My husband and I are planning our first trip to Vegas. We received a great deal from the RIO Suites & Casino. Any additional information would be helpful.
Service, rooms, etc.
thanks

It was billed as LV's first all suite hotel when it opened >10 years ago.
The rooms look pretty dated compared with what's available at newer hotels these days, but Rio is still a good value in terms of spaciousness of rooms and quality of casino for what you pay.
Biggest downside by far is location.
It's really not practical to walk back and forth to the strip from Rio (especially in summer) and the shuttles they offer are quite inconvenient.
For someone who has never been to LV, I think you make a big sacrifice by not staying on the strip.
One of the most unique things about LV is the string of interesting and varied hotels on the strip, and the ease with which you can walk from one to the next.
Not so with Rio, Hard Rock, LV Hilton, Palms.
If Rio was on the strip it would be a much better property.
Also, don't believe old reviews about the Rio's World Buffet. It used to be the best in town. But Harrah's bought Rio awhile back and the buffet is no longer worth any special consideration.

We went to the Rio 2 years in a row, it was such a good deal. We were given the room of our choice-Strip view, high floor. The rooms are huge, with dressing area, safe, fridge, and hairdryer. The entire wall is windows. They have very nice pools and an entertainment that is called Masquerade in the Sky which is pretty much like Carnivale in Rio..it is fun and kids love it..adults seem to also. They have many excellent restaurants and a buffet that a lot of people go to, we never did.
THere are shuttles to the Strip, we usually took a cab, they are cheap and we stayed in town all day.
The service was always good, if you don't like your room they will change it.
The Rio is where I won my first jackpot! The progressive jackpot on a slot machine that paid $1,100. when I put $18- in
So I remember the Rio fondly~

I have stayed in several LV hotels and was not impressed with the Rio. I won three nights there and was given a suite in the older section. Our room was spacious, but dated, and the front desk and pool services were NOT services. The location was an enormous minus as well. They offered us additional nights at $59 and we said no way, and moved to the Monte Carlo.

Thanks for all the responses.
The rate @ the RIO is $49 a night during the Memorial Day Week. The pkg includes:
3 2for1 meals
2for 1 show tickets,
2for1 spa admission,
$50 airline certificates Worst case scenario, we stay at the RIO... are there any specific rooms anyone would recommend?

Any suggestions for a reasonble hotel on the strip?

We got a great deal at Ballys a few weeks ago, a package called Vintage Ballys. Weeknights at 59, weekends at 95, included F&B coupons and 2 for 1 Jubilee tickets.

We always ask for a high floor with a view of the Strip..if they want to charge you more, and you don't care, just ask for a high floor, you will have a view of the mountains.
See the room first, they are good about switching rooms if you are not happy with first choice, believe me, I am a hotels worst nightmare-I leave my luggage at the desk and go see the room first. Remember, the hotels are huge and you have to walk through the casino-so leave your stuff, go see the room and make the choice. Once they tried to put us by the elevators/ice machine room..never take a room there! anywhere!
For that kind of rate, you can take cabs to the Strip and have a good time.

That sounds like a very good package. While I've never stayed at the hotel, I have been to it several times and found the location to be it's only drawback. However. I agree with Scarlet that it's not difficult to get a cab to the strip. Enjoy!

That's a good deal for the RIO. There is a newer tower which I believe is the Masquerade Tower - you might want to request it as the rooms are probably somewhat better than those in the older tower. The rooms are all spacious but not "true suites." I do like that they have coffee makers and mini-refrigerators in the rooms.

Nice pool area and some very good restaurants. I particularly like Antonio's for Italian and the steakhouse Fiore.

Unless you plan on going back and forth from your hotel to the strip several times a day, the location is not that big of an inconvenience. They do have a shuttle service and there are always cabs around.

westchester,
Where did you find such a good rate? Usually the casinos only offer that good of a deal to their past guests(and mostly just to the PLAYERS)!
Normally I like to stay at Harrahs or The Flamingo because of their location(midstrip). Keep in mind that being it's your first time going, you really
won't be spending all that much time in your room. There's alot to see in Vegas. My husband and I have been there at least 7 or 8 times, and although we have seen mostly everything we wanted to, we still don't spend much time in the room.
Whatever you decide have a great time!!!!

Rio offers large, well appointed rooms; good restaurants, attractive events and, in my opinion, unfavorable gaming. It's location is also a drawback. The pool area is well above LV average. The offer you received is a good one - go with it...The Rio and Harrah's are mutually-owned properties. While Harrah's is not one of my preferred strip hotels, it does offer a great strip location. .Check with them and see if they will offer a similar rate to the one you are getting at Rio...

I'm curious why speedo thinks Rio offers unfavorable gaming.
What is different about the rules at Rio? Which games?