Description: Don’t get me wrong: the HGV Club at the Las Vegas Hilton has the greatest staff and every staff member is a standout. The Bell staff, including Keith and Derrek are among the best we’ve encountered. Desk, deli and housekeeping staff members are all friendly and ultra-eager to please. The Club provides golf-cart transport to the Hilton Hotel & Casino and wheel chairs on a first come, first served basis. That’s a tangible benefit and well-received.
However, not all is well at that club. First, the resort property is showing its age and datedness. I noticed that the carpet in our two-bedroom unit has very distinct wear patterns and the sofa and chairs all need to be replaced. My major complaint, however, is the “High Speed Wireless” access at the property. Wireless B (11 MHz) is NOT High Speed. Wireless G (54 MHz) is the more current wireless standard, but not available at the Club on Karen. Surfing the Internet at 11 MHz (after experiencing cable broadband connections at home and the office) feels like a dial-up connection. The Club needs to move into the 21st century.
The other point of contention is the Hilton hotel itself. Since it changed hands a year or so ago, the hotel is licensed from Hilton, but is not a true Hilton property. Many of the benefits once available to Club Members, such as buffet comps, have been eliminated. A Hilton Honors Gold or Diamond member can no longer receive free breakfasts or brunches if not a guest in the Hotel itself. HHonors Gold and Diamond members staying at one of the Clubs will be charged regular rates for buffet meals. I think the hotel is shooting itself in the foot on this, but, hey, they didn’t solicit my opinion before making this change.
So, our next holiday in Vegas will be at the new Club property on the Strip. The nearby Sahara hotel, with its casino and reasonably-priced meals will be getting our business until the Hilton hotel gets it together or reverts to a complete non-Hilton property.
By the way: Vegas during the week preceding Christmas is civilized and not overrun with tourists. Christmas week, on the other hand, is a true mob scene to be avoided, especially if you’re not particularly kid-friendly.
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