Weatherboy

I just returned from a weekend getaway to the Hyatt Lake Las Vegas resort, using FFN's to pay for the stay.

For my $0/night stay, I got a very nice lake-view room with a little balcony. My diamond status gave me access to the Regency Club ...while it also allowed me to skip the $15/day Resort Fee.

Based on the comment another user made here, I requested the Fruit Basket as my Diamond ammenity --however, while it was good, it was just as ordinary as any other fruit offering at any other Hyatt stay.

As grand as the resort looks like online, I found it to be just large/small enough --everything was within a short walk ...yet it was spaced out enough so it didn't seem too crouded. The staff mentioned that they were at 80% capacity this weekend ...60% of which were group-event related, but the place felt very empty.

Overall, the resort was very nice and very relaxing and the staff (except the lobby conceirge people) were outgoing and friendly. The recreation, pool, and pool snackbar staff were especially pleasant and warm ...as were those that staffed the Regency Club. However, I found the conceirge in the lobby to be a bit cold and unhelpful; they failed to make proper airport transfer arrangements for me before and during my stay ...and they were less than enthusiastic about making dinner reservations for me. "It's a Saturday night, so no use making dinner reservations -everthing is filled. You should be spontaneous and try to go somewhere you want to try and hope they fit you in." --not exactly the help I was looking for.

Speaking of airport transfers, despite problems with the conceirge, I did get a limo from the airport to the hotel for $95 + gratuity ...and a car service back for $55 + gratuity. Based on other guests there, it sounds like a taxi ride ranges from $45 to $65 plus gratuity. The hotel does offer complimentary round-the-clock shuttle service to the Ritz Carlton and the Montelargo Casino village at the Lake. The hotel also contracts out every-other-hour shuttles back/to the strip (near the Aladdin hotel) for $30/person/unlimited-trips/day. The hotel once offered water taxi service from their dock to the Montelargo dock but has since suspended it.

The pools and outdoor areas were in excellent condition. I especially liked the outdoor sports court that transforms from a basketball court to a volleyball court to a tennis court to a few other types of fields/courts. The waterslide was also pleasant ...and a bit longer than some other Hyatt slides. The resort has 2 large pools on two levels plus a kiddie-pool and a large hot tub. Snackbar/poolside bar service staff frequently float around the pools with regular refills and snacks.

The resort is surrounded by 2 great golf resorts ...however, the greens fees are a bit exhorbitant: golf for two plus cart will cost you over $600.

The recreation team organized a few group activities... including a water volleyball match, a complimentary hour-long boat tour of the lake, kayak races, and other assorted fun games/sports to enjoy around the resort. They also rent kayaks, water bikes, and electric-powered "party cruisers" that comfortably accomodate 6 people for a leisurely sail around the lake. I rented a cruiser and had the hotel stock it with food/drink for a 2-hour ride around the lake. Excluding food, the boat cost about $200...and was well worth it. They offer a discounted 4-hour rental, but I'd find anything over 2 hours on this lake to be boring --there's only so much to see on the lake.

The resort also had a very small casino with very limited hours; they were basically open only during the evening hours (I think the slot machines open around 2pm ...and table games open around 5pm ...and all close by 2am.) The size/variety of games reminded me of typical casino fare you'd find on a cruiseship. If you're in Vegas to gamble, this is definitely not the place to do that --the most action was a half-filled blackjack table with minimum hands of $5 to a maximum of $50. With the Montelargo a free van ride away ...and the strip a 30 minute ride away, better gambling can be had elsewhere. But if you have a few dollars to spare and you're feeling lucky, the resort casino was an approrpiate venue only a short walk from most of the rooms there. (And for me, it was pretty lucky... I managed to turn $200 into $1,000 in about an hour at the blackjack table.)

Food/drink was your typical resort fare at resort prices. (i.e.: a poolside strawberry margarita will cost you $8 before tip.) I had a great dinner at Japengo, the resort's Asian cuisine restaurant complete with elaborate sushi bar. I found the food to be very good there and the sushi to be very fresh (and very authentic.)

The Regency Club offered great food & drink you'd see at any other Regency Club in the Hyatt family. The RC staff was always friendly and outgoing ...and if there was ever something anyone wanted, they'd be on it right away.

The only Hyatt (in terms of size of resort and location) I can compare this place to is the Tamaya location ....and I definitely like this one over the Tamaya. The food/drink/service/pool definitely win hands-down. If you want a great experience in the desert in a unique, beautiful location, this is the place to do it. However, if you're looking for traditional Las Vegas fun, this place isn't for you: it's just too far from the strip to be considered a "real" Vegas destination.

Delta Hog

Ay carumba!

Calvin

Will be going there in late April for 2 nights (Thurs-Sat). I have read the other reviews, but my questions are around advice on traveling with young kids (2-4yrs).

1. Is there an age restriction on the water slide? My 3-yr old son will be disappointed if he can't ride it?
2. Are there kid-friendly restaurant alternatives nearby without having to dine at the resort?
3. Any experience with the Camp Hyatt program?

Thanks!

Delta Hog

1. I don't think a 3-year-old could go on the waterslide . . . but I might be thinking of Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, I stayed at both of these very close together last year.

2. There's nothing nearby except the Ritz-Carlton resort. This would include kid-friendly restaurants . . . no restaurants period unless you drive several miles back toward town.

3. None.

listener

Just returned from a week at the Ritz- carlton, there are a lot of kid friendly cafe's and restaurant in and around the Montelagio village, including an excellent Ice cream shop, and a verry good starbucks.
5 minute shuttle ride from the hyatt, oh and the Golf fees are $210 around with cart.

R xTravel

Am going to be at Lake Las Vegas for 4 nites during Prez Day week-end and would love to hear more recent feedback on this property.

Hoping to warm up after a very chilly winter, will have a car - hoping to eat, shop and relax in some sunshine. Planning on Hoover Dam and possibly the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon - any other suggestions as to activities welcome.

TIA,

RxTravel

PSGlenn

I stayed here last year on FFN and was treated very well by the RC staff and front desk. I would encourage anyone who needs transportation to rent a car. Many, esp. Enterprise, are reasonable and can be had for about $25-40/day. This allows flexibility to the Strip, shopping, golf, tours, etc. Parking is free at the resort and next to the hotel. If you factor rt car service from the airport and two trips to the strip over 2 days for 2 people you are looking at a minimum of $180-200 for transportation vs a <$100 car rental for 2 days!!

Not being a gambler, I appreciated the small, somewhat removed casino down the hall from the lobby. It was not intrusive yet accessible. This hotel is a nice retreat from the hustle/bustle of the Strip!! Yet only a 20 min ride away!

Threy

You should hire a car, however the South Rim is around 4 hours away, just drove 5 weeks ago. The car is subject to inspection before crossing the Hoover Dam and we were lucky that the congestion at those stations was a non factor...

Taking a heli from Vegas to the Grand Canyon should be considered...

Weatherboy

Just as an update, I wrapped up another visit to this resort this week. No major changes since my first trip report here --the resort and the facilities are just as nice as they were on my first visit.

However, in addition to a $15/night resort fee, the hotel now charges a mandatory $3.75 "bell gratuity" charge upon arrival and departure.

Ducatibiker

[However, in addition to a $15/night resort fee, the hotel now charges a mandatory $3.75 "bell gratuity" charge upon arrival and departure. [/QUOTE]

Don't we all hate those extra charges ! Interesting to read in this thread that someone got the night resort fee waived. Thanks for the tip.
.

hedoman

Not 100% sure, but believe resort fee is waived on a free stay.

$3.75 bell service charge is even bigger BS than the stupid resort fee. I do not see this fee listed on their website when booking reservation.

holtju2

What the heck is this? I have never heard about a bell service charge before.

rfrost

And is this charged even if you don't USE the bellman?

smilee

Glad to hear Diamond's are getting Regency Club access. This was a big reason I stayed away from the place. I might try again.

I also agree that the $3.75 manditory bell fee is terrible. Why would they do something like this that just pisses people off. I would be much happier if they just raised the rates $3.75. Stupid idea who ever came up with it.

Snoopyo

Did not get charged the Resort fee nor the bell fee on FFN. There was a wedding on that weekend and I bought a yummy caprese type salad (mozzerella, tomatoes, basil, olive, onion and vinegrette) for $4 / 16 oz for plane food.

Nice spot and spent some time going to Hoover dam through the park and well worth the trip. I think car is more or less necessity for this property.