free nights at Rio

[Heathcat]

Second trip to las Vegas coming up in July- we had a certificate for two free nights from Fairfield (those annoying timeshare people that are everywhere at the Rio & Harrahs)to use so we are cashing it in at the Rio. Having never stayed there, I'm wondering what kind of room we'll get since we aren't paying for it and how to go about getting a better room....Last year we stayed at the Four Seasons and were given a room with a strip view without paying extra or asking for it. I'm not sure how to wheel-and-deal our way into a better room besides joining the players club, which we plan to do. Any advice?? P.S.- Some insight into what rooms are best would help too!

[LBinStL]

Ask for a room on as high a floor as possible in the Masquerade Tower. This tower is the newer, taller one. Because of the way it is built (basically, it it perpendicular to the strip)you will have a strip view out of any of the rooms if you are up high enough. Depending on which side of the tower your room is located, the view will be either from about Caesars to downtown or from Bellagio to Mandalay Bay.

At the Rio, a good view is basically the best "upgrade" you can get without reserving a more expensive suite. The regular suites are very nice and spacious at about 650 sq feet. The next upgrade after the basic room is to a Carioca suite at 1100 sq feet. It certainly would not hurt to ask about an upgrade (make sure you ask for a complimentary upgrade as you don't want to have to pay for it). If you cannot get a larger suite, ask for one as high as possible in the Masquerade tower.

[Red Dog]

I have received free room offers 4-5 times in the past couple years. The rooms are usually mountain view on the first 10-12 floors. The rooms are nice regardless of where you are but on my first trip I had a great view of the roof and air conditioners.

On the next two stays I asked for a better room with a $20 in my hand and was moved up to the higher floors. The last two I simply asked if there were any better rooms available without a price increase and was given the better view rooms.

Tip: If you want to try the $20 upgrade I would suggest going a male desk clerk. They seem to bend the rules a little more, or maybe us men are a little more greedy than woman I don't know.

You will love the room regardless of what your view is and the casino is usually a hopping place. Gambling isn't the best but I love the atmosphere. Have a great trip and let us know how it went when you get back!!!

[joshrocker]

i'm with everyone else, just ask for an upgrade to a room with a strip view. they'll give them to you for free as long as the hotel isn't sold out or close to it. my first trip out there i didn't say anything and got a view of the parking garage after that i learned. i wouldn't pay for it, but it doesn't hurt to ask. i travel during off peak times don't seem to have a problem getting an free upgrade.

[Heathcat]

Thanks for the recommendations- I'm traveling in late July, which I think is somewhat off-peak. Also staying mid-week which may help in getting a better room!

[RhythmicVibe]

As long as you're pleasant, not arrogant & the first thing you say isn't "upgrade, high floor, best room etc", they will sometimes upgrade you for free if it isn't busy....and don't stiff them for the upgrade.

As mentioned above, the $20 grease will usually do it or as a rule of thumb, 10% of the upgrade cost per night. Example, if the upgrade cost "above the basic room rate" is $100/night and I stay 3 nights, I tip $30.00....not bad considering some people paid the extra $100 PER night and I greased $30 for $300 value worth of upgrades.

I find the desk agent will give me a whole bunch of freebies like breakfast, show tickets etc when I tip for the upgrades. Be nice to them & they will be nice to you....exponentially.

[ April 30, 2003, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: RhythmicVibe ]

[RhythmicVibe]

Don't get me wrong though. MOST desk clerks don't expect a tip but they just expect some respect & politeness like everyone else. They DO want to you to enjoy you're stay but not get taken advantage of.

[storminorman]

We received free nights at Rio last fall - stayed in the Masquerade Tower which is definitely the best deal - be polite and respectful and you probably can get a front/strip view without having to tip.

Storminorman

[Frank III]

We've stayed at the Rio 4 or 5 times in the last 2-3 years and have always gotten reduced rates and some free nights and last stay the whole stay was free. Most of the rooms we've had have at least a partial strip view but we really like the view of the surrounding mountains. The best room we ever had there was our first room when we were in a corner room in the older tower. This room was a hike from the elevator, but two of the walls were windows. Look right fpr a strip view - look left for the mountains!