Rio Suites

My 29 year old boy is making his first trip to Vegas. I would have recommended differently, but I'm interested if any of you folks have been to this place lately. I've read that it's nothing like it used to be, maybe 20+ years ago. It was cheap.......Spirit non-stop flights arriving 10pm on a Monday (January 9), and departing 6 am on Saturday for $550 out the door including both hotel and air. I'll wil also post this question elsewhere on LV Advisor. Give me your thoughts, please.

I have not stayed at Rio in a long time. I used to stay there are all the time. Huge casino and lots of restaurants. However, they removed a lot of cool stuff (like the carnaval show, the buffet, voodoo) and with the ACG gone there are no longer cool coupons either. Plus Hash House no longer accepts the Bite Card and/or coupons at most hotel locations.

Rio was sold to another company but remains as part of Caesars through 2023-12-31. My suspicion is that it is now run as a barebones operation because of this.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/rio-revival-new-owners-plan-major-renovations-inspired-by-hotels-heyday-2370800/

I have read the new owners are soon to begin an $800 plus million renovation.

The Rio is a good place to avoid...horrible gambling and overpriced restaurants. BUT...it's right near Palms and Gold Coast. And it's walkable to the Strip if that floats your boat.

I will date myself and mention that I took advantage of low rates during the soft opening of the Rio back when it was a spanking new, considered-high-end property. 

The last time I stayed there, I was upgraded for some reason to a huge retro two-room suite. Very 70's and very cool. That was probably five/six years ago.

The problem I had with the Rio at that time was the air quality. I'm not sure if it costs more to filter more or run filters longer or what, but the air quality was poor -- almost as bad as Palace Station on a jammed Friday night. Really smoky. The smoke just permeated your clothes.

There are pros and cons to the Rio. From what I've heard, they don't necessarily have the best set up for gambling. If gambling wasn't on your list of things to do in Vegas, there are tons of other things to do. This includes visiting the beautiful sceneries bearby.

All appears to be a go at Rio for an $850 million or so renovation.  Rio and the now Oakland A's were in discussions about a new baseball stadium happening there, but that plan is off.  I'm guessing that within three years this place will once again be impressive.

But of course, staying in those renovated rooms will cost a jillion skillion gazillion dollars...plus $150/night resort fee.

And if you don't have a car, so you don't pay the parking fee, you will be charged a daily "don't have a car" fee of $40.

Plus tax and a $38 daily "because we can" fee.

And metered toilets; $5/flush.

Staying in nice places costs lots of money.

Maybe they will fix the signage inside.  I saw 3 signs directing visitors to the Carnival Buffet, which has been closed for a very long time.