Family Travel: Resort on Mount Charleston (Las Vegas) Review

An Overview of Mount Charleston Resort

The Mount Charleston Resort is a smaller mountain hotel just west of the Las Vegas metro area. It’s literally and figuratively miles away from the hustle and bustle of what’s happening on the strip. In addition to a slower pace, the resort area is also at an elevation of just over 6,000 feet, so it enjoys much cooler temperatures than does Las Vegas. Temperatures on Mount Charleston average 20 degrees cooler than inside the city. If you’re looking to experience another side to Vegas, heading to the Mount Charleston area may not be a bad way to go.

Mt. Charleston Resort Check-In

The Resort on Mt. Charleston very much has a small hotel feel. We arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon and the mountain had a very peaceful, quiet feel about it. A single desk clerk greeted us in the main lobby area and began to check us in. The clerk was immensely helpful, not only in checking us in but also by providing us with additional information about the area hiking, restaurants and other sightseeing opportunities. Many visitors to the Las Vegas area don’t realize how much there is to do outside of what’s on (or just off) the Strip. Check-in was a breeze and only took about 5 minutes. Because the hotel wasn’t very busy, we were also able to choose our view – either the ‘lagoon’ in the front of the hotel or the mountain in the back.

Mt. Charleston Rooms

The desk clerk was able to accommodate my request to view the different types of rooms the resort has available. Their current offerings include:

Deluxe Room

This room comes with either two queens or one king bed and a decent amount of amenities including a comfortable bed, two sinks (one in the bathroom and one just outside), a safe, a refrigerator (may be limited availability) and complimentary bottled water and coffee. Some of the deluxe rooms have been refurbished while some have not, so if you stay, be sure to request a refurbished room for the best experience. Some of the refurbished rooms come with a (faux) fireplace that produces light and heat with the flip of a switch.

The King Suite

This room type includes a separate bedroom and living area and provides considerably more square footage than the deluxe rooms. There is one suite upstairs and one downstairs (first and third floors). The king suites come equipped with fire places (real, wood-buring ones) but you have to supply your own wood.

The Bridal Suite

I was unable to view the bridal suite during my stay, but was told that it’s quite impressive with lots of space for the bride and her bridal party along with a full-length mirrored wall for all the prep work required before a wedding. This room is typically reserved for bridal parties and wedding events that may be going on at the resort. I believe there’s also a suite for the groom but it’s far less impressive (and functional).

The Presidential Suite

The resort offers a single presidential suite that has clearly been recently remodeled. It includes a full kitchen, separate living & bedrooms and a wonderful view of the mountain behind the hotel. The decor of the room is a tasteful mix of modern rustic with stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors and a wonderful use of natural wood throughout.

Mt. Charleston Activities

The Mt. Charleston area is known for its outdoor activities including hiking (during the warmer months) and skiing and snowboarding during the winter (typically ending in March). All activities are only a very short drive from the hotel, along with all the Vegas Strip has to offer approximately 30 minutes away (without traffic). Just one word of caution – when making the drive out to the resort at night, be sure to watch out for the deer!

We decided to check out two popular state and national parks in the area – Red Rock Canyon (national conservation area) and The Valley of Fire state park. Both were fantastic sites to behold, without a doubt, and also were very economical. Red Rock had an entrance fee of $7 (per vehicle) and the Valley of Fire  was $10. Red Rock had a manned gate before you arrived at the visitor center while The Valley of Fire park uses an honesty system for admission (you place money in an envelope).

Mt. Charleston Pricing & Discounts

You’ll be able to save a good amount of money by staying at the Mt. Charleston Resort during the ‘off’ season. Off season is typically after the snow has all gone, so the months of April through November are likely the best for pricing. Compared to the hotels on the Strip or even many of them off the Strip, Mount Charleston is quite a bit less expensive. Room prices can start well below $100 per night in the off-season.