Got a good deal at the Rio

Quote: pacomartin

Rick's Cabaret and Pussycat Lounge (all nude) are within walking distance.

Well, see, now I have to stay at the Rio again. Are either of these places any good?

we stayed at the rio several times and liked it too. i like the larger than average rooms and they have a mini fridge which is a big plus. depending on the tower and room you also have a pretty good view as the rooms have floor to ceiling picture windows which stretch the length of the room with a pilar in the middle. i also like the carnival world buffet for the wide selection that it offers.

i'll be there from may 20th to the 31st and always get a car while in vegas but won't be getting one for the first four days as i'll be there alone. since i'll be staying at harrahs i will probably use the shuttle to the rio and orleans too. they run often enough so it shouldn't be a problem.

back to the food, we usually use bogo coupons but being there alone i have to use something else. one of the things i'm thinking of trying the 24 hour pass that harrahs is offering and eat once at the rio and once at the paris le village buffet. i always wanted to try the paris buffet and these two buffets alone should make this deal worth while. these two 'massive' buffets, spaced properly, should keep me satisfied for a day, and if needed i'll fit something in between :)

Quote: inap

we usually use bogo coupons but being there alone i have to use something else.

It's usually not too difficult to find a single on line to split the bill. Unless they are very busy they'll seat you separately, if requested.

The 24 hour buffet thing is interesting. Note that it is a full 24 hours, not a calendar day. I.E. Time it right and you can use it the following morning for breakfast. Then it becomes downright cheap!

Quote: inap

and they have a mini fridge which is a big plus.

Odd what people value: some like coffee makers in the room since that is such a rarity in Vegas and some like fridges for ice or for cheap food. I doubt I would ever want to go grocery shopping on a vacation. And since I don't rent cars when I go to Vegas, it would be unwise to do it anyway, so I have no real need of a refrigerator. A bucket of ice serves me fine if I get thirsty and want to avoid the over-priced minibar.

Shortcuts are great to know about but many people like to Play Where You Stay though perhaps not all the time. I found the Venetian to be so big that even a shortcut was often too much to even think about! Ofcourse part of my intolerance of the distances had to do with the fact that I was still jet-lagged and still pissed off about the airlines lost luggage situation.

The Rio and also Tuscany Resort seem to be known for larger than average rooms. I guess that has value to most people.

For some reason a lot of people write looking for 3 or 4 bedrooms suites for some kind of a reunion party. I always suggest going to Tuscany and getting a lot of single rooms that are large. That way they can go to a room and drink and talk. Maybe two people can get a double suite there so they have a party central.

Suites on the strip are just so expensive that I don't know why anyone sane would get one (other than mini-suites).

Quote: pacomartin

For some reason a lot of people write looking for 3 or 4 bedrooms suites for some kind of a reunion party. I always suggest going to Tuscany and getting a lot of single rooms that are large. That way they can go to a room and drink and talk. Maybe two people can get a double suite there so they have a party central.

Suites on the strip are just so expensive that I don't know why anyone sane would get one (other than mini-suites).

As the Wizard stated and I have agreed with, Tuscany is a very good value. I bet with sleeping bags you could fit 5-6 people in a room easily and the layout is such that there wouldn't be much "sneaking" around. They have -very- good deals online with airfare so make sure to weigh that option as well.

I stayed at the Rio before Xmas and walked the green line route several times. Took about 15 minutes from Caesars to the Rio at a steady pace walk. The sidewalk deviates from the road a couple of times and has cages over the highway. I didn't think to try a route where the yellow line is.

Unless you are getting benefits from a player's card, always book your hotel with airfare. The hotel will usually charge rates under their posted rate for the package as the travel operator can refund some of its commission back to the customer.

Quote: FleaStiff

Odd what people value: some like coffee makers in the room since that is such a rarity in Vegas and some like fridges for ice or for cheap food.

A fridge keeps soda cool much better than an ice bucket. You can also use it to keep fruit and other small perishable snacks like yogurt.

As for coffee, for me it's a matter of routine. On weekdays I rush through the morning ritual, then have breakfast and coffee. On weekends I get coffee first and I watch TV, then I go for a shower, then breakfast. A coffee maker at the hotel room makes it possible.

Given a choice, though, what I most like to have in my room is a safe.

Quote: Nareed

A fridge keeps soda cool much better than an ice bucket. You can also use it to keep fruit and other small perishable snacks like yogurt.

that is exactly what i ment about having a fridge. we usually stay in vegas long enough to justify buying a six pack or twelve pack of soda for the same price as a couple bottles at the casino gift shop or soda machine. we also get some fruits and quick late night or breakfast snacks. no more 'shopping' than picking anything up from a casino gift or snack shop but much cheaper and more selection.

Nareed, too bad you'll be there before me. we could have met and maybe shared a 2-4-1 at the carnival world buffet.

good luck on your trip.

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