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Weekend Escape: Lake Las Vegas, a world apart from Sin City

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After finding myself in Las Vegas twice in six weeks, I needed a break from the high-octane madness of the Strip. So my husband and I headed to Lake Las Vegas for an uncrowded, relaxing change of pace. It was a nice change for the pocketbook as well: I found a great Saturday night rate at a lovely lakeside hotel that was far less than the exorbitant rates Strip hotels charge on weekends. Lake Las Vegas, a 320-acre man-made body of water ringed with low-lying mountains, is appealing, and its faux Mediterranean-style architecture (especially in the village) fits well with its surroundings. The tab: A room for a night at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa cost $129 plus a $22 resort fee; the hubby and I spent $75 for meals and drinks.

The bed

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The Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa (1610 Lake Las Vegas Parkway; [702] 567-4700, bit.ly/1uoh2Wk) was a five-star Ritz-Carlton before it was shuttered in 2010 due to the recession. It still has the luxurious, formal vibe of the Ritz, though it’s not as polished as it once was; areas of the hotel looked a bit neglected (the carpets could use a good cleaning). But our lake-view room was spotless and tastefully done in Old World décor; the only thing it lacked was a balcony. The large marble bathroom had a bathtub and separate shower, and the amenities were top-notch.

The meal

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We walked into the adjacent quasi-Tuscan MonteLago Village, surveyed the landscape and picked Sonrisa Grill (30 Via Brianza, No. 100; [702] 568-6870, www.sonrisagrill.com) for its classic Mexican dishes. The chips, guacamole and tostadas hit the spot. After dinner, we popped into Auld Dubliner (40 Via Bel Canto, No. 100; [702] 567-8002) for a nightcap and music. There are other restaurants in MonteLago Village (Italian, Mediterranean) and in other lakeside hotels. Breakfast options are slim; we had coffee in the village, which was deserted when we walked over in the morning.

The find

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First, slip out the gate behind the pool at the Hilton, lay your towel on the sand and wiggle your toes in the mini-lagoon off the lake. It’s peaceful, and you’ll feel like a kid at a secret pond. Then, follow the path by the lake to the marina, rent a paddleboard, kayak or pedal boat and get out on the lake. Cap off your day with a concert on the floating stage in MonteLago Village (bit.ly/XFetEE).

The lesson learned

The only game in town, the Casino MonteLago next to the hotel and the village, is closed. (If and when the casino reopens, it will give a major boost to the local merchants.) If you must gamble, Sin City is only 20 miles away. Warning: Your lake-induced serenity will rapidly evaporate once you hit the city.

travel@latimes.com

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