Riviera - Info Please....

Just booked a room on Hotwire, it was cheap I think $14 per night. Didn't know what hotel just the area, purchased it and then found out. Looked at some reviews on Tripadvisor and it seems pretty bad. Stayed there in 08' - thought is was good enough but it sounds like it got worse.
Purchase in non-refundable. I would only be out like a $100 it is worth booking another hotel. It is Presidents Day weekend so I don't want to wait too long.
Out there for work, I don't need the Venetian but something clean and comfortable.
Thanks in advance.

Someone wrote that they are either remodeling or getting ready to at the Riv.
The casino is old, old machines, I liked it, won more there than anywhere.
For that price, and since you aren't requiring luxury, just stick with it.
You can step next door to Encore for some hoity toity atmosphere, high priced food, and tight machines.

It hasn't really changed much since 2008. I'm sure if you looked back to 2008 reviews, you would see similar bad comments as the ones you are reading now. If you were fine with it in 2008, I doubt you will have a major problem in 2011. Towers do vary a bit though.

As far as the "getting ready to remodel" comment. That is not true for the rooms. The rooms in a few of the towers have been updated a couple of years ago, right in the middle of the recession, which contributed to them going bankrupt again.

Stayed there last summer and our room was fine. Nothing fancy. Don't remember which tower. A hint we learned a little late--you can cut through the pool courtyard to get to other areas quicker. The place was packed with people when we were there-in fact found out they had overbooked. There was a national pool/8 & 9 ball tourny going on.

I have stayed at the Riv many times and think it's just fine (It's not the Wynn but it's not the America's Best Value Inn either, that's another story). In the last 5 years they have done many updates! Ask for a remodeled room (I thought they all were?) The beds and sheets are great! I was at the Riv in December and they had remodeled the steak house and It looked very nice, but did not have time too try it out. They took out some of the old shops and added more machines which looked nice. They also have spruced up the pool area and changed the name of the cafe from kady's too poolside cafe. They also have Queen Victoria Pub which is good (you can get deals at resturant.com or groupon).

And on location, I can remember when the Riv was the hopping spot on the strip! Now on the north side is the uguly Fountain Blue that is not finished! Then the Sahara RIP! Across the street you have Circus Circus, which I think is fun! and next too that you have where the Stardust was RIP! and Westward Ho RIP!

I would not hesitate too stay here, but it depends and what you are looking for in a property.

Dena

Perfect, thanks for all the input. Sounds like it will be fine. I just need something clean and comfortable.

Riviera has been making remarkable strides to tidy up their hotel/casino. Some rooms have been nicely refreshed - although I doubt you got one of those rooms with your cheap rate. You can always ask to upgrade at checkin.

They have a nice Irish Pub now and the casino table games have much more player friendly rules than most resorts on the strip. Look for the 3/2 Blakcjack and Single Zero Roulette wheel.

I just stayed there for 9 days in Oct. If you can get an upgrade to either the south tower or the Monacco tower, they have been refinished. 32"flat panel, pillow top bed and bathroom have been upgraded. Rooms to avoid at all cost are the san remo rooms by the pool. Overall the casino is being upgraded, new games and some better odds on the table games vs the rest of the strip. You'll be fine and be sure to let us know what you found.