Planning Our Trip To Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada, is known as the entertainment capital of the world. Its casinos, Sphere, FORMULA 1® GRAND PRIX andnearby Hoover Dam are must-see attractions. My wife, Glenda, and I have been fans of Formula 1 for a few years. We recently decided to attend the Las Vegas event and explore a number of Hilton Grand Vacations resorts at the same time.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix is the pinnacle of motorsports, featuring cars worth millions of dollars that achieve the fastest lap times on most tracks. Each event spans three days:
Day 1 is for practice sessions where teams fine-tune their car setups
Day 2 hosts qualifying to determine the starting grid
Day 3 is reserved for the main race.
The Grand Prix runs from Thursday to Saturday nights, with ticket prices varying by day and location.
When it came to accommodations, we had several Hilton Grand Vacations properties to choose from. Desert Retreat, a Hilton Vacation Club is conveniently located about 10 to 15 minutes from City Center and is easy to reach from the airport. Its quiet setting offered a peaceful place to unwind. Other Hilton Grand Vacations options, such as the Polo Towers, a Hilton Vacation Club, are situated closer to the Las Vegas Strip, while Elara features its own Terrace and Clubhouse right by the race track. Because F1 is one of the biggest events in Las Vegas, it’s best to book your tickets and accommodations several weeks or even months in advance.
Planning Our F1 Adventure And Arriving In Las Vegas
We decided to watch the F1 Vegas practice, qualifying and academy races on Friday and Saturday from the Heineken Grandstand. We took advantage of discounted tickets via our Hilton American Express Aspire Card benefits. On race day, Saturday night, we had some media engagements at the Elara Terrace and later at the Clubhouse.
Attending Thursday And Friday F1 Events
Since we already attended F1 Miami, we thought we understood the typical crowd flow and access rules. On Thursday, we parked across from the MGM Grand and expected an easy 10- to 15-minute walk to the entrance. That’s where we learned our first big lesson. Unlike Miami and other F1 venues, the Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place directly on the Las Vegas Strip, not in a traditional stadium or racetrack, so sidewalk and street access is heavily restricted. What should have been a short walk turned into nearly 45 minutes of rerouting, catching a shuttle and walking even more before we finally reached our entrance. To top it off, the weather turned colder with a light drizzle, so we only managed to catch part of the practice sessions.
By Friday, we were far better prepared. We parked across from the MGM Grand, but this time took the Las Vegas Monorail to the Horseshoe Las Vegas,just a short walk from the entrance. With the extra time, we were able to enjoy the exhibits and caught the end of the F1 Academy race before breaking for dinner.
The qualifying event and more rain followed. Watching the F1 cars power through the wet track, spraying water as they fought for lap times, was incredibly exciting.
Race Day At Elara
On Sunday, we had a chance to experience the race from the Elara Terrace and the Elara Clubhouse. Because of parking restrictions around the circuit, we left our car at The Cosmopolitan and walked through Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to reach Elara. The route was comfortable and well‑marked, a big improvement over the previous days.
The Elara Terrace offers live music, large television displays for race updates, a live DJ and great food. You can hear the roar of F1 engines as race cars zoom by. There are also activities like the F1 mural drawing, an on-site F1 store and a dance floor providing upbeat live music as the race events take place throughout the day. It is also a great location to enjoy the post-race fireworks celebration.
The HGV Clubhouse On The Las Vegas Strip
The HGV Clubhouse delivers a true front‑row experience right next to the track, complete with a generous buffet, drinks and live entertainment. One standout moment is the Drivers’ Parade, which passes directly by the Clubhouse and offers excellent views of the drivers as they’re interviewed. During the race, multiple large displays follow the action from every key angle, accompanied by live F1 commentary.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull took the win, followed by drivers from McLaren and Mercedes. The celebration at the Elara Terrace was electric, the DJ spun an impromptu “Max Verstappen” track as the crowd danced, post‑race fireworks lit up the sky and the giant screens broadcast the trophy presentation.
Final Thoughts On Our Exciting Las Vegas F1 Stay
Desert Retreat, a Hilton Vacation Club, offers a quiet and peaceful place to stay during the busy F1 race week. To attend F1 events from the resort, Guests need to drive to a nearby parking location and then take the monorail to the appropriate event entrance.
Elara provides comfortable accommodations in the heart of Las Vegas, placing the F1 experience right at your doorstep. The Elara Terrace, available to HGV Members, provides an exciting way to enjoy the race alongside live performances from well‑known artists and DJs.
The Formula 1 HGV Clubhouse offers one of the most immersive ways to experience the F1 LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX. While it is the most expensive of the three options we discussed, dedicated F1 fans may find it well worth the investment thanks to the incredible up‑close views.
Read “Vacation Redefined: Experiencing Hilton Grand Vacations Ultimate Access Events" to learn how one HGV Max member enjoys exclusive, memorable vacations with her family.
Key Takeaways
Las Vegas As a Premier Destination: Las Vegas offers an unmatched entertainment scene, making it a thrilling choice for motorsport fans.
Importance of Early Planning: Securing both F1 tickets and accommodations well in advance is essential due to the high demand during Grand Prix week.
Choosing The Right Accommodations: Each Hilton Grand Vacations property provides a unique experience — Desert Retreat, a Hilton Vacation Club for tranquility, Polo Towers, a Hilton Vacation Club for proximity and Elara for direct access to F1 festivities.
The Elara Experience: The Elara Terrace offered a festive, weather-protected environment with live music, activities and a prime spot for post-race celebrations.
F1 HGV Clubhouse Exclusivity: The Clubhouse provides a luxurious, up-close race experience with gourmet food, drinks and a front-row seat for special moments like the Driver’s Parade.
FAQs
Q: Why choose Las Vegas for a Formula 1 experience?
A: Las Vegas’ combination of world-class motorsport, vibrant nightlife and notable attractions like the Sphere and Hoover Dam makes it a top destination for F1 fans.
Q: How do attendees typically get around Las Vegas during Formula 1 week?
A: To get around Las Vegas during F1 week, many attendees opt to rent a car from the airport. Strategic parking and use of the Vegas Monorail are also popular options for getting around.
Q: What are key tips for first-time Formula 1 attendees in Las Vegas?
A: It is important to secure tickets and accommodations early, research event logistics thoroughly, consider the convenience of lodging location and remain flexible with transportation. Preparing for weather changes and planning routes to and from the event help ensure a seamless experience.
