The M Resort Spa & Casino has had a colorful history in Las Vegas, though I as a local gambler knew only that their machines kept working and I earned credits for free food after my usual casino losses.

The M Resort Spa Casino opened March 1, 2009 amid a slow recovery from the 2007-2008 recession. The “M” resort was named after the Marnell family, original developers of the property through Marnell Corrao Associates. The property, at the junction of Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway, was to be accompanied by a shopping center and movie theatre, but those plans later were dropped.

When the M opened, it had a buffet, a poker room, a drug store, a gorgeous restaurant on the top floor (Veloce Cibro), a wine cellar (The Hostile Grape), and even a full-service medical clinic. The drug store, the medical clinic, The Hostile Grape, the restaurant with a view, the poker room, and the buffet no longer exist. And the ownership? On June 1, 2011, the ownership changed to Penn National Gaming and later to Penn’s spin-off company, Gaming and Leisure Properties.

Me? I’ve lived in Las Vegas since the M opened. I remember the buffet, the poker room, and the drug store and also a New Year’s Eve with fireworks, several dinners in the casino’s steak house and a long drive with my radio blaring to get to the M. But mostly I remember gambling. Parking on the top layer was convenient and I usually earned free play and most likely complimentary food credits which I used in the VIG cafe or the Baby Cakes take-out bakery.

The M is the official team headquarters hotel of the The Las Vegas Raiders and I saw a sign that also mentioned the Henderson Silver Knights. I assume the place is quite crowded on weekends when the teams are in play. I took some photos at the M when I visited last Wednesday and they are below.

Previous LLV articles about this resort:
“More to Love” by Kellee Kunovic (May 2010)
“Casino Offers” by Eric James Miller (February 20210)
“Martini Time” by Megan Edwards (January 2010)
“Lighting the M Resort Christmas Tree” by Michael Dickman (December 2009)
“Opening night at the M Resort” by Kellee Kunovic (November 2009)
“Great Views and Wine by the Sip” by Megan Edwards (April 2009)