While Las Vegas might seem like an unlikely destination for families, many resorts advertise themselves as “family friendly”. Our recent stay at the Conrad Las Vegas certainly tested that claim, and unfortunately, it largely fell short of expectations for a relaxing family vacation. Although some aspects were commendable, particularly the dining, the overall experience left us questioning its suitability for families, especially those with young children.
Dining Delights, But at a Price
Let’s start with the positives. The Conrad boasts some excellent restaurants. We particularly enjoyed VIIVA by Ray Garcia, which offered top-quality Mexican cuisine. Yes, it’s expensive, but for a special occasion, it’s arguably worth the splurge. Carver steakhouse was another highlight, providing a beautiful dining experience. Importantly, both restaurants were very accommodating to our toddler, which was a welcome relief.
Poolside Problems: A Major Family Fail
However, the family-friendly facade quickly crumbled when it came to amenities. A significant disappointment was the inaccessibility of the kids’ pool for three out of our four-day stay. Traveling with a toddler who loves pool time, this was a major setback. Instead of enjoying the advertised family facilities, we were confined to our room or limited to walking around the property. For a resort promoting itself as family-friendly, this lack of access felt incredibly misleading and poorly managed. The hospitality, generally a strong point in Las Vegas, was noticeably absent in this aspect of our stay.
Check-Out Chaos and Unwavering Resort Fees
Even simple requests seemed to become battles. Negotiating a slightly later check-out time, from noon to 1 PM to accommodate our toddler’s nap, turned into a 20-minute ordeal with management. The inflexibility was baffling and frustrating. Adding insult to injury, we were charged a hefty $45 daily amenity fee, despite being unable to use the children’s pool for the majority of our visit. While the gym was available, it was overcrowded during the weekend, making it inconvenient to use. Despite the significant inconvenience and unusable amenities, management refused to waive any portion of the resort fees, demonstrating a clear disregard for guest experience.
Hidden Charges and Service Shortcomings
The final straw was an unexpected charge for a room upgrade we neither requested nor wanted. Despite assurances from the concierge that the $80 per day upgrade fee would be removed, it remained on our bill. It took three phone calls and intervention from management over three days to finally rectify this erroneous charge. This experience, coupled with the other issues, paints a picture of a resort that charges 5-star prices but delivers a significantly lower level of service, especially for families.
Verdict: Not Recommended for Families
If you are considering Las Vegas for a family vacation and are searching for genuinely Family Friendly Resorts, our experience at the Conrad suggests it’s best to look elsewhere. The expensive rooms and subpar service, particularly regarding family amenities and issue resolution, do not justify the cost. Do yourself and your family a favor and explore other options that truly prioritize family-friendliness over simply marketing themselves as such.
