Jockey Club — Hotel in Paradise

The Good – Location of this place cannot be beaten. There is not a suite with a full kitchen

One of the things we really loved was the location, right in the heart of the Strip. Everything was close by and easy to reach, which made our stay even more enjoyable. You can definitely reach everything just by walking, no need for your car at all, so you don't have to worry about parking, which was a big plus.

The suite itself was very comfortable, clean and had a cozy, homey vibe, which we really appreciated after long, fun days out.

It felt like a proper place to unwind. We were really content just relaxing, and even played cards in the calm and comfy atmosphere. We even found ourselves just chilling together inside sometimes, not in a rush to go out, it felt so nice that we didn't mind spending a few extra hours indoors before heading out again. It really gave us that "home away from home" feeling.

Another thing I really appreciated was that the front desk is open 24/7. We just gave them a notice then we were able to check in after midnight without any issues, which honestly made our trip from California to Las Vegas so much easier. It took away all the stress and made everything way more convenient, especially with the timing of our arrival.

We also really liked that the suite had a full equipped kitchen with an oven and everything we needed. It was super helpful when we didn't feel like going out to eat. And the big wardrobe was great too, it gave us plenty of space for our stuff and made it easier to unpack.

One more thing I appreciate about our stay was the view. We were blessed with a good view right from our bedroom. (Some rooms doesn’t have a view over the Strip)

Things we didn’t like:

Honestly, there were a few things we didn't like about the place. First, they don't do daily cleaning, housekeeping is only once a week, even though they do take the trash out and give you fresh towels and supplies every day.

Another thing that was a bit annoying is their policy about cleaning before checkout. If you don't tidy up the place yourself, they might charge you an extra cleaning fee, which felt a bit much, honestly.

And lastly, we didn't like that they don't allow single-night extensions. Even though there was availability, they couldn't book just one more night, it had to be at least two nights due to their policy. But I think it’s the case in all hotels...

There's something of a "Platform 9 3/4" vibe about the Jockey Club, like it's a secret thing that really shouldn't be here, but somehow is.

Although it's considered "on the Strip," it has no front on the Strip. It's not there. Maybe, if you ride the High Roller or take to the top of the Eiffel Tower at night, you'll spot the glowing letters that denote "The Jockey Club."

There's no lobby, and the actual entrance hides beside the Bellagio parking garage, with no pedestrian access to anywhere, and if you try to call an Uber or Lyft, the place doesn't seem to exist on any known GPS system. It will direct you to the Cosmopolitan entrance.

It's just sort of tucked behind things, kind of grafted onto the side of the Cosmopolitan, holding on like a barnacle.

There is weirdness and outright horrid about this property. But let me start with the good.

All the staff was friendly. The location is prime, middle strip, overlooking the Bellagio Fountains (which is awesome if you're lucky enough to get a view - we weren't, and tried several times to get a new room.)

There's a secret back entrance to the Cosmo off the non-lobby check-in place, and access to the Cosmo pools is outstanding. Love the pools, though the loud EDM could go down a notch. Also like the pool's Overlook Cafe for a delicious and accessible breakfast (no lines when we arrived.)

OK, now onto the bad stuff:

The view. I assume that because we did an Interval trade, we couldn't even bribe our way to a view. And to say that our view was subpar would be a sensational understatement. All three windows in the bedrooms and living room looked out on blank walls. Our friend said, "It's reminiscent of Chagall's 'Beige Period.'"

The fixtures and furniture were old and worn. There's rust on the bathroom doorway. The shower takes 15 minutes to get warm.

And nobody seems to have vacuumed under the bed since Elvis played the International.

If you're looking for a condo near the strip go for The Marriott's Grand Chateau. It's a lot closer to this century, and it has an actual front and...