Lodging

Lobby in Tower 3 at The Signature.

I’ve done the stay-up-all-night-at-the-blackjack-table trips to Vegas, where I wanted to be in the thick of all the action on the Strip. For my most recent Las Vegas vacation, it was more about rest and relaxation — I wanted to take in the more sophisticated side to Sin City. The Signature towers, part of the greater MGM Grand complex, fit the bill.

These three buildings, each with their own lobby, sit kitty-corner to the sprawling MGM Grand (with its 5,000+ rooms, massive casino, multiple restaurants Cirque du Soleil theatre, pulsing nightclubs) and a good half-mile walk to the Strip. To reach the Signature grounds, you must pass through a guarded gate or have key access to the covered walkways from the MGM Grand. There are no casinos in The Signature buildings and just one small deli restaurant and a Starbucks. Plus, the best part for me, The Signature is completely non-smoking.

Quiet pool at The Signature, with MGM Grand in the background.

I found the service at The Signature top-notch. When we checked in, the gal at the front desk was quite gracious, friendly and respectful. The intimate lobbies in each tower are a far cry from the cattle-call feel of some of the massive lobbies found in the gargantuan mega-resorts on the Strip.

Amenities at The Signature include a pool at each tower with poolside bar and food service. Again, the smaller pools differ remarkably from the massive pools and lazy river at the MGM Grand, where blaring music rules the day. A fitness center is also on site.

I had a delicious vegetarian panini at Delights, the Tower 2 gourmet deli restaurant serving breakfast foods, sandwiches, thin pizzas, salads and drinks. My friends raved about the poolside breakfast buffet offered on the weekends (just $19); and poolside drink service was appreciated (the hummus dip we tried at the pool was great, too — pesto infused!).

Junior Suite at The Signature.

Rooms at The Signature are straightforward: junior suites or one-bedroom suites. Book connecting suites to turn rooms into spacious two-bedroom accommodations. Our junior suite in Tower 2 overlooked the pool and the Strip; it featured a kitchenette with mini-fridge, microwave, stove cooktop and cooking utensils. The one-bedroom units have a full kitchen, with dining table, bar seating, Sub-Zero refrigerator, microwave and stove. These amenities are great for anyone traveling with children (thought we didn’t see to many kids at The Signature) or planning a long stay in Vegas (there are only so many breakfast buffets you can eat). I always think that storing snacks or cooking a couple simple meals in your vacation rental is a great way to save money.

Our bathroom in the junior suite was huge, with shower and Jacuzzi tub, separate commode area and two sinks. Beds were wonderfully comfortable and we had plenty of closet space.

Full kitchen in one-bedroom suite at The Signature.

If I had a bone to pick, it would be the silly resort fee that The Signature tacks on to room rates. Why don’t hotels just fold any “amenities” fees into the room rate? To keep the room rates low? That just seems deceiving to me. Guests of The Signature pay $20 a night for Internet service, bottled water and use of the fitness center.

But, overall, I thought The Signature was fabulous. We were close enough (15-minute walk) to all the entertainment at the MGM Grand (I recommend a spa treatment there, although services are pricey). But, we also felt wonderfully removed from that hustle and bustle (okay chaos) of the casino scene.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend The Signature at MGM Grand to anyone looking for a sophisticated oasis of serenity in Las Vegas. This spring you’ll find rates starting at $129 a night. Special packages and offers change seasonally; check them out The Signature website.

Pool at Las Vegas Oasis RV Resort

The next time you take your RV out for a ride head to Las Vegas. You can have all the fun of the strip without having to drive through the traffic.

Just minutes away by free shuttle the strip is easily accessible. Yet your RV site is clean, quiet, and easy to get to. A warm pool and barbecue area is yours to enjoy.

Relax in the jacuzzi, ride bike, play golf, or just relax with family and friends. My family met there for Thanksgiving. We put Grandma and Grandpa up at the casino across the highway and the rest of us enjoyed our trailers and the park. What fun to have such a beautiful resort and such easy access to the strip.

We even spent an afternoon hiking among colorful rock formations in Red Rock Canyon. A nice outing for the dog as well. We met rock climbers from as far as Canada who claimed that this is one of the great rock climbing meccas.

Red Rock Canyon

Another fun day trip is over to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. A tour of the dam is interesting and educational. We went to Chinatown in Las Vegas for a fabulous meal, and as always did a little retail therapy as the shopping in Las Vegas is unbeatable.

The Oasis RV Resort in Las Vegas is the perfect solution for road warriors who want some city life.

Photo of Red Rock courtesy of tiggernbennie@flickr