All eyes will be on Las Vegas next week as #eventprofs from around the world, Team micebook included, descend on the city for the annual Imex America (albeit a month earlier than usual).

So, there’s no better time to explore recent and upcoming openings on the famed strip, and there’s certainly plenty of them thanks to the ongoing boom in tourism and new developments. If you’re making the trip, here’s five of the best that are well worth checking out…

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

The luxury Waldorf Astoria brand made its Vegas debut last year. Formerly the Mandarin Oriental, the non-gaming property is currently undergoing an 18 month renovation of its 389 rooms and public spaces.

The hotel offers 12,000-square feet of stylish event space, including the glamorous Waldorf Ballroom, situated three floors above Las Vegas Blvd and featuring a unique walk-out balcony and floor-to-ceiling windows featuring views of the Strip. Other features include Michelin-Star rated Chef Pierre Gagnaire’s award-winning restaurant, Twist, Sky Bar and Tea Lounge, Waldorf Astoria Spa and eight floor pool deck.

SAHARA Las Vegas

The famed SAHARA, which has hosted celebs from the Rat Pack to the Beatles, made its return to the Strip this summer with the announcement that the former SLS Las Vegas would now operate under the resort’s original, iconic brand name – SAHARA Las Vegas. Since Alex Meruelo purchased the property in April last year, renovations have included an updated casino floor featuring the 24-hour CASBAR Lounge and the recently unveiled Infinity premium gaming lounge, renovated hotel rooms, suites and corridors, an upgraded spa and a soon-to-debut new hotel lobby – all part of a $150 million resort overhaul.

SAHARA Las Vegas features 1,615 guest rooms, more than 95,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a collection of entertainment venues, lounges, three pools, the luxurious Amina Spa and acclaimed restaurants, including the award-winning BAZAAR Meat by José Andrés.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

After buying the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in partnership with a group of hedge funds and property developers, billionaire businessman Richard Branson is remodelling the property as the first Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas. A $200m renovation is expected to begin in February year, with the grand opening expected in late November 2020, after the presidential election results.

When Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opens, it will feature 1,500 renovated hotel rooms and suites; a fully-renovated casino, multiple pools over five acres, world-class restaurants, lounges and bars, including new nightlife venues and the brand’s flagship space, Commons Club, as well as numerous meeting and convention spaces.

The Drew Las Vegas

Looking further ahead, a new luxury integrated resort and casino, The Drew Las Vegas, was originally scheduled to open on the north end of the strip in 2020 on the site of the unfinished Fontainebleau project. However, development has now been pushed back till 2022.

The property will feature over 500,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, nearly 4,000 rooms, debut the Edition brand in Las Vegas and feature the Strip’s first JW Marriott. Once open, the hotels will be managed by Marriott International.

Resorts World Las Vegas

Resorts World, a multi-billion-dollar Asian-themed development, is currently being built at the 87-acre site of the former Echelon and Stardust, within easy walking distance from the Las Vegas Convention Centre.

Construction of the property is being done in phases and Resorts World is expected to open in 2020 with approximately 3,400 hotel rooms, authentic Chinese restaurants, a casino with more than 100,000 square feet of space, retail and boutique offerings, as well as an exotic club venue.