Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

EAST OF THE STRIP 109
Hilton restaurant for half the listed menu prices, making this a great option for
budget-conscious families.
The Nightclub, a first-rate casino lounge, has live entertainment nightly. It’s
a great place to hang out in the evening and features regular sets by local cover
bands. One of Elvis’s sequined jumpsuits is enshrined in a glass case in the front,
near the entrance to the lobby/casino (he played 837 sold-out shows here). In
addition, Colonel Tom Parker’s memorial service was held here in the hotel.
There’s also a major headliner showroom (see chapter 10).
There are also a number of shops, plus Star Trek: The Experience (p. 186),
the themed attraction, with its accompanying space-themed casino. At press
time, we received word that a new multimedia show, Borg Invasion 4D, featuring
a 3-D film and lots of special effects will be added to the attraction in
spring 2004.
The casino is especially well designed, with some fun gimmicks.
The third-floor roof comprises a beautifully landscaped 8-acre recreation deck
with a large swimming pool, a 24-seat whirlpool spa, six Har-Tru tennis courts
lit for night play, Ping-Pong, and a putting green. Also on this level is a luxurious
17,000-square-foot state-of-the-art health club offering Nautilus equipment,
Lifecycles, treadmills, rowing machines, three whirlpool spas, steam, sauna, massage,
and tanning beds. There’s a $15-per-day fee to use the facilities, but guests
are totally pampered: All toiletries are provided; there are comfortable TV
lounges; complimentary bottled waters and juices are served in the canteen; and
treatments include facials and oxygen pep-ups (you inhale pure oxygen).
3000 Paradise Rd. (at Riviera Blvd.), Las Vegas, NV 89109. & 888/732-7117 or 702/732-5111. Fax 702/732-
5805. www.lvhilton.com. 3,174 units. $49 and up double. Extra person $30. Children under 18 stay free in parent’s
room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free self- and valet parking. Amenities: Casino; showrooms; 13 restaurants;
outdoor pool; golf course adjacent; 6 tennis courts (4 night-lit); health club and spa; Jacuzzi; car-rental desk;
business center; shopping arcade; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms; executive-level
rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, hair dryer, iron and board.
Marriott Suites Oh sure, you don’t lack for Marriotts in Las Vegas, but it
is a reliable chain (if a tad overpriced), and you can’t fault the location of this
one. It’s just 3 blocks off the Strip (a 10-min. walk at most, though in
100°F/38°C heat, that may be too far) and not much farther from the Convention
Center. This is a solid choice for business travelers, but families might also
like the lack of casino and accompanying mayhem, not to mention the extralarge,
quite comfortable rooms. Each suite has a sitting area separated from the
bedroom by French doors. And there are gorgeous prints on the walls—far, far
better than you would expect in a hotel, much less in one of the chain variety.
325 Convention Center Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89109. & 800/228-9290 or 702/650-2000. Fax 702/650-9466.
www.marriott.com. 278 units. $159 and up suites (up to 4 people). AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Free outdoor parking.
Amenities: Restaurant; outdoor pool; small exercise room; Jacuzzi; tour desk; car-rental desk; business
center; 24-hr. room service; coin-op washers available at Residence Inn next door; laundry service; dry cleaning;
nonsmoking rooms; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minifridge,
coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron and board, safe.
EXPENSIVE
La Quinta Inn This is a tranquil and immediately visually appealing
(within the limited range of chains) alternative to the Strip’s hubbub, featuring
courtyards, rustic benches, attractive pools, barbecue grills, and picnic tables.
The staff is terrific—friendly and incredibly helpful. The rooms are immaculate
and attractive. Executive rooms feature one queen-size bed, a small refrigerator,
a wet bar, and a microwave oven—spend the extra money for it. Double queens