Hilton Grand Vacations on the Las Vegas Strip

The 1,239-room two-tower structure is off the typical tourist radar -- mostly because it's a timeshare property that regular travelers fail to consider. Inside the large buildings that flank the circular driveway adorned with palm trees, are sleek and elegant interiors. The lobby, contemporary and cavernous, is all gleaming surfaces and light neutral hues, with large columns and lighting fixtures suspended from the high ceiling. Other common spaces, like the restaurants, have a similar look that's modern, if a bit chainlike. Overall, this a great choice for travelers seeking a quieter experience and spacious units. Travelers that don't want to be in a casino-hotel and want to opt for something a bit more tranquil instead should be happy here. The majority of guests are timeshare-owning families part of the Hilton Grand Vacations network, or conventioneers who take the free five-minute shuttle ride to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Located on its own 10-acre property, this Hilton is at the northern end of the Strip. There's not much in the immediate vicinity, but the Circus Circus, a hotel-casino, is a seven-minute walk away and is home to several dining options. The hotel is also right by the Las Vegas Festival Grounds and also within a five-minute walk from the SLS Las Vegas.

The heart of all the action is about a 20-minute walk (or a five-minute cab ride) away, which will take you to the Fashion Show Mall and Treasure Island. A bit further south from there is the Mirage, the Palazzo, the Venetian, and Caesar's Palace (within a 10-minute drive).  Most Las Vegas visitors want to explore all of these big properties along the densely packed three-and-a-half mile long stretch of hotel-casinos known as the Strip. Cabs are easy to find at virtually any time of day or night. A generally less expensive option is the Deuce, a double-decker bus that runs up and down the strip 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's also a monorail system, which stops at MGM Grand, Bally's/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Palace, Harrah's/Imperial Palace, the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the Hilton. McCarran International Airport is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel.

Studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites are available. Decor is fairly average, but the spaces are clean and pleasant. Contemporary wooden furnishings are paired with a tasteful color palette of neutrals, including patterned carpeting and pops of blue -- some units have blue accent walls and blue patterned area rugs. Studios feature kitchenettes with microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and sinks, while suites have full kitchens with ovens/stoves, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and washers/dryers. Suites also have separate living rooms with pull-out sofas and dining areas. Standard amenities in all units include flat-screen TVs, DVD players, safes, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are small and could use some updates; fixtures are not the most modern. They're equipped with shower/tub combos (in studios) or both showers and separate soaking tubs (in suites). 

The hotel's features focus on the outdoors. There are two attractive outdoor pools skirted by tall palms, including trees sprouting from a little island in one of them. Loungers and shaded tables and chairs line the surrounding attractive pool deck, which also has cabanas. There are also three hot tubs, one of which is adult-only. A poolside bar and grill serves drinks and food and has a pleasant alfresco seating area, but note that it's open seasonally. Gas barbecue grills are also available for guest use.

Besides the poolside grill, there's no full restaurant on-site here. There is a deli/convenience store, the Marketplace, which sells snacks and drinks as well as breakfast and lunch items and Starbucks coffee. There's also a lobby bar, which hosts live entertainment on weekend evenings.

The hotel's spa has six treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, rainfall Swiss showers, and eucalyptus steam rooms. It offers a wide variety of treatments, including massage, facials, nail services, eyelash extensions, makeup application, and waxing. Other wellness facilities include a fitness room equipped with modern Precor machines, a basketball court, and a tennis court.

There's a business center with computers and printers and meeting rooms. Note that both self and valet parking incur daily fees. Wi-Fi is free throughout.