Where to Stay: Rio or Hard Rock
August 1st, 2013 at 1:55:16 PM
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Heading out for a guys trip in September - the guy who is planning the trip can get free rooms at either of the above and wants us all to stay together.
I have gambled at the Rio a few times but never stayed there - never set foot in the Hard Rock.
What do you guys/gals think?
I have gambled at the Rio a few times but never stayed there - never set foot in the Hard Rock.
What do you guys/gals think?
August 1st, 2013 at 1:58:29 PM
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Well, by virtue of Rio being right on The Strip, that'll probably be better for a group outing.
Personally though, I hate playing on the strip.
Edit: I was thinking of the Flamingo. All the CETs and MGMs tend to blend together after a while...
Personally though, I hate playing on the strip.
Edit: I was thinking of the Flamingo. All the CETs and MGMs tend to blend together after a while...
August 1st, 2013 at 2:02:39 PM
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When did they move the Rio to the strip? I would have liked to see that.
August 1st, 2013 at 2:38:47 PM
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The RIO pool sights are nice, but doesn't the Hard Rock have way more 'talent' at the pool?
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August 1st, 2013 at 2:52:25 PM
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Neither are on the strip. However, Rio is much closer to the strip than Hard Rock. And there is a way to get from Rio to Caesars by going out the back and under the highway that is a relatively short walk.
That said, I think the party atmosphere at Hard Rock would be better for a guys trip.
That said, I think the party atmosphere at Hard Rock would be better for a guys trip.
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August 1st, 2013 at 3:20:49 PM
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Stay at Rio, play at Palms. Close to the strip, and same atmosphere as at Hard Rock.
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August 1st, 2013 at 3:51:34 PM
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I've never set foot in the Hard Rock, but looking at the various room offerings on their website, the place seems hip & swanky. And apparently the Hard Rock attracts plenty of friendly young women.
On the other hand, I'm very familiar with Rio, having stayed there twice-- most recently in May 2012. I like Rio's saltwater swimming pool (no chlorine!) But despite their size, Rio's rooms are lacking. The polite version is that the rooms need new furniture, new TVs, new carpet, new paint, and new decor. The impolite version is that the place is a dump.
On the other hand, I'm very familiar with Rio, having stayed there twice-- most recently in May 2012. I like Rio's saltwater swimming pool (no chlorine!) But despite their size, Rio's rooms are lacking. The polite version is that the rooms need new furniture, new TVs, new carpet, new paint, and new decor. The impolite version is that the place is a dump.
August 1st, 2013 at 3:58:08 PM
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Quote: DJTeddyBearNeither are on the strip. However, Rio is much closer to the strip than Hard Rock. And there is a way to get from Rio to Caesars by going out the back and under the highway that is a relatively short walk.
That said, I think the party atmosphere at Hard Rock would be better for a guys trip.
When did they build a tunnel? Is the overpass closed?
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August 1st, 2013 at 6:14:55 PM
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Hard Rock.
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August 1st, 2013 at 6:24:14 PM
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Quote: kenarmanWhen did they build a tunnel? Is the overpass closed?
Not closed, but I'm curious about this back way myself.
Fighting BS one post at a time!
August 1st, 2013 at 6:26:29 PM
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deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
August 1st, 2013 at 6:30:25 PM
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Quote: Ibeatyouraces...it look like the road that runs along railroad tracks
I'm trying to think...do you get there from Twain?
EDIT: Ah hell, I finally looked it up. Not sure of the name, but it looks like there's a one-way street (going west to east) that intersects with Frank Sinatra. I can see why I've always missed it since I'm always going from east to west whenever I'm in this area.
Fighting BS one post at a time!
August 1st, 2013 at 6:33:16 PM
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deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
August 1st, 2013 at 6:48:00 PM
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I stayed at the rio once, nice rooms, excellent buffet...but I wouldnt play there ever again.
Throughout the day all of a sudden loud music blasts and dancers dance on pedistals, and there is a mardigra- like parade thru the casino at times as well.
Try calling out a bet playing craps during that chaos.
Never again.
Since many people dont play where they stay, this may not be a problem for those folks.
the access in and out is easy which i like...parking is basically street level or one level up...You dont have to fight the strip traffic when entering and exiting.
dont have a clue about the other casino...I never went into the hardrock.
Throughout the day all of a sudden loud music blasts and dancers dance on pedistals, and there is a mardigra- like parade thru the casino at times as well.
Try calling out a bet playing craps during that chaos.
Never again.
Since many people dont play where they stay, this may not be a problem for those folks.
the access in and out is easy which i like...parking is basically street level or one level up...You dont have to fight the strip traffic when entering and exiting.
dont have a clue about the other casino...I never went into the hardrock.
August 1st, 2013 at 7:27:27 PM
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I think the answer depends on what sort of a "guys trip" it is.
Rio generally has a middle class, middle aged clientele. Since I am middle class and middle aged, I find it very comfortable. If you're a bunch of middle class, middle aged guys I think you'd enjoy it. In addition to the aforementioned shortcut to the back of Caesar's, there are shuttles that run almost constantly to two locations on the strip. I have never found the off-strip location of Rio to be a hassle. I have generally found the cocktail waitresses at Rio to be some of the most attractive and least clothed in Vegas.
I also have never been to Hard Rock, but my impression is that they cater to a younger, hipper, crowd. Frat party/spring break atmosphere. I would expect there to be a lot more eye candy there. If the guy trip is a bunch of 20-somethings that are looking to hook up, this is probably your place.
Rio generally has a middle class, middle aged clientele. Since I am middle class and middle aged, I find it very comfortable. If you're a bunch of middle class, middle aged guys I think you'd enjoy it. In addition to the aforementioned shortcut to the back of Caesar's, there are shuttles that run almost constantly to two locations on the strip. I have never found the off-strip location of Rio to be a hassle. I have generally found the cocktail waitresses at Rio to be some of the most attractive and least clothed in Vegas.
I also have never been to Hard Rock, but my impression is that they cater to a younger, hipper, crowd. Frat party/spring break atmosphere. I would expect there to be a lot more eye candy there. If the guy trip is a bunch of 20-somethings that are looking to hook up, this is probably your place.
August 1st, 2013 at 7:38:46 PM
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In my mind no doubt Hard Rock. The casino is fun, however if youe going there to be serious there would be ups and downs. You could camouflage any play because of the craziness int he place. I think a lot of floor supervisors would be around watchinig the scattered ass walking around so I guess it depends on what you want?
Hard Rock also has a great pool called the Beach club as well as another pool called "Nirvana" and they are both INSANE!!! Loads of beautiful women running around with bikinis so small you would need binoculars just to see them......
Downside with regards to Hard Rock is the distance from the Strip. Walking it would take you about half an hour to Planet Hollywood straight up Harmon (which is the street Hard Rock is located on). A cab ride will take you 5 minutes to PH with regular traffic!
Rio just doesn't do it for me, not even in the least so yeah there is that......:)
Have fun!!!
Hard Rock also has a great pool called the Beach club as well as another pool called "Nirvana" and they are both INSANE!!! Loads of beautiful women running around with bikinis so small you would need binoculars just to see them......
Downside with regards to Hard Rock is the distance from the Strip. Walking it would take you about half an hour to Planet Hollywood straight up Harmon (which is the street Hard Rock is located on). A cab ride will take you 5 minutes to PH with regular traffic!
Rio just doesn't do it for me, not even in the least so yeah there is that......:)
Have fun!!!
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August 1st, 2013 at 8:02:33 PM
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I would vote for Rio.
You're next door to the GoldCoast (if you want low limits)
And across the street from Palms (if you want the party atmosphere)
But I'm an old geezer, so don't take it from me.
You're next door to the GoldCoast (if you want low limits)
And across the street from Palms (if you want the party atmosphere)
But I'm an old geezer, so don't take it from me.
"I am your average American gambling idiot" - Me
August 1st, 2013 at 8:30:50 PM
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I swear I heard or read somewhere that the rio got new tv's? If they did it was about 10 years too late. I have never seen such old tv's in a hotel room. With all that being said, I've never watched a tv in my room in Vegas. I'm there to have fun and gamble, not watch tv. Id vote for rio myself as the rooms are much larger and probably better if the guys want to do any pre game drinking and hang out at all in the room before going out.
August 1st, 2013 at 8:32:21 PM
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It's actually about as far walking on Harmon from Hard Rock to the Strip (PH) as it is from Rio to the Strip (Caesars), regardless of if you take Twain under the tracks and 15 or the Flamingo overpass over them, so don't let that be a major factor either way. You can't just cut across the back lot of the Rio because there's a big wall there separating the lot from the tracks, unless you want to actually hop it, cross the tracks, and climb down the hill.
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August 1st, 2013 at 9:10:38 PM
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Thanks for all the replies - some good info here.
We are all in our mid-40's so while we may fancy ourselves Hard Rock types - we probably belong more at Rio.
Plus, I do remember the scantily clad waitresses from my last visit !
We are all in our mid-40's so while we may fancy ourselves Hard Rock types - we probably belong more at Rio.
Plus, I do remember the scantily clad waitresses from my last visit !
August 1st, 2013 at 9:48:03 PM
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cocktail waitresses - Rio (best outfits in town)
rooms - Hard Rock (never stayed there but I stayed at Rio and the rooms are generic and crappy)
gambling - Hard Rock (CET properties are crap for gambling as you should know)
craps - Rio (except for craps, too many newbies at Hard Rock to get a smooth game going, also loud music makes it hard to hear anything)
proximity to fun stuff - Rio (walk over to Palms for great VP, Gold Coast for double deck BJ)
layout - Hard Rock (circle with a bunch of table games in the middle and slots/VP around it)
hookers - ???
rooms - Hard Rock (never stayed there but I stayed at Rio and the rooms are generic and crappy)
gambling - Hard Rock (CET properties are crap for gambling as you should know)
craps - Rio (except for craps, too many newbies at Hard Rock to get a smooth game going, also loud music makes it hard to hear anything)
proximity to fun stuff - Rio (walk over to Palms for great VP, Gold Coast for double deck BJ)
layout - Hard Rock (circle with a bunch of table games in the middle and slots/VP around it)
hookers - ???
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August 2nd, 2013 at 6:41:16 PM
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I dissagree with craps at the rio.
If i would ever stay at the rio again, I would not play craps there. Anice professional atmosphere, quiete where you can hve your bets heard, where there is less chance of a screw up or communication issue.....is not the rio. At any given time Music blasts, dancers dance, and parades fill the casino.
Give me a professional craps atmosphere like MGM, Paris, Bellagio, nyny.
hECK..if you want to drink and stair at waitresses....and dont care about your bets being heard...the rio is fine.
If i would ever stay at the rio again, I would not play craps there. Anice professional atmosphere, quiete where you can hve your bets heard, where there is less chance of a screw up or communication issue.....is not the rio. At any given time Music blasts, dancers dance, and parades fill the casino.
Give me a professional craps atmosphere like MGM, Paris, Bellagio, nyny.
hECK..if you want to drink and stair at waitresses....and dont care about your bets being heard...the rio is fine.
August 2nd, 2013 at 7:13:50 PM
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Just got back from the Hard Rock. A few things I think are worth mentioning:
Two times I have been to the Hard Rock and both times the AC was not working at full strength. They came and fixed it but who wants to go through that? That might the only negative thing I can think of, though.
They have masseuses who walks around during the day and will give a decent massage for $20 for ten minutes while you are at the tables.
The waitresses came by fairly frequently at nearly all times throughout the day.
The pool is top notch.
Music is great. All kinds of rock playing throughout the day, but not in your face loud/distracting.
Pretty cool venues there. The Joint usually has decent shows. Dice Clay is currently performing in one of the other ones. Not sure how long that is going on for though.
Those are some things I think are the Hard Rock's differentiators.
Two times I have been to the Hard Rock and both times the AC was not working at full strength. They came and fixed it but who wants to go through that? That might the only negative thing I can think of, though.
They have masseuses who walks around during the day and will give a decent massage for $20 for ten minutes while you are at the tables.
The waitresses came by fairly frequently at nearly all times throughout the day.
The pool is top notch.
Music is great. All kinds of rock playing throughout the day, but not in your face loud/distracting.
Pretty cool venues there. The Joint usually has decent shows. Dice Clay is currently performing in one of the other ones. Not sure how long that is going on for though.
Those are some things I think are the Hard Rock's differentiators.
August 2nd, 2013 at 7:33:00 PM
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The Masquerade Tower has the new flat screen TV's as of March 20th.
My answer depends on what "guy night out" means. If you're just going to party and have fun, then the Hard Rock sound like the place to go. If you're going to take gambling seriously I don't think I would play at Hard Rock. It's too rock and roll and most likely there will be distractions.
Parking is just so much easier off strip unless you're at the Tropicana. Then that's the best parking.
My answer depends on what "guy night out" means. If you're just going to party and have fun, then the Hard Rock sound like the place to go. If you're going to take gambling seriously I don't think I would play at Hard Rock. It's too rock and roll and most likely there will be distractions.
Parking is just so much easier off strip unless you're at the Tropicana. Then that's the best parking.
Buffering...
August 4th, 2013 at 12:17:08 PM
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Both are off the strip but you can take the free shuttle to Bally's from the Rio.
August 5th, 2013 at 8:30:04 AM
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I play most of my craps at Paris so I agree with that comment.
We may have caught the Rio on a good night - we had a great crew and didnt have any trouble making our bets - the fact that we won money certainly doesnt hurt either. We may have just been there on a "quiet" night tho. There were dancers everywhere but I dont remember the music being an issue.
We may have caught the Rio on a good night - we had a great crew and didnt have any trouble making our bets - the fact that we won money certainly doesnt hurt either. We may have just been there on a "quiet" night tho. There were dancers everywhere but I dont remember the music being an issue.
