Eric B.
Yelp
Gayle and I stayed overnight at the Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel a few days ago after a presentation of Dear Evan Hansen at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. These 2 properties are about a half block from each other and made for a convenient date night, which included dinner at the nearby Wild River Grill.
Early on, we picked up a copy of the Reno News and Review which had a lead article titled "Things Ain't So Great When You're Downtown". Yes, parts of Downtown Reno are arguably somewhat scanky, which argues against the area as a regional destination. Yet, Gayle and I have done well picking and choosing here, and have had good experiences at Reno Aces games, the NV Museum of Art, the Pioneer Center, several area restaurants, and the Renaissance Hotel. There's also "The Row" Casinos (Circus Circus, Silver Legacy, and the El Dorado), but we're really not gambling people. Yet maybe we should pay more attention to their entertainment options.
Gayle and I previously walked in the Renaissance Hotel back in April 2021, as the starting point for our most satisfying "Weird Reno" walking tour. COVID was still with us and like other venues, the Hotel felt like a ghost town in places.
This time around, our stay was very pleasant within a now vibrant Hotel. Front desk staff were professional and efficient and our 8th Floor room was roomy, comfortable, and with a nice river view. We slept well and enjoyed just hanging out in the room before and after the show. On the "needs improvement" side, Wi-Fi was spotty at times and I think there was more to the shower head than I could figure out.
We also slept until 7 AM the next morning, which was late for us. I'll blame that on our "late" night (the show ended at 10:15) and a very nice bed. Breakfast the next morning was at Pine State Biscuits (a 3 minute walk) and then it was time to back up and drive back to Genoa. We hope to do this again.