Las Vegas Hotels

It's easy for us to overlook this dinosaur -- look, we even called it a dinosaur. Totally unfair. It's one of the last of the dying breed of old Vegas hotels, but unlike many of its peers, it's still offering fine accommodations and even a bit more than that. Consider it even if you aren't an old-timer, and don't be put off by the distance from the Strip; the monorail stops here, making access easier than ever. When you consider that on nights when you can't touch a room on the Strip for less than $175, the Hilton will put you in a nice room with plenty of marble (including large bathtubs) and clean, well-maintained furnishings for a decent price, it seems silly to not make the Hilton a top choice more often. The clientele is a mix of savvy business travelers who know a good hotel deal when they see it and Trekkers lured in by the Spacequest Casino and Star Trek: The Experience (which got a recent fancy addition in the form of the 4-D Borg Invasion). There are quite a few solidly good restaurants, too.

Those very same facilities, however, mean that even a small convention can sometimes drive the prices up at odd times -- then again, since conventions are often booked for weekdays, an atypical drop in price can occur on weekends. Just call or look at the website.

A new owner recently took over the Hilton and has done some major spiffing up. The lobby and older casino areas have been completely remodeled, giving the whole place a much more modern feel. Plus, there are new lounges and restaurants, including Mistral, a new venue from Andre of Alizé and Andre's Downtown. The Hilton already has a strong showing of restaurants, including a Benihana and a buffet. Note: Children 12 and under can dine in any Hilton restaurant for half the listed menu prices, making this a great option for budget-conscious families.

The Shimmer Cabaret, a first-rate casino lounge/nightclub, has live entertainment and ongoing shows nightly. It's a great place to hang out in the evening, when it 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 showroom, featuring resident headliners Barry Manilow and Reba McEntire.

There are also a number of shops, plus the above-mentioned Star Trek: The Experience, the themed attraction, with its accompanying space-themed casino, one that is especially well designed, with some fun gimmicks.

The third-floor roof comprises a well-landscaped 8-acre recreation deck with a large swimming pool, a 24-seat whirlpool spa, 6 Har-Tru tennis courts lit for night play, and more. 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 $20-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.

Facilities: Casino; showrooms; 8 restaurants plus a food court; outdoor pool; 6 night-lit tennis courts; health club & spa; video-game arcade; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade; salon; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms.

- Frommer's