This review is th comment and update on the 5/31/09 review. Lake Las Vegas, as with any other resort in the world has been affected by the economic downturn. There are several separate and distinct neighborhoods in LLV including villas, condos and single family homes. Celine Dion as well as Nigel Lithgow (so you think you can dance) have homes in South Shore. This place is gorgeous! the views, the lake and the village. It feels like europe, a world away from the strip.
Many of the foreclosures were 2nd home/investment condos in the village. Many of the owners simply walked away from them as they were not their primary homes. Currently, there are only 4 actively listed condos in Viera and about 6 in Luna Condos. This is out of nearly 350 condos. Most people paid WAY too much for these hotel condos during the boom and when hotel occupancy numbers fell, as anywhere across the country, they were no longer profitable, another reason why investors just walked away.
The HOA dues that the prior review mentioned that are $500.00 are likely for the condotels. But, this amount includes ALL utilities including electric, water, high speed internet and cable TV etc. Not bad when you consider what it pays for. Most of the single family home HOA are appox $200.00 per month. The banks are paying any past HOA dues when the properties are being sold, so the HOA's are financially fine. There are actually very few forclosures in LLV right now.
Montelago Village is usually busier during the weekend and holidays. During the summer, the place is packed. This past August of 2009, the village was sold out on several occasions. While there are slower non-peak times there, Montelago Village is not a ghost town. I was there last Sunday (1/31/10). By lunch time, the village was busy, it was a sunny day, people were packing the patio dining and families were ice skating on the rink. Week day mornings are slower, but it was this way during the height of LLV.
The LLV bankruptcy only really affects the residental component of Lake Las Vegas. It has little to do with Montelago village itself, other than the bad publicity of the bankruptcy affected the village. People hear bankruptcy and stopped coming.
However, this is all turning around!! Lake Las Vegas is exiting bankruptcy in April of 2010. Rumors are that Reflection Bay and/or The Falls Golf course will reopen in April. There are new restaurants opening in the village including Black Pepper Grill and Bernards Bistro. The Irish Pub, Sonrisa, Luna Rosso and Sunset and Vines are all wonderful restaurants offering great food, service and some with entertainment. Cafe Tenuta in the casino is the best breakfast in Henderson.
Lake Las Vegas isn't 25 miles from the strip. It's about 17 miles and a 20 minute drive. It's so beautiful in Lake Las Vegas, it's worth the drive. It's not the strip. It's not supposed to be the strip. Thank goodness it is not the strip. :) Speaking of the drive, Lake Mead Blvd is being widened to 6 lanes, as I type, all the way out to Lake Las Vegas. This will also include landscaping and bike trails. Henderson is creating a wonderful gateway to Lake Las Vegas and Lake Meade.
There is a new buzz going on at Lake Las Vegas. The spring/summer music series will begin soon on the weekends. Jameoke at Sonrisa Mexican Restaurant is a hoot! It's karaoke to a live band with your own back up singers. If you don't want to sing, you can just play the bongos!!! The Ritz has a wonderful garden with a firepit to relax around.
Go check out the village!