Weekend Getaways: Las Vegas

Are you looking for a way to blow off some steam? There’s nothing wrong with taking a weekend getaway.

For those of us looking for a great escape into a different kind of chaos, there is truly no better place than Las Vegas. If a weekend of wild Vegas frivolity sounds perfect to you, here are a few spots in Sin City that we think you should check out.

Hyatt

Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Few properties in the world can exude both kitsch and class in a way that actually works, but the Excalibur pretty much hits the nail on the head. Its facade is reminiscent of a fairytale castle, which makes sense because this property is also home to the Tournament of Kings dinner show.

Bring the whole family and enjoy an impressive complex full of shops and restaurants or take advantage of the myriad of meeting space for your company retreat. If you are suddenly struck with the urge to get married in a medieval costume, this property can accommodate that too.

A night at the Excalibur is available from 12,000 World of Hyatt points.

Vdara Hotel & Spa

One of many impressive silver skyscrapers, the Vdara is located right in the middle of the action. The main selling point for this property is its impressive spa that stretches across two full floors and offers a variety of relaxing treatments. The cozy, open-concept rooms provide a warm respite for an after-spa rest or an after-Strip cooldown.

The Vdara offers a collection of casual and trendy dining options, but don’t miss a trip over to Aria, Vdara’s sister property that is home to even more restaurants. Use the Vdara as your gateway to both entertainment and relaxation during your weekend in Vegas.

A night at the Vdara is available from 20,000 World of Hyatt points.

Cards to Help You Earn World of Hyatt Points

If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential with World of Hyatt, the best way to do that is by opening the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Cardholders earn 4X points per dollar spent at Hyatt properties, 2X points on local transit, restaurants, flights purchased directly with airlines and fitness club memberships, and 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Marriott

The ENGLiSH Hotel

This Vegas property is a little bit different from the norm, but it was crafted particularly for travelers who enjoy the opportunity to make new friends and eat great food. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District, The ENGLiSH Hotel is a welcome reprieve from the Strip when you need it, but never far away.

The unique dining concept for this brand-new hotel was developed by its namesake, award-winning chef Todd English. If you can tear yourself away from the on-site culinary experiences, take a trip down Main Street to explore the shops, museums and restaurants just outside, but always come back for dinner.

A night at this Category 6 property is available from 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Cards to Help You Earn Marriott Points

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

One of the quickest ways to earn Marriott points is to open the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase. Not only do cardholders have the opportunity to earn rewards on everyday spending, but they also earn automatic Silver Elite status. Cardholders earn 6X points per dollar spent on purchases at Marriott properties and 2X points on all other purchases.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

If you want benefits for no fee, apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase. You’ll still have access to complimentary Silver Elite status and earn 3X points per dollar spent at Marriott properties. You’ll also earn 2X points per dollar spent on travel purchases and 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.

If you want a quick path to Silver Elite and a decent earning potential without committing to an annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card could be the answer

Hilton

Hilton Grand Vacations Club Elara Center Strip

If you’re looking for a central highrise within an easy stroll to Las Vegas Boulevard, look no further than the Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations. This iconic 52-story building not only offers easy access to the Strip, but it is also connected to the Miracle Mile Shops and all of the dining, shopping and entertainment therein.

Enjoy incredible views of the city and surrounding mountains, relax by the pool and order a drink to enjoy in your private cabana. It’s easy to sink into vacation mode while staying with the Elara as it’s the perfect homebase for your outdoor adventures and indoor comfort.

A night at the Elara is available from 167,000 Hilton Honors points.

Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas

Located at the entrance to the CityCenter complex, the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is a luxury accommodation that you won’t want to miss. This trendy non-gaming hotel offers all of the on-site comfort you need during your stay in Las Vegas.

Guests have access to in-room dining if they wish, which includes full table service. Pop up to the 23rd-floor SkyBar to take in the iconic skyline of the Strip or head out to experience it from the ground up. If you’re in town for the shopping, simply cross the skybridge to The Shops at Crystals. Otherwise, relax by one of three on-site pools or enjoy an indulgent spa treatment.

A night at this property is available from 80,000 Hilton points.

Cards to Help You Earn Hilton Points

Hilton has a long-standing partnership with American Express and offers four different co-branded cards: three personal cards and one business card. Here, we’ll mention the perks of our favorite personal card as well as the business card.

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Perfect for business owners on the go, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a card with decent earning potential and plenty of travel benefits.

While it comes with a $195 annual fee (see rates and fees), cardholders earn 12X points per dollar spent on Hilton purchases and 5X on other purchases on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.

In addition, this card is an excellent way to jump straight to Hilton Gold status. A $195 annual fee is a pretty small price to pay for the benefit. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade to Diamond status depending on how much you’re planning on using the card, which is a definite bonus.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The Hilton Honors Aspire American Express Card is our favorite credit card in the collection, and it comes with a hefty $450 annual fee (see rates and fees).

At first glance, it might not seem worth it to splurge on a card with a high fee when the rewards earning potential is only marginally better than with the other three cards in the Amex portfolio.

However, when weighing the annual fee against the additional benefits, it might be a good deal if you’re looking to skyrocket your status.

Cardholders earn 14X points per dollar spent on Hilton purchases, 7X points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel^®, and cars booked directly through select car rental agencies. The card earns 3X points spent on all other eligible purchases.

Note that the value of the accompanying travel benefits surpasses the annual fee, so as long as you’re planning on using the benefits, this card is well worth it.

IHG

Holiday Inn Express Las Vegas – South

Never underestimate a good Holiday Inn. The comfort and quality of Holiday Inn properties always exceeds expectations, and the Holiday Inn Express Las Vegas South is no exception.

Only 3 miles from Harry Reid International Airport, this property is conveniently located for your in-and-out weekend trip to Vegas. This property is also located across the interstate from Mandalay Bay and adjacent to Allegiant Stadium just south of the bustling Strip. For a quick, no-frills and cozy jumping-off point, you can’t go wrong with the Holiday Inn Express Las Vegas – South.

A night at this property starts at 28,500 IHG Rewards Club points.

Cards to Help You Earn IHG Points

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase is the premium card in the IHG collection.

This card comes with an $99 annual fee, but it includes automatic Platinum Elite member status and earns 10X points per dollar spent at IHG properties (on top of existing bonuses based on your status).

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

The Club Premier card doesn’t suit everyone. If you are an IHG Rewards member interested in opening an IHG card but don’t want to bother with any annual fees, then signing up for the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card could be a better move.

This card comes with the opportunity to bump up to Gold Elite, which is a nice perk for members with Club member status. Additionally, you can earn 5X points per dollar spent at IHG properties worldwide.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal

The above properties are wonderful options for Las Vegas, but they aren’t so exciting if you haven’t collected the right kind of points. If you don’t have a stash of brand-specific hotel points lying around, there is another option.

Many credit cards offer their own rewards programs that include the opportunity to redeem points on travel. If you’ve been stockpiling credit card rewards instead of brand-specific hotel rewards, a trip to Las Vegas could be a great way to redeem them.

For example, you could use your stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book your hotel. When Chase points are redeemed on travel purchases through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal, they are worth 50% more than other select categories if you hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and 25% more if you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

That bonus is a great incentive to use them on a trip to Las Vegas. Here are a couple of examples of Vegas properties that can be booked using Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

If you’re on the hunt for the quintessential Vegas experience with a little extra space to stretch out and enjoy yourself, check out The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. This hotel boasts enormous room sizes where “every room is a suite,” offering even more opportunities to relax in your own Italian marble bath.

The resort itself is a massive casino complex with dining, live shows, pools and a spa. As its name may suggest, The Venetian also offers world-famous gondola rides, which are reminiscent of the Old Country and perfect for those of us who can’t quite make it to Italy for the weekend.

A night at The Venetian is available from 27,800 Ultimate Rewards points.

The Berkley, Las Vegas

For travelers who are bringing the entire family along, it’s always helpful to find a vacation village with apartment-style suites. The Berkley, Las Vegas offers such suites and lies south of the Strip, directly adjacent to the Silverton Casino.

Enjoy access to your own kitchen for meals you’d like to cook yourself, but don’t forget to venture out to the nearby restaurants and casino or up to the Strip to try your luck and create your own adventure. Perfect for family or groups of friends, The Berkley offers plenty of space to live, relax and play.

A night at The Berkley starts at 10,800 Ultimate Rewards points.

Cards to Help You Earn Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A consistent favorite of the Chase collection is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers unparalleled opportunities to earn Ultimate Rewards points and benefit from travel perks. Its large $550 annual fee is offset by an annual $300 travel credit, built-in insurance and protections for when you’re on the go.

Cardholders enjoy up to 10X points per dollar spent on car rentals purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and Chase Dining purchases made through Ultimate Rewards, 5X points per dollar spent on flights purchased through the travel portal, 3X points per dollar spent on other travel and dining, and 1X point on everything else.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

If a $550 annual fee seems high, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead. With a $95 annual fee, this card is ideal for a first-time Chase Sapphire applicant.

You’ll still enjoy some travel benefits as well as the ability to earn 5X points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points per dollar spent on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services, 2X points on other travel purchases and 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Bottom Line

A weekend trip to Las Vegas can be easy on your wallet when you use points to book your hotel. There are a number of great chain hotels that will allow you to use your hotel-specific points, or you can use flexible points to redeem at even more properties in the city. That’ll leave money to spare for meals, shows and hitting the casino.