With closings and distress all around it, one hotel in the beleaguered Lake Las Vegas mixed-use development in Nevada continues to thrive. In recent years, the 493-room Loews Lake Las Vegas has undergone several upgrades to keep it competitive and gaining market share in a tough marketplace. Lake Las Vegas, a 3,600-acre residential, lodging and retail resort project near Lake Mead and 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, has suffered through several high-profile closings in the past year: Two of three golf courses closed last year, the Casino MonteLago shuts down permanently this weekend and the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas shutters in two months.

“Obviously, it’s never good to have your partners close their doors, but at the Loews we’re more committed than ever to the long-term viability of this resort,” says Brian Johnson, the upbeat general manager of the Loews who came to the property as the chain assumed operation of the former Hyatt three years ago. “And, in fact, in recent months we’ve seen an uptick in both group and leisure business.”

While many hotel properties in Las Vegas and elsewhere have pulled in the reins during this downturn, the Loews has been making improvements, some of which have had direct influence on its ability to book additional business. Most significant is the addition of an additional outdoor courtyard that serves both the group and social business segments.

“It’s a phenomenal wedding location and was voted number-one wedding destination in Las Vegas,” says Johnson. “It also gives groups another option for an outdoor event in addition to the pool and the smaller Lotus Court. A group that’s here three nights may want two outdoor events, and now they can do it without using the same space twice.”

Other improvements include a redesigned indoor/outdoor lobby area with fountains, fire pits and sweeping views of the lake. And in the past three years, renovations were completed on all guestrooms, the property’s main restaurant and the pool area.

Johnson credits positioning of the hotel as a non-gaming, family-friendly property for much of its success in the face of such troubled assets in the development. “We offer groups and leisure guests an environment that’s unique to the Las Vegas market,” says Johnson. “We’re located on a beautiful lake and have an intimate meeting environment in which attendees don’t need to walk though a casino to get to their events. Planners can be sure they get the full attention of attendees.”

Reassuring employees that it’s business as usual for the hotel has been another task Johnson says has gone smoothly. In fact, he says employee opinion survey scores have improved in each of the past three years.

“The Loews corporate culture establishes a solid bond with our employees,” he says. “It starts with honesty and transparency, with leads to associates believing they are fully involved in the long-term results of the property.”

While some elements of Lake Las Vegas have failed, Johnson points to the ongoing success of the development’s retail village. According to Johnson, the complex of about 25 retail outlets, bars and restaurants is 95-percent occupied with new stores and restaurants opening in recent months. With the closing of the Ritz, in particular, the village now draws most of its business from the adjacent communities of Henderson and Las Vegas.