Opinions on Vegas resort..

[Maistre Gracey]

We are headed to DLR next May, and doing Vegas for five nights before VGC.
We currently have three rooms at Mandalay Bay booked, but I'm considering an RCI exchange. I looked at the others (Club Cordial, Club Intrawest), but didn't see anything in Vegas. RCI had eight resorts. I looked at a few, but not sure that's what I'm looking for.
My questions:
1) Does anybody know if these resorts are on the Strip, and if so, where on the Strip?
2) Do they have casinos similar to the Strip hotels?
3) Is it more of a "sleep & shower" experience, or do they offer full Vegas hotel amenities as listed below?

While at DLR / WDW I love the DVC experience, but I have never stayed in any other timeshare and I'm a bit afraid I will be missing certain things. I want restaurants, bars, shows, fitness rooms, coffee shop (Starbucks?), and all those things that you would find at a top Vegas hotel.

Would I be better off just staying at Mandalay Bay?? I'm not worried about the amount of points to make the trade.

Thanx in advance for your advice,
MG

 

[Melynny]

There is a Hilton vacation club at the Flamingo, it's proabably the best one that is on the strip. There are 2 others that are in walking distance that I know of Wyndham, it looks nice and a new Bluegreen club 36. I am a Bluegreen owner and they are all 1 bedrooms and I think they have shuttles. Whatever you do, stay away from the Summer Bay resort. It's close but looks TERRIBLE from the outside. There are other gold crown resorts that are bit away from strip, but I think Wyndham and Bluegreen will be the closest and best.

edited to add, Hilton has a casino at the flamingo. Bluegreen and Wyndham do not have casinos. I think they do have restaurants or snack bars. I do not think that any of the other timeshares in LV have casinos nor do they give the "Strip Like" expeirence. No shows, no attractions, just a nice condo with nice ameneties.

another edit: There is also another Hilton Grand Vacation club that is on the Monorail at the hilton hotel next to the convention center. It should be pretty good.

I just checked RCI availability and Hilton, Bluegreen and Wyndham all had availability for May 11. good luck! Also, I'd stay away from the Jockey club too! Hilton flamingo did not have availablity.

 

[Dean]

We are headed to DLR next May, and doing Vegas for five nights before VGC.
We currently have three rooms at Mandalay Bay booked, but I'm considering an RCI exchange. I looked at the others (Club Cordial, Club Intrawest), but didn't see anything in Vegas. RCI had eight resorts. I looked at a few, but not sure that's what I'm looking for.
My questions:
1) Does anybody know if these resorts are on the Strip, and if so, where on the Strip?
2) Do they have casinos similar to the Strip hotels?
3) Is it more of a "sleep & shower" experience, or do they offer full Vegas hotel amenities as listed below?

While at DLR / WDW I love the DVC experience, but I have never stayed in any other timeshare and I'm a bit afraid I will be missing certain things. I want restaurants, bars, shows, fitness rooms, coffee shop (Starbucks?), and all those things that you would find at a top Vegas hotel.

Would I be better off just staying at Mandalay Bay?? I'm not worried about the amount of points to make the trade.

Thanx in advance for your advice,
MG

Here's a MAP I used when we went last year. The Hilton's are near the strip on the very north end out near or past the Wynn depending on which you're talking about. IIRC, Desert Rose is on the strip a couple of miles south of town and Grandview (I own there for RCI points) is a couple of miles further out still). Peace Canyon is a ways out, I think it's west (same system as Grandview). Looking at the Map, it looks like WorldMark is a little further out. I don't know way Club 36 isn't on there, likely a better resort than at least half and closer in than 4 of the resorts listed. I think all but the Worldmark resort are RCI points resorts and therefore may be available for less than a week. You should be able to rent a week directly at one of those or other nice resorts (like II options) for a very good price.

Current availability for 5 nights is limited to a studio at one of the Hilton's and units at Grandview and Cliff's. If you go to a full week, the Hilton's come on board at all 3 for studio, 1 & 2 BR units. Nothing as late as the Holiday weekend for the Hilton's, only for those further out.

 

[Dean]

There is a Hilton vacation club at the Flamingo, it's proabably the best one that is on the strip. There are 2 others that are in walking distance that I know of Wyndham, it looks nice and a new Bluegreen club 36. I am a Bluegreen owner and they are all 1 bedrooms and I think they have shuttles. Whatever you do, stay away from the Summer Bay resort. It's close but looks TERRIBLE from the outside. There are other gold crown resorts that are bit away from strip, but I think Wyndham and Bluegreen will be the closest and best.

edited to add, Hilton has a casino at the flamingo. Bluegreen and Wyndham do not have casinos. I think they do have restaurants or snack bars. I do not think that any of the other timeshares in LV have casinos nor do they give the "Strip Like" expeirence. No shows, no attractions, just a nice condo with nice ameneties.

another edit: There is also another Hilton Grand Vacation club that is on the Monorail at the hilton hotel next to the convention center. It should be pretty good.

I just checked RCI availability and Hilton, Bluegreen and Wyndham all had availability for May 11. good luck! Also, I'd stay away from the Jockey club too! Hilton flamingo did not have availablity.

Of those you list, only the Hilton's are on DVC's list. In general terms, you've got quite a bit of options at or near the strip. The Marriott and Westgate Planet Hollywood are within 50 yards of the strip (both II), Summer Bay is about a block and a half off behind Harrah's, Polo Towers is even closer near those, there is one in the Sahara I believe, there are others. I'd put the Marriott, PH & Hilton's as the top options overall regardless of exchange company.

 

[Melynny]

Oh Ok.. just trying to help. I stand corrected. I guess I leave the answering to the experts

By the way, I just checked the map you added the link to and Club 36 is there, it's listed as Bluegreen on Tropicana.

 

[Dean]

Oh Ok.. just trying to help. I stand corrected. I guess I leave the answering to the experts

By the way, I just checked the map you added the link to and Club 36 is there, it's listed as Bluegreen on Tropicana.

Don't worry about it, all contributions should be welcome. The link I posted was a general map, not a timeshare map. There are only 8 of the 23 RCI resorts in LV on the DVC list since DVC takes RCI's list and picks and chooses based on criteria that appear to be the following:

• Top resort in an area
• not a new resort
• not within the Orlando area

DVC LV resorts

• 3 Hilton's
• 1 of 3 Worldmark (Spencer St) - the only one of the group not an RCI points member.
• Shell @ Desert Rose
• Grandview
• Cliff's at Peace Canyon
• Wyndham Grand Desert

 

[downontheBW]

I'll add another vote for the 3 Hilton's. The HGVC Flamingo is in the perfect location, the HGVC Las Vegas is (as previously stated) further out but on the monorail. The HGVC On the Strip is at the north end almost across from the Sahara - definitely not as good a location as the Flamingo but is a resort that we enjoyed very much this last April. We stayed for a week on an RCI exchange (didn't exchange our DVC, but another timeshare we own).

We really liked the resort and especially the pool. All employees were great and we didn't have any complaints at all. They have a nice little grocery store and snack / lunch area plus the pool bar. Since it is on the strip, you can take a bus for a couple of dollars down to where the action is. We never had the patience to wait for the bus so walked back and forth - it's about 20 min.

 

[usnuzuloose]

We have shell vacation and the desert rose is very nice. they have a complimentary breakfast as well.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanks for the responses.. This is exactly the type of info I'm looking for.

MG

 

[cmanuli]

If I were you I would just pay cash for the hotel stay in Vegas, I have been 3 times now, and there is always deals that are so good in these times.Not sure its worth using the points based on what you pay for them. We went June 2007 stayed in Mandalay Bay liked it, the follwing year we went July 2008, stayed at The Hotel portion of Mandalay Bay. I get emails all the time and the rooms tend to be super cheap and some kind of deals always going on. When we went in 08 we got a couple Suites, we went like a Thurs through Monday, one of the nights we paid like $89 bucks. Mandalay is at one end of the strip, if you want to stay more towards the middle I would recomend the Bellagio.

 

[cmanuli]

Mandalay is also great because it has a beach, wave pool and lazy river!!!!! It also depends on what type of crowd your looking to stay with, Palms and Hard roc tend to be a younger crowd, and it kind of varies by hotel.

 

[Daddio]

We just returned from a trip to LV/DLR this month and had an opportuinity to stay a week at each of the Hilton (Strip) and Wyndham Grand Desert. We've also done the Hilton at the Flamingo and toured Westgate at Planet Hollywood.

I have always stayed in Vegas for free, courtesy of Harrahs. Our favorite is Paris. Planet Hollywood has also been added to the Harrahs lineup but we wern't too fussy about it. However, since staying at the timeshares, it's hard to go back to a hotel room.

The Hilton at the Flamingo is my number 1 pick for location.

My next choice is Wyndham Grand Desert, again, because of the location. Wydham also offers a shuttle which runs every 15 minutes or so between the resort and Harrahs Casino on the strip.

Westgate is a tad closer to the strip, but a real maze and you have to like nouveau decor to stay there. It's all red and black.

The Hilton on the strip was really nice but way to far from all the hustle and bustle. Waiting for the deuce (bus) can be extremely frustrating, especially if you just missed one. The deuce used to be the best way to travel the strip but they have greatly reduced (my opinion only) the number of vehicles running.

Of course, these are my opinions and your lifestyle may not be condusive to my personal picks. Las Vegas is FUN city and no matter where you stay, you will likely have a great time.

David

 

[downontheBW]

While at DLR / WDW I love the DVC experience, but I have never stayed in any other timeshare and I'm a bit afraid I will be missing certain things. I want restaurants, bars, shows, fitness rooms, coffee shop (Starbucks?), and all those things that you would find at a top Vegas hotel.

MG

Sorry, just reread your specific requirements and, while I highly recommend the HGVC's, they are not what you're looking for.

If you want the "Vegas experience" - stay at a glitzy, huge, over-the-top hotel. The timeshares are similar to DVC (without the cool theming) - nice rooms, washer/dryer, kitchen, pool, fitness rooms, coffee/snack shop. No flashy restaurants, no casino, not the activity of a casino resort but, all of that is easily walkable if you did choose a TS.

We've stayed at MGM, Luxor, Palazzo, Mirage, NYNY and Bellagio. Our favorites were Mirage and Palazzo; Bellagio was disappointing, maybe I expected too much. If you haven't stayed in a place like this and want that experience, definitely do it!

Mandalay Bay is at the far south end of the strip but should be great - wave pool and all. You might want to look at the Venetian or Palazzo since they are all suite (I think). May has nice weather (it's not ridiculously hot yet and the changeable spring weather should be gone) and prices should still be "low".

Whatever you choose, have a great time!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanks again for all the advice..
I think I'm going to stay with three rooms at Mandalay Bay. It seems to have exactly what I'm looking for. In addition, we will have a lot of people the following week in a GV at VGC, so it might be good for everyone to have there own space for part of the trip.

MG

 

[Dean]

Thanks again for all the advice..
I think I'm going to stay with three rooms at Mandalay Bay. It seems to have exactly what I'm looking for. In addition, we will have a lot of people the following week in a GV at VGC, so it might be good for everyone to have there own space for part of the trip.

MG

Obviously the decision is yours but I'd suggest you reconsider the decision or at least, let me give you some additional thoughts to ponder. If you an get a unit large enough for the group (not sure how many but you have 3 rooms now), the kitchen option will be very handy. Also, if you make good choices for location, the things that you've stated are important will either be on site or fairly close by. With minimal planning, the LV strip is easy to get around and parking almost always a cinch. Let me give you an example. I was in LV a year ago Sept after not having been there since 1986. We stayed part of the time at Summer Bay (a condo style timeshare about 2 blocks behind Harrah's and the rest at the Marriott (south end of strip). My meeting was at The Wynn. My interpretation on driving every day was that it was as easy or easier than had I been staying at the Wynn. The chances of the shows you want being at your location are fairly slim. It's also a good opportunity to try out other timeshares if you're so inclined.

OTOH, Mandalay Bay (like the MGM and others) is a great place but huge with a lot of options, albeit, expensive ones. Sounds like a great trip regardless. Other than the smoking exposure, we had a great time for 10 days there, saw 5 shows, ate at great places. One thing I'll point out is that I found LV a very expensive place for my wife and I to eat. I generally pride myself on finding good and reasonable options and I did not do nearly as well in LV as I normally do. We did have some great meals and I did take advantage of some of the restaurant.com options, but a do over would have been nice for that segment of our trip. Our show choices worked well though, Rita Rudner was my favorite of the trip but and the only one of the 5 I would go back to by choice. My wife enjoyed the Lion King and Cirque best. Email me privately and I can give you tips as to how we saved a fair amount on show tickets and more about the shows.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Obviously the decision is yours but I'd suggest you reconsider the decision or at least, let me give you some additional thoughts to ponder. If you an get a unit large enough for the group (not sure how many but you have 3 rooms now), the kitchen option will be very handy. Also, if you make good choices for location, the things that you've stated are important will either be on site or fairly close by. With minimal planning, the LV strip is easy to get around and parking almost always a cinch. Let me give you an example. I was in LV a year ago Sept after not having been there since 1986. We stayed part of the time at Summer Bay (a condo style timeshare about 2 blocks behind Harrah's and the rest at the Marriott (south end of strip). My meeting was at The Wynn. My interpretation on driving every day was that it was as easy or easier than had I been staying at the Wynn. The chances of the shows you want being at your location are fairly slim. It's also a good opportunity to try out other timeshares if you're so inclined.

OTOH, Mandalay Bay (like the MGM and others) is a great place but huge with a lot of options, albeit, expensive ones. Sounds like a great trip regardless. Other than the smoking exposure, we had a great time for 10 days there, saw 5 shows, ate at great places. One thing I'll point out is that I found LV a very expensive place for my wife and I to eat. I generally pride myself on finding good and reasonable options and I did not do nearly as well in LV as I normally do. We did have some great meals and I did take advantage of some of the restaurant.com options, but a do over would have been nice for that segment of our trip. Our show choices worked well though, Rita Rudner was my favorite of the trip but and the only one of the 5 I would go back to by choice. My wife enjoyed the Lion King and Cirque best. Email me privately and I can give you tips as to how we saved a fair amount on show tickets and more about the shows.

Thank you, Dean. I will think it over. I have plenty of time to cancel/rebook hotels, but not sure about timeframes if I opt for the trade route..

MG

 

[Daddio]

Harrah's also has a terrific meal deal on. For $40.00, you can eat at any one (or all) of the buffets in all 7 of their resorts for a full 24 hours. Start with late dinner, then evening snack, next morning breakfast, maybe a snack, afternoon lunch, afternoon snack, late dinner, and end with a dessert after an early show.

Of course, this was just to emphasize what you COULD do. I wouldn't recommend eating THAT much food, but you could.

David

 

[dvc_john]

Harrah's also has a terrific meal deal on. For $40.00, you can eat at any one (or all) of the buffets in all 7 of their resorts for a full 24 hours.

We did that a few months ago! The trick is to NOT pig out each time you go to one of the buffets. We liked the buffets at Paris, Planet Hollywood, and Rio. But surprisingly didn't care all that much for the one at Caesar's.

 

[Daddio]

We did that a few months ago! The trick is to NOT pig out each time you go to one of the buffets. We liked the buffets at Paris, Planet Hollywood, and Rio. But surprisingly didn't care all that much for the one at Caesar's.

That was the beauty of the plan. You could eat very little then return an hour later if you were hungry. Paris, PH, and Rio were our favorites too. But, Flamingo had Pineapple Upside Down cake that was to die for. Caesars was the smallest and worst of the lot. Very disappointing. The plan is so good that I suspect they will change it or the prices very soon.

David

 

[nunzia]

I agree with staying at Mandaly Bay if you want the full glitzy Vegas experience. When we lived there we enjoyed going to Mandalay Bay very much (we even got to go up to the private club at the very top and look out from that balcony..wow)..nice atmosphere and being at the end of the strip gives it a nice feel. We went in October and stayed at the Venetian..I always loved that place and was glad we chose it. We wanted to stay close to the shows we were seeing...La Reve and Jersey Boys, so the Venetian was ideal. Next time we'll pick shows and then stay close to their location again. I'll never forget when I worked at MGM a business guy who came running (literally) in to meet his group, breathing hard and exclaiming loudly "Las Vegas has the biggest blocks I've ever seen!" Indeed they do...those little strip maps are very deceiving...