Which Las Vegas Hilton Grand Vacations Club is Right for You? The Strip or The Elara

On our most recent trip to Las Vegas we stayed in two different Hilton Grand Vacation hotels on the strip. Both the Elara By Hilton Grand Vacations Club – Center Strip and Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip. You can read our full trip report all about our Las Vegas experience here.

Over the years of visiting Las Vegas, and there have been quite a few visits for us, we feel that there’s definitely some advantages to staying at non-casino resorts. We’ll cover more on that and give you the low down on each hotel and our overall thoughts. 

Star Rating

3.5 Star Hotel

4 Star Hotel

Hotels.com User Rating

Pool

Fitness Center

Location

Hilton Grand Vacations on the Strip

Hilton Grand Vacations Club on The Strip – Location

We’ve stayed at this property a couple of times over the years so we knew what to expect. Probably the biggest drawback to this hotel is its location. Located on the north end of The Strip there are fewer casinos and food options within a few minutes walk. 

Although one big plus is Resorts Worldopened summer of 2021, which is about a 20 minute walk from the hotel (or one stop on the Deuce). Your other options if you want to gamble are Sahara Las Vegas (5 minute walk), The Strat (12 minute walk) or Circus Circus (if you’re brave!)

The Rooms at Hilton Grand Vacations Club on The Strip

Studio Room at the Hilton Grand Vacations on the Strip

A king studio is about a normal size hotel room at 360 sq. ft.

  • 49-inch TV
  • DVD player
  • kitchenette

The big winner here is the kitchenette! It includes a small sink, mini refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, dishes and utensils. Everything you need to save a few bucks and cook your own breakfast or a even a meal or two.

Kitchenette at Hilton Grand Vacations on the strip

If you need more room we can recommend the one bedroom.

  • 715 sq. ft.
  • Living room with queen sofa bed
  • 55-inch TV
  • DVD player
  • Full kitchen
  • Dining table for four
  • Stackable washer/dryer.

We’ve stayed in both rooms and prefer the extra space of the one-bedroom. 

This hotel is definitely geared toward families with the bigger suites and full kitchens. It’s also great if you’ve booked a longer stay, you can cut down on burning through your vacation money by buying groceries and cooking if you don’t want to eat out all of the time. Leaving more money for spending on libations, experiences, shows, gambling or whatever you’re into.

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The Amenities at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on The Strip

We really like the pool at this location, there’s lots of places to sit and lay out with little nooks and alcoves you can hang out in. 

Pool at the Hilton Grand vacations on the strip

TIP: The pool stays open until 10PM! Most casino/resorts close their pools at 6PM because they want you inside gambling. 

There’s even a basketball court, fitness center, business center, onsite restaurant, marketplace/convenience store and two bars. One lobby bar and Waves, the poolside bar.

We definitely like this hotel, we have stayed here more than four times over the years. Being towards the North end of the strip it is a little further away from all of the action is. If you’re looking for something quieter or have a family this might be the perfect place for you!

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ELARA Hilton Grand Vacations Club- The Location

This was our first time staying at the Elara By Hilton Grand Vacations – Center Strip property and we really enjoyed it. The location is ideal, mid-strip and connected to The Miracle Mile Mall and Planet Hollywood. Across the street is Aria Resort & Casino and The Cosmopolitan. Both fun places in their own right! There’s a ton of food options within a 5-10 minute walk and plenty of choices to try your luck gambling!

Elara Hilton Grand Vacations Entrance inside the Miracle Mile Shops © Joel Hartz,

The biggest perk of all is that it is attached to the Miracle Mile Mall which boasts some excellent inexpensive food options and great happy hours.

Miracle Mile Shops Entrance

The Rooms at the Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations Club

Studio Room at the Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations

Our room at Elara By Hilton Grand Vacations Club – Center Strip was in the same style of room as at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip, a king suite, but this one was a bit bigger at 372 SF. ft. and the ceiling was higher which made it feel larger.

kitchenette in Studio Room at the Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations

The Elara’s rooms were more modern and not as dated as the Hilton Grand Vacations club on the Las Vegas Strip. It had floor to ceiling windows and our had a view of the pool.

  • Seating area
  • Sofa bed in case you have kids or guests
  • 55-inch TV
  • Kitchenette
  • Desk with A/V connections

Again, the kitchenette is a huge plus in our opinion. It’s also really nice to have a toaster, coffee maker and a refrigerator to store your drinks or snacks. 

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TIP: Most casino/resorts only have a metered mini fridge and if you take something out of the fridge you’re charged automatically for it, even if you put it back. 

Amenities at the Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations Club

Pool at the Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations from above

The swimming pool’s design isn’t as nice as the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on the Las Vegas Strip, but it’s big with lots of chairs and cabanas (for a fee) to pick from. Another nice perk, it stays open until 10PM!

If you need to get your workout on there’s a large well equipped fitness center along with a business center, a nice lobby bar that overlooks the pool and on-site restaurant. You can get your caffeine fix and pick up a quick breakfast at Starbucks located inside the hotel lobby. 

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So which Las Vegas Hilton Grand Vacations Club would we suggest?

After staying a week in Las Vegas and splitting our time between the two hotels you really can’t go wrong with either one.

There’s a lot of perks to staying at a non-casino resort. The pools are open longer at night, there are more amenities in the rooms, and shorter lines for check in-check out. It really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for in Vegas.

If you have a family or are looking to be away form the most active part of the strip then the Hilton Grand Vacations Club on The Strip would be a good choice.

If we had to pick we would stay at Elara By Hilton Grand Vacations Club – Center Strip again. The location is great and it’s close to a lot of our favorite restaurants and casinos.

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Cheers,

Happy Wandering!

Joel and Michelle