The city of Las Vegas has a tumultuous history with marijuana. Anyone over 21 with proper identification can legally purchase cannabis from a dispensary or for recreational use. Although some people may appear to be smoking marijuana openly, public consumption is still only permitted in private homes according to the law. Many hotels are reluctant to participate because they fear losing their gambling licenses if they do not. To qualify for that license, you must maintain an impeccable reputation. According to Thrillist, the Lexi Las Vegas has redesigned its guest experience and is housed in the former Boutique Artisan Hotel. With a floor tailored for “420-friendly” accommodations, the hotel inaugurated its cannabis-friendly hospitality on June 2. The 64-room property is located just west of the Strip, at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Interstate 15. It bills itself as Las Vegas’s first cannabis-friendly hotel.
To be clear, “it’s not cannabis-centric,” as Alex Rizk, CEO of Elevations Hotels and Resorts, which operates The Lexi, puts it, adding that it is “cannabis-inclusive.” That means you can legally smoke a joint but hold off on breaking out any extreme smoking devices in public. Although the management has made it plain that they won’t let marijuana use on the premises until long-awaited legislation enabling public consumption is anticipated to be adopted later this year, notes Fox5 Las Vegas, the Lexi is currently taking reservations and welcoming visitors.
When it was first built, the Lexi was a Travelodge. Over time, it became the Artisan, an attraction for adults exclusively with topless sunbathing and after-hours parties for individuals who didn’t want to go home after the club excitement slowed down. The property was purchased by Pro Hospitality Group—the real estate investment division of Elevations—in 2022 for just under $12 million and underwent renovations worth at least $3 million.
The rooms on the fourth level, dubbed “420 rooms,” are designated as being safe for cannabis users and are equipped with RestorAir filtration systems. Regardless of the no-smoking rules, some people have resorted to plugging in smaller versions of the air purifiers in other rooms. All the rooms were renovated with three main objectives in mind: comfort, style, and getting rid of anything that can trap or soak up lingering odors. Murals painted by hand have taken the role of hanging artwork on the walls. The carpets were taken up and replaced with laminate flooring. Drapes are nowhere to be found. Instead, the windows are obscured by heavy wooden shutters. A modern-rustic wood-and-pipe layout has open shelf units and hangers but no closets. A freestanding Galanz retro mini-fridge is also provided in each room for additional snack storage. Visitors of the Artisan will find several additional modifications across the entire location. Once renowned for its somber ambiance and Renaissance-themed artwork, the lobby has been transformed with modern furnishings that have brought a brighter and more contemporary feel. The imposing interior neoclassical fountain is still there; it has been sandblasted to resemble brand-new, and vintage chandeliers that were once found in other hotel rooms have been used to add a classic touch. A private dining space with a modern, linear fireplace was once a remote wedding chapel. Also planned is a craft whiskey and tequila lounge. With cabanas, daybeds, and a DJ booth, the little pool deck is a pleasant place to relax in the sun, and a nearby courtyard with a lawn is ready to accommodate extra loungers. The rebuilt Artisan Lounge, a cocktail lounge with a focused, effective cuisine menu that includes a wide range of options, from kalbi short rib nachos to lobster mac ‘n cheese and a prime Allen Brothers strip loin, is another way that The Lexi pays homage to the former name. The house has a vintage Hollywood feel thanks to the tree-lined driveway and porte-cochère, which only allows valet parking and has bronze dogs protecting the front entry.
The Lexi wants to stay the same as its predecessor, so it will continue to host pool parties, after-hours events, and DJ nights. Even in a city as salacious as Las Vegas, the Artisan’s reputation as a hangout for swingers and the “lifestyle community” is impossible to ignore. “We are not a swingers hotel per se,” DiFerdinando clarifies. “I know the Artisan was considered that. If the right group came to us and wanted to buy us out, we’ll have a conversation just like any hotel would,” he added. However, he makes the point that, even in that scenario, things wouldn’t get too out of hand. Besides topless sunbathing, no public displays of nudity are tolerated, and all sex-related activities are conducted discreetly in private quarters. (Full Story)