Eric M.
Yelp
The Rio all suites hotel located on Flamingo Road west of I-15. The Rio hotel, a once bustling, vibrant hotel in the late 90's and early 2000's, sadly had become a tired, old, unkept and seemingly forgotten superstar.
Staycation. This is the purpose of my visit here, a room comped for two nights, and as a local, hey why not come and see what is going on at the Rio. Last I was here, circa 2016 for a fantasy football draft held in my room at the time. The Rio didn't seem so bad back then, and it was busy enough for a Saturday that's for sure.
So anyway, this visit, as I stated, free two night stay. They're under renovation at the moment. Not a lot of gaming or tables, most bars are closed. The food court is open as is Luckely restaurant. Guys place was closed today, Monday, even though their website says they are open. Voodoo lounge is also closed.
The pool area has been redone, somewhat. Looks like a new pool deck and some freshening up of the waterfalls and faux rock waterfalls. Pool area was clean and well kept. The pool water was chilly, very chilly. The hot tubs, while open, were not hot at all. My wife is hotter than the hot tub water temp. But, she'd be hotter regardless. Cool hot tubs, chilly pools currently.
They are revamping the casino area with new carpets etc, this currently affects the table games as well. Not a lot to do here at the moment and it seems almost ghost town esque with the exception of the pool area.
We left the pool and went to clean up at the room, while we were in the room, someone stuck a Flamingo food flyer through our door for takeout and delivery. That's sketchy! So anyone can gain access to guest room floors???? That isn't a great safe feeling at all. Late night they post a security officer by the elevators to check keys and have you scan them, but that's probably something that should be implemented all day since crime can occur at all hours.
We enjoyed the pool both days of our stay, this was the high point really. The casino floor is barren, as if Caesar's took all their table games away when they left. I did ply some craps one night and did fairly well, so that wasn't bad.
The Rio certainly has some issues and they have a long way to go to be considered a place to stay in vegas again. I'd love to know what their plan is, because to be honest, I can't envision it at the current time. Guy Fieri's taco place was closed both days, although their website says they're open everyday. Hash house a go go was open in the morning, however they weren't packing them in by any means. And they used to be packed from my recent memory. The food court is open, and it seems nice however it's also deserted.
I really hope they can pull it together and make The Rio a great place again. I do however have my doubts based on this stay. While I appreciate the comp for two nights, it was basically just a pool and bed to sleep on. We spent the rest of our time eating at the Palms and gambling there since they are bustling and have table games and a full casino and places to eat.
Good Luck Rio, I'm certainly hoping for the best from this once magnificent hotel.