This is my first time writing about a Candlewood Suites stay. I know most people would probably rather read about high-value or more upscale hotel stays, so this one may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

I’ve actually stayed at quite a few Candlewood Suites properties, and in general they’ve felt pretty average. The brand’s main selling point is the full kitchen. But this property is newly opened, and it left a very good impression on me—good enough to compare favorably with some of IHG’s better-known brands.

So why stay at a Candlewood in Vegas, a city full of high-end hotels? The answer is simple: each room here has its own independent air conditioning, and because the hotel is brand new, the hardware is in better shape and the property is cleaner. In the unusual year that was 2020, those two points were especially important for me while traveling with a baby.

Hotel Overview

Candlewood Suites Las Vegas - E Tropicana is a newly built hotel that opened in mid-2020. Candlewood Suites is IHG’s extended-stay brand and also one of its more budget-oriented brands, so cash stays only earn a base rate of 5 points/dollar.

The hotel really has only 3 room types, and all rooms are non-smoking:

  • 1 King Bed Studio Suite
  • 2 Queen Beds Studio Suite
  • 1 Queen Bed 1 Bedroom Suite

The hotel is very close to LAS airport—practically right next to it—but it does not offer a free airport shuttle. Parking, however, is free.

Redemption Value

This stay was not booked with points or a free night certificate; I paid cash. That’s because IHG had some very strong promotions starting in October:

[10/1/2020-12/15/2020] - Unlimited Double Points

[10/15/2020-12/31/2020] - Stay 3/2 Nights & Earn 10,000/5,000 Bonus Points

[10/15/2020-12/31/2020] - Stay Twice & Earn A Free Night Certificate

The cash rate before tax was $85, but I got back 12,041 IHG points. Using a conservative valuation of 0.5c/1pt, that works out to an impressive $60 in return from a single stay. That makes redeeming 12,500 points here pretty unnecessary, since that would only get about 500 points back.

And on top of that, there’s no annoying resort fee here.

Check-in / Lobby

The lobby is very well lit, open, and clean—which is one of the big advantages of staying at a newly opened hotel.

The front desk is on the left after you walk in, and on the right are a computer, printer, TV, and seating area.

The Sneak Bar is directly in front of the entrance. Platinum members through the Chase card can choose any one item for free.

Next to the Sneak Bar is a dining table and a small common area, suitable for a few people to sit, chat, and watch TV.

Room

It’s a standard suite, with a comfortably sized room that should meet most extended-stay needs.

Pots, pans, utensils, cleaning supplies, and a coffee maker are all provided. Having both a refrigerator and a kitchen is especially useful if you want to prepare your own food—for example, making something for a child.

The color scheme and decor are a major improvement over the previous generation of Candlewood properties.

The TV size has also improved. The bedside lamp comes with USB ports too—handy in the age of Apple no longer including chargers.

Most newly renovated hotels now seem to be getting rid of the awkward shower-tub combo and replacing it with a walk-in shower with a sliding door. It makes the bathroom feel larger and cleaner.

Gym / Laundry Room

The gym has some basic equipment, though the ceiling feels a bit low, which makes the space less comfortable.As an extended-stay hotel, it naturally also has a laundry room.

The laundry room and gym share the same entrance, and you need your room key to get in.

The washers and dryers are the same type commonly seen at some colleges.

The hotel also has a small outdoor pool, but it was not open on the day I visited.

The hotel officially required masks, but in reality, aside from the front desk, no one was really enforcing it. This is America, haha.

Final Thoughts

In terms of price, my effective out-of-pocket cost ended up being only around $30 to $40 for this stay, which I think is a great deal. That’s about the same as staying at some mid-tier hotels on the Strip with Caesars Diamond benefits.

The room quality is at least on par with those mid-tier Strip hotels, and arguably even better.

And at least psychologically, it also felt safer.