This place needs to be imploded. And if it weren't directly connected to the convention center, I'm certain it would have been imploded (or sold and renamed some third rate dump casino).
While walking in, the bellhop didn't even attempt to greet or otherwise assist with baggage. Upon check-in, you're given the choice to upgrade to a "renovated" room for $20. Problem #1. So right away, they're taking away from your experience by saying "well, if you're not going to spend more money, you're getting a less than stellar room" ... Gold/diamond level members get the renovated room. They didn't have a single bed, and the staff was unwilling to offer us a nicer room to get the room we had booked. Staff was lacking in general, I think they know they're working for a dump and hear it all day long.
After examining our first room, we found it to be pretty dirty. I wouldn't have wanted to walk barefoot in that room. Outside of the 1982 pink Formica tile in the bathroom, there was a stash of pubic hair on the floor. A carpeted bath mat (gross). The lamp shade was ripped in half. Everything about the place felt like a low grade motel. After finding the pubic hair, we called at 4am to complain and the next day we got upgraded to a renovated room in the East tower (2575). It was nicer, but still below any other modern hotel's quality in Las Vegas. I would call it "partially renovated." DNA on the desk chair. Also, the tub leaked so there was a stream of water across the floor all day, every day (a real waste in the middle of a desert!). The place smelled strongly like sewer gas every time we entered the room.
The buffet is DISGUSTING. And for $18 for brunch, not worth it. Actually, if it were $8 I probably wouldn't go back. Most disgusting, low grade food you've ever seen. Everything is cooked to a shrivel and sits out. Eggs benedict were inedible. Super low quality everything. Patrons that aren't smart enough to not leave the tongs sitting on the food (gross). The only redeeming thing were the crab legs (snow crab though, not king). But really, how many of those can one eat before you feel sick? Only fake HFCS iced tea. They have no club, so gold/diamond members get the buffet for free in the morning. I felt so dirty just sitting there eating the food. I'd classify the buffet quality to be on the level of Old Country Buffet, at best.
The casino is so-so, mayyybe on par with other dive casinos. It's smokier than just about any dive casino I went to. There's not enough of a border between the hotel and casino; the second you set foot in the hotel door you're encased in a stench that you won't not smell until you leave the premises. If you're staying there for a convention and not to gamble, this is probably annoying. The crowd in general is older on average, nobody young purposely goes here. The only time we spent gambling there, the power went out for a brief second and the slots rebooted mid-play. The nearby Riviera (the closest casino to the Hilton--a 10 minute walk or so)--is just as old but smelled 100 times better and was a much younger crowd. The sports book room is pretty nice--it's huge with projection TV's (though it needs an HD update). Still a fine place to bet on some horses while getting free drinks. Their roulette minimums were $10, when other comparable casinos would be at $5 or less minimums. No rapid roulette. Pretty sad that the minimums here were the same as the minimums at Wynn.
The Wynn/Encore are probably a 15-20 minute walk, and since you'll be looking for excuses to escape, probably a walk you'll do several times.
What's sad for the Hilton is their food pricing is about the same as Encore/Wynn's, yet anyone who has been to Wynn/Encore knows everything about those two places STOMPS the Hilton. Hilton actually had the balls to have a page of appetizers on their room service menu where everything was $21-29 for a quantity of 6. 6 jalapeno poppers for $25. 6 chicken wings. etc etc. Are they insane?
They nickel and dime you to death, more than just about any other hotel chain is doing right now. $14 Internet. No free water. No free "if you forgot" toiletries. No free business center. They even charge $5-10 to accept a Fedex package for you, that's just insane. They charge a room service fee $2.50 *per person*
There's no reason in the world to stay here, unless forced to because of a convention where employers require it. Still though, there's a newish Renaissance on the opposite end of the Convention Center if you're needing to be close to the convention center. Outside of that, there are much nicer hotels with much cheaper rates (i.e., MGM).
They're promoting that the building is 40 years old with posters and free T-shirts.. Guess what guys, AGE is not something you should be bragging about.
1 star="Eek! Methinks not." True that, true that.
This place needs a few sticks of dynamite to lighten it up.