Circus Circus in Reno (I need advice)

I am thinking about staying here for the BBQ, Blues and Brews festival in June of 2013. I know the Circus Circus in Las Vegas is not my cup of tea but this is the only MGM property in Reno and I am a rated player at MGM.

Has anyone stayed here before? Is it brutal or would it be okay for four nights? The Eldorado hosts the festival so we would be in the heart of all of action by staying at the CC.

I stayed there about ten years ago against the advice of several LVA members. We stayed in the casino tower and our room was very nice. I think it was a mini suite. Unlike any property I've stayed at in Vegas, you could leave your room and be in the casino within a minute including the wait for the elevator. I hear Reno has really gone downhill since the last time I was there but you might as well give them a try. Just make sure to ask for the casino tower. Be warned, Reno is not just like Las Vegas only smaller. It's more like downtown Vegas with more pawn shops and crappy cars on the road and way colder. But, I still like it better than Vegas.

I stayed there in January. It's fine for four nights. The rooms are less extravagant than what MGM typically offers in Las Vegas, but perfectly adequate. Sky Tower rooms are quite a hike from the casino, I strongly recommend staying in the North Tower. Reno these days is like a chilly Laughlin, but with a historic core. I like it a lot.

On a four day visit, Atlantis and Peppermill are must-visits for gamblers. There are good express buses every 15 minutes or so from downtown to those casinos down Virginia Street. Be sure to visit them.

For the best info on the Reno casino scene, check the forums at VisitReno.com.

I've stayed at CC Reno. It's clean, but dated. Because of it's low rates and carnival games, you're going to see a lot of families and extended families there. While it's affiliated with MGM Mirage, you cannot use your players card (M Life) there - I believe CC Vegas is similar in that respect.
You may want to go online and check out the rooms/rates at Eldorado or Silver Legacy, both of which are decent places that are more modern.

fredo

I have stayed there at least a couple of times and can second what the previous responders wrote. it is perfectly okay for 4 nights. As fredo said, they have their own players card. The BBQ deal at one of their restaurants for around $13 is good. Weather in June should be pleasant, highs in the mid-80's or so.

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Jack in San Francisco

Agree with the comment about the bbq joint, and have always had good fish at the adjoining sushi bar. Brew pub on the mezzanine level at Eldorado is a must stop. Silver Legacy pours good wine throughout the casino.

Reno is what it is, and what it is is eroding. Not a lot of charm in my book to bouncing around downtown; but with three linked casinos no real need to. I'm not a Peppermill fan -- was there most recently just a few weeks back -- but Pepp and Atlantis likely are the best gambling options in town. The whole area needs a Fremont East treatment. Having said that, there's some fun stuff to do outside the casino: Reno Aces (great stadium), National Auto Museum, Reno Art Museum, check out the riverwalk and it's really cool when there's a whitewater event going on, Silver Peak brewery downtown, good golf in the area. Are you going to be able to get up to the lake?

Drop me a line and I'll send you a pdf of a Tahoe-Reno piece I wrote last year, and next spring I have another coming out in Horizon Air, so check alaskaairlinesmagazine.com come April 1 if interested in Tahoe-Reno golf and recreation.

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I might check stay at the Eldorado because CC doesn't honor Mlife. It looks like the festival will be a hoot. Here is a link to it https://www.eldoradoreno.com/reno-entertainment/Great-Eldorado-BBQ-Brews-and-Blues-Festival/

CC no longer has that bbq joint. It has been replaced by a Mexican restaurant - still shares the room with the sushi place. Arrggh, that $13 bbq combo plate was one of the best deals/meals in Reno.

fredo

For good BBQ in Reno I highly recommend Men Wielding Fire, a safe 10 minute walk from Circus Circus.

I would not stay again at Circus Circus in Reno . . . and our room cost a whopping $15 per nite.
We felt cheated spending even $15 on that room, and couldn't wait to check out . . . think we were out the door by 6 a.m.
This was a year ago, by the way.

Don't know about the Eldorado, but it has got to be nicer than Circus Circus.