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Help picking Las Vegas resort (RCI)

lmkucala

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We're going to be in Vegas for a week in December and using up some RCI points. We have a few options and I'm wondering if anyone has input. We don't need to be on/near the strip. We will rent a car and likely go to the strip a couple of days but don't mind parking somewhere for the day and just waking from there. It will just be my husband and I. We will probably take some daytrips to Red Rock, Hoover Dam, etc. as well, and just explore the area.
  • Cancun Las Vegas Hilton Vacation Club
  • Club Wyndham Desert Rose
  • Desert Retreat, Hilton Vacation Club
  • The Grandview at Las Vegas
  • Worldmark Las Vegas, Spencer Street
  • Worldmark Tropicana
I would love any suggestions anyone has based on their experience!

Thanks!

 

iftravel

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I’m looking at Las Vegas in RCI as well. Trump is also a strong candidate and beats others on its golden looking.
 

jeanf

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We've been to Vegas many times since 2018 and never rent a car.

We've stayed at Desert Rose in fall of 2020. Thought it was a nice place, but we booked for a top floor outside facing, otherwise you face others in a courtyard. No shuttles to anywhere offered. At that time was a quick walk through the side of oyo, then through tropicana property to the strip. With tropicana now gone, you'd need to walk to the front of oyo and up tropicana ave. to the strip.

We've stayed twice at Wyndham Tropicana, which shares the property with Worldmark Tropicana. We also reserved the top floor to lessen the noise. They had regular shuttle service to the strip, Orleans (which is just a quick walk) and once a day to grocery store.

We enjoyed both of those properties. We've also stayed many times at HICV Desert Club, but they have discontinued their shuttle service after covid. It is only a 5-10 minute walk to the strip, cutting through the caesars offices to the back of the high roller. Always requested and received the top floor, in the condos closest to the front around the pool. Never take a unit facing the street, Koval, as the constant traffic kept those people awake. 5 pools there, all clean, staff was always excellent, with no pressure to attend sale pitch. But I've seen that has now changed, and people are harassed and badgered to attend. So with that, and no shuttle service especially to Fremont St, we won't stay there again.

Last fall they weren't available so booked Cliffs at Peace Canyon which is now our favourite, we've been back this past spring, and again this past September/October. Located in Summerlin they have regular hourly shuttle service to the strip, grocery store anytime on the strip run, Red Rock Casino a couple times per day, and Fremont Street every evening. So you do not need to drive and pay parking fees for the strip and fremont street, plus can have a drink or more and not worry. There is a huge outdoor mall in Summerlin a 5 minute walk from Red Rock Hotel, so we just got the shuttle and got dropped off at the mall. Tons of great places there to shop and eat, on Saturdays till 2 pm they have an outdoor market with amazing products and foods.
Everything about this place makes it a real vacation. A very quiet chill atmosphere, staff there are fantastic, pool and hot tub are beautiful, tons of comfy lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas.
All 3 times we stayed we've requested and received the same unit which they're happy to do, and always got into our unit before 4:00. Many repeat visitors there, and we even saw some this past September that we saw last September.
I could go on and on obviously, but any questions just ask away.
 
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lmkucala

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We've been to Vegas many times since 2018 and never rent a car.

We've stayed at Desert Rose in fall of 2020. Thought it was a nice place, but we booked for a top floor outside facing, otherwise you face others in a courtyard. No shuttles to anywhere offered. At that time was a quick walk through the side of oyo, then through tropicana property to the strip. With tropicana now gone, you'd need to walk to the front of oyo and up tropicana ave. to the strip.

We've stayed twice at Wyndham Tropicana, which shares the property with Worldmark Tropicana. We also reserved the top floor to lessen the noise. They had regular shuttle service to the strip, Orleans (which is just a quick walk) and once a day to grocery store.

We enjoyed both of those properties. We've also stayed many times at HICV Desert Club, but they have discontinued their shuttle service after covid. It is only a 5-10 minute walk to the strip, cutting through the caesars offices to the back of the high roller. Always requested and received the top floor, in the condos closest to the front around the pool. Never take a unit facing the street, Koval, as the constant traffic kept those people awake. 5 pools there, all clean, staff was always excellent, with no pressure to attend sale pitch. But I've seen that has now changed, and people are harassed and badgered to attend. So with that, and no shuttle service especially to Fremont St, we won't stay there again.

Last fall they weren't available so booked Cliffs at Peace Canyon which is now our favourite, we've been back this past spring, and again this past September/October. Located in Summerlin they have regular hourly shuttle service to the strip, grocery store anytime on the strip run, Red Rock Casino a couple times per day, and Fremont Street every evening. So you do not need to drive and pay parking fees for the strip and fremont street, plus can have a drink or more and not worry. There is a huge outdoor mall in Summerlin a 5 minute walk from Red Rock Hotel, so we just got the shuttle and got dropped off at the mall. Tons of great places there to shop and eat, on Saturdays till 2 pm they have an outdoor market with amazing products and foods.
Everything about this place makes it a real vacation. A very quiet chill atmosphere, staff there are fantastic, pool and hot tub are beautiful, tons of comfy lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas.
All 3 times we stayed we've requested and received the same unit which they're happy to do, and always got into our unit before 4:00. Many repeat visitors there, and we even saw some this past September that we saw last September.
I could go on and on obviously, but any questions just ask away.
Thanks for all the info! I'm leaning towards Desert Rose right now. Cliffs at Peace Canyon sounds nice but it's not available right now for the dates we are looking at.
 

jeanf

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IMG_7553.jpegIMG_7554.jpegIMG_7555.jpegIMG_7556.jpegIMG_7557.jpegIMG_7559.jpegIMG_7560.jpegIMG_7561.jpegIMG_7562.jpegIMG_7563.jpegYou'll like it, but contact the resort 2 weeks before to request an outside view room. And since they're cleaning up from the tropicana hotel implosion with heavy equipment, you may not want to be facing that side if you want to sleep in.
Here's pics from the 2 br 2 bath we had.
 

CalGalTraveler

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@jeanf Cliffs at Peace Canyon sounds intriguing. Do you have any photos? Do you know if it ever is listed in RCI last minute or getaways?
 

jeanf

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We've always exchanged into Cliffs, as can often get it for only 7 tpu's, never checked on it for last minute or extra vacations.

IMG_6782.pngIMG_6781.pngI just checked rci extra vacations, and it's available. I'm a weeks member so it came up for full weeks using random date, and in Cdn dollars, so would be a lot cheaper for U.S. dollars.
 
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jeanf

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Here's room pics from first stay Sept 2023, don't mind the mess, just came back from grocery shopping via shuttle after checking in. Unit pretty much the same this spring and fall, except for sheers on patio door instead of the wooden blinds shown.
IMG_4678.jpegIMG_4679.jpegIMG_4685.jpegIMG_4684.jpegIMG_4682.jpegIMG_4681.jpegIMG_4680.jpegIMG_4686.jpegIMG_4687.jpegIMG_4689.jpegIMG_4690.jpegIMG_4691.jpegIMG_4692.jpegIMG_4693.jpegIMG_4694.jpegIMG_4695.jpeg
 

CalGalTraveler

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Looks really nice! And those getaways look reasonable. I see housekeeping and resort fees. Is that per night? or for the week?

We usually stay on the strip at Elara because we are HGVC members, but our points are taken at other resorts for the foreseeable future. The shuttle may be a great option. My only hesitation is having to make a reservation and fitting into a time schedule.

How far if you miss the shuttle and need to UBER?
 

jeanf

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We have stayed for 2 weeks each time at this resort, and because we're weeks members, it's $50 for each week, was $30 before last fall. No housekeeping charge for weeks stays.
The shuttle is very flexible. You rarely need a reservation. We'd go down at 9:50 am and get added to the 10:00 am shuttle to the strip. We've been on the strip, have had enough, and call them before the top of the hour to book the on the half hour shuttle back, then get our butts to treasure island in time for it.
If you're the only one on the shuttle going to the strip, can often be dropped off closer to the location you want to end up at. We've been dropped off in front of Flamingo, in front of Wynn, and right at the excalibur taxi line. Last fall was talking to a family who got dropped off right at a water park since they were the only ones on the shuttle. Very accommodating and friendly drivers.
This past September when we arrived at the airport, we called Cliffs, booked the shuttle pickup from treasure island, then took a taxi there, a lot cheaper. Helped to get the new shuttle schedule beforehand so I knew the shuttle times. And they do let you take your luggage on the shuttle if you let them know in advance, whereas no other shuttle we've used in Vegas has allowed it. Which doesn't make sense, as some resorts do grocery runs, people get on with cases of water, beer, and lots of grocery bags, takes up a lot more space than one suitcase does.
This past spring we just took a cab from the airport to the condo, was around $45 from what I remember, just took the 215 beltway west, then tropicana, then turned right up to the condo.
We've never ubered. Instead since we always go to Vegas for at least 2 weeks due to being retired and a long flight, we go to the bonneville transit station, or can get them at most Albertson's stores there, and get the reduced seniors bus pass for $17 each for 15 days. Sometimes with the bus pass we've just taken the Flamingo bus back to the condo, which takes some time, then about a 10 minute walk from bus stop. But it's good for me to do that as I've found out where some of the places I've heard about are. Going to the strip earlier than the shuttle starts, the bus stop is right around the corner from the resort. Bus pass also helps when too tired or lazy to walk to the other end of the strip, just hop on the deuce.
With this resort being in Summerlin has been no problems for us with no car, as they have the shuttles, and we have the time and bus passes to go anywhere at our leisure. We finally tried Cliffs last fall as we wanted to check out Red Rock Hotel as they have the shuttle going there, which is absolutely gorgeous. Once we tried Cliffs, we were hooked, as I think you can see.
It's also nice just to veg at the condo pool for a day or 2, very relaxing with no music blaring.
 
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gpj555

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Stayed at The Grandview last year. I liked it going again this year. I requested and got top floor and building 2. The entire property borders The South Point Casino. Buildings 1, 2 and 3 are the closest to casino. Has 3 separate pool and hot tub area's. Only shuttle is daily to the small walmart in the mornings. This is a big place 9 different building from 12 to 20 stories. It's about 10 miles south of MGM Grand and strip for reference. Has city bus service from South Point Casino route 112. Connects to Duce route. Pro tip South Point has shuttle to and from airport for those staying at South Point. Also the car rental center (24 hour shuttle to and from airport) Has a bus stop for the 112 or is a much shorter Uber or Lift ride to resort.

I can highly recommend the South Point on everything they offer. The overall vibe of the Grandview is not showy or Vegas Like. Any question feel free to pm me.

George
 

DeniseM

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We like Grand View and South Pointe too. We enjoy doing some walking on the strip, but don’t want to stay there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

iftravel

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We've always exchanged into Cliffs, as can often get it for only 7 tpu's, never checked on it for last minute or extra vacations.

View attachment 101565View attachment 101566I just checked rci extra vacations, and it's available. I'm a weeks member so it came up for full weeks using random date, and in Cdn dollars, so would be a lot cheaper for U.S. dollars.
Yeah USD 379 for two-bed. Such a great price. Christmas week is also available for slightly higher. Is it fun to visit LV on Christmas?
 

iftravel

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Elara seems another good choice - many weeks available in December including Christmas.
 

lmkucala

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That’s not available for us. We’re looking for a 12/6 or 12/7 check-in date. Seems many are booked that week but available on the weeks before and after. Not sure why that week is so busy/popular.
 

iftravel

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That’s not available for us. We’re looking for a 12/6 or 12/7 check-in date. Seems many are booked that week but available on the weeks before and after. Not sure why that week is so busy/popular.
just realized I was checking for 2025. but it's 2-bd any week in December including Christmas. The week you want in 2025 only 35,500 points in a 2-bed. I usually don't book that far but this looks so tempting. Not sure about the rule in RCI. The points protection $89 sounds like only to protect points, not exchange fees, and only for once, a rip-off compared to II's retrade.
 

CO skier

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  • Worldmark Las Vegas, Spencer Street
  • Worldmark Tropicana
I would love any suggestions anyone has based on their experience!

Spencer St. is a converted condo complex. Location is east of the strip on a city bus route. Parking is easy, and the location makes it easy to get around versus fighting to get out of the Las Vegas Strip area. The gas stove made me feel like a chef. The pool is small, but I had it to myself whenever I wanted to use it. Some people think the neighborhood is a little sketchy, but it did not seem out of the ordinary for Vegas. Of the three WorldMark locations in Las Vegas, Spencer St. is the one I prefer. The chill vibe is a nice break from the hype on the Strip.

WorldMark Tropicana has much more of a resort feel. The pool will be busy. It is a very convenient location for points west, such as Red Rock Park, and easy access to I-15 for other travels. It is right next to a busy road, so call a few days in advance to request a room further away from the road.
 

CO skier

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Last fall they weren't available so booked Cliffs at Peace Canyon which is now our favourite, we've been back this past spring, and again this past September/October. Located in Summerlin they have regular hourly shuttle service to the strip, grocery store anytime on the strip run, Red Rock Casino a couple times per day, and Fremont Street every evening.
Thanks for these details. I am considering a trip to Las Vegas in November, 2025 and Cliffs at Peace Canyon is looking like one of my top picks.

Cliffs at Peace Canyon sounds intriguing. Do you have any photos? Do you know if it ever is listed in RCI last minute or getaways?
There is always a large selection of dates available through RCI getaways for Cliffs at Peace Canyon, which is why it is one of the top choices I am looking at for next year. One of the weeks will be Thanksgiving; I will start watching the Getaways about 6 months before, and I bet I will find something there.
 

CalGalTraveler

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Does Red Rock Casino have $5 Blackjack tables? We are not big gamblers but like to spend an evening playing but don't want to spend a fortune.
 

CO skier

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Does Red Rock Casino have $5 Blackjack tables? We are not big gamblers but like to spend an evening playing but don't want to spend a fortune.
Check sites like this:


Red Rock Casino is on the 2022 list. As the article mentions, low table stakes may not be available during busy times of the day and night.
 

lmkucala

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Thanks everyone for the responses. I think I'm going to go with Worldmark Tropicana - mainly because it has a 12/7 check-in (vs. 12/6) and our flights are quite a bit cheaper if we arrive that day. I like that they have a shuttle to the strip for the couple of days we will go there, but I'm fine being a couple miles away since we will be exploring other areas anyway. If something were to pop up at Cliffs with a 12/7 check-in I would grab it but that doesn't look likely.

Curious if anyone has experience with when the points get reduced for last minute vacations? I'm thinking of taking a risk of waiting a couple of days since it's 4700 points for weeks available on 11/30, but still 19500 for a 12/7 check-in. I'm thinking in another day or 2 it might go down to 4700 or 7500?
 

easyrider

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We sent a group to the Grandview in a two bed using RCI extra vacation for two weeks a month ago. It really worked out well because it was two one bedroom units with a door between the units. Their trip's purpose was business but they were able to do some exploring plus enjoy the resort pool.

I think I'm going to go with Worldmark Tropicana

We like the Tropicana. The pool and lazy river are heated. The hot tub is huge. The rooms are spacious. If you can get a RCI extra vacation deal for cash it might be a better price than using points plus paying the exchange fee.

Bill
 
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