CodeAdam10

Thanks!! ^

Had a question about HHonors program....Is one able to book suites with points (for extra points) -or- just the base rooms only? TIA

RewardTraveler

In all likelihood, yes, but it will probably be a pretty expensive redemption (assuming the cash price is high).

CodeAdam10

Good to know, thank you so much for the answer!

kam31uf

HGV doesnt charge resort fees at any hotel so Elara wont have them either.

jamesteroh

You should be able to book a suite but will be a lot more points. I am thinking since this is a new addition they will have plenty of units and you shoudln't have any trouble getting a free upgrade to a 1 br suite.

MS02113

Except that Hilton Grand Vacations branded properties don't offer free upgrades, at least not officially.

jamesteroh

My bad. I was thinking as part of the suite upgrades at Hilton and DT's, one of the "enhancements" was upgrades at HGVC for some reason, but I was wrong.

CodeAdam10

Thanks jamesteroh.

I guess we will find out a lot more details as Hilton irons out the transition. Last year I stayed in a 2BR PH suite at Elara (then PH Towers) and loved it. The views could not be beat from the floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere (literally). While some in-room features & amenities may not be as glamorous as some of the 5* LV properties, the views more than makes up for it. It truly is unbelievable and I miss it dearly!

jamesteroh

I was wrong about suite upgrades at HGVC. Sorry about that, when the "enhancements" were announced for suite upgrades at Hiltons and DT for some reason I thought HGVC were included, but I do know people who have gotten upgraded to 1-br suites at the HGVC next door to the old LVH. I wouldn't plan on an upgrade to a 2-br penthouse though regardless if you book a regular studio room

Thanks for the heads up on the property being great. If the LVH does indeed stop honoring hilton benefits after april, unless I can get a great casino package deal, I am going to be looking for other properties and this one sounds great. In all honestly I'd rather stay in a non-gaming hotel, I just wish HGVC's offered free breakfast and didn't have such an early check out time.

CodeAdam10

Yep, I saw that. I was just reminiscing

For anyone wanting spectacular 180 degree floor-to-ceiling views of LV, this really is a hidden gem and I've felt it doesn't get much credit (seems like people are turned off because of the no casino.)

LotusSooty

I was in Vegas last weekend and went to have a look around Elara. They've currently shipped in managers from all over the country to train the existing Westgate staff.

Well the rooms are amazing. I went in a 1 bedroomed-suite and it was as nice as any room I've been in on the strip. And they're currently offering a free upgrade to a Junior Suite if you book a standard room, for most dates up to the end of May.

I'm going back to Vegas at the beginning of May, and will definitely be staying at Elara.

sfmilstead

I had the opportunity to stay at Elara on 3/7. The rooms were great (a far cry from the LV Hilton), but I have a few quibbles:

1. No onsite restaurant. Closest place to grab breakfast was at Planet Hollywood, which is not a huge ordeal, but still, would be nice if there was something a little bit closer in the morning.
2. Lack of power outlets. At the desk in my studio, there were no power outlets for...well, anything. My laptop and phone had to be plugged in either by the kitchen area or the window.
3. Didn't get the promised upgrade to a suite per the promotion going on right now (I know, wah).

It's a great location, and a good place to crash, but it certainly lacks a lot of the features a business traveller might desire (yes, it's an HGV property, but still, no outlets at a desk?).

barelyelite

Stayed in a 2-bedroom suite here a couple weeks ago for my buddy's bachelor party (it was booked before the ownership change). We chose it because the 2-bedroom suites were reasonably priced compared to the alternatives. The room was perfectly fine, but it's a bit of a walk to get to the Strip. The clientele was neither typical Hilton nor typical LV Strip--it was a younger crowd for sure (we're all twenty-somethings, so that was OK) and primarily Ed Hardy aficionados (we didn't blend in in that respect ). I likely wouldn't stay here again unless I wanted a decent deal on a suite. But then again, I'm of the opinion that points shouldn't matter in Vegas with the great properties available on the Strip for not much more $$ (for standard rooms).

They did have a dedicated HHonors check-in line, which was nice considering the regular line was quite long.

The desk did have outlets in the lamp base, but they were aligned backwards, such that I couldn't plug in my laptop.

shoreline

Wasn't the upgrade to a junior suite a special promo that was emailed out?
I received that offer via email, and to get that offer you had to make your reservation with that link on that promo email.

Maybe someone else can speak if they got the upgrade to the junior suite without booking that promo special via email.

EmAAx

Just booked this for May. They are offering double points on all their rates for the same price as the best available rate. Combine that with Double your HHonors and you are looking at 30 base points/$.

Never stayed at Hilton Grand Vacations. Do you earn points for incidentals?