So we picked Las Vegas for three adults, one child of 8 and another 9 months old.

We drove to Vegas from Victoria leaving on a Friday morning on the first ferry and going until all of us were numb and not wanting to be in the vehicle anymore. Up early the next morning and off again. One more stop and we were there.

We found our "home" for the next 7 nights at the Flamingo Hilton. Oh my, it was without a doubt spacious, comfortable, clean and so near everything.

Of course the fact that the pool (which is heated) and hot tub were so close to our first floor suite was just outstanding.

We did have a minor glitch in that we were checking in around 6:00 pm and only half of the unit was ready. We dropped our bags, got into our suits and headed for the pool.

Aerial view of Las Vegas

After a relax in both the pool and the hot tub we headed out for a much needed walk and dinner. When we came back 1/2 of the unit still wasn't ready, but the housekeeping staff and front desk person came, checked it all out, helped us move one suite over and gave us a food and beverage credit for our problems. It took us all of about 10 minutes, so it wasn't a big deal.

Several really super things about this site: we could use the pools at the Flamingo as well as our own, we could charge to our room if we went over to the Flamingo and we could wander all over the Flamingo habitat site, seeing the Flamingos, the other birds they have, turtles sun bathing and of course the koi in the pools were fabulous to watch. It was a great setting.

Now the staff; they were exceptional from the front desk to housekeeping to the valets. They were tremendous with the kids always letting us know what was around what was good for them and just making sure we all had a really great time. We did have to phone housekeeping a couple of times for different things and I can honestly say they were there in a blink of an eye. I can't say enough about the facility or the staff, they were in a word - awesome.

We actually had one day of rain - yes in Las Vegas, rain, but with a huge whirlpool bath the kids were still able to have their "swim". The littlest in his float thought it was just grand and no wind of any kind to cool him off.

The Resort

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at the Flamingo (#3186)
3575 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV, 89109, USA
Phone: 702.697.2900
www.hiltongrandvacations.com

It was quite easy to get around, we used the monorail and the new bus on the strip called the deuce ($2.00 per ride for adults or $5 for a 24hr period) and of course we put on miles just walking here and there.

You need to walk lots of places to walk off what you eat at a buffet. That was another great thing about the timeshare, with a full kitchen if you wanted to have a meal in it was easy.

Looking up at the distinctive neon of the nearby Flamingo Hotel

There was a grocery store a few blocks away (great directions from our valet) and we were able to stock up on things for the unit or if you want snacks etc. there is a deli/store just off the lobby that had almost everything you might want.

Not having enough time to see everything, we picked the best for the kids and managed to see most of what we picked. It was a terrific holiday and the Grand Vacations at the Flamingo Hilton was a terrific place to stay. There are 2 other Hilton timeshares that are probably just as good but for us this was the best, almost in the middle of the strip giving us lots of accessibility to everything.

I would certainly recommend this facility to anyone, it has it all: great pool area, pool bar if you choose to use it, exercise room, spa, beautiful surroundings, tremendous staff and accessibility to everything.

- Carole Amo