Las Vegas, the city of lights, is known for its promise of endless excitement. My husband and I were married in Las Vegas. Although we fly from the East Coast to Vegas two to four times a year, we’ve never spent New Year’s there. As New Year's Eve approached, I knew there was only one place to be for our next adventure — amid the dazzling energy of the Las Vegas Strip. This year, I was ready.
I heard that the crowds could be unbearable and that we should save experiences like this for “younger people.” So I told my husband, “We’re younger people. Let’s go!”
I booked a 1-Bedroom Suite and airfare, then explored our celebration options.
Where We Stayed In Las Vegas
We decided to stay at The Boulevard, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club because of its location. The property is directly on the Las Vegas Strip and across the street from the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The Boulevard is also within walking distance of the SAHARA Las Vegas, which has lower minimums on their tables than other casinos.
I live for a VIP experience, like the separate check-in for HGV Max Members. If you don’t already have HGV Max, I say get it. Avoiding a long check-in line is one of the many perks of membership that make HGV Max worth it.
Our 1-Bedroom Suite was so spacious, with plenty of room to lay out my (many) outfits for the trip. I could live in this Suite for an extended period, and my husband doesn’t complain about space while here.
How We Celebrated New Year’s Eve In Las Vegas
For our New Year’s Eve celebration, we looked for an experience that let us dress up and have some high-energy fun without too many crowds. We decided to make table reservations at Eight Lounge, a cigar bar, and Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge — both in Hilton’s Resorts World Las Vegas.
Because portions of the Las Vegas Strip close in the evening, I worried about sitting in traffic for hours. But that didn’t happen.
As December 31st arrived, the area transformed as expected, but we didn’t get caught in traffic because of our prime location.
We met with some friends who live in Vegas, and our first stop at Eight Lounge was amazing. This upscale cigar bar had premium cocktails, music and indoor and outdoor seating. You don’t have to be a cigar aficionado to enjoy the bar. We opted to sit on the patio, where staff told us we’d have a view of two sets of fireworks if we stayed. It was cold, as expected, but Eight Lounge had overhead heaters, which made it comfortable.
Around 10:30 p.m., we decided to walk to Gatsby’s for our table reservation. Gatsby’s is a cocktail lounge with delicious cocktails, a D.J. and smiling table servers. We actually lucked out and had the same server as our last visit, and she remembered us — for good reasons, she assured me. We danced to upbeat music and enjoyed personalized bottle and table service the whole night.
The four of us brought in the new year at Gatsby’s and enjoyed every moment.
Reflecting On Our New Year’s Eve In Las Vegas
Overall, the entire experience was indescribable and beyond our expectations.
Yes, we plan on returning next year — and you should, too. If you’re on the fence, just book the trip. You won’t regret it.
I always say that Hilton Grand Vacations membership is the gift that keeps on giving. Within minutes of leaving Resorts World Las Vegas, we were back in our Suite, eating and drinking with our friends. I met people who had to leave their Uber and walk back to their resort because of their location.
Our trip proved that you can go to Vegas and have a VIP experience without all of the headaches. I highly recommend adding New Year’s Eve in Vegas to your bucket list.
If you do, here are my two planning tips:
1. Book everything in advance, including tickets, tables and dinner reservations. The earlier, the better.
2. Pay attention to the required deposits and minimum spending requirements for casino tables. Asking ahead of time helps you avoid any unexpected fees.
Read “Celebrate New Year’s Eve In Las Vegas With 5 FAQs To Guide You” for more insider tips.