Help - Las Vegas Rio?
Jul 10th, 2002, 04:22 AM
#21
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Leta, one thing about the Monte Carlo is that the rooms aren't particularly big -- just standard-sized hotel rooms. Well kept, but not huge, and no fridge. The high floors on the Strip side have great views, esp. at night.
MC does have a food court, which is nice for quick meals when you don't want to spend much. Great bakery for breakfast pastries, bagels, etc. Next door to NYNY, which has a roller coaster, and across the street from Gameworks, which the kids would love.
If you're going to have a car and don't plan to spend much time on the Strip, then Rio sounds more like what you are looking for. We like staying at MC because when we go, we spend most of our time on the Strip and at the different casinos, so it's more convenient for that. Depends on how you want to spend your time. I don't want to lure you off-track from what you're looking for by bringing up the MC.
MC does have a food court, which is nice for quick meals when you don't want to spend much. Great bakery for breakfast pastries, bagels, etc. Next door to NYNY, which has a roller coaster, and across the street from Gameworks, which the kids would love.
If you're going to have a car and don't plan to spend much time on the Strip, then Rio sounds more like what you are looking for. We like staying at MC because when we go, we spend most of our time on the Strip and at the different casinos, so it's more convenient for that. Depends on how you want to spend your time. I don't want to lure you off-track from what you're looking for by bringing up the MC.
Jul 10th, 2002, 05:03 AM
#22
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Another option to get to the strip from Rio, if you don't want to use the shuttle, is to use your own car and valet at MGM or any of the other hotels.
We frequent Vegas to visit family and that is what most people who live in town do. Once parked at any hotel, you're free to walk the strip and know you can retrieve your car anytime you wish.
Have fun!
We frequent Vegas to visit family and that is what most people who live in town do. Once parked at any hotel, you're free to walk the strip and know you can retrieve your car anytime you wish.
Have fun!
Jul 10th, 2002, 05:43 AM
#23
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Well, I still couldn't decide last night so I haven't booked yet. I have to decide today. Now the Monte Carlo sounds like it has more things in its favor. We would lose the frig in the room, but the food court sounds like a great option. Also didn't realize it was across from Gameworks. My boys are 17 and 19 so could venture out together (we will be there a week). Also don't they have a good pool area. I need a hotel that will have other teenagers at it, which is one reason I considered Hard Rock. SO, should I now go for Monte Carlo??? Again, thanks for everyone's help.
Jul 10th, 2002, 06:16 AM
#24
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If I had to choose between the Monte Carlo and the Rio,I would definitely pick the Rio.
The MC is jammed , too much smoke in the casino,which is small,it is an old hotel,fixed up,full of old people and young ones with packs of babies.
The Rio is new, and although off the strip,it is never a problem getting to the strip.
The suites start out very large, upgrading to a larger one is meaningless,unless you just want to try for the fun of it.
Have you looked at their site online? It is something like www.playrio.com.
Have fun.Good luck.
The MC is jammed , too much smoke in the casino,which is small,it is an old hotel,fixed up,full of old people and young ones with packs of babies.
The Rio is new, and although off the strip,it is never a problem getting to the strip.
The suites start out very large, upgrading to a larger one is meaningless,unless you just want to try for the fun of it.
Have you looked at their site online? It is something like www.playrio.com.
Have fun.Good luck.
Jul 10th, 2002, 06:18 AM
#25
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Jul 10th, 2002, 06:56 AM
#27
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I always read your questions when I don't have much time. I have stayed at Both the MC and Rio in the last two months. Rios pool area is bigger though not nicer IMO. MC had lots and lots of age groups there but 2 of the 3 pools were crammed with smaller kids. 10 and under the wave pool and the lazy river pool. The other pool is really never crowded. MC is one of my favorite places to stay with my younger kids. I like the food court and not having to walk through the casino to get to the pool. But you can't use the tram to get to Bellagio if your under 18. Hope your 17 year old looks mature. 
I love the MC strip location too.
Rio has it's pluses too. I am a slot club member there and they are really liberal with the comps. So that sways my decision. Lots of free upgrades as well. I like the RIO and think it is good for older kids so they don't get in trouble and bigger pool. But it is not as easy to just walk on out to the strip with the kids.
All in all if you aren't a freaquent visitor to Vegas and want to see the sights I would say go with MC and buy yourself a portable softsided ice chest. I got a cool one on wheels that looks like a suitcase that I rolled right on down to the cabana I rented at Bellagio last month. Pretty cool.
I love the MC strip location too. Rio has it's pluses too. I am a slot club member there and they are really liberal with the comps. So that sways my decision. Lots of free upgrades as well. I like the RIO and think it is good for older kids so they don't get in trouble and bigger pool. But it is not as easy to just walk on out to the strip with the kids.
All in all if you aren't a freaquent visitor to Vegas and want to see the sights I would say go with MC and buy yourself a portable softsided ice chest. I got a cool one on wheels that looks like a suitcase that I rolled right on down to the cabana I rented at Bellagio last month. Pretty cool.
Jul 10th, 2002, 06:59 AM
#28
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Judy, with all the hotels in Las Vegas, I'm SURE I won't have a problem getting a room - the question is where is the best place.
Will take any suggestions....want a hotel with a great pool and location for teenagers (17 & 19). Don't want a hotel with little kids. We will have lots of free time, so pool is a biggie! Thanks.
Will take any suggestions....want a hotel with a great pool and location for teenagers (17 & 19). Don't want a hotel with little kids. We will have lots of free time, so pool is a biggie! Thanks.
Jul 10th, 2002, 07:05 AM
#29
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Monique, thanks for your advice. I've now decided pool and location are bigger factors than room size and frig. The ice chest is good idea. My 19 year old (almost 20) isn't playing in the tournament and he wants a hotel that will have lots of teenagers at it. Sounds like the Monte Carlo has lots of little kids. How about the Mirage? I can get it for just $30 more a night. Feel free to email me directly. Thanks, Leta
Jul 10th, 2002, 07:32 AM
#30
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Gamblin, what are you talking about? The Monte Carlo isn't an old "fixed up" place. It opened in 1996. Rio opened in 1990. I think you must be thinking about a different hotel, because I wouldn't call the casino at MC jammed or small. Also, as far as places on the Strip go, I would say Monte Carlo has very few small kids.
Jul 10th, 2002, 08:00 AM
#31
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Leta,
We have stayed at the RIO Suites AND the Monte Carlo. We loved the RIO for the huge room with floor to ceiling windows. We, too, were on a high floor and faced the mountains--which were beautiful in the mornings! The pool was very nice at the RIO. The pool at the Monte Carlo was sort of like a mini-water park, with a very small wave pool and a float around pool. That was nice, but the sunbathing area was just packed! The rooms were nothing to write home about either, and we've stayed in lots of other places, too, in Vegas.
The shuttle picks up about every 15 minutes or so, if I remember correctly. Also, there's a GOLD Coast casino/hotel right across the street that had very, very reasonable rates on their breakfasts in a 24-hour coffee shop-type restaurant.
If we could get that good rate, we'd be back at the RIO again!
We have stayed at the RIO Suites AND the Monte Carlo. We loved the RIO for the huge room with floor to ceiling windows. We, too, were on a high floor and faced the mountains--which were beautiful in the mornings! The pool was very nice at the RIO. The pool at the Monte Carlo was sort of like a mini-water park, with a very small wave pool and a float around pool. That was nice, but the sunbathing area was just packed! The rooms were nothing to write home about either, and we've stayed in lots of other places, too, in Vegas.
The shuttle picks up about every 15 minutes or so, if I remember correctly. Also, there's a GOLD Coast casino/hotel right across the street that had very, very reasonable rates on their breakfasts in a 24-hour coffee shop-type restaurant.
If we could get that good rate, we'd be back at the RIO again!
Jul 10th, 2002, 08:05 AM
#32
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The Rio has an extremely friendly staff, which goes a long way with me. Their rooms (suites) are, as everyone is pointing out, actually large rooms with a sectional couch. At any rate, they are quite spacious with floor to ceiling windows. The casino with it's "Masquerade in the Sky" ongoing show and pool are high energy and fun. Their buffet is amazing. Just to see the buffet with all the different themed stations - I have to imagine that a couple of teenaged boys would love it.
Jul 10th, 2002, 10:01 AM
#34
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"Gamblin" is way off base in his advice.
Rio is much older than Monte Carlo, and the rooms show it.
MC is rarely 'crowded' feeling.
The rooms at Rio aren't THAT much bigger than standard rooms at most recently built LV hotels.
The floor to ceiling windows are nice, and help the rooms to feel more open.
Mirage has close to the best location in LV and has a great pool. All rooms were redone as of this spring. Bathrooms are small.
Hard Rock has a great pool and any 18-20 year old kids would absolutely love the place. One of my friends who works at Mirage says he's heard that Hard Rock even offers off-duty strippers free comps to come hang out at the Hard Rock on weekends just to attract guys(!...those LV businessmen are so devious, aren't they?).
But HR is a good mile from the strip, it's biggest negative.
Rio is much older than Monte Carlo, and the rooms show it.
MC is rarely 'crowded' feeling.
The rooms at Rio aren't THAT much bigger than standard rooms at most recently built LV hotels.
The floor to ceiling windows are nice, and help the rooms to feel more open.
Mirage has close to the best location in LV and has a great pool. All rooms were redone as of this spring. Bathrooms are small.
Hard Rock has a great pool and any 18-20 year old kids would absolutely love the place. One of my friends who works at Mirage says he's heard that Hard Rock even offers off-duty strippers free comps to come hang out at the Hard Rock on weekends just to attract guys(!...those LV businessmen are so devious, aren't they?).
But HR is a good mile from the strip, it's biggest negative.
Jul 10th, 2002, 10:46 AM
#35
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Monte Carlo is next to the Bellagio right?
I seem to remember it was an old hotel that was redone a few years back.
Maybe I am mistaken, but that does not make it nicer in my opinion.
I thought the Rio was better in all ways, many restaurants, a few pools,huge rooms.
I think that the list of Bests that are in the Las Vegas Journal newspaper, has the Rio in it several times, also the Voodoo Lounge.
Leta that would be a great place to go for dinner or just to have a drink,the boys can go too. It is on top of the hotel,which is one of the highest in LV.The view at night is amazing.If it is too windy,you cannot go up the elevator that runs up the OUTSIDE of the hotel but the one that goes inside the hotel is good.
Good luck.
I seem to remember it was an old hotel that was redone a few years back.
Maybe I am mistaken, but that does not make it nicer in my opinion.
I thought the Rio was better in all ways, many restaurants, a few pools,huge rooms.
I think that the list of Bests that are in the Las Vegas Journal newspaper, has the Rio in it several times, also the Voodoo Lounge.
Leta that would be a great place to go for dinner or just to have a drink,the boys can go too. It is on top of the hotel,which is one of the highest in LV.The view at night is amazing.If it is too windy,you cannot go up the elevator that runs up the OUTSIDE of the hotel
but the one that goes inside the hotel is good.Good luck.
Jul 10th, 2002, 11:14 AM
#36
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Thanks for everyone's great advice. Just in case anyone cares, and just so you will know that I did appreciate reading all your comments, I have booked the Monte Carlo for $59 a night. We decided we would rather be closer to the strip so it would be easier to go out, and we'd deal with the smaller room. Liked the idea of being across from Gameworks and NY coaster. The food court in the hotel was a big draw for the boys - pizza. Liked the idea of being on monorail to Bellagios, as we had stayed there before and love their buffet. The pool didn't sound as good as some others, but after writing down all the pros and cons for everything, we decided on Monte Carlo. We do plan on visiting Rio to enjoy the seafood buffet one night. I'll report back and let you know how everything was. Again, thanks to all.
Jul 10th, 2002, 12:08 PM
#37
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Gamblin, maybe you're thinking of the Holiday Inn Boardwalk, which is between Bellagio and Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo is not run down, not crowded, not smoky, and not full of kids. In my opinion it's one of the more elegant places on the Strip -- crystal chandeliers, marble, neoclassical statues and fountain out front....
Maybe you need to go back and refresh your memory -- the place you are describing bears no resemblance to the MC at all. It was brand new in 1996, and was not a renovated version of anything. (They didn't even start building those Y-shaped highrises much before that...was Mirage the first?).
Maybe you need to go back and refresh your memory -- the place you are describing bears no resemblance to the MC at all. It was brand new in 1996, and was not a renovated version of anything. (They didn't even start building those Y-shaped highrises much before that...was Mirage the first?).
Jul 11th, 2002, 07:13 AM
#40
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The tram connects the Monte Carlo and Bellagio. When you get out at MC, you are in the "Street of Dreams" shops, which is sort of a mini version of Caesar's Forum Shops. You walk past a bunch of shops and the brew pub, and then it basically puts you out in the marble/crystal chandelier hotel lobby.
Check out www.monte-carlo.com for pics of the hotel. I still think you are thinking of someplace else because it really isn't old, run down, or fixed-up.
Check out www.monte-carlo.com for pics of the hotel. I still think you are thinking of someplace else because it really isn't old, run down, or fixed-up.
