IHG the world’s largest hotel company by number of rooms, today announced the signing of a ten-year license agreement with Las Vegas Sands Corp. to affiliate The Venetian and The Palazzo with the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts global portfolio.

The Venetian and The Palazzo will maintain their independent and established identities. Both resorts combined offer more than 7,000 luxurious all-suite accommodations, as well as world-class gaming and entertainment, convention and exhibition facilities, luxury shopping and celebrity chef restaurants that define the Las Vegas experience.

The Venetian and The Palazzo will gain access to IHG’s global operating system, which includes the hotel industry’s most visited websites in 13 different languages, 10 worldwide call centers, powerful global sales force, as well as Priority Club Rewards, the world’s largest hotel loyalty program with 52 million members.

“This alliance with Las Vegas Sands Corp. and IHG’s InterContinental brand creates a shared opportunity to give our guests access to leading luxury resorts in Las Vegas,” said Jim Abrahamson, president, the Americas, IHG.  “Las Vegas is the most requested destination for our Priority Club Rewards and Ambassador members, and these resorts epitomize the glamour of Las Vegas and provide world-class experiences that perfectly fit with what our guests want from InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.”

Members of IHG’s Priority Club Rewards and Ambassador loyalty programs will have the opportunity to enjoy for the first time membership benefits and recognition at two award-winning flagship resorts in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.  And The Venetian and The Palazzo Resorts guests will benefit from IHG’s loyalty programs, by earning points at these resorts that they can redeem for stays at any of IHG’s 4,500 hotels worldwide, including 168 InterContinental hotels and resorts.

“This is a perfect marriage between two world-class resorts and one of the most prominent hotel companies in the world,” said Michael Leven, president and chief operating officer, Las Vegas Sands Corp.  “We are especially excited by the opportunity to provide more than 52 million IHG Priority Club members the ability to earn and redeem their points at two of Las Vegas’ most luxurious and exciting destinations.”

The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino Las Vegas, the largest resort complex in the US to receive AAA’s Five Diamond Award, is one of the world’s most luxurious resort and convention destinations, with more than 4,000 all-suite accommodations. Re-creating Venice’s legendary landmarks, the resort offers unmatched service and quality for leisure and corporate guests. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Venetian features The Grand Canal Shoppes, an indoor streetscape complete with gondolas and singing gondoliers, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, world-class gaming, exquisite restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment such as Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular.

The Palazzo Las Vegas Resort, also a AAA Five-Diamond property, has over 3,000 suites, luxury shopping and world-class dining and entertainment. The $1.9 billion Silver LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified resort is highlighted by a flagship, 85,000 square-foot, Barneys New York store, with The Shoppes at The Palazzo featuring more than 60 luxury boutiques, featuring brands such as Chloé, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg and Anya Hindmarch. The Palazzo also offers a variety of cuisines from award-winning chefs such as Carnevino by Mario Batali, CUT by Wolfgang Puck and Table 10 by Emeril Lagasse. Other unique offerings include Tony Award winning Broadway musical Jersey Boys and the chic dining and nightlife club LAVO.