Which Vegas Property should I Choose?

Kimwilli57 · Oct 16, 2014

We will be visiting Las Vegas for Spring Break next March and a friend has offered us a time share week to use. We will be able reserve a 2 Bedroom unit, and I have narrowed our available options down to one of the Hilton Grand Vacations Resorts... Either the one on the far north end of the strip, the one on Karen near the Convention Center, or the one behind the Flamingo. The Elara is not an option for us.

We realize that none of these properties will provide an opulent, five-star Vegas experience, but with our limited the price is right, and it will be nice to have a living room and kitchen since we will be sharing the unit with my sister and brother-in-law (who we rarely get to see).

I have read many reviews of these properties, but I still cannot decide which would be the better choice. I have read that there are some noise issues at the Flamingo.

If someone familiar with these properties could provide some insight/advice, I would greatly appreciate it. We will have a rental car and will be staying there for one week.

Thanks in advance.

Kim

1Kflyerguy · Oct 16, 2014

I own at the Las Vegas Strip location, but have only stayed there a few times.

It is a nice property, but your right nothing will "Wow" you, however it is modern and clean. I find the rooms pretty spacious.

That said is it a bit remote, there is a not lot going on at that end of the strip. I believe the new SLS would be within walking distance, but that was not open when i last visited Vegas. You will end up driving or taking a cab to get almost places.

I have not stayed at the Flamingo location, but it is very central and be within walking distance of casino's and places to eat.

jaym · Oct 16, 2014

Kimwilli57 said:
We will be visiting Las Vegas for Spring Break next March and a friend has offered us a time share week to use. We will be able reserve a 2 Bedroom unit, and I have narrowed our available options down to one of the Hilton Grand Vacations Resorts... Either the one on the far north end of the strip, the one on Karen near the Convention Center, or the one behind the Flamingo. The Elara is not an option for us.

We realize that none of these properties will provide an opulent, five-star Vegas experience, but with our limited the price is right, and it will be nice to have a living room and kitchen since we will be sharing the unit with my sister and brother-in-law (who we rarely get to see).

I have read many reviews of these properties, but I still cannot decide which would be the better choice. I have read that there are some noise issues at the Flamingo.

If someone familiar with these properties could provide some insight/advice, I would greatly appreciate it. We will have a rental car and will be staying there for one week.

Thanks in advance.

Kim

Kim-
On our way back from visiting family in San Diego in July, we stayed for the weekend at the HGVC property on Karen Ave. for the weekend.
The service was fine, staff helpful and friendly. Rooms were clean and comfortable. Got a great nightly rate direct from Hilton.com and declined sales presentations. (waste of time, don't call us, we'll call you....)

Although many guests were attending the basketball tournament held at the CC, we found it to be relatively quiet there.
Some like the proximity to the strip but we wanted to be away from the congestion and noise of the strip when we retired for the day.
There were a few rowdy youth that weekend but noise mostly under control.
The pool area is quite small and really not sure why as it is a decent size building, a lot of rooms. If pool is important to you, you may not be as content there.

We walked to the nearby monorail station and found it very convenient to the strip, most of it anyway. We did walk a lot that weekend but that was OK with us, we're active.

We did not rent a vehicle and used SuperShuttle to get to/from the airport. No need to take taxis or obtain a rental car unless you are going to outlying areas.
Hope this helps.

JM

hurnik · Oct 16, 2014

I own/stayed at the Strip and it's quite nice, but yes, a bit far from anything.

I've heard that the Flamingo (even though it went a rennovation not too long ago) has major issues with leaky shower heads, etc. I forget if i saw the reviews here or on TripAdvisor.

But I *am* getting old and senile and perhaps it was a diff. location?

1Kflyerguy · Oct 16, 2014

hurnik said:
I own/stayed at the Strip and it's quite nice, but yes, a bit far from anything.

I've heard that the Flamingo (even though it went a rennovation not too long ago) has major issues with leaky shower heads, etc. I forget if i saw the reviews here or on TripAdvisor.

But I *am* getting old and senile and perhaps it was a diff. location?

Pretty sure read something like that about the Flamingo as well.

Craigvince · Oct 16, 2014

I have owned at the Flamingo for several years and it is always our first choice in Vegas. It is conveniently located just behind the Flamingo Casino and easy to get anywhere on the main strip but quiet enough at the same time. There is a monorail station right outside as well as the new LinQ.

I have stayed at the Strip location 3 different times and as others mentioned, it is a bit removed so you'll need a car, taxi or bus. The other property is great if you're attending a convention; I suspect that was its original intention for regular business travelers.

Kimwilli57 · Oct 16, 2014

Thank you to all for your replies. I really appreciate it!

Craig, have you had any noise issues from the pool or bars when staying at the Flamingo HGVC property? And/or do you think it would be possible to request a unit in a “quiet area?”

PassionForTravel · Oct 16, 2014

We've stayed at the flamingo twice. The first time in June and the second time at New Years. The hotel pool area where the music is coming from closes at about 6pm. We could here the bass from the 3rd floor but we weren't trying to sleep so it wasn't an issue. It wasn't open at new years. I'm not sure it will be open in March.

The other noisy area is coming from Carlos Murphy nightclub, that is further away from the TS and inside. With the AC running it didn't seem to be a problem for sleeping including the New Years trip we were on the fifth floor that time.

The location can't be beat, if you want to be in the center of things.

Ian

alwysonvac · Oct 17, 2014

hurnik said:
I own/stayed at the Strip and it's quite nice, but yes, a bit far from anything.

I've heard that the Flamingo (even though it went a rennovation not too long ago) has major issues with leaky shower heads, etc. I forget if i saw the reviews here or on TripAdvisor.

But I *am* getting old and senile and perhaps it was a diff. location?

You probably saw it on TUG - http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214061

Kimwilli57 · Oct 17, 2014

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide me with all of this insight and information. I now think I will try to exchange for a unit at the Flamingo. I am rather new to this game since I am not an owner… just periodically buy a week from our friends, so I really appreciate advice from experienced exchangers.

Since my husband is a teacher, we are very limited as to when we can travel. In fact, for this spring break trip, we have no flexibility and have already purchased our plane tickets. We need to check in on Saturday, March 28th. I created a search and got a hit within 2 days for at 2 BR at the HGVC on the Strip. Now I am trying to decide if I am taking a big gamble by passing on this available unit in order hoping for a unit at the Flamingo.

Based upon your experience, can anyone give me an opinion: With no flexibility on check in date and being the week before Easter, should I just go with the Strip location they are currently holding for me, or is that typically an easy property to secure 5 months out, thus providing me with a little time to try for a unit at the Flamingo location?

Kim

P.S. How do I change my status to TUG Member on the BBS, since I recently joined?

PassionForTravel · Oct 17, 2014

I would take what I could get since you are limited to one check in date. HGVC has already done their bulk bank for 2015 and Flamingo is more popular because of it's location. So you would be counting on someone cancelling.

Ian

PigsDad · Oct 17, 2014

I would take it as well. The pool is great there, and if you enjoy walking, I have found it fine to walk from there to the casinos on the strip. Last time I was there, I timed my walk from Flamingo hotel to the HGVC strip location, and it was a 40 minute walk. In March, it won't be so hot so it can be an enjoyable walk.

Kurt

Karen G · Oct 17, 2014

Kimwilli57 said:
P.S. How do I change my status to TUG Member on the BBS, since I recently joined?

Here's that info.

Craigvince · Oct 17, 2014

Kimwilli57 said:
Thank you to all for your replies. I really appreciate it!

Craig, have you had any noise issues from the pool or bars when staying at the Flamingo HGVC property? And/or do you think it would be possible to request a unit in a “quiet area?”

I have never heard any noise from anything at the Flamingo. All of the windows are double-paned and the walls and floors have adequate insulation. I have stayed in all three wings of the bldg, so I don't think there really is a "quiet area".

Which Vegas Property should I Choose?

Kimwilli57

1Kflyerguy

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

jaym

hurnik

1Kflyerguy

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

Craigvince

Kimwilli57

PassionForTravel

TUG Review Crew

alwysonvac

Kimwilli57

PassionForTravel

TUG Review Crew

PigsDad

Karen G

Craigvince