Reviews on Harrahs Council Bluffs needed

Looking for help from anyone who's been to this casino. Receive an offer valid for Nov. & Dec. that inlcues airfare to this casino, with a minimum stay of 3 nights.

First, has anyone received this offer and taken it? Second, is it worth taking a day of vacation from work to go to this casino?

the offer is for 2 ppl...they will pay for the air travel for both me and my husband. so we are considering the offer.

I was quite shocked to receive such an offer..wish it was to Vegas that would be a no brainer.

I live near there. The Harrahs property is a small casino on an actual boat. Original Iowa gambling rules required that the casino actually be able to go on river boat trips and this one traces back to that time although now it is permanently moored. Three decks - upper one is now the Diamond lounge area. They have a few machines up there but no table games. It probably has around 15-20 table games and a good selection of video poker and slots. VP pay tables are OK, not great.

Have not stayed at the hotel but it looks like it would be OK. Steak restaurant on top that is decent and has a very nice view. There is also a buffet, a diner type restaurant, and a good bar in the permanent area off the boat. They have an outdoor concert area that they use in the summer.

There is another Harrah's property (Horseshoe Council Bluffs) that is just about a mile down the road. This one is attached to a greyhound racetrack and is not on the river. Horseshoe casino is larger and nicer than the Harrah's boat - but odds and games are about the same. Both are good properties for gamblers.

Council Bluffs is just across the river in Omaha. Omaha has some nice events (good concert/sports venue and the College World Series) but not a whole lot to see do on ordinary weekends. Omaha does have a world class zoo if you are interested in that at all. I have been to zoo's in many larger cities but the only one that does not take a back seat to the Omaha zoo is San Diego.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Kansas City?

HuskerBB that is some great information and very helpful. do you know if there is a shuttle between the two harrahs' properties?

Depending on what area of Kansas City you are driving from it is 2 1/2 to 3 hours now that I-29 is open again.

There is a shuttle between the two properties that runs every 1/2 hour (I think).

The Diamond Lounge at the Horseshoe is a little nicer. Last time I was up there, the "diamond lounge" at Harrahs would allow anyone entrance who did 100 points that day.

As far as the rooms, they are ok. Would recommend requesting a high floor with a view of the river/Omaha. The Steakhouse on the top floor is pretty good and you can get a table that has a view of the river/Omaha. The also have a nice bar up there.

IMO, the Horseshoe is a much better property.

The Hilton Garden Inn is the hotel attached, but there are several others that are often comped. We just stayed at the Spring Hill Suites in July and it was very nice! It is just across the parking lot as is the Country Inn & Suites. Great free breakfast, indoor pool & fitness center, nightly drinks and snacks.

We are very low rollers in KC & have COMPED rooms nearly anytime in Council Bluffs. Don't know if you are able to double book, but if the offer is yours, I'd try to book a comped room over at Horseshoe on wife's card. Use your offer to get there and stay in the nicer place (if possible).

Harrah's hotel in CB is okay. Still do not have flat panel TV's the last time we stayed. Which seems to be normal for Harrahs properties in Vegas as well.
Buffet is a bit above average for a buffet. As others have mentioned the steak house is pretty good.

As far as the "casino" goes. It seems to be more of a "low roller and many patrons with few teeth". You surely get my drift. Down the road 1/2 mile is an Ameristar which typically wins all the awards every year for Council bluff casinos.
If you are wanting to stick with a Harrahs property. The Horseshoe is larger more open and nicer than the riverboat.They do have a shuttle that serves the 2 properties.

To sum it up, I would stay at Harrahs and do my gaming at Ameristar or Horseshoe.

thanks to everyone for such great advice. and rdwoodpecker you are so funny.
my home casino is Cherokee in the mountains of NC and I know exactly what you are talking about.
Knowing that we can shuttle is great info...at least you are not stuck in one place if you don't like it.