A few interesting Elara updates

[CalGalTraveler]

Recently stayed at Elara using the discounted points promo. We haven't stayed here in over 2 years and wanted to provide an update on a few items

1) There is a free F1 racing simulator in the Lobby available for anyone staying at Elara. It is a 10 min session per person but if there is no line they allow more. Free. 12 - 4 daily. Photos below.

2) This summer Vegas is celebrating America's 250th every Sat with fireworks until July 25th. Location varies. We did not know this was taking place so we were pleasantly surprised when it took place at Planet Hollywood so had front row seats from Elara window. The Sphere also mirrors the show.

Weekly fireworks coming to the Las Vegas Strip, downtown this summer

For the kickoff of the city’s ‘Pack for Vegas’ summer marketing campaign, the LVCVA announced that fireworks displays are planned every Saturday night in June and July.

www.reviewjournal.com

3) Owners cabanas on owner deck. $65 for the day 8-8. Non owners downstairs $130. Cabana includes TV (great for watching sports), couch, overhead fan, safe, fridge (but no outside food allowed), long bench, table, towels, ice for water. IMO a good value for those who cannot tolerate sun and heat and want to relax at pool and watch sports.

It's hot here: 108 every day. Dry heat so feels like a sauna. There is a warm wind that kicks up around noon so the staff will close the umbrellas for safety. This clears out the pool area but the cabanas are shaded and relatively comfortable. There is also a hydration station on owners deck.

The restroom on the owners deck is air conditioned. Downstairs not. There is a separate hot tub and shower on the owners deck where you can cool off without going down to the pool.

Service charge is already in food bill so no need to tip more unless your server goes above and beyond.

HGV owners get 10% off food and drink at pool (not just Cabana users) Includes alcohol.

4) New VIP (Elite + ???) check-in room to the right of the check-in counter. (Hilton Club check-in is room to the left). They still offer wrist bands if you are Elite or MAX but you need to ask. These are the rubber HGVMax wristbands. We have not seen anyone wearing them even though it is pool season.

5) Coffee tasting and owners reception on Fridays. We did not attend so cannot provide comments.

6) They are running a 2 breakfast for $20 deal on the pool deck on weekdays. The breakfast looks quite substantial.

7) 20% discount card still applies. Does not work everywhere and mostly sit down but had a great meal at Nacho Daddy on Harmon for 20 percent off including drinks which is nice because many discounts do not include alcohol.

8) (not Elara specific) We enjoyed 2 great breakfasts at Eggslut in the Cosmopolitan across the Strip bridge from Miracle Mile mall. The slut is a coddled egg on potatoes with freshly baked French bread. Also breakfast sandwiches. $22 for 2 breakfasts is a deal in pricey Vegas. There is usually a long line so they have many fans.

We saw a Cirque show and ate at Nobu Japanese using Chase Sapphire Stubhub and dining Credits.

I hope you find this Elara update helpful. We will return again for Pinball Museum, hiking at Redrock or Bryce (during cooler season), ride Zoox, and see an epic band at the Sphere. Much to do here... did not place a single coin in a slot machine or on a table.

 

[buzglyd]

That’s awesome. I stayed there last year for the AC/DC concert. I managed to score a studio for Formula 1 weekend this year.

 

[brp]

Thanks for the update. We tend to go when the pool is closed, so the weekday breakfast there won't work for us, but that sounds great for those who are around.

Our next stay is for Sphere (Metallica) in January, so we're staying at Flamingo for the first time in a while. But Elara is definitely our overall favorite in Vegas.

Since we are not owners there, and our HGVC Elite level is cardboard, we wouldn't get most of what you mentioned. But it's nice to see that they've made things sweeter for those that do own there.

Cheers.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@brp ROFL cardboard Elite

Owners = HGVC owners. We do not own there either.

 

[brp]

@brp ROFL cardboard Elite

Owners = HGVC owners. We do not own there either.

Thanks @CalGalTraveler. That's cool, then. If it applies to all owners, even resale, that's great.

Cheers.

 

[HomerandAbe]

Great report. I am planning to head out there in October so it should be quite a bit cooler but I may still try out one of those cabanas.

 

[dayooper]

Thanks for the update!

 

[TolmiePeak]

Thanks for the update. Very informative. We own here but have never stayed here. The discounts are always higher at Boulevard so we stay there.

 

[Cyberc]

Thanks for the update. Very informative. We own here but have never stayed here. The discounts are always higher at Boulevard so we stay there.

I’m the opposite, we own at the Boulevard but never stays there, we only stay at Elara because it’s in the middle of everything.

If you want a higher discount then try the Trump they often have a higher discount and open season often if not always starts 90 days out.

 

[brp]

I’m the opposite, we own at the Boulevard but never stays there, we only stay at Elara because it’s in the middle of everything.

Same with us. While owning at Boulevard, Elara is our go to location, with the exception of the next trip where proximity to Sphere is desirable since we have two shows in three days.

Cheers.

 

[Cyberc]

Same with us. While owning at Boulevard, Elara is our go to location, with the exception of the next trip where proximity to Sphere is desirable since we have two shows in three days.

Cheers.

Where do you stay?

 

[brp]

Where do you stay?

For Sphere, Flamingo seems to be best as it's a lot closer. Three nights, two of which are at Sphere seems to make sense. And proximity to Linq is nice. Also, this is January, and the pool/hot tub will be open at Flamingo, but not at Elara.

Cheers.

 

[TUGBrian]

Our next stay is for Sphere (Metallica) in January,

oh my...

 

[mountainboy]

this is January, and the pool/hot tub will be open at Flamingo, but not at Elara.

HGVC Flamingo Pool/hot tub are open then but thankfully the big flamingo hotel pool is closed in Jan (which is very noisy during the season when it is open for the summer)...
Love Elara & Vegas!

 

[TolmiePeak]

I’m the opposite, we own at the Boulevard but never stays there, we only stay at Elara because it’s in the middle of everything.

If you want a higher discount then try the Trump they often have a higher discount and open season often if not always starts 90 days out.

I wanted to book Trump but my wife refuses to stay there.

 

[WORLD TRAVELER]

Recently stayed at Elara using the discounted points promo. We haven't stayed here in over 2 years and wanted to provide an update on a few items

1) There is a free F1 racing simulator in the Lobby available for anyone staying at Elara. It is a 10 min session per person but if there is no line they allow more. Free. 12 - 4 daily. Photos below.

2) This summer Vegas is celebrating America's 250th every Sat with fireworks until July 25th. Location varies. We did not know this was taking place so we were pleasantly surprised when it took place at Planet Hollywood so had front row seats from Elara window. The Sphere also mirrors the show.

Weekly fireworks coming to the Las Vegas Strip, downtown this summer

For the kickoff of the city’s ‘Pack for Vegas’ summer marketing campaign, the LVCVA announced that fireworks displays are planned every Saturday night in June and July.

www.reviewjournal.com

3) Owners cabanas on owner deck. $65 for the day 8-8. Non owners downstairs $130. Cabana includes TV (great for watching sports), couch, overhead fan, safe, fridge (but no outside food allowed), long bench, table, towels, ice for water. IMO a good value for those who cannot tolerate sun and heat and want to relax at pool and watch sports.

It's hot here: 108 every day. Dry heat so feels like a sauna. There is a warm wind that kicks up around noon so the staff will close the umbrellas for safety. This clears out the pool area but the cabanas are shaded and relatively comfortable. There is also a hydration station on owners deck.

The restroom on the owners deck is air conditioned. Downstairs not. There is a separate hot tub and shower on the owners deck where you can cool off without going down to the pool.

Service charge is already in food bill so no need to tip more unless your server goes above and beyond.

HGV owners get 10% off food and drink at pool (not just Cabana users) Includes alcohol.

4) New VIP (Elite + ???) check-in room to the right of the check-in counter. (Hilton Club check-in is room to the left). They still offer wrist bands if you are Elite or MAX but you need to ask. These are the rubber HGVMax wristbands. We have not seen anyone wearing them even though it is pool season.

5) Coffee tasting and owners reception on Fridays. We did not attend so cannot provide comments.

6) They are running a 2 breakfast for $20 deal on the pool deck on weekdays. The breakfast looks quite substantial.

7) 20% discount card still applies. Does not work everywhere and mostly sit down but had a great meal at Nacho Daddy on Harmon for 20 percent off including drinks which is nice because many discounts do not include alcohol.

8) (not Elara specific) We enjoyed 2 great breakfasts at Eggslut in the Cosmopolitan across the Strip bridge from Miracle Mile mall. The slut is a coddled egg on potatoes with freshly baked French bread. Also breakfast sandwiches. $22 for 2 breakfasts is a deal in pricey Vegas. There is usually a long line so they have many fans.

We saw a Cirque show and ate at Nobu Japanese using Chase Sapphire Stubhub and dining Credits.

I hope you find this Elara update helpful. We will return again for Pinball Museum, hiking at Redrock or Bryce (during cooler season), ride Zoox, and see an epic band at the Sphere. Much to do here... did not place a single coin in a slot machine or on a table.

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This is a wonderful review! It's great that any HGVC owner is able to rent a cabana on the on the owner deck and take advantage of the other amenities at the resort!!

 

[ocdb8r]

Thanks for the excellent update and rare coverage of some of the actually useful benefits / discounts / amenities being made available to owners.

I don't dare say it, but I feel like there has been a trend of there being at least a few actually useful benefits / discounts / amenities being made available to owners these days. Maybe I just had blinders on and was pessimistic, but I catch more and more of these nuggets being posted in the last 12-18 months...

 

[PhaxXx]

Thank you for the update. We are owners there and will be staying there starting next Thursday. I did book with the promotion so I was able to save on points.

I received a call to attend one of those Ultimate Access Events. It's dinner at the Palm Steakhouse with open bar and show tickets for Jerry Seinfeld on Friday night at Caesars with transportation included. All for the cost of $99 and attendance of an owners update during our stay. We are there for close to a week for a convention in town over the weekend so I am considering it. Sounds like a fun night out.