Time For Your Vacation

Look, I’m going to cut right to it. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort in Las Vegas at the end of January, and despite everything I’m about to tell you, I’d totally recommend this place. But you need to know what you’re getting into. This isn’t the Bellagio. This isn’t even a Holiday Inn Express. This is something else entirely, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The View That Changes Everything

Let me start with the winner. The massive, glowing, impossible-to-ignore winner: the Sphere view.

Our room looked directly at the Sphere. Not kind of. Not if you leaned out the window. Directly. At. The. Sphere. If you’ve never seen this thing in person, let me tell you, it’s mesmerizing. It’s a 366-foot-tall LED orb that broadcasts everything from giant eyeballs to cosmic animations, and watching it from your private balcony with a glass of wine is genuinely one of the coolest things I’ve experienced in Vegas. No casino noise. No crowds. Just you and this futuristic marvel doing its thing.

The location is legitimately fantastic. You’re centrally located behind the Sphere, which means you’re close to everything without being on the Strip. You get the convenience without the chaos. Want to see a show at the Sphere? You’re a five-minute walk away. Need to hit the Strip? You’re close enough that an Uber won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Want to avoid the tourist madness? Stay at the resort and enjoy the quiet.

This is the “Real Vegas”, the one where you can actually relax between adventures.

The “Resort” Identity Crisis

Here’s where things get interesting. The Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort calls itself a resort. Resort. That’s a big word with big expectations. So let’s talk about what makes a resort a resort, shall we?

A resort typically has room service. This place doesn’t.

A resort usually has a spa. This place doesn’t.

Most resorts have a casino or at least some kind of entertainment venue. This place doesn’t.

So what exactly are we calling a “resort” here? Is it a resort just because it has four pools? Because if that’s the bar, my apartment complex in college was basically the Four Seasons.

The property is nice. The rooms are spacious. The pools are clean. But calling this a “resort” feels like calling a really nice apartment complex with amenities a “luxury estate.” It’s stretching the definition, and you should know that going in.

What you’re really booking is a timeshare property that allows cash reservations. And that’s fine. Actually, it’s more than fine, it’s a great deal if you set your expectations correctly. But if you show up expecting resort-level service and amenities, you’re going to be disappointed.

The Check-In Shuffle (AKA The Timeshare Trap)

Let’s talk about check-in. What should take seven minutes takes twenty. Why? Because they make you play a little game.

You check in at one desk. Then you walk to a second desk to “activate your keys.” Seriously. They physically make you walk across the lobby to another counter just to activate the plastic wrist bands that open your door. It’s not a technical requirement. It’s not a security protocol. It’s a timeshare sales funnel disguised as a check-in process.

The second desk is where they pitch you on attending a timeshare presentation. They’re polite about it. They’re not pushy. But they’re strategic. By the time you’ve stood in line, filled out paperwork, and walked to the second station, you’re tired and just want to get to your room. That’s when they ask if you’d like to hear about “exclusive ownership opportunities.”

The agent was cool about it. But twenty minutes to check into a hotel room? That’s excessive. That’s the price you pay for booking a timeshare property. You’re trading time for money, and you need to decide if that trade-off works for you.

Pro tip: If you’re in a hurry, politely but firmly decline the presentation at both desks. They’ll still give you your keys. It’ll just speed things up.

The Housekeeping Reality Check

Okay, let’s get real about cleanliness. The room was mostly clean. Mostly. But there were some glaring issues that told me housekeeping either doesn’t have the time or doesn’t have the directive to handle certain things.

The dust. There was dust on the light fixtures. Dust on the top of the TV. Dust on the mirrors. Dust on the paintings. Not like “we haven’t cleaned in six months” dust, but noticeable dust. The kind that tells you they’re doing surface-level cleaning but not detail work. They’re wiping down counters and making beds, but they’re not climbing ladders to clean light fixtures.

Look, I get it. Housekeeping staff are overworked and underpaid everywhere. But when I’m paying resort prices, even discounted timeshare resort prices, I expect more than a quick vacuum and a towel swap.

Speaking of which: they don’t service your room daily. This isn’t a traditional hotel where housekeeping shows up every morning to refresh your space. You have to call them if you need towels, toiletries, or trash removal. They show up when you request it, but there’s no automatic daily service. This might be fine for some people. If you’re staying for a week and don’t want someone in your space every day, this is actually ideal. But if you’re expecting fresh towels and a made bed every morning, adjust your expectations.

The Maintenance Quirks (Or: Welcome to Vegas’s Quirkiest Property)

Let’s rapid-fire through the maintenance issues, because there were several.

Dead batteries in the remote. The minute we walked into the room, the TV remote didn’t work. Dead batteries. Not dying batteries. Dead. This is such an easy fix that the fact it wasn’t handled before we arrived tells me there’s a gap in the pre-arrival room checks.

The fried power outlet. There was an outlet near the bed that looked like someone had plugged in a lightning bolt and forgot to replace it. Scorch marks. Melted plastic. Just sitting there like a decorative reminder that electrical fires are real. I didn’t use it. I also didn’t report it because I didn’t want to wait for maintenance. But future guests should know: check your outlets before plugging in expensive electronics.

The ghost doors. The doors in our room were not balanced. They opened and closed by themselves. Close the bathroom door and it slowly creeps open like something out of a horror movie. Prop open the balcony door and it swings shut on its own. It’s not dangerous. It’s just weird. And mildly annoying when you’re trying to keep the balcony door open for fresh air.

The pull-out couch incident. This one deserves its own paragraph. I was putting away the pull-out couch, you know, being a responsible guest, and the thing broke. Not “I broke it.” The mechanism snapped. It was clearly on its last legs (or hinges, I guess), and I just happened to be the person who triggered the final collapse.

Here’s the good news: I called the front desk, and a handyman showed up within an hour to fix it. Within an hour. That’s actually impressive. The guy was professional, apologetic, and had it working again in about twenty minutes. So while the property has maintenance issues, the team is responsive when things go wrong. That counts for something.

The Elevator Situation (Or Lack Thereof)

Here’s the deal-breaker for some people: there are no elevators.

None. Zero. If your room is on the third floor, you’re carrying your luggage up three flights of stairs. If you packed heavy, you’re going to feel it. If you have mobility issues, this property is not for you.

I’m in decent shape and it still sucked. My suitcase isn’t light. By the time I reached the third floor, I was reconsidering my packing choices and questioning why I needed four pairs of shoes for a three-day trip.

The resort has multiple buildings, and I didn’t see an elevator in any of them. This is a major accessibility issue. If you’re traveling with elderly family members, young kids, or anyone who struggles with stairs, find another property. Seriously. This isn’t worth the hassle.

The Things That Actually Worked

Alright, enough complaining. Let’s talk about what I actually liked, because there’s a lot to like if you’re the right kind of traveler.

The pools. There are four of them. Four. They’re clean, well-maintained, and surprisingly quiet even during peak Vegas season. I was there at the end of January, which is technically off-season, so the pools were basically private. No screaming kids. No rowdy pool parties. Just calm, clean water and plenty of lounge chairs. If you’re a pool person, this is a legitimate perk.

The quiet. This is probably the quietest place I’ve stayed in Vegas. There’s no casino floor pumping noise 24/7. There’s no live music echoing through the halls. There’s no drunken bachelorette party stumbling past your door at 3 a.m. It’s just… quiet. Peaceful. Relaxing. If you’re in Vegas to actually rest between adventures (or if you’re working remotely and need to take calls), this is a huge advantage.

The space. The rooms are legitimately spacious. Full kitchenettes, separate living areas, and actual closets. This isn’t a cramped hotel room where you’re living out of your suitcase. You can spread out. You can cook. You can actually live there for a few days without feeling claustrophobic.

The service. Despite the check-in shenanigans and the maintenance quirks, the staff was genuinely friendly and helpful. When I needed something, they responded quickly. When the couch broke, they fixed it fast. When I had questions, they answered them. You can tell the people working here actually care about the guest experience, even if the systems they’re working within are imperfect.

The Logistics You Need to Know

You absolutely need a rental car. This isn’t optional. The resort isn’t on the Strip. There’s no free shuttle service to the major casinos (at least not when I was there). If you want to explore Vegas beyond the immediate area, you need wheels. Factor that into your budget.

The property has parking, which is great. But don’t show up thinking you can walk everywhere or rely on Ubers for every trip. The costs add up fast, and Vegas is more spread out than most people realize.

Why This Matters (And How We Can Help)

Here’s the thing: I’m telling you all of this because this is exactly why people use us at Time For Your Vacation. We tell you the truth before you book. We don’t just sell you a vacation: we prepare you for reality.

If you’re considering the Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort, we’ll tell you if it’s right for your travel style. We’ll explain the quirks. We’ll help you decide if the Sphere view and the quiet pools outweigh the lack of elevators and the timeshare pitch. We’ll make sure you know what you’re getting into so there are no surprises.

And if you do book this property (or any property in Vegas), our Black Key Elite concierge team in Las Vegas can handle everything else. We’ll arrange your rental car. We’ll stock your kitchen with groceries so you don’t have to hunt for a Whole Foods after a long flight. We’ll get you reservations at restaurants that are “fully booked.” We’ll make sure you have the Elite experience even in a quirky timeshare property with ghost doors and dusty light fixtures.

Because here’s the truth: every property has quirks. Even the luxury resorts on the Strip have issues. The difference is knowing about them ahead of time and having a team that can work around them.

The Final Verdict

So would I recommend the Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Desert Club Resort? Yes. Absolutely. But with caveats.

Book this property if:

• You’re attending a show at the Sphere and want the best view in Vegas
• You value quiet and space over casino energy and Strip access
• You’re comfortable with stairs and don’t mind carrying luggage
• You’re okay with calling for towels instead of daily housekeeping
• You can firmly decline timeshare presentations without feeling awkward
• You’re renting a car anyway

Skip this property if:

• You need elevators or have mobility concerns
• You want traditional resort amenities like room service and a spa
• You’re expecting Four Seasons-level attention to detail
• You don’t want to deal with timeshare sales tactics
• You want to be able to walk to casinos and restaurants

For me, the Sphere view alone made it worth it. Standing on that balcony, watching that massive LED orb cycle through cosmic animations while sipping coffee in the morning, was genuinely unforgettable. The quiet was a bonus. The space was appreciated. The quirks were annoying but manageable.

This isn’t luxury travel. This is smart travel. This is getting a great location and a unique experience at a reasonable price, as long as you know what you’re signing up for.

And honestly? That’s the kind of travel I prefer. Give me character over cookie-cutter perfection any day. Give me a fried outlet and a Sphere view over a generic Strip hotel room. Give me the real Vegas: dust, ghost doors, and all.

Just bring your own AAA batteries for the remote.

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Ready to book your next Vegas adventure (with full transparency and zero surprises)? Let’s talk.

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