Got a good deal at the Rio

My travel plans change almost by the minute. I can spend weeks checking sources and making plans, only to find some unexpected good deal later.

This time I got two good deals:

6 nights at the Rio (May 9-15) for $300 + $36 tax (and no stinking resort fees!)
Round trip airfare Mexico City to Vegas for about $340 (last month the best stood at $640+)

I admit to having second thoughts about the Rio, as it is off Strip. I know there's a free shuttle to the Strip, but that ties you a bit to some else's schedule. Still, I just made a reservation and paid a refundable deposit. If I find a better deal prior to May 6 (there is a deadline for the deposit's refund), I may take it.

I like the Rio. I have stayed there my last two trips. I think it is the best place to stay with a car, because you can usually find surface parking very near to the entrance to the hotel. Your concerns about transportation are well-founded. I can't speak to the shuttle, but I can't say I saw it coming very frequently and there were often lineups at the the shuttle queue. Ironically, this trip I will be staying at the Palms which has probably the best parking layout of any casino near the strip, but won't have a car this time (hopefully...I'm trying to save $).
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If you walk out the BACK door of the Rio (by the Penn & Teller theater, in the convention section), through the back parking lot and out to Twain, you can duck under I-15 pretty easily and be right at the back entrances to Mirage and Caesars. This is not a bad walk at all. Most people don't realize how close it is as the crow flies to the strip.

I like the RIO. I just booked 5 days there for myself, May 23-28. I am taking the golf clubs this trip, first time playing golf in Vegas. I like the vibe in the casino. If you want to spend time out on the strip it is sort of inconvenient, but the Voodoo Bar and Steak Lounge offer some great views. The outdoor deck on top of the RIO is absolutely awesome (51st floor I believe).

My wife likes Paris, so we are headed there in Sept. Guess I should have invested in Southwest..... :(

I have stayed at the Rio many times. The shuttle service is extremely convenient. Worst case, it runs every half hour. You should not have any trepidation about it being off the strip. The rooms are large. The restaurants are pretty good, and don't seem as pricey as the strip hotels. The All American Bar & Grill is a good place for burgers, wings and beer. And I'm very enthusiastic about the cocktail waitress' uniforms! I'm a middle class suburban guy. Many of the strip hotels can be either too divey for me, or too pretentious. Rio is a good happy medium.

Quote: teddys

If you walk out the BACK door of the Rio (by the Penn & Teller theater, in the convention section), through the back parking lot and out to Twain, you can duck under I-15 pretty easily and be right at the back entrances to Mirage and Caesars. This is not a bad walk at all. Most people don't realize how close it is as the crow flies to the strip.

Thanks, I'll have to try this next time I'm there. I made the trek on foot once along Flamingo Ave., and its not something I'd want to do again.

Quote: PapaChubby

Thanks, I'll have to try this next time I'm there. I made the trek on foot once along Flamingo Ave., and its not something I'd want to do again.

My thanks, also. You can actually see the back entrance on Google Earth, then measure the distance.

In a straight line its about 600 meters. Following a more likely path, about 800.

I'm more concerned about my early rising habits, compounded by the 2 hour time difference. Some days in my first trip to Vegas I was up by 5:30 (ridiculous!) That's a long wait for the shuttle, which I think begins operations at 10, when most sane people begin to venture out.

I suppose there's also a bus stop nearby on Flamingo.

Between all three casinos Rio, Palms Casino , and Gold Coast I think there is plenty to do if you don't feel like walking or shuttling over to the strip. Ping Pang Pong wins a lot of awards for best Chinese Restaurant in Vegas (at Gold Coast).

From the far west side of Gold Coast (away from I15) go north for 3/4 mile and you will get to Chinatown.

Quote: Nareed

My thanks, also. You can actually see the back entrance on Google Earth, then measure the distance.

In a straight line its about 600 meters. Following a more likely path, about 800.

Hmmm.... Doesn't look like a bad walk at all.

Check it out. Unless I screwed up, we're talking about this yellow path. The green path is longer, and it's probably scarier with the traffic on Flamingo. Twain is just a trucker's access road.

Admin note: removed image www.djteddybear.com/images/rio_walk.JPG

Quote: Nareed

I'm more concerned about my early rising habits, compounded by the 2 hour time difference. Some days in my first trip to Vegas I was up by 5:30 (ridiculous!)

I have the same problem. I normally am in bed by 10:30, and wake up at 6:00. And NJ is a THREE hour difference. So I sleep on the plane, even if it's a daytime flight. Use a blindfold if necessary. It helps you stay up later that first night, and therefore wake up later the next morning.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Hmmm.... Doesn't look like a bad walk at all.

Check it out. Unless I screwed up, we're talking about this yellow path. The green path is longer, and it's probably scarier with the traffic on Flamingo. Twain is just a trucker's access road.

I assumed a similar path to your yellow, except I'm assuming the parking lot exit is a bit farther up Twain Ave. But then I'm used to diferent kinds of parking lots. But it's still only about 600 meters (just over half a kilometer), and easily done early in the morning

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I have the same problem. I normally am in bed by 10:30, and wake up at 6:00. And NJ is a THREE hour difference. So I sleep on the plane, even if it's a daytime flight. Use a blindfold if necessary. It helps you stay up later that first night, and therefore wake up later the next morning.

On my first trip to Vegas I would be dead tired by 9:30 and in bed not long after. I did better the seocnd time around, mostly by taking naps mid afternoon the first two days.

I do sleep on the plane, if possible the entire flight. This time, though, I'm flying out at 1:30 pm (Vegas time) and will be arriving around 5:30. If I can get 3 hours sleep on the plane, I should be ok. Oh, I don't use a blindfold, I take a window seat and draw the shade down. Usually that's enough. I also seat at the back for the engine noise, and wear foam earplugs.

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

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.

.

Quote: inap

no more 'shopping' than picking anything up from a casino gift or snack shop but much cheaper and more selection.

I've yet to visit a supermarket or convenience store in Vegas. But a good place to buy soda and snacks are the ABC stores. There's one Downtown at the Fremont Street Experience, and one at the Riviera.

Quote: inap

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.

I don't know. I'm so used to traveling alone I probably wouldn't know what to do with someone else ;)

good luck to you too.

I'm looking forward to my next Vegas trip in August, including 6 nights at the Rio for a grand total of $60. Then its over to Aria for an additional 3 free nights. This will be, by far, my longest visit to Vegas. I'm hoping I won't feel as rushed as I normally do during my typical 3-day weekend visits. I'll be spending some time at the pool, as well as some long, leisurely poker sessions (not at the Rio). Might even have enough time to do a Hoover Dam and/or Grand Canyon thing. I'll definitely need to check out the Twain St. route, and maybe find one of those nearby strip clubs.