Elara, a Hilton Grand Vacation Hotel-Center Strip

This might be an ok hotel for someone on business who just needs a room to sleep. First, my friend and I checked in together and they handed us both a key. She went to a conference and I went down to the lobby bar for a glass of wine. Since they only offer one choice, Mondavi, I grabbed a coffee and went back to the room. The key didn’t work so I returned to the front desk. Despite checking in together they did not add my name so without her there they wouldn’t activate it. I had pictures of us together, flight info for both but nope. Three hours later she returned and I got the key. The room had one king bed, a jacuzzi but insufficient hot water to use it. There was a sofa bed we could makeup. The bathroom sinks backed up constantly and on the hottest setting the shower got warm. Housekeeping was nonexistent despite calls and an in person request for a blanket. Other than the leftover cookie in the sofa bed it was clean although the towels smelled like burnt rubber. We checked out and went to the Paris for the same price. I’ll stick with Marriott. Read less

We stayed in a 1-bedroom suite facing the parking garage in 2003 - the suite was pretty worn down. When HGV called or offer us a marketing package, we were tempted to stay at a different property, but chose the Elara again for the location. It’s connected to the Miracle Mile Mall, thus connected to the strip. We upgraded to a 2-bedroom this time and were pleasantly surprised that the suite faced the runway and that we could see part of the strip. It was more modern, with newer furniture and carpet. The property itself was clean and all employees were friendly. The security guards at the elevator did their jobs and we saw them stop people from entering on two separate occasions. The pool was open and manned with lifeguards, but we didn’t use it as it was windy and chilly out. Overall, out stay this time was much better! The only downside was the water pressure from the showers. Read less

Hilton Grand Vacations, Elara I last stayed at the Hilton Elara property in June, 2022 in their 1-bedroom suite. This March, 2025 trip I stayed in the 1-bedroom studio suite (35th floor, 3529). I always provide a comprehensive review, including both positives and negatives, while my thoughts and impressions are fresh. My reviews are always fair and unbiased, and based on my actual travel experiences. Since my last stay in 2022 the resort has undergone significant and positive updating and upgrading to the suites and common areas. As a result the guest experience is also much improved, and the Elara is back on my personal top-five list of excellent properties in Vegas! Proximity to Vegas strip: The property is perfectly located mid-strip, about halfway between the MGM and Bellagio, and connected to the Miracle Mile Shops and expanded selection of restaurants. The Planet Hollywood casino is a short air-conditioned 5-min walk away. There is also a Starbucks, newly expanded mini-mart, and bar in the lobby over-looking the pool. The Resort Suite: Compared to other resorts in the area the decor is more up to date, comfortable, and well appointed. The layout of the studio suite is incredibly spacious and offers a small kitchen, stainless steel fridge, in-room safe, and coffee maker, and a dining table suitable for a party of 4 to dine. There are plenty of charging ports for electronics, and even a cut-out under the bed for luggage storage. The room safe is huge and the floor to ceiling window shade in the living room also doubles as a screen for the projection TV in the 1-bedroom suites. The panoramic view of the strip and Sphere was outstanding! The bed, bedding, and pillows are very comfortable (10 out of 10). By comparison I would rate the bedding at the Mandalay Bay, MGM, or Palms a solid 8 out of 10. The bathroom was very spacious and features a shower and jacuzzi tub. Note: suite 3529 is at the strip end of the building and offers a view of the middle and northern end of the strip, including the sphere. Additional $50 for the sphere view, but worth it! Room Rates: In comparison to the other comparable on-strip resort properties, the room rates are slightly higher. However; the suites are huge, the staff are very friendly and accommodating, and the location is great; so the property warrants the slightly higher rates. Expect to pay a premium $ for their "premium" suites, however; the accommodations and views are well worth it! TIP: Weekday travel (air, hotel, ride shares, car rentals, etc.) is a lot cheaper than the weekends in Vegas. Front Desk and Checkin: The front desk staff were very friendly and accommodating.The wait-time was minimal, and check-in process was quick and painless. Checked-in in the evening and out early morning, so I cannot speak to the wait times during the peak checkin/checkout times. Dining: The property has several casual (Chipoltle, Panda Express, Aunt Annie's, Lobster Me, Taco Bell Cantina, etc.) to finer dining (Cabo Wabo, Ocean One, Oyster Bay Seafood, Lombardi's, etc) options in the connected Miracle Mile shops, as well as the nearby strip. There are also several bars serving many different varieties of cool beverages, including my favorite...Fat Tuesdays! 😉 Property, Pool, and Fitness: The property itself is very well maintained and updated, and the hotel staff are all very friendly and accommodating. There is also plenty of available garage parking. The pool area is excellent and open 8a to 11p, shallower swimming area for sunbathing and kids, and two jacuzzi's. It is well maintained, has plenty of available lounge chairs and cabanas, good music, as the pool bar serves iced and frozen beverages, tailored to your preferences. The staff are also friendly and courteous. The pool area is open year-round, and heated during the colder months. The shaded lounge pods, right next to the pool, are large enough for 4-adults, and only $75 for the day. Well worth the $ when the mercury exceeds 100 degrees. The fitness center is well maintained, well equipped, and will accommodate all fitness levels. Now...The Absolutely Minor Negatives: - There were a couple of scheduled 4-hour water outages during my stay on other floors, but the guests were notified in advance and it was during the day when guests are typically at the pool, or on strip. Minor inconvenience at best. - The front-desk staff thought my suite was a full 1-bedroom suite, and not a junior suite. Also minor. - That’s it! Otherwise my stay and the property were 99% positive! Overall I would again rate the Hilton Elara property a solid 10 out of 10, and would absolutely recommend it over the other on-strip properties for its suite rates, quality, proximity, customer service, and overall guest experience. Kudos to Hilton on the renovations and upgraded guest experience! Read less

We cannot wait to go back!!! The parking is a little tricky; however, reading other reviews really helped with expectations!!! We arrived earlier than check-in time but they had a room available. The first person, Lizette, was Very pleasant & helpful. We decided to wait for room on a higher floor. The 2nd person that we encountered for check-in was horrible! No customer service skills, very blunt! As a fellow service professional, I look forward to great customer service when I am the consumer, so we tactfully excused ourselves from her line and went down to the other end of the counter. That’s where we met two gentlemen, Mario & Ebraam, welcomed us with smiles; They are Awesome! They treated us as if we were VIP! And it just got better from there! Besides that one person, whose name I do not have 😡, greeted us very kindly, gave great recommendations, and made us feel like family! Love that Elara is right “at” the Strip, but not “on” the Strip. The one-bedroom with its amenities is amazing! The elevator system is amazing! The pool & cabanas are… you guessed it… AMAZING! Being connected to the Miracle Mile shops & Planet Hollywood is such a bonus! A must is the Cafe Hollywood for a meal. Generous portions, great food and service! The ribs, citrus salad w/blackened salmon, and croissant French Toast w/ bacon are Amazing! 🤩🤩🤩 I hate giving this review because I would love to keep this as a hidden gem; however, that would be impossible because great things are never kept secret! So don’t pass on the opportunity to stay at the Elara when in Vegas. You will not regret it. Oh, an added super bonus for us is that this entire resort is truly Smoke-Free! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Read less