Boyd Gaming partners with Sonesta to expand reach of casino resorts

Boyd Gaming and Sonesta International Hotels have launched an exclusive strategic affiliation that will introduce Boyd’s nationwide portfolio of hotel-casinos to millions of Sonesta customers across the country.

The first stage of the partnership, which was announced by the companies, will be the January launch of the Boyd Collection. The affiliation will place Las Vegas-based Boyd’s 19 casino resorts nationwide, including more than 9,700 hotel rooms and 600,000 square feet of meeting and event space, onto Sonesta’s distribution platform (Sonesta.com).

The 19 hotel-casinos that will be featured in the Boyd Collection include nine properties in Southern Nevada: Aliante, California, Cannery, Fremont, Gold Coast, Main Street Station, The Orleans, Sam’s Town and Suncoast.

“Boyd’s nationwide portfolio of casino entertainment destinations is built upon over 50 years of best-in-class guest service, strong customer relationships and best-in-market amenities,” Boyd Gaming president and CEO Keith Smith said in a statement. “Our exclusive affiliation with Sonesta provides a compelling opportunity to broaden our customer base across the country by introducing Sonesta users to Boyd’s unique brand of hospitality and entertainment.”

Boyd properties will remain available on Boyd’s traditional distribution channels.

Sonesta guests will gain access to a broader range of hotel-casino destinations, while Boyd customers will benefit from Sonesta’s growing global distribution platform, expanding brand portfolio and Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program. Future integration plans include Boyd and Sonesta linking their award-winning loyalty programs — Sonesta Travel Pass and Boyd Rewards.

“This affiliation represents an exciting next step in Sonesta’s asset-right, franchise-focused growth strategy,” Sonesta co-CEO Keith Pierce said in a statement. “By aligning with Boyd, we are creating meaningful new ways to serve our guests and expand our distribution reach in markets where travelers are seeking full-service resort hospitality entertainment and casino gaming experiences.”

Boyd and Sonesta plan to further expand their partnership in the future, including an enhanced development pipeline. The companies will explore hotel development opportunities connected to Boyd’s existing properties and future development projects, which might include Sonesta hard-brand conversions, rebrands or new-build hotel projects.

“Our guests increasingly want more choices, more recognition and more ways to make travel rewarding,” Sonesta Chief Development Officer Phil Hugh said in a statement. “Our relationship with Boyd gives us a platform to connect hospitality and entertainment in a differentiated way, while creating new avenues for franchise and development growth.”

Boyd operates 26 gaming entertainment properties in 11 states. Sonesta, based in Newton, Mass., is the eighth-largest hotel company in the U.S. with more than 1,000 properties and 100,000 guest rooms across 13 brands.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at [email protected]. Follow @tdewey33 on X.