Elara Las Vegas: A Uncommon Strip Resort With Kitchens

In a metropolis the place you’re extra more likely to discover a high-limit blackjack desk than a free in-room espresso maker, Elara, a Hilton Grand Holidays Membership, stands out. This fashionable resort affords one thing uncommon on the Las Vegas Strip: full kitchens and spacious condo-style lodging.

Whether or not you’re meal-prepping earlier than an evening out or simply craving a late-night snack with out the resort markups, these well-equipped properties make it straightforward to really feel at house — with out straying too removed from the motion.

Elara contains two resorts inside the identical tower.

• Hilton Grand Holidays Membership Elara Heart Strip Las Vegas spans 52 flooring and is mostly the cheaper of the 2.

• Hilton Membership Elara Las Vegas is extra fashionable and options extra upscale finishes. Situated on flooring 58 to 61 of the identical constructing, these rooms have newer finishes, higher views and a higher-end expertise (similar to a non-public check-in desk).

Elara is a part of Hilton Grand Trip’s timeshare program, which means many individuals staying there have purchased into this system and are actually members who use timeshare factors to remain there. However you don’t want to purchase a timeshare to remain at these properties. Rooms are additionally bookable with Hilton Honors factors or money.

Elara invited NerdWallet for a two-night keep on the property and a tour of each Hilton Membership Elara Las Vegas and Hilton Grand Holidays Membership Elara Heart Strip Las Vegas. Whereas the lodge coated the price of our keep, the opinions on this evaluation are our personal.

Elara is a couple of 10-minute drive from Harry Reid Worldwide Airport, however getting there isn’t as straightforward as you’d hope. There’s no free lodge shuttle, and public transport is inconvenient. The bus runs simply as soon as an hour and nonetheless leaves you with a mile-long stroll. In the event you’re renting a automotive, self-parking prices $18 per day, so most guests go for rideshares as an alternative.

The lodge is positioned close to Las Vegas Boulevard, on the again nook of the Miracle Mile Retailers, a shopping center on the Strip. You’ll be able to entry the lodge straight from the mall by way of a devoted entrance. Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & On line casino additionally sits inside the identical mall, making Elara significantly enticing for vacationers who need to have easy accessibility to Planet Hollywood’s choices, together with a on line casino, sportsbook, exhibits and particular occasions.

Strolling by way of the mall onto the Strip places you simply in entrance of the Fountains of Bellagio (one of the crucial iconic options of the Bellagio Las Vegas) and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan are two of the greatest Marriott resorts in Las Vegas.

Elara is adjoining to the Paris Las Vegas Resort & On line casino, which is legendary for its replicas of the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.

The foyer has a up to date design with a comparatively quiet environment in comparison with the bustling on line casino resorts on the Strip. There’s a foyer bar overlooking the pool, however it’s usually fairly relaxed. You gained’t get sensory overload when checking in right here as you would possibly at a number of the different Strip resorts with opulent lobbies that appeal to vacationers.

As a result of Elara is a part of the Hilton portfolio, company can make the most of a digital check-in course of accessible to members of Hilton Honors, which is Hilton’s free-to-join loyalty program. That features digital check-in (with the flexibility to decide on your actual room) and a digital key.

Vegas check-in strains can typically get lengthy — particularly on peak check-in days like Fridays — so it is a handy technique to skip the road and save time.

Hilton Membership Elara Las Vegas company who need to verify in with a human can achieve this in a separate room with usually no wait, which feels fairly unique.

Elara’s rooms are spacious in comparison with different lodge rooms on the Strip, that includes fashionable decor and sensible facilities. All rooms have a minimum of a kitchenette, and plenty of rooms have full kitchens.

Some even have fancy extras like jetted tubs, therapeutic massage chairs and projection TVs that rework the window shades into an enormous film display. Rooms range in measurement, and the aesthetic is noticeably totally different relying on whether or not you’re at Hilton Grand Holidays Membership Elara Heart Strip or Hilton Membership Elara Las Vegas.

Right here’s an summary of rooms on the two totally different resorts inside the Elara constructing.

These are the rooms on flooring one by way of 52. They’re barely older (and customarily cheaper) than the rooms at Hilton Membership Elara Las Vegas.

Studios: The smallest rooms at Hilton Grand Holidays Membership Elara Heart Strip are studios, which are perfect for solo vacationers or {couples} and sleep two adults. Studios additionally include kitchenettes, together with a mini fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, dishes and utensils.

Suites: Suites supply extra space, together with a separate residing space from the bed room. Junior suites have only a kitchenette, whereas all different suites include a full kitchen, together with a full fridge, convection oven microwave, dishwasher, range, toaster, coffeemaker and utensils.

There are a number of choices of suite configurations, starting from a junior suite that sleeps three adults to a four-bedroom suite that sleeps 10.

These are the newer rooms on greater flooring.

Rooms in Hilton Membership Elara Las Vegas, that are on the upper flooring of the constructing, supply superior views. Relying on which aspect of the lodge you’re on, your view would possibly overlook the Las Vegas Strip or the airport, making Hilton Membership Elara probably the greatest Vegas resorts for airplane recognizing.

Just like the Hilton Grand Holidays Membership Elara Heart Strip rooms, rooms vary from studios to suites with a number of bedrooms.

Studios: The Hilton Membership Elara studios are between 412 and 446 sq. ft. That is bigger than the Hilton Grand Holidays Membership Elara Heart Strip studios on the decrease flooring that are available below 400 sq. ft. These studios sleep 4 adults if you happen to use the couch mattress.

Finishes listed below are extra luxurious, similar to a bidet seat within the toilet.

Suites: Suites are larger than studios, with a kitchen and a separate bed room from the residing space. The kitchen is absolutely stocked with a full-size fridge and icemaker, electrical vary, microwave oven, dishwasher and Keurig coffeemaker.

These suites have fancier finishes than their counterparts on decrease flooring. For instance, these kitchens have a wine cooler. The bogs are spa-like with a chandelier and soaking tub.

Some rooms even have balconies, which once more is a rarity for the Las Vegas Strip.

Leisure suites: These are usually probably the most memorable (and most costly) suites you’ll be able to ebook within the Elara. Leisure suites range of their design, however all of them include funky lighting and extra open area in the lounge. In a few of these suites, an space enclosed by home windows is coated in purple or blue wrapping, bathing the atrium-style room in tinted mild. Different leisure suites include personal balconies and panoramic views.

Elara is fairly mild on facilities relative to different Vegas resorts, and — for a lot of vacationers — that’s a very good factor. There aren’t any throngs of vacationers taking selfies within the foyer, and there’s no on line casino maze to wander by way of simply to get to your room. Facilities just about boil all the way down to a fitness center and pool.

There’s additionally EV charging and free use of laundry machines. You’ll be able to go online to in-room and foyer Wi-Fi, and there’s additionally a enterprise heart. Moreover, company obtain both two cups of drip espresso from the Starbucks within the foyer or two bottles of water per day.

Elara’s heated out of doors pool is normally one of many lodge’s greatest options, although we didn’t get to strive it out as we visited in December. The pool normally closes on the finish of October and reopens in early spring, as winter temperatures can drop under freezing, particularly at night time.

However in spring and summer time, Elara’s 40,000-square-foot pool affords a tropical environment with personal cabanas (accessible for a further payment) and lounge chairs. There are two scorching tubs. The pool bar serves drinks and typical pool meals like burgers, fries and quesadillas.

The fitness center is fairly commonplace for a lodge fitness center with cardio machines, free weights and weight machines. With minimal home windows, it’s pretty uninspiring, however it does the job. It’s open 24 hours.

Though Elara lacks a full-service restaurant, its foyer has a bar, quick-service marketplace for grab-and-go objects and a Starbucks. There’s additionally a poolside bar that is open seasonally and in addition serves meals. As a result of it’s connected to Miracle Mile Retailers, there are additionally loads of eating choices simply steps from the lodge.

There’s a Panda Specific proper subsequent to the lodge’s Miracle Mile Retailers entrance, and different mall classics together with Wetzel’s Pretzels and Sbarro are steps away.

For company preferring to make use of the in-room kitchens, there’s a Goal a couple of half-mile away on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Elara is run by Hilton Grand Holidays, which is Hilton’s timeshare accomplice. That gives a number of avenues for reserving a keep at Elara.

Be part of HGV: Many company personal a share within the Hilton Grand Holidays timeshare program. With that program, individuals purchase right into a contract, which provides them an annual allotment of factors, which can be utilized to ebook stays at properties worldwide (together with Elara). Extra on this in a bit.

Word that timeshare factors are totally different from Hilton Honors factors (although it’s attainable to transform timeshare factors to Hilton Honors factors).

Use Hilton Honors factors: For individuals who need to keep with out becoming a member of HGV, you may also ebook utilizing Hilton Honors factors, which can be found to most people. Earn Hilton factors by way of stays at different Hilton resorts or by way of spending on Hilton-branded bank cards.

Pay money: You may as well ebook with money. Costs swing wildly relying on whenever you go to. We discovered weeknights throughout gradual seasons going for about $200 for a studio, or about $1,000 on the identical night time for a four-bedroom suite.

However Vegas costs range extensively. Throughout summer time weekends, the most affordable room we discovered nonetheless price greater than $500 for a studio (and almost $3,000 for a four-bedroom suite).

Is it price shopping for into HGV?

HGV is just not for everybody. Though some individuals love this system and reward its advantages, together with the flexibility to ebook rooms for lower than marketed money charges, others strongly advise in opposition to the excessive dedication that HGV (and plenty of different timeshare packages) require. Many purchasers cite getting “duped” into shopping for by pushy salespeople who weren’t completely clear about what was being provided.

The common buy value of becoming a member of HGV is about $22,000 in line with Hilton Grand Holidays, however precise prices range relying on elements together with what number of factors you need annually. That determine doesn’t embody closing prices, annual dues (which usually improve yearly) or further charges.

HGV pitches shopping for a timeshare as a technique to prepay for journeys at immediately’s costs. And definitely, for some who repeatedly journey to HGV properties, there’s worth available. Loads of vacationers say that HGV is price it.

But when life circumstances change (maybe you’ve separated out of your accomplice who you signed a contract with, otherwise you misplaced your earnings supply and may now not afford annual dues), being saddled with an HGV contract could be painful. And certainly, there’s no scarcity of individuals attempting to promote their timeshare contracts — normally at a loss.

In the event you’ve bought Hilton Grand Holidays factors and need to head to Vegas, that is one in every of your greatest bets. HGV has a number of properties on the Las Vegas Strip together with Hilton Grand Holidays Membership Flamingo Las Vegas and Hilton Trip Membership Polo Towers Las Vegas, however that is undoubtedly the fanciest of all of them.

Even with out being an HGV member, Elara is a wonderful selection for households who need a number of rooms inside one suite. The complete kitchens can find yourself saving you cash if you happen to use them to prepare dinner moderately than dine out.

It’s additionally ideally suited for vacationers searching for a quieter keep however nonetheless need to be on the Strip. Elara affords proximity to the motion with out the overwhelming on line casino noise and crowds.

Elara isn’t your typical Vegas lodge. It is quieter, extra spacious and ideally suited for vacationers preferring a condo-style keep. If you wish to be close to the motion however nonetheless have area to unwind (and possibly even prepare dinner a meal), Elara is a stable selection. However if you happen to’re searching for on line casino flooring, wild nightlife or ultra-luxe perks, you is perhaps higher off elsewhere.

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