Elara By Hilton Grand Vacations - Center Strip

Housed in a sleek glass high-rise on the Vegas Strip, this upper-middle-range Hilton is a non-gaming timeshare property. Sleek, contemporary decor has a corporate feel. Spaces lack character, but they're modern, spacious, and clean. Reasonable rates and well-equipped rooms make Elara a popular choice for all types of visitors to Vegas, but it can't be everything to everyone. Families will like the kitchens, washer/dryer units, and no-smoking policy, but they might not appreciate the lack of an on-site restaurant. Gamblers might miss a casino and partiers will probably not like the fact that room service is not available through the night. All in all, though, most guests come away happy -- especially those who upgrade to the larger suites.

The Strip, a densely packed three-and-a-half mile long stretch of hotel-casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard, is Las Vegas' main artery and tourist center. Elara advertises itself as right on the Strip, but you'll have to walk through the massive (and somewhat difficult to navigate) Miracle Mile Shops to reach the hotel entrance. But it's only a minor inconvenience. Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Paris Las Vegas are right next door, and the hotel is within easy walking distance of Bally's, Flamingo Las Vegas, the Bellagio, and Caesars Palace. There are plenty of dining options in the adjoining Miracle Mile Shops. Other area attractions include the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, which takes about eight minutes to reach by car. The Neon Museum -- which has a collection of vintage Las Vegas signs -- is a 20-minute drive from the property. Downtown Las Vegas, where guests can visit the busker-filled Fremont Street Experience, is also about a 20-minute trip. McCarran International Airport is just a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Travelers that want to venture further have about a 50-minute drive to the Hoover Dam. The Grand Canyon can be reached in around four-and-a-half hours.

Spacious units include Studios, Junior Suites, and One-, Two-, Three-, and Four-Bedroom units. Decor is sleek and contemporary, though chainlike. The spaces are clean, modern, and full of natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. Beds are framed in massive burgundy-hued headboards with white padding and flanked by nightstands. All rooms have desks and large flat-screen TVs, as well as sitting areas (or separate living rooms) with sofas.All of the units also have kitchenettes equipped with sinks, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, toasters, dishes, and utensils. One-, Two-, and Three-Bedroom Suites feature full kitchens that add full refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves, plus dining areas with TVs. Other standard amenities across all units include DVD players, MP3 clock radios, safes, telephones, and free Wi-Fi. Some larger units add extras like eight-foot wide screens with HD home theater projectors and washers/dryers.Bathrooms have large sink vanities with lots of storage space and are equipped with jetted shower/tub combos. Higher category units have whirlpool tubs in the bedrooms, plus separate showers in the bathrooms.

One of the highlights is the hotel's large and attractive outdoor pool. The pool deck is dotted with tall palm trees and lined with loungers, plush daybeds, and in-water sun beds, plus there are luxe cabanas with comfy seating and flat-screen TVs. The poolside bar serves food and cocktails (open seasonally). Other dining options include a lobby bar that serves drinks and small bites and there's a 24-hour Starbucks.  There's no full restaurant, but room service is available (though not late at night). Breakfast is available on-site for an additional fee. The fitness center is spacious and offers well equipped Precor cardio machines with built-in TV screens as well as strength-training equipment. There are free weights and exercise balls as well. Business facilities include meeting rooms and a business center, plus Wi-Fi throughout the property. Note that a daily resort fee is added to rates that covers things like Wi-Fi, unlimited movies with DVD Now, and two Starbucks coffees per day. Parking is free in the hotel's garage, but valet parking incurs a fee.