Poll

9 votes (81.81%)
1 vote (9.09%)
1 vote (9.09%)
No votes (0%)

11 members have voted

blount2000
blount2000
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October 18th, 2016 at 8:08:58 AM permalink
Due to my frugal nature, part of my overall enjoyment of Vegas trips comes from searching for & finding discounts and promotions on the various expenses/activities I plan to partake in. So whenever I plan a trip, I always go ahead and book a room immediately with intentions of keeping an eye on the pricing (and then re-booking at a lower rate if one appears).


My Vegas trips are typically in December, and I nailed down my specific trip dates back in April and proceeded to book a room at both the RIO and MGM GRAND. At the time, the difference in the total price (including all taxes, resort fees, etc.) was less than $100. The Rio was $365 and the MGM was $460. Both are for four nights.


Since reserving the rooms in April, my constant vigil of monitoring the prices has resulted in re-booking the Rio room online a total of six times, with the current total cost sitting at a wallet-pleasing $259.


However, the price on the MGM room hasn’t dropped a single penny since April and is still at the original $460. Plus, with the new parking policies implemented by MGM, the actual total will be $500 when including the $10 (per day) parking fees. We’ll have a rental car so we will need parking.


I have stayed at both hotels and there are things I like about each.

I like the location & energy at the MGM, as well as the easy access to NYNY, Excalibur, etc. I also like that it has a monorail station in the event we wanted to use it.

I like the larger rooms at the Rio (+ mini-fridge), as well as the ease of entry/exit with the rental car since it is not directly on the Strip. It is also walking distance to the Gold Coast where I like to play my bingo.


Even though it’s been five years since I’ve stayed at the MGM, I do feel like it ranks as a nicer property than the Rio. If the price for each was very close, I think I’d choose the MGM. But with a $250 difference, the decision is not as easy. I can do a fair amount of eating, drinking, gambling, etc., with an extra $250!


So anyway, I suppose it probably comes down to personal preference, but question for the poll is:


If it were you, which hotel would you choose (i.e. do you feel that staying at the MGM ($500) is worth double the cost of staying at the Rio ($260)?
You serious, Clark?
SOOPOO
SOOPOO
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October 18th, 2016 at 8:15:19 AM permalink
I love staying at the Rio. Large room. Easiest parking. Low cost (evil empire gives me nearly free rooms). Like you, I also like playing at Gold Coast (Asia Poker). So now I have been staying at..... The Wynn..... gotta keep GF happy......
Nostron
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October 18th, 2016 at 8:16:30 AM permalink
Have stayed at Rio several times - never at MGM - but have hung out there some so I think I can agree with you that all things being equal MGM > Rio.

But it seems you very much enjoy the "pricing" and financial part of your trips - so I am gonna say stick w/ Rio.
ams288
ams288
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October 18th, 2016 at 8:19:53 AM permalink
I personally prefer MGM, but based on your criteria I'd say go for the better deal and stay at Rio.

Quote:

I like the location & energy at the MGM, as well as the easy access to NYNY, Excalibur, etc.



They are in the process of renovating the pedestrian walkways down at that end of the strip. Last weekend when I was there, the walkway between Tropicana Hotel and Excalibur was completely shutdown.

By the time you get there in December, the walkway between MGM to NYNY may be closed for renovations.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
ahiromu
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October 18th, 2016 at 9:01:50 AM permalink
Rio has good dim sum at a reasonable price. Is $250 enough to compensate you for taking the shuttle when you want to do strip things? Only you can answer that.

For myself, I enjoy Rio, but it's just to pathetic these days. It's been used and abused and you get harassed by timeshare people. Additionally, I value the strip presence too much.
Its - Possessive; It's - "It is" / "It has"; There - Location; Their - Possessive; They're - "They are"
DeMango
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October 18th, 2016 at 11:41:54 PM permalink
It's an easy decision for me. Not staying where I'm paying! Parking that is.
When a rock is thrown into a pack of dogs, the one that yells the loudest is the one who got hit.
tringlomane
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October 19th, 2016 at 12:31:35 AM permalink
Quote: ahiromu

Rio has good dim sum at a reasonable price. Is $250 enough to compensate you for taking the shuttle when you want to do strip things? Only you can answer that.

For myself, I enjoy Rio, but it's just to pathetic these days. It's been used and abused and you get harassed by timeshare people. Additionally, I value the strip presence too much.



He still has a car. He can park at every non-MGM casino on the Strip for free. As long as he doesn't drink and drive of course. Being frugal, I would have to pick Rio. Also, by staying at a CET property, he will get credit by playing at any of them much more equally than MGM. I am also really not a fan of locations south myself. CET has TAG Lounge at least. haha
beachbumbabs
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October 19th, 2016 at 5:29:24 AM permalink
I said Rio. I've stayed at both several times. Free shuttle to Harrah's, free shuttle to Bally, you're on the strip in 10 minutes, the shuttle runs at least every 1/2 hour. Harrah's has a very convenient monorail station. Better comps at Rio. Unless you're booking 3rd party, they can review your play before checkout and maybe comp 1 or more nights.

So free parking, easy strip access, you have a car for flexibility, larger rooms, etc. Tips the balance for me.

Besides, MGM is just too damned big. Jmho.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
MidwestAP
MidwestAP
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October 19th, 2016 at 5:39:42 AM permalink
When I saw that MGM was going to charge for parking, I had always assumed it would be waived for hotel guests, but apparently not? What a bunch of bs!! My vote goes to Rio an that basis alone!!
blount2000
blount2000
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October 19th, 2016 at 8:28:49 AM permalink
Yeah, I'm leaning heavily towards the Rio for all of the reasons mentioned.

I definitely wasn't very excited about paying the MGM parking fees. Although it does look like you can use your room key to get "free" parking at the other MGM properties if you have paid the fee as a hotel guest at the property where you are staying. Better than a poke in the eye I suppose (although not much better).

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice/comments!
You serious, Clark?
billryan
billryan
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October 19th, 2016 at 8:58:26 AM permalink
Quote: DeMango

It's an easy decision for me. Not staying where I'm paying! Parking that is.



Only a year or so ago, the refrain was not paying resort fees to stay somewhere. That's when they were $15-20 . Now they are pushing $30 and accepted as a given.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
AxelWolf
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October 19th, 2016 at 9:10:31 AM permalink
Quote: SOOPOO

I love staying at the Rio. Large room. Easiest parking. Low cost (evil empire gives me nearly free rooms). Like you, I also like playing at Gold Coast (Asia Poker). So now I have been staying at..... The Wynn..... gotta keep GF happy......

That lovely lady is still putting up with you? Dam it! I lost my bet.

You must have a really big....

wallet (-;
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
AxelWolf
AxelWolf
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October 19th, 2016 at 9:21:45 AM permalink
Quote: blount2000

Due to my frugal nature, part of my overall enjoyment of Vegas trips comes from searching for & finding discounts and promotions on the various expenses/activities I plan to partake in. So whenever I plan a trip, I always go ahead and book a room immediately with intentions of keeping an eye on the pricing (and then re-booking at a lower rate if one appears).


My Vegas trips are typically in December, and I nailed down my specific trip dates back in April and proceeded to book a room at both the RIO and MGM GRAND. At the time, the difference in the total price (including all taxes, resort fees, etc.) was less than $100. The Rio was $365 and the MGM was $460. Both are for four nights.


Since reserving the rooms in April, my constant vigil of monitoring the prices has resulted in re-booking the Rio room online a total of six times, with the current total cost sitting at a wallet-pleasing $259.


However, the price on the MGM room hasn’t dropped a single penny since April and is still at the original $460. Plus, with the new parking policies implemented by MGM, the actual total will be $500 when including the $10 (per day) parking fees. We’ll have a rental car so we will need parking.


I have stayed at both hotels and there are things I like about each.

I like the location & energy at the MGM, as well as the easy access to NYNY, Excalibur, etc. I also like that it has a monorail station in the event we wanted to use it.

I like the larger rooms at the Rio (+ mini-fridge), as well as the ease of entry/exit with the rental car since it is not directly on the Strip. It is also walking distance to the Gold Coast where I like to play my bingo.


Even though it’s been five years since I’ve stayed at the MGM, I do feel like it ranks as a nicer property than the Rio. If the price for each was very close, I think I’d choose the MGM. But with a $250 difference, the decision is not as easy. I can do a fair amount of eating, drinking, gambling, etc., with an extra $250!


So anyway, I suppose it probably comes down to personal preference, but question for the poll is:


If it were you, which hotel would you choose (i.e. do you feel that staying at the MGM ($500) is worth double the cost of staying at the Rio ($260)?

Personally I like the Rio far better. I would go with that especially since you have a rental car. Don't forget the Palms is just up the street. Park at Tropicana or Hooters if visiting the strip.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
SOOPOO
SOOPOO
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October 19th, 2016 at 2:11:28 PM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

That lovely lady is still putting up with you? Dam it! I lost my bet.



You can see her next week. We will be in town.
gamerfreak
gamerfreak
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October 19th, 2016 at 2:27:55 PM permalink
lol first time (only time) I was in vegas I walked from the strip to Rio because it didn't look too far.

It was summer and it was very far.
miplet
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October 19th, 2016 at 2:38:56 PM permalink
Quote: gamerfreak

lol first time (only time) I was in vegas I walked from the strip to Rio because it didn't look too far.

It was summer and it was very far.


My first time to Vegas (late September) I walked from the airport to what is now the Linq.
“Man Babes” #AxelFabulous
djatc
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October 19th, 2016 at 8:51:06 PM permalink
If you like losing your wallet money and other valuables the Rio is a nice place. I'm talking about the rooms.
"Man Babes" #AxelFabulous
BTLWI
BTLWI
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October 19th, 2016 at 11:49:08 PM permalink
Yeah a bunch of poker players did have items stolen from their rooms a few years back. I stayed there during WSOP this year and didn't hear of any room thefts. Travel to and from strip was cheap. If I couldn't take the free shuttle an Uber ride was usually $6-7 to/from Venetian.
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