There were two pools and three hot tubs, a computer room, game room, and activities center with pool tables, air hockey, and foosball. There were activities at the resort like aerobics and pilates, bingo, air hockey tournament, and wine and cheese at the pool.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

We had a one-bedroom unit before, but this time we had a two-bedroom. The rooms are very nicely decorated and comfortable. We could not hear guests in other rooms. On very rare occasions, we could hear people in the halls, but that was very rare.

The pools are very accommodating and so are the hot tubs. There are computers for guest to use for Internet access. There is a small general store, a game room, and exercise facilities.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

The staff at the check-in desk was so friendly and very helpful with information.

The new monorail system, which is supposed to start operating this summer, is very nearby. The area is supposed to be more developed in the next year or two. While the weather was not fit for swimming in February, the outdoor pools were lovely. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. I may never stay on the strip again! They offer a shuttle bus to Harrah's and the Rio, which helps to get to different areas. They also arrange for a complimentary bus tour to Laughlin, which I HIGHLY recommend. Laughlin is a mini-Las Vegas. It makes a stop at Hoover Dam and you receive a free lunch buffet at the Edgewater Hotel in Laughlin, which was excellent.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

The swimming pool was terrible. It was way too small for the number of guests, and the water felt slimy and tasted extremely salty, giving us visions of swimming in a sea of body sweat. Our kids, who are swimming-pool fanatics, refused to use it after the first day, and this was in July, in 116-degree weather! Luckily, Wet-n-Wild is on the strip, and tons of fun.

The timeshare units are arranged "hotel style," side-by-side, accessible along inside hallways among a multi-story building complex. It was this hotel-like style that provided our family with the most bizarre experience. Our unit had a connecting door to an adjacent unit (as you might find in any hotel), which we quickly discovered, lacked any kind of soundproofing. During our weeklong stay, we were able to learn that our next-door neighbor was actually a sales agent for the resort, who was allowed to stay on property during his employment. The noise coming from his room next door also taught us everything we would need to know, if we were ever interested in soliciting a prostitute. On two separate evenings, this Fairfield Sales Representative hired a "private dancer" into his room, and then negotiated for "additional services." The first night, he apparently failed the credit card test, and the dancer left. The second night, after a LOT of begging, he was much more successful.

Now, we are not naive about how "family friendly" Las Vegas really is, but we had assumed that a timeshare off the Strip would at least provide some sort of buffer. Apparently not.

We do sometimes wonder if we could have negotiated a particularly good deal on a timeshare here, had we been lucky enough to take a tour with this particular agent.

It will be a vacation memory permanently etched in our brains!

Viva Las Vegas!

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Fair
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Good

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Poor
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

First of all, the level of service is top-of-the-line. The staff is certainly first-class when it comes to service! Anything you need, you just ask and it's done.

The unit was beautiful and decorated in desert warm hues. All of the appliances in the kitchen are new (of course, everything is new because it's a new resort). The master suite has a king size bed, two nightstands with drawers, and my unit had a beautiful view of the pools. Of course there were TVs in both bedrooms. There were extra drawers in the curio that the TV was in and a safe in the master closet. The master bath is huge and has a two-person Jacuzzi that has window with shutters so you can open them for a view of the bedroom. Also, there is a two-person shower and double basin. There is a closet in the master bath where the washer and dryer are located with one load’s worth of detergent and softener provided. The second bedroom had two full sized beds, a huge dresser with mirror, and a closet. The second bathroom or main bathroom was next to the dining area, which was built in and had chairs as well. The sofa had a queen pull-out bed that was extremely comfortable.

I loved the pool area -- the landscaping was gorgeous with palm trees and seating areas abundant. I wish I had more time to enjoy it.

I loved this place and I honestly can't see how anyone could pass up this resort if they're lucky enough to get offered it. It is EVERYTHING A GOLD CROWN SHOULD BE!

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The Grand Desert is 12 stories tall and located one looooong block (1/4 mile) from the strip. There is a shuttle that every 1/2 hour, goes to Harrahs and the Rio, but we had a renter car we used instead. When we walked into the unit we were overcome -- our rooms were simply magnificant! We own Fairfield at the Gold Level which means you can request an upgrade and get it without penalty if available. We ended up in a three-bedroom penthouse. There were earth tone apointments, marble floors, overstuffed easy chairs, jacuzzi, two full baths, breakfast bar, a kitchen the Iron Chef would envy, remote controled ceiling fans, four TVs and a full stereo. I?m sure I?m forgetting something, so just imagine anything you?d want and it was there. We had a friend along and he was goggle-eyed at the luxury. We also brought our son and his brand new wife to Vegas with us for their honeymoon. We told them that our Fairfield deeds would be theirs when we die and they couldn?t quite hide their glee! They were in a two-bedroom deluxe unit. It was equally as beautiful.

As you might not know, the Grand Desert hasn?t been open very long. We found a picture that had been hung upside down and a drawer that stuck when you tried to open it. We called the conceirge, not to complain but just to let them know to take a look at these things, and when we got back that evening there was a bouquet of chocolate valentines on our table (we were there in mid February). I put a picture in of that. We found the staff helpful in planning out trips (they offer their own trips to Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and Moonlight Cruises on Lake Mead) and getting a pizza late at night.

If there was a weakness, it would be the on-site market. We went to a large grocery store fairly close by (front desk gave us directions) to stock our larder for our stay. All in all it was great!

• Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent