Nestled literally in the middle of the strip and about a block off of Las Vegas Blvd. the location can't be beat. In front of you is the Aria and the Monte Carlo. To the left MGM, NY NY, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Tropicana. To the right, Mandarian Oriental, Planet Hollywood, Crystals, Paris, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Bally's, Ceasar's, Flamingo, Harrah's, Venetian, Mirage, Treasure Island, Wynn, Encore, further down is Trump, Circus Circus and The Stratosphere. Enough geography. The property is dated. The front desk and the \"timeshare people\" are the only ones who even look your way to acknowledge you and say hello. Housekeeping folks (most) walk right by you without even a glance. A nice touch is the free valet service, who get your car for you when ever you venture out, EXCEPT when it's check out time! Oh, the car keys were at the front desk upon departure but the ever present door opener and smiling glad hander was mysteriously absent when I checked out. Hmmmm I guess tips are more infrequent when folks leave Las Vegas....lol. Too obvious. To much to do in Vegas to do the pool scene. Housekeeping was good and done daily, although if you want them to CHANGE your bed linen there is a $7 fee or they will bring you fresh linen and you can do it yourself for free. The surrounding area of the property is an eyesore. Parking lots, garbage dumps, back alleys and such. When you walk out to las Vegas Blvd. you are in an area of cheap gift shops and seedy individuals trying to sell you anything from timeshares to helicopter rides to bus outings to Grand Canyon trips to parties for the night to free shows to strip clubs and the list goes on and on and on. Once you break clear of that area the vibe improves greatly. Need quick groceries? Walgrens and CVS are right there. Nightclubs are the #1 revenue producer in Vegas followed closely by eating establishments. Gambling is about #40 on the list of Vegas money makers. Malls are the new big thing here as well, with about 4 big ones to choose from on the strip. Sidewalks have disappeared and have been replaced by connecting bridges that span the gap from one side of the street to the other. I could have been ticketed for jaywalking at least a dozen or more times. Back to the property. Your room better have a fridge with an ice maker, if not, the ice machine is located in tower #1 ( they have 3 towers) on the 18th floor and tower #3 on floors, 2,5,8,11,15,and 21. I guess tower #2 rooms have ice making capabilities. The key card activates the elevator which is a nice touch as far as security goes. The store selling Starbucks was adequate with a very helpful clerk. All in all nothing 4 or 5 star worthy. Heavy on the timeshare push, no casino, no in house entertainment, no in house shopping, you get the idea. Good location but I would stay somewhere else my next in Sin City. Oh yeah and no one asked did I need help with my bags when I called the front desk to tell them I was checking out.
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