Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort by IHG

The lobby computer came in handy, and the bellhops held our bags before and after checkout for free. The hot tub was great too. We didn’t use the pool in December and January, though we did see a few people taking a cold plunge. A relative said the arcade wasn’t anything special. The little store downstairs had the usual Vegas prices, and I was annoyed that a cup of green tea in the lobby cost $4. I’m fine with no free breakfast, but paying that much for hot water and a tea bag felt ridiculous. Our family of five stayed four nights over New Year’s. The suite had two king bedrooms, plus a sleeper sofa, though its cushions were comfortable enough on their own. The kitchen had the basics for a short visit, and the bathrooms were clean when we arrived. The walls and doors inside the unit were thin: I blow-dried my hair in the hallway bathroom and the person on the couch thought I’d left the door open. I didn’t hear noise from any neighboring suite, though. I loved the balcony and especially the fireplace, which made chilly evenings cozy. My favorite part was the huge closet in the bedroom that wasn’t the primary one. It fit two large suitcases, one on the floor and one on the rack, and still had enough room for me to get dressed with the door shut. We enjoyed the stay and would return to Las Vegas. You can see the Sphere by looking up while walking around the resort. It’s 0.8 mile from the edge of the Strip, so the walk itself isn’t bad, but there’s plenty more walking once you get there. At least it’s a good way to get your steps in. The resort doesn’t offer a shuttle.

I was back for a conference at Caesar’s, which is a short walk away, and the location worked really well. I’ve stayed here before and have been an IHG rewards member for a long time. The place has great views of the Sphere next door. I like the room layout and the full kitchen, although I didn’t use it this time. The workout rooms and fitness equipment were good too. What suits me most is the human scale of the accommodations. You’re away from the Strip’s noise, and it doesn’t feel like a 30-story place where you’re always taking elevators. Food choices are limited. The dining options can’t handle many people, and the small convenience nook didn’t have much to pick from. The staff were nice and offered free golf cart rides to and from my unit, though I preferred walking. I’d definitely recommend staying here.

The rooms were comfortable, the kitchen had good equipment, and we had what we needed. The food selection was the weak spot. There wasn’t much to choose from, and I’d avoid the restaurant. I also wish the convenience store carried more fresh food, since we didn’t want to eat out constantly and couldn’t really find those options on the Strip. We came for a quick Vegas getaway, and the location was excellent, right beside the Sphere and close to the Strip. Staff were nice enough. For us, it was basically a place to sleep while we spent the days exploring, with not much else to do at the hotel.

The big downside was the timeshare pitch. They put a lot of pressure on us during a one-on-one presentation that lasted two hours. Even though they said we didn’t have to sign up, continuing to say no made us feel small. The hotel itself was nice, and service was pretty good. They responded when we needed something. We did find two cockroaches in the room, and staff came to spray both times. It’s about 15 minutes from the Strip, and the price reflects that. You’re also close to the Sphere.