We booked a two bedroom unit at Club de Soleil II through Interval International. I had no idea what to expect, since Vegas standards can be very different than standards elsewhere. I was not expecting the Luxor.
The condo was clean, spacious and well-appointed. There was no smoke smell or sanitizer smell -- just clean. Everything was in good working order. The beds were king sized and very comfortable. The unit was comparable to nicer units in Sheraton timeshare condos, like the one we stayed in in Scottsdale. Since we went in the winter, we could not use the outdoor swimming pool, although it is heated, and we did see a few crazy people in it. The grounds were very nice, considering the small block of land the resort is on (typical Vegas). The photo on the website is very deceiving - it is a small property, not a huge one.
I found the location to be great. Not far from the strip, but not on it. Perfect. I don't care for noise and smoke.
Parking was easy and ample, which is really important when travelling with kids. The housekeeping staff was very accomodating. No complaints there. If the front desk staff were helpful, this WOULD HAVE BEEN a great Las Vegas destination.
The front desk staff and the concierge were completely, totally clueless and inefficient. The night we checked in, there were four families/couples ahead of us. Check-in took a very long time since there was only one guy working the desk. Since we drove for two days to get there, all I wanted to do was park and collapse in bed. While waiting, I overheard the maintenance guy make a bigoted comment about Mexicans. I am not Hispanic, but I was offended. I don't care much for bigotry.
The resort does not offer much for families. I knew Las Vegas was an adult's town, but I thought a five-star resort would have something for kids. It didn't. I guess they are used to having everyone go to the Strip for everything.
The next morning, I waited an equally long time at the concierge desk. The woman there spent forever with another couple. When it was my turn, I told her straight off I was not interested in a timeshare presentation, and then she seemed to want to get rid of me as soon as possible. All of her answers were short. She told us we could get discount tickets at Tahiti condos, two doors down. We went there, and they told us she gave us the wrong information. Then, we were directed to Tahiti village resort, where they did finally help us.
The next day, a different woman at the concierge desk told us the owner's night was cancelled after I asked her where it would be. She called someone who told her there was a special Christmas banquet for $19.95 instead. The next morning, I asked yet another woman at the concierge desk if we needed to make reservations for the banquet. She told us it was not on Christmas eve, as we had been told, but on Christmas, and the price was $49.95. It was clear they were operating on rumor, not fact sheets or brochures.
Frustrated, I drove to the other sister - resort (Tahiti Village) and asked what was really available to owners that week. After waiting an extremely long time, three guys asked around and finally found out NOTHING was available to owners at all, and yes, there was a pricey buffet instead. There was no special price for owners, so we didn't bother. So, there was nothing for owners. That might not mean much to people who just want a place to stay, but my family actually like the cheezy owner's events when we go on vacation.
The only time we were given useful information at the front desk was when a night-shift desk clerk suggested we go to the Rio buffet. The price she told us was way off, but the buffet was fabulous. We ended up paying more than we expected, but it was a memorable feast.
There was no free internet anywhere at the resort. They charge $50 for the week for internet, which is ridiculous for a five-star resort, in my opinion. However, Vegas is Vegas. They charge for everything. Even the Starbucks charged to use their internet.
Overall, I would reccomend the Club de Soleil for a quiet, well- furnished, well-appointed condo, if you do not expect to be entertained on-site, or be given accurate information by the concierge. I would also suggest going directly to a concierge at a larger property, who has real knowledge of the area, not just a fly-by-night time-share tourgiver.
I would say this is a four star property, which is satisfactory for my family. If you are used to five-star, or Marriott quality, I think the desk staff and lack of owner welcoming events will greatly disappoint you.
Next time, I think I will go back to the Scottsdale Sheraton to escape the snow in winter. That has been our favorite spot so far (the Marriott in Palm Springs was also great). See my other posts.
