the cinema suite comes with its own 98-inch screen) and an eye-catching piece of contemporary artwork from Damien Hirst at Unknown Bar: a 13-foot-long tiger shark divided into three parts within a steel tank.

"(The shark is) right here waiting for everyone to come back," Kiser Murphey said.

F1 IN LAS VEGAS: F1 puts its chips on Las Vegas: Series to race The Strip

Restaurants such as Scotch 80 Prime, Mabel’s BBQ by Chef Michael Symon and Send Noodles will return, and guests will be able to try out a new casual dining option: Serrano Vista Cafe, an American gastro-pub.

Kiser Murphey noted that the property is a work in progress. The iconic Ghostbar – once a hot spot for celebrities – as well as the Pearl Theater are expected to reopen this summer. Guests can find updates on the property's website.

MIRANDA LAMBERT VEGAS RESIDENCY: Miranda Lambert is ready for the steadiness of a Vegas residency and not waking up 'in a parking lot'

Palms reopening date: April 27

Kiser Murphey said the property hopes to attract a mix of locals and tourists, especially those from Southern California who frequent Yaamava’.

"We're working hard to make the gaming floor very attractive to locals," Kiser Murphey said. "The movies are really important to locals, the restaurants, the bars. And then when we roll out the entertainment a few months down the road, we will definitely have locals."

The location and free self-parking is a bonus for locals and visitors alike.

"If you're down on the Strip, it's a very quick Uber ride or ride up. So we're pretty excited about the location," Kiser Murphy said. "Many, many people drop in on the Palms, whether you're local or whether you're a visitor. So we're excited to be here."

The property will celebrate its reopening with a fireworks show April 27.

NEVADA MASK MANDATE ENDS: 'We're going back to normal': Las Vegas visitors shed their masks

You can follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter @bailey_schulz and follow our free travel newsletter here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: San Manuel reopening Las Vegas' Palms casino resort April 27