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| - Why Are You Travelling?
It's a question any traveler should ask oneself before booking a room. In my case, I was sent to Las Vegas on business. I usually stay at a Marriott to accrue the points. But in this instance, all the local Marriott's were at least TWICE THE PRICE as the Clarion. So I'll collect the points with Choice Hotels instead -- no biggie. I thought that since I'd be in town for two weeks or so, if I didn't like it, I could always move next door to the Marriott. To cut to the chase, YES -- I am glad I stayed here and would return again under these circumstances. I gave it 5 STARS as being OUTSTANDING in a full-service/economy/near STRIP category.
Here are my favorite things about this property:
The BED. It was like a "Heavenly Bed" the competitors brag about. Lots of pillows and fresh, new linens. This is really important to me. I'm a freak about cleanliness and at EVERY hotel I stay in -- even the Ritz -- I spend the time to sanitize everything with Lysol wipes. This room was cleaner than many I've stayed in. Lastly, about the bed, I usually toss & turn all night long but their bed was so comfortable I more often than not woke up in the same position I fell asleep in and that's something I don't even do at home. A truly quiet, peaceful and wonderful nights sleep.
*The VIEW! I stayed on the 12th floor on the south side of the building. Laying out before me was the beautiful tropical expanse of the Wynn Country Club and beyond that was an incredible view of the Strip. I could see everything from the Eiffel Tower and the Luxor to the Venetian tower and all the properties in between. No, I didn't have all of the bright dazzling lights of a Strip-front room, but felt fortunate to have the view I had. Really appreciated seeing all the green of the country club, especially while contrasting it to the barren mountains surrounding Vegas Valley.
*The LOCATION. In my estimation, better than 98% of the hotels in Las Vegas. Only two properties closer to the Convention Center. Close and convenient to the entire Strip, but downtown and the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Nevada, Las Vegas were also equally close.
*The SIZE of the property. It's on a human scale, which makes it great for an extended stay. The large mega-resorts are spectacular, but the size and the sheer numbers of people are equally maddening. For instance, I really liked the pool at the Clarion. I almost always had it to myself. Very relaxing. Compare that to the mega-resorts with 100's of people running around and kids squealing and pissing in the pool. Non-stop commotion.... No thanks. And on the rare occasion I wanted the festive vibe, I went as a non-hotel guest to use the pool at Caesars. It was no small matter for me: THE CLARION POOL IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY. I loved coming back to the property and taking a midnight swim and relaxing with a cocktail. Think of it -- late night cocktails in the pool is something none of the mammoth resorts offer -- go figure! THE GYM WAS ALSO OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY. Talk about convenient! The big hotels with their outrageous resort fees don't even provide that!!!!
*The COST of this hotel. Sure, the Cosmopolitan is nice, as it should be for $200 a night. The same with the Wynn or Mandalay Bay or any of the other properties. But I paid less than $40. With all the extra money, I took in shows, ate at the Bellagio Buffet, dined at LeCirque, Botero at the Wynn, Rao's at Caesars and on and on. So one way to look at it is this...for what someone paid just for a room to stay at the Bellagio, I stayed at the Clarion and had free gourmet meals and free shows and top notch entertainment all over town. It's a trade-off. The low cost made other things possible, without breaking the bank.
*The room INTERIOR. Granted the carpet was old and a few small stains (travellers these days are often rude, self-indulgent and inconsiderate slobs) but it was still clean. Throughout room, no dust, no loose wirey hairs and I think housekeeping does a good job.
*Lastly, let me mention the staff. I don't remember all of their names. But everyone was friendly or at least professional. When I came and went, I didn't want to have to explain my every move, so I enjoy some anonymity. But whenever I needed anything, it was delivered to me immediately. The Front Office manager was a woman named Katie and she always came through for me, with a smile and a "can do" attitude. Any of the larger properties would be lucky to have her. Tim at the front desk as well as the others -- also all very professional.
*So ask yourself why you are coming to Las Vegas. If you are a pampered elitist and live like the 1%, you might be happier somewhere else. But if you are trying to stretch your travel dollar while enjoying a safe, convenient, perfectly located property with an attentive staff and all the comforts of home, you would do yourself a favor if you considered the Clarion.
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