Hi all, We'll visit Reno on July 8 for the very first time and plan to spend a night and a day in the area. Considering some recent bargain offers ($39 a night at a luxury room) from both Eldorado and Silver Legacy, what would be the best pick between these two? We are not into gambling much, so the quality of rooms & restaurants would be our top concerns. Any advice is highly appreciative.

The Silver Legacy hands down. The food especially at the buffet is really good, the rooms are nice and good sized, shopping too. They used to have the pump going with a light show though last year we didn't see it so maybe they don't do it anymore.

Having stayed at both many times, for the same price I'd take the Eldorado hands down. I'm not into buffets, but the Eldorado restaurants are much, much better.

They ajoin one another, so it is easy to wander between the two. The Silver Legacy is co-owned by the Eldorado and the Circus Circus. Stay away from the Circus Circus.

Curious

Rooms at El Dorado are much better in my opinion. $39 is a great price there and the buffet is great. I know nothing about the restaurants because all I do in Reno is gamble.

Like Curious notes, STAY AWAY FROM CIRCUS CIRCUS. Nasty rooms.

Regarding the Eldorado -- what do you feel are the quality differences between the Standard Tower Room and Deluxe Tower Room? Is it worth $10 more per night?

Thanks for anyone who responded. After searching through several boards on Reno hotels, it does seem that most people would choose Eldorado over Silver Legacy for the same rate. But, Silver Legacy might have a better view from rooms to both the downtown or the mountain and their rooms might be quieter. Just wondering... is Silver Legacy tower higher than Eldorado's? How about the noise from both inside and out of these casinos/hotel rooms?

For sludick, the $39/per night rate I found was for Eldorado's Deluxe Tower room, not standard. For that certain rate, you'll have to go through their "specials/packages" link first, scroll down to find "hot dates" promo. Or, you can also call 800-648-5966 and ask for the "GPHOTRATES" offer. Unless your travel dates won't match these hot dates, at this rate, it's only $4 more than their current standard room rate ($35.99), which I believe will be quite worth the money.

I had a great corner room well up in the Silver Legacy tower, with terrific views of both the mountains and the city. I enjoyed the room and the hotel very much, although this was 7-8 years ago. Of course, as has been noted, staying at either hotel you have easy inside access to the public areas of the other. (I take it that you are not expecting dining and entertainment at Las Vegas levels--that will lead to disappointment in Reno. However, the mountain views from Reno are more beautiful.) The Silver Legacy was significantly taller than the Eldorado then, but the Eldorado may have built a new tower since.

I'm in Reno almost every September for the Air Races. We regularly stay at the "Eldo" - the rooms are decent and we like the walkway between Eldorado, Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus (don't stay here - made that mistake once). This year for the races, we'll be staying at Silver Legacy for a change - and because the Eldo was already booked up for the air races in May, when I made my reservations.
Have had friends stay at SL and they all liked it.
Can't go wrong with either casino/hotel.
By the way - make sure you check out Brew Brothers microbrewery in between Eldorado and Silver Legacy. Excellent beer and decent lunch/dinner dining.

Ken

My husband and I stayed at the El Dorado and found it quite acceptable. We had a view of the mountains from our room and we were not in the tower. We enjoyed the buffet and especially loved the Italian Restaurant there. It is one of the top Italian restaurants in the country. And, they have a great early bird dinner complete with salad and dessert. It is a great way to sample their fine food at a reasonable price. However, do NOT even think about the cheap breakfast they have downstairs-- it is the worst!!

Back from the Reno Air Races and a stay at Silver Legacy. Have to say that Silver Legacy is equal to the task when compared to Eldorado. I would say the rooms were as nice and probably nicer than Eldorado. Very nice hotel, a great outdoor pool with bar, and easy access to the parking garage. Casino was fine and the highlight of our stay was Rum Bullions (a rum bar above the casino). Every Fri/Sat night they have dueling piano players, which made for a great evening! As far as restaurants, it doesn't really matter as you can eat at any of them despite which hotel you are staying at. Actually, Art Gecko (southwestern food) at Circus Circus is good but I'd never stay at that hotel. And again, Brew Brothers brewpub didn't disappoint although lines became horrendous as the night wore on - eat early and stake out a spot for the band.

Ken

You should try Bistro Roxy at the Elderado sometime. Not cheap but the food is wonderful. A company I do business had a Christmas dinner there last year for her favorite subcontractors...persimmon souffle...wonderful!!!! Strange, I live in Reno and almost NEVER go downtown although it IS beginning to get a bit better down there..some new retail and restaurants. Anyway, give the Bistro a try sometime when you are next in town.

You know I think we ate at the Bistro Roxy on the last night in Reno! Can't remember the name but it was the restaurant on the same level as the fountain, right before you go up the escalator towards Silver Legacy. I had the Atlantic Salmon which was actually quite good - and we split a bottle of some very good Washington State merlot.

Ken

I think that's it...duh...shows you what I know!!! LOL Like I say..I almost NEVER go downtown. I also find that the casino restaurants for the most part are just NOT all that good. The Corano's put most of their good effort into the Bistro Roxy. Oh yea..another one that is ALWAYS good is Harrah's steak house...great food and great service. I haven't been there for a couple of years but it seems to get consistantly good ratings and I have business assiciates that eat there often..so another one to put on your list. A really good restaurant in town is Lu Lu's. Its south of downtown around and is walkable but not real close. Easy cab ride if needed. It's hard to describe the food..kind of inovative California quisine I guess..what ever that is. A young couple owns it...he cooks and she runs the dining room. It's kind of mediuim expensive..as you know a lot of the dinner price will be what you have in wine and other drinks...reservations are needed. They just did a remodel and haven't been in there since it was done so hope it hasn't changed. It's hard to suggest restaurants because as soon as you do they have an off night, the chef is sick or quit...well, you know. But anyway, you might give it a try. Hopefully downtown will be much improved in a couple of years ...but i'll tell ya...until they are done with the convention center and the train tracks, it's going to just be a mess. So I am glad for all of you that have the "guts" to come here in the meantime.

Does the Eldorado have in room coffee makers? We are staying there before skiing at Northstar.

Ronda, Our room at the El Dorado did not have a coffee maker. DH went downstairs to grab coffee. After staying at the El Dorado I would definitely stay at the Legacy instead.

We stayed on a Monday, and Tuesday night (we are skiers). For $35 for a tower room was great - clean, well maintained, and we requested a coffee maker and one was delivered. We were told they are on a first come first served basis.

There had been a big storm over the weekend and all three casinos (Circus Circus, Silver Legacy, and Eldorado) were dead which totally agreed with us - no smoke.

I checked the web site and the rates for the same room we had for $35 mid-week was over $90 on a Saturday night.

Oh, Roxy's has a happy hour until 6 p.m. Cosmo's were 1/2 price ($3.25). The bar is cute, get there early for a table in the room with the piano player and singer. Although, my husband odered wine and it wasn't 1/2 price.