acharya

Do you have to spend the whole week in a single property? or can you use it for say 3 nights in vegas and 4 in hawaii?

kirkwoodj

Hawaii must be a whole week, if you use other properties you can split it.

IsleOfMan

My wife and I are HGVC owners (bought resale at about 1/10 the new price). On a trip to LV last July (staying at HGVC Flamingo) we did a presentation (at HGVC Trump, I think) along with another couple in exchange for $300 in dining certs for each couple. We had only been owners for ~3 months and looked at it as a chance to ask some questions about the program. We told the presenter immediately that we were current owners and had bought resale, he kindly answered 2-3 questions (mostly pointing out a handful of redemption options not allowed for resale owners, mainly cruises) and let us go after about 15 minutes total with no hard-sale and no "closer". We actually spent about 4x more time riding form Flamingo to Trump, waiting for our presenter, waiting for our compensation, and riding back to Flamingo than we did in the presentation itself. The dining certs we received were surprisingly useful with no "gotchas" and spent just like cash other than not receiving change if we were under (we just made sure to order an extra desert or drink to get the most out of them).

We also did a similar presentation before we bought at Parc Soleil in Orlando. We were there ~60 minutes, 15 minutes of which was the video. We asked some questions and toured the rooms. We did get one "closer" that wasn't too hard of a sale, and then we were out.

I'd say the amount of time they tell you is required would be the worst case, and the hard-sale will be minimal if you're firm with your nos and don't ask many questions.

One last warning, make sure you read ALL of the fine print on the "Spend a night on us" cert. It's a rebate and has some strict requirements including brand, submission requirements, etc. I've read way more complaints about these rebates being denied than about the presentations themselves.

jeannejeanie

I am visiting Las Vegas for a girls 2 day getaway weekend in August... I am gold and would like to stay within the hiltyon family ..I would really appreciate any recommendation ...casino does not need to be on site and we would like to stay where we will be near the fun. also would you recommend renting a car for 2 days??? any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. we are planning this trip because my friend is going through a very rough patch in her life and she really needs to destress. thank you Jeannie

pragakhan

Have you been to Las Vegas before? Do you plan to party all night with a two foot margarita, do you like to gamble? Explore?

jeannejeanie

No one in the group has been to las Vegas....margaritas will be on the agenda (we are in our late 30's)...minimal gambling ...shows and shopping

Michael El

There are four Hilton properties on the Strip. Tropicana, Elara, Hilton Suites at the Flamingo, and Hilton Grand on the Strip.


I don't recommend renting a car unless you want to venture outside of Vegas. Use that money on cabs especially if you're drinking margaritas.

pragakhan

Since this is your first time I would stay on the strip and forget the car. Go for the full Vegas experience, especially with only 2 days.

You may want to choose a casino/hotel that is central within the strip. There isn't any particular benefit to staying at Hilton hotels unless you really want the credit or are using points (not recommend in Vegas, although I do it to burn them).

I recently stayed at the Tropicana which is a Double Tree and would probably stay there again. It is close to MGM which connects to the monorail. I have not stayed at the Elara as I am a smoker and that hotel is 100% smoke free. Avoid the Hampton Inn on Tropicana, it is not close to anything. Others here may have more experience and suggestions but if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

This map might be helpful, although I don't know how old it is - http://vegasclick.com/vegas/images/map-strip.jpg

ILovetheReds

The only Hilton property on the strip that isn't a HGVC is the Tropicana which I refuse to stay at anymore. They won't waive the resort fee, the breakfast they have now is awful and it's a pain to get to the rooms.

I really don't see any advantage to staying at Hilton property in Vegas (hopefully the SLS will provide some great benefits). If you insist on a Hilton property, I would stay at the Flamingo or Elara.

I would avoid renting a car if you are planning on staying on the strip.

Jimgotkp

If its everyone's first time in Vegas then I don't recommend a car either. IMHO, the best Hilton property on the Strip is the Elara. The location is right in the middle of the Strip, so everything is within walking distance. It's also on the tram side of the Strip, so you can take the tram or the Deuce up and down the Strip.

jeannejeanie

Thanks for the info.....I'm just going to let someone else decide the hotel part of this trip ☺

rickFPP

I am a Hilton Diamond. Status does not get you much in Las Vegas. I would tell you to go to the Treasure Island. Get one of the Petite Suites - it will have TWO (2) complete bathrooms (girls love this!!!) and a decent size living room. Get the Petite Suite with two beds and you will be set. And the best news ... you should be able to get this for less than $150 a night. The clubs downstairs are full of good times and lots of drinks. And you are right across the walkway from the Fashion Mall with all of the best shopping and tons of good restaurants. The Wynn and the Palazzo are across the street. NO car needed for this!!! Have a great time.

OverThereTooMuch

I agree with rickFPP on the hotel, that's a great choice for this trip. Never been in the suites, so no opinion on that part.

HansGruber

rickFPP has a great idea, but Free is better than $150 a night. If you are staying on points the Elara is a good option. Nice hotel, smoke free, and it's connected to the shops at Planet Hollywood. It's right on the strip too. If you are paying for your stay I'd lean more along the lines of what the other posters have said. HHonors status doesn't get you much in Vegas.

Need

I like Elara, but I don't think I would spend points on it though. I rarely seen any standard room available for points on the weekends. And even when there is, it would be like 50K per night. Most of the nights (even on weekends) are under $200. And Elara does not charge resort fee so neither reward night or paid night will have to pay the extra charges. I would just pay for the room instead of using points I think.

OP, I would head to the Las Vegas forum here and check out the hotel code thread. There are usually some good deals there if you don't have to stay within the Hilton family of hotels. Personally I think the best part of the strip is near Elara, but North side (near Treasure Island) usually has better deals on hotel.