Henderson or Boulder City?
 

We (2 adults/2 teens) are driving from Zion and need one hotel night before we tour Hoover Dam the next morning and then head to Las Vegas. Any recommendations on location or hotel? Marriott properties are preferred so we can use points but I'm open to other suggestions. We plan to take our time at Hoover Dam and hopefully can fit in a visit to Valley of Fire on the day we arrive or after our tour. Thanks for any help!

I have stayed at both the Fiesta in Henderson and the Hacienda out close to Hoover Dam. I would stay at either again.
The Fiesta has a movie theater and a restaurant for breakfast.
The Hacienda had helicopter flights taking off from the corner of their parking lot the last time I went by.
You surely can fit in a visit to Valley of Fire after touring Hoover Dam.

Thanks! I'll check out both of those places.

Be aware that if it's a weeknight, there are some incredible room rates offered in Las Vegas, such as $21 per night for a large studio at the Rio Hotel Casino. If you prefer not staying in Vegas, there's a Courtyard, a Springhill, and a Towneplace in Henderson, all Marriots. Dining options will be a lot better than in Boulder City, and you'd be close to the terrific "Layers Bakery" which has won the Best-of-Vegas award for a few years. Their chocolate buttercream is amazing, and the toffee bars would be a great treat to have while wandering Valley of Fire. They use mostly organic ingredients and have some great breakfast and lunch items as well, highly recommended.

http://www.layersbakery.com/SweetBakery.html

I would google away and consider staying on the Strip in Vegas for the two nights, as there are some great deals and that is really where it is at. Makes it easier - not having to change hotels once you arrive - and if you get up early - you can get down Hoover dam in an hour or so.

Personally - while we liked the Valley of Fire - we like Red Rock Canyon just about as good - and they have a nice visitor center - and it's only about 15 minutes from the Strip v. going an hour to alley of Fire. Actually- iof you are coming from Zion - would consider leaving early and stopping off at the Valley of Fire on your way to Vegas.

Thanks for the input. That bakery looks wonderful! We will definitely make a stop.

I agree it is easier not changing hotels, but we already have two nights at the Bellagio after Hoover Dam. With two teen boys in tow I don't want to add a third night in Vegas. We have enough planned between "O" and hitting a buffet or two to keep them busy for two nights and don't want to push luck with a third night.

I'll also keep Red Rock Canyon in mind. Any restaurant suggestion in Henderson? We'll probably hike in Zion before heading to Henderson and should be pretty hungry when we arrive.

With two hungry boys hit the upstairs AYCE buffet at the Golden Nugget off Fremont Street. If you get there and pay before 3PM, it is somewhat cheaper.
The Fiesta has a couple restaurants.
There is also a Krispy Kreme donut shop on Fremont.

Check out the Tix4less - or other outlets when you arrive. They have good discounts on dining - and there are tons of buffets in Vegas. Also check out the local tourist mags for deals.

Here is their competitor - http://www.tix4tonight.com/

BTW - the kids would probably also like Planet Hollywood - across from the Bellagio - and their mile of shops and many different dining choices, and they also have a good buffet there.

Think the lads would also love the roller coaster at NY NY - and they have a video arcade there. Across the street - at MGM
- see the free Lion show - and they are most active early in the day when they first arrive - at 10 or 11 am.

And you all might enjoy the ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower - across the street in Paris.

Green Valley Ranch and Casino is a family friendly hotel in Henderson. it's a halfway point between the LV strip and Hoover Dam (15-25 minutes away from either destination). You should definitely stop at Valley of Fire on the way south from Zion. it wouldn't make any sense to go far south to Hoover Dam then drive north past Las Vegas to Valley of Fire. While in Las Vegas, you can take the entire family to shoot real machine guns at Machine Guns Vegas. Free transportation and instruction already included.