Venetian/Palazzo Las Vegas – IHG or Grazie?!

[Alison]

I am off to a work conference at the Venetian convention centre. The accommodation will be booked via a US conference booking agent. I have used them in the past and have always had my status recognised and received points. A little confused looking at the Venetian website as I thought it was an IHG hotel but it is showing Grazie rewards points? Can any-one explain how this works please…!

Not been to Vegas since 2002 (I lived in Phoenix for a couple of years so used to go regularly when family/friends visited) and am expecting some change (notably the resort fees…. ouch!). Thanks for any help…

[Travel Strong]

Venetian/Palazzo partner with IHG/Intercontinental – but in the small print they are an ‘Alliance’ hotel, which essentially means you get naf all benefits from your IHG status compared to true IHG properties (late checkout and a ‘view’ upgrade at most).

If you want your IHG status applied before you arrive – contact the front desk.

Grazie is the properties own loyalty scheme, focussed around gaming – but of course hotel spend also earns points. If this stay is eligible to earn pointsn then you can choose at check in whether you want to earn IHG points or Grazie points (you’d have to sign up for a Grazie card in the casino first though).

Grazie only has benefits if you gamble quite a fair bit. But you’ll probably get $10-20 freeplay just by signing up for a card at least!

It was one of my favourite properties due to the pool complex and gym – both bigger and better than anything else in vegas, the Grand Lux Cafe, and the free parking… but the free parking has gone now!

As you don’t get breakfast or lounge access with status (‘prestige’ floor within this resort), consider your breakfast plans. Conference rates which include an in-room breakfast can be a wonderful thing… full breakfast of your choosing delivered to your suite. Otherwise it is down to the bakery by the escalators, the Grand Lux Cafe… or something poolside.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

Breakfast time queues will be awful whilst a conference is being hosted. My tip would be install the US Starbucks app (or use the US website) and order ahead for pick up. There’s some advantage to paying using a Starbucks gift card (reloadable) which I forget. Also ordering to pick up cuts out the shameless attempt at getting you to leave a tip as you’ll just pay online in advance.

[The Savage Squirrel]

BWS is right; certainly with regard to Grand Lux which is the obvious breakfast spot. Although the queues at the two Grand Luxes are always especially bad, as they’re closest to the room elevators and Americans are terrified of walking, particularly before having eaten, they are far better in some of the Grand Canal shops and the Canyon Ranch cafe can be something of a hidden gem with a small but perfectly formed breakfast menu.

[Alison]

Thanks every-one. I have made a note of all the recommendations (I have no interest in the casino but am glad that there is a decent gym on site). I am normally grab some fruit etc from Target for breakfast as from the experience, the conference breakfasts are not great. I have the Starbucks app and great idea to order ahead for pick up.

Do the nights stayed at the resort credit as stayed nights towards IHG status?

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

The nights count as IHG qualifying nights for milestone rewards