Ballys vs. Rio
 

Knowing there locations- which would you suggest/prefer all else being equal?
Can get same rate on both. Seems Rio rooms are bigger but really just want clean and decent.

Is this your first time to Las Vegas? Do you plan on doing a lot of walking up and down the strip to visit other hotels? If yes, I would choose Bally's over Rio. Bally's is a boring hotel as far as Las Vegas goes but it is connected to Paris, which has a pretty nice casino and decent pool area. The proximity to other hotels is another plus.

Bally's is a LOT more convenient to the other hotels and the shopping, restaurants, etc., on the Strip itself. All things being equal, especially the price, I would stay at Bally's for convenience alone.

I'm guessing you are a first-timer if you have to ask this question . . . in which case I would recommend Bally's just for the location.

The North tower rooms are updated and are actually quite nice for the money, one of the best values in the center strip area imho. I know the Rio is all suite but I wouldn't want to stay there b/c you have to schlep back and forth to the strip and that would get old for me.

Another vote for Bally's, which has perfectly acceptable rooms as is located smack dab in the middle of everything.

HTTY

As others have said, Bally's is much more convenient a location and on the Strip. Even if you have a car, which you will need if you're staying at the Rio, you'll have more fun on the Strip with other casinos and activities nearby.

The Rio, and the Gold Coast next door and the Palms across the street all have shuttles to center strip, so you don't need a car at the Rio any more than you do at any other hotel.

Yes, first timer - although would a return visitor know specifics about these two unless they've stayed there? :) Like I said, I know there locations and should've asked if the rooms and service were THAT different.
Cheryllj- is the choice a no-brainer? Or is it based simply on location? I've read quite a few negative reviews on Ballys but will probably go that rout just to get as much Strip experience for my time before heading to AZ,UT.
Thanks all.

chs29445: I wouldn't say it's a "no brainer." I've never stayed at the Rio, but I've been there to eat, gamble, see a show. I know it's all suites, and if having a suite or a big room is a requirement, then stay there. People love the Voodoo lounge.

But the average first timer to LV wants to "see all the sights," which means trekking up and down the strip to see all the flashy places like the Bellagio and the fountains, Caesars Palace, the gondolas at the Venetian, etc. In which case staying at a centrally located place is very convenient. Bally's is across the street from the Bellagio, pretty much dead center strip, so easily walkable to the main sites.

You don't need a car to stay at Rio, and there is a shuttle -- but you might want to pop back to the room during the day to get a bandaid, change your shirt after spilling your frozen cocktail, accompany your friend as she goes back to forget his cell phone . . . whatever.

If you are someone who leaves the room at 8am and never returns until midnight, not once, then taking the shuttle back and forth may be no big deal to you. It would be annoying to me, but I go to LV a few times a year and I know how what works for me and what doesn't. And the person I travel with would never stay off strip, no how, no way, not ever, and we usually rent a car. Many people stay off strip to save money on their first trip, and then complain about what a PITA it was. "We waited an hour for the shuttle, blahblahgrumpypants."

Bally's is not a luxury property but neither is Rio afaik. I'm sure both get mixed reviews. But I've stayed at Bally's a couple of times and it's a decent hotel. The casino is not great, it's dark and the age skews, uh, high, but the north tower rooms are decent, and it's connected to Paris, which I like, which has a better casino and dining options. When sleeping at Bally's, I gamble and eat at Paris, and the Bellagio is just across the street.

PS - I wish there was an edit function, but you know what I meant - goes back to get her cell phone, whatever. :)

I suspect there may be fewer folks who worry about the age level of those around them at the Rio.

Thanks cheryllj- I hear ya. And while being an active couple who likes fun we've reached the point where I'd prefer the older crowd instead of possible rowdies who I'd want to punch :) Frozen cocktail?? They serve alcohol in Vegas??!!

We used to go to the Rio all the time... they wouldn't quit making these great offers ..
The rooms are great, huge and comfortable and service is great. The views of Las Vegas from their rooms is fantastic.
The Casino is good .. we saw some good shows there. People came from all over for their Seafood buffet. We never did but everyone liked it.
Then we started staying at the Bellagio and that was the end of the Rio for me.
But the location never made any difference to us at all. Whether you use the shuttle or walk across the bridge/overpass to the strip .. you generally spend the day away from the hotel or the day at the hotel/pool etc.
We always rented a car and took off for a day to Red Rock or somewhere out of the Strip area ..
So it all depends on what you want out of the hotel ..

The point about being a first timer is that most first timers like to really explore the strip, visiting all of the hotels. Someone like me, on the other hand, who has been to Las Vegas dozens of times, may not care to do that. For me, most of my time is spent at the hotel in which I am staying - enjoying the pool, the restaurants, casinos, bars of that particular hotel. So location isn't as important.

I have stayed at Rio a number of times and also at Bally's (admittedly some years ago). Although they have very different atmospheres - the casino in the Rio is bigger and has a party vibe going on - I wouldn't say that the level of service or quality of the rooms is very different. The Rio "suites" are just large rooms and not at the level of the rooms at hotels like Venetian, Caesars, Bellagio, Wynn, etc.

Walk from Rio to the Strip is less than from Downtown(Fremont St.). I saw Fremont rates $200 less(2 people) than at strip. So is saving $ more important than saving time? In fact, a motel across from Circus Circus had a rate of $89/5 nights. Had I drove not flown, I would've taken it as all I need is a bed, a TV, a toilet, and a shower. I leave at 9am for breakfast, return at say 11pm.