sc flier

I didn't address this question earlier mainly because I got off on my missive about why there are not more Starwoods in Vegas. But this question caught my attention and is something in which I have some experience. I know that it has been well-discussed in the old Aladdin/PH threads before, but I'm sure that it is well-buried in there as well.

I've been an SPG Plat member for a number of years now. I got my Hilton Diamond status in a Diamond Challenge while frequenting Vegas and Reno a couple years ago. My stays were typically just 1 or 2 nights at a time because of my travel schedule and sometimes just because of my willingness to do mattress runs. I was usually there for work, sometimes spent weekends there for pleasure, and always had a rental car (which many tourists don't need and shouldn't get). I typically dislike valet parking because I hate waiting to pick up the car when I'm ready to go. Disclaimer for this post: My last trip to Vegas was a full year ago. Some of my opinions and experience might not apply, and some properties have obviously had a few changes.

I've stayed at the Hilton LV and all three of the HGVC properties. There are good discussions about them all in the Hilton forum, and some of my old thoughts are in those threads, too.

Aladdin/PH was my main hotel most of the time. The rates were usually great, I got consistently good Plat upgrades, and I love the location. Check-in usually was quick for me. I loved to watch the fountains from my room, and I liked the convenient access to the restaurants at Paris and the Bellagio. When I wanted room service, I liked to get it from PF Changs (or call down and pick it up if I wanted to save some $$$ and purchase a better glass of wine). I often booked AAA or promo rates that included bonuses in the casino, free show tickets, or similar deals. I'm not a big breakfast or buffet fan, so whether I got offers for those was not very important to me. Requalification for SPG Plat was important, and that definitely encouraged me to stay there for stay credit and Starpoints.

I only stayed at the Hilton LV a couple times. They gave me rooms that were fine, but I never got a truly impressive upgrade. I have seen other Diamond members report great suites. I never ate a great meal at the Hilton, though I might could have if I'd blown my budget at one of their more expensive restaurants. If I wanted to hop over to another hotel/casino, there was an effort involved. Historically, the property sometimes has been known to skirt the issue in regards to whether or not it must abide by the HHonors T&Cs, but I never had any problem there. This hotel never impressed me. IME, if the Hilton had an exceptionally good rate, someone else did, too.

The Hilton Grand Vacation Club (HGVC) properties have similarities and differences with one another, and there is a wide variety of opinions about which one is best. The oldest one is behind the Flamingo. It is closest to a lot of popular casinos and I think has a jacuzzi tub in every room (IIRC but I could be wrong). This was actually my last choice because I thought self-parking was inconvenient and my impression of the room at the time was that it was getting old and worn out. (A problem getting worse at the pre-PH Aladdin at the time, too.)

The much newer HGVCs further up the Strip were my preference. The one right next to the Hilton LV was my first choice. At least at the time, they frequently offered a weekday AAA rate of $102 for a 1BR suite with full kitchen and jacuzzi tub. If this wasn't available and I booked a regular room, I sometimes got upgraded to the suite. I like to cook, like good food, and can prepare a very good meal for myself with a budget intended for dining in restaurants. As a road warrior traveling solo, having a kitchen was a nice treat for me. Self-parking was excellent!

The newest "HGVC on the LV Strip" (west of the Sahara) was my second choice. I found the self-parking there to be inconvenient when hauling a heavy bag. I don't think that I ever booked a suite there, and I know that I never got upgraded to one. They told me that they didn't give Diamond upgrades. The basic rooms were nice but a bit small. At the time, there was construction right next door that could be very disruptive. And in Vegas, many construction projects get approved for permits that allow work 24 hours/day.

HGVC properties do not have casinos and don't have free valet parking. If you have a jacuzzi in the room, there are posted restrictions to limit when you use them so that you don't disturb your neighbors during the night. Some rooms or suites include a washer/dryer. Pools are generally open later than at many of the casinos. (The pools at most Vegas casinos close around sundown. Most are closed during winter.) Breakfast vouchers for elites used to be provided, but I don't know about the current practice at the HGVCs. Many elites at the HGVC next to the Hilton LV used to go over to the Hilton and get a free breakfast, but there were mixed reports about whether or not this was a legit perk while staying at the HGVC.

I think that all of the HGVC properties had free internet and a very extensive selection of cable channels. Kids are sometimes seen at these properties -- more often than at most casino hotels. These properties are not as upscale as many SVO properties are, but I like them and their more affordable price. As with SVO properties, they are not bound by the T&Cs to offer the usual elite perks as if they were a regular hotel. However, I always got points and stay credit, and I often booked the upgrade for very reasonable rates.

Given the choice of the PH or Hilton LV as a top elite in both programs with the same price room, I choose the PH for its upgrade and location. But without Plat or Gold status at the PH (or the need for a SPG stay credit), I'd probably choose a Diamond stay at the Hilton or foot the extra $30 to at least book into a fountain view room at the PH.

Throw in a nice HGVC suite into the equation for about the same price, and that's where I'd stay for a nice, quiet place with features most like being at home. But that's not what most Vegas tourists are looking for, is it?

But Didi's question just doesn't give enough information for me to make a personalized recommendation. Didi or anyone else that wants recommendations in Vegas, what kind of trip are you looking for? Are you visiting for work? To dine out? To see the sights? To see shows? To eat at buffets? To gamble? Are you by yourself, with a friend, spouse, or group? Do you intend/desire to get off of the Strip at all? Are there specific events, shows, or sights that you already know you want to see?