Wyndham Grand Desert

The vibe at this massive time-share resort is so mellow that you might forget you're in Sin City. The scene is more Florida condo community than Las Vegas glitz. The trio of apartment buildings and beautifully laid-out pools is sprawling but not overwhelming, and golf carts are available to shuttle guests between the towers. Daily organized activities for all ages, from Wii tournaments to bingo, make it family-friendly to the extreme.Contemporary decor has some classic touches, like iron chandeliers and stone accent walls in the lobby. Nothing is too memorable in terms of style, but it's all clean and pleasant. Guests tend to be families attracted by the large suites, and the crowd skews older than the typical Vegas partygoer. 

Located on East Harmon Avenue, the hotel is just two blocks from the Strip, the three-and-a-half mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that's home to most of the area's major casinos and attractions. Yet it's not an easy 15-minute walk -- the blocks are long and the route has no attractions along the way. A better way to access the Strip is to take the free shuttle to Harrah's, which departs from the Wyndham about every 30 minutes. Other famous attractions include the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, which takes about nine minutes to reach by car; the Neon Museum (which has a collection of old Las Vegas signs) is a 15-minute drive from the property; and downtown Las Vegas (where guests can visit the busker-filled Fremont Street Experience) is also about a 15-minute trip. McCarran International Airport is a five-minute drive from the hotel. Travelers that want to venture further have about a 50-minute drive to the Hoover Dam. The Grand Canyon can be reached in around four-and-a-half hours.

The hotel offers spacious one- and two-bedroom suites. One-bedroom suites range in size between 612 and 855 square feet (57 and 79 square meters), while the two-bedroom suites are 1,060 to 1,325 square feet (98 to 123 square meters). Decor is contemporary and pleasant; the photo wallpaper accenting some bedrooms might not suit all tastes, but they add a pop of color to otherwise neutral hues. Bright purple accents, like pillows and bed runners, also add some pep to the neutrals. Living rooms have sleeper sofas. All units come with fully-equipped kitchens, living rooms, dining areas, and washers and dryers. The kitchens are well equipped with stoves, ovens, coffeemakers, microwaves, and dishwashers. Other standard amenities in all units include flat-screen TVs, safes, telephones, and Wi-Fi -- but it incurs a fee. Bathrooms have both tubs and walk-in showers, and some rooms have spa tubs. Toiletries and hairdryers are supplied. 

The property offers a wealth of features that should keep guests well occupied. The pools are a highlight here, all large and attractive, surrounded by tall palm trees, cushioned lounge chairs, manicured hedges, and flower pots, plus there are some cabanas for rent. The three outdoor pools include a Family Pool and an Adult Relaxation Pool, plus there are four hot tubs. There's not much in terms of dining options, but guests can also self cater in their fully-equipped kitchens. The menu at the Oasis Cafe, located near the Adult Relaxation pool, tends toward options like bacon cheeseburgers, onion rings, and hot dogs. Room service is available. In the mornings, a Starbucks cart in the lobby sells espressos and hot coffee concoctions. There's a poolside bar as well, plus a lobby bar that occasionally hosts live pianists. There's also a shop selling snacks, drinks, and sundries.The Wyndham Grand Desert activities coordinators keep guests entertained, scheduling water aerobics classes, a tour of downtown Las Vegas, an ice cream social, and a host of other social events. Toddlers can pound clay in the arts-and-crafts room. Older kids can play video games in the mini-arcade. The larger activity room in Tower 2 has two pool tables, air hockey, arcade games, and Xbox stations. The smaller room in Tower 3 hosts activities like a funny-money Casino Night with roulette and blackjack tables. The hotel has two fitness centers with modern equipment, both free to use. Machines include ellipticals, exercise bikes, multi-purpose weight training machines, and treadmills. Free weights, exercise mats, and fitness balls are also available. Guests can also book a tanning bed or a massage, plus there's a sauna.Other amenities include two business centers that are free to use, but note that in-room Wi-Fi here incurs a fee. The hotel offers a free shuttle service to the Strip.