Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
Here's the deal. The renovated rooms are nicer than the older tower (Masquerade) rooms and contain better amenities like more places to charge stuff and more usable bathrooms (the M tower bathrooms contain tiny tub/shower combos, for the most part). That said, the M rooms are huge and well maintained and housekept.
The difference is in the location. From the porte cochere/front desk/main casino area, the M tower is a walk walk walk walk walk walk walk walk walk away. The Ipanema Tower is only a walk walk walk away, ALTHOUGH it has loooong corridors branching out from the central elevator bank; the M tower is more compact. So the walking advantage of the I tower might be negated. Ask for a room close to the elevators.
The gambling is now really good, though the opportunities are limited. Morning $3 craps, $10 blackjack (though I think it's actually 6:5 shitjack), and actual 9/6 JOB video poker. $3000 coin-in will get you the LVA bonus $25 free play plus $35 more from the Rio.
Don't eat at the Rio unless you like setting fire to money. But if you must, avoid Bozo Borracho, eat at Hash House if you don't mind a $25 breakfast, and Luckley's has insanely overpriced albeit quite good pub food. Try them during happy hour.
Use the free valet instead of the walk walk walk walk walk parking garages.
Why $35 more from the Rio if you do the LVA $25 coupon?
