Is there any reason to go to the Riviera?

The wife and I will be heading to Vegas in 2 weeks. Because of family reasons, this will probably be our last trip for a few years. I have been making a list of stuff we want to do, and have never gotten around to.

There are a few major casinos we have never been to. I think the Riviera is the only one on the strip. I have never heard anything that has made it sound like it's worth driving to.

Also we have never been to Hard Rock. Is there anything to check out? Is it worth driving to M if we have the chance?

Riviera: No.
Hard Rock: That is a unique property, but targeted to the young single crowd. There is a lot of Rock memorabilia on the walls, if that interests you. If you go out that way, eat at the Hof Brau Haus kitty-korner from the Hard Rock.
M: No. Good value to stay at, but not worth the long drive just to visit it.

Quote: Wizard

Riviera: No.
Hard Rock: That is a unique property.

Doesn't the Hard Rock have those ebony roulette wheels? Yuk. They frighten me.

Quote: dudestupid

The wife and I will be heading to Vegas in 2 weeks. Because of family reasons, this will probably be our last trip for a few years. I have been making a list of stuff we want to do, and have never gotten around to.

The Riveria has the Victoria, mock English Pub. Thats the only reason to go there... if your a Brit missing home. It's a pretty faithful to some of the sleazy English pubs I've been to. Otherwise the whole place is dying on it's feet.

Quote:

There are a few major casinos we have never been to. I think the Riviera is the only one on the strip. I have never heard anything that has made it sound like it's worth driving to.

Also we have never been to Hard Rock. Is there anything to check out? Is it worth driving to M if we have the chance?

I like the Hard Rock for checking out the memorabilia. I suspect I'd hate it when it's rocking.

I like the M, they have a great Buffet and hash-house-a-go-go. Plus the VP and table games are enjoyable. It's worth the trip if your heading that way (or want a cheap, but good buffet after hitting the outlet malls). I also liked the Silverton and the Bass-Pro shop there if you are going that way. They aren't super amazing must sees, but if you like hitting a couple of different casinos and seeing that sort of thing, it's not too bad.

Then again, I'm the sort of person who travels down to Primm with my friend to collect 4 $1 chips.

Quote: thecesspit

The Riveria..Otherwise the whole place is dying on it's feet.

Last time I stayed there was 2005 and it was dying then. Worn carpet, crappy buffet, beds too soft, bathrooms from the 70's with chipped tiles, no hot water.

Quote: EvenBob

Last time I stayed there was 2005 and it was dying then. Worn carpet, crappy buffet, beds too soft, bathrooms from the 70's with chipped tiles, no hot water.

Ah, they are trying to copy the English Guest house from the 70's as well? By Riviera, they mean the Cornish Riviera? (see Fawlty Towers).

> I think the Riviera is the only one on the strip. I have never heard anything that has made it sound like it's worth driving to.
If you are being held at gunpoint by a crazed madman, then by all means do whatever he says, even if he wants you to drive him to the Riviera. Otherwise, I wouldn't see any particular reason to go there. Ain't nothing much to see that wouldn't look better in the "after the implosion" photos. And as for the gambling... you might as well go to a flea joint bare-bones place like the Sahara where at least you will get a better deal and have a more enjoyable time.

>Also we have never been to Hard Rock. Is there anything to check out?
I hear "Hard Rock" and just want to put on ear plugs and avoid the young frenzied drunk frat rats. Okay, it ain't that bad.

>Is it worth driving to M if we have the chance?
Heck, even though its seven miles,,, its worth WALKING to the M !!!
Great place. Great food, great booze, great casino. And the absolute best cocktail waitresses in the entire town, bar none!!

There are three good reasons to visit the Riviera, but they may not apply to you:

1) If you collect player cards and don't have Riviera's yet.
2) If you collect casino chips (any denomination) and don't have any from Riviera yet.
3) If there's a show there you want to see.

There's a fourth, but it's weak even by these standards:

4) If you make it a goal to visit every Strip casino.

They do almost always have a free gift/buffet/show ticket/slot play for signing up for a new players card, and there is a pretty valuable coupon in the LVA/ACG for them (can't remember which one) if that sort of thing motivates you.

Otherwise the place is depressing as hell.

Quote: dudestupid

The wife and I will be heading to Vegas in 2 weeks. Because of family reasons, this will probably be our last trip for a few years. I have been making a list of stuff we want to do, and have never gotten around to.

There are a few major casinos we have never been to. I think the Riviera is the only one on the strip. I have never heard anything that has made it sound like it's worth driving to.

Also we have never been to Hard Rock. Is there anything to check out? Is it worth driving to M if we have the chance?

I went to the Riviera while i was walking from the strat going south on my first trip last july. I would say go there because if you haven't been, well it could be gone in the not too distant future. Otherwise, a bland, kind of smokey, older folks place with little glamour or ritz. If you like really bright casinos its good haha. No food or anything like that to rave about that makes the place a destination. Only go if you might get slightly upset that you didn't when you had the chance. Otherwise, no need to go.

On the M, YES GO THERE BY ALL MEANS. Incredible buffet (i went twice during my last trip), great value, good gaming rules, decent machines and a beauty to look at. Also has excellent CWs. I highly recommend this place.

Hard Rock- Its a nice place to check out, cool memorabilia on the walls. Otherwise, the gaming is meh and its aimed at a young crowd. Even as a young man i don't completely embrace it.

If you can only do one of these 3, go to the M.

Quote: EvenBob

Last time I stayed there was 2005 and it was dying then. Worn carpet, crappy buffet, beds too soft, bathrooms from the 70's with chipped tiles, no hot water.

I'm staying at the Riviera for my Vegas trip in March. Can't wait...

Quote: BigRoss71

Otherwise, a bland, kind of smokey, older folks place with little glamour or ritz. If you like really bright casinos its good haha. No food or anything like that to rave about that makes the place a destination. Only go if you might get slightly upset that you didn't when you had the chance. Otherwise, no need to go.

On the M, YES GO THERE BY ALL MEANS. Incredible buffet (i went twice during my last trip), great value, good gaming rules, decent machines and a beauty to look at. Also has excellent CWs. I highly recommend this place.

Hard Rock- Its a nice place to check out, cool memorabilia on the walls. Otherwise, the gaming is meh and its aimed at a young crowd. Even as a young man i don't completely embrace it.

If you can only do one of these 3, go to the M.

Seconded all around. Additional point: my name is also Ross.

The Riv was one of 20+ casinos my brother and I visited last year during our annual Vegas Weekend Blackjack Crawl. (This year's highlight was the SMOKIN' hot Serbian dealer in the Golden Nugget's Rush Lounge. If I get the time, I will post a trip report.)

The Riv is a depressing place that looks like at one time it was very cool but I'm glad we stopped in.

Also, wasn't the Riv the place where "The Hangover" guys did their "Rain Man" schitck?

Quote: dudestupid

The wife and I will be heading to Vegas in 2 weeks. Because of family reasons, this will probably be our last trip for a few years. I have been making a list of stuff we want to do, and have never gotten around to.

There are a few major casinos we have never been to. I think the Riviera is the only one on the strip. I have never heard anything that has made it sound like it's worth driving to.

Also we have never been to Hard Rock. Is there anything to check out? Is it worth driving to M if we have the chance?

I'm sorry to hear that you will be off the visitor list for a while. Hope things are okay.

Are the, "Crazy Girls" statues still outside the Riv? If so, your wife would appreciate it if you did not go there. Spend an extra half hour at Bellagio and see two fountain shows instead.

We got a good rate at the Riv a few years ago, and it was ok to stay at. I guess the only good reason I can think to go
is because of the old Vegas history. Kindof a classic, right ?

So, to sum up:

Everything is OK. Our extended adolescence is just ending, and we'll have a baby soon. So I fully expect the Riviera to be gone by the next time we are back.

We have definitely seen the Crazy Girls statues a few times, while stuck in traffic on the strip.

It is one of the few remaining Rat Pack/Ocean's 11 casinos, so we will probably go, just to say we've been there.

We had never even thought about rock memorabilia at the Hard Rock. We will definitely go for that reason. We now feel kind of dumb that we haven't gone before.

As for M, it will probably depend on our schedule, and where we go. We might check it out on the way back from the Hoover Dam bridge.

I disagree about the Hard Rock's clientele. As a young 20-something I'm not attracted to it one bit - it seemed like there are more of the middle-life-crisis 40-somethings than people my age. I've only been there a couple of times, but I made a point to look at the people gambling there.

Quote: dudestupid

Everything is OK. Our extended adolescence is just ending, and we'll have a baby soon.

Great news! Congratulations! However, the growing baby may be a good reason to stay out of the low ceiling, smoke filled Riviera. Trust the board on this one, the only "Rat Pack" you will see there are in the traps in the food court. Everything appeard to be re-done back in the 80's, so if you enjoyed the era of big hair, designer jeans, and skinny ties, have at it. The cool 50's and 60's are long gone from that place.