Las Vegas Hilton--Good Hotel, OK Vegas Experience
Written: Sep 07 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Rooms, Service, Price
Cons: Location, Inedible Room Service
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| solpo's Full Review: LAS VEGAS HILTON |
My fiance and I went to Vegas this August to get away from the at-home grind. Unfortunately, we chose a week when occupancy was high and rates were OUTRAGEOUS (Mirage was full, Treasure Island was $200/night, Luxor was $200/night, even the Excalibur was over $150). But the Las Vegas Hilton had a value rate of $47/night!
When we got there, we found out that they don't preblock rooms. Although we had requested a king non-smoking, they didn't have any non-smoking rooms. The very accommodating desk clerk put us into a handicapped-accessible room for the night (great walk-in shower, by the way), and everything was set up for us to move rooms the next morning.
Our king bedded room was very comfy. Good bed. Comfy bathroom with outside counter and mirror. Decent TV. And a neat writing desk right at the window (a bit high for notebook computer use, though). Although it wasn't gigantic, it was comfy--easily larger than a Mirage room.
The service was great. I should say that I'm not a big fan of Vegas service usually--the places just seem too big to care. EVERYONE at the LV Hilton was friendly and helpful. Even the room service was fast (too bad it was downright inedible). Valet service was never more than 5 minutes, as well.
If you don't have access to a notebook computer and you need to do the road warrior thing, you'll find that their business center is pretty useless. They have one computer with dial up access in the middle of the front of a very busy business center. At least the rate's reasonable though ($10/hour if memory serves me right)
This is a business and convention hotel at heart, and it shows. Even better, it's a GOOD business and convention hotel.
On to the fun stuff....
The pool area was large (although not by Vegas standards), but the pool wasn't gigantic. The pool-side bar serves very watered down drinks (after a 44 ounce drink, I usually expect to feel SOMETHING). If you're looking for the Vegas pool experience, stay elsewhere. If you want to lounge out by a nice resort-style pool, the LV Hilton is fine. We spent 4 straight hours lounging and dipping and had a great time.
I didn't gamble in the main casino, but we did lose some money in the SpaceQuest casino (near the Star Trek Experience). I always lose at Hiltons, so.... Both are pleasant enough--the main casino in a Las Vegas faux class sort of way, and the SpaceQuest in a space-tacky-campy sort of way.
I went to the Star Trek Experience a couple of years ago. My take on it? If you're a bit Star Trek fan, it's probably a blast. For me, though, it was a bore until we got to the (very cool) simulator ride. The simulator ride, though, wasn't worth the $15.95.
Another plus for those of us who are cheap gamblers.... LV Hilton is relatively close to the Sahara, which is a great place for cheapie gambling.
We didn't eat a lot there. The coffee shop was tasty but a bit pricy for a 24-hour coffee shop. The room service (we got sandwiches and dessert) was nauseating. Better to just call out for pizza.
If you want to have fun outside the LV Hilton and you don't have a car, you'll be miserable, unless you have a lot of money for cabs. In fact, with what you're saving over staying at a comparably nice hotel on the strip, splurge for a rental car.
We had a good time on our 3-night midweek stay. We'd go back in a second, unless we were on a pool quest or didn't have a car.
PS: Park Place sold the LV Hilton to an outsider--it was evidently competing too much with Caesar's Palace. It will supposedly remain a Hilton, though. My guess is that it won't change much--between the name brand, the need to remain a competitive convention hotel, and the off-strip location, it'll be hard to raise prices or lower service too much.
PPS: This isn't Vegas's most family-friendly property. The pool isn't very kid-grade, the entertainment isn't kid-grade, and their security has a reputation for hassling families. If you're bringing children, I'd consider a different property.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
solpo
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Location: Edina, MN
Reviews written: 65
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
Husband. Traveler. Manager. Glutton.
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