Hey just trying to get someone's opinion about which you thing is better? Kind of interested in the Rio but have never stayed off the strip. Whichever one I stay at is most likely going to be a basic room. I do gamble and will be gambling most of the time i am there. Any opinions or recommendations would be great thanks.
Off strip is a pain if you don't have a car. The Linq rooms are all redone, many are smaller but decent, elevators can be slow and busy at times but the location is great, quick trip to Harrahs, Flamingo or Cromwell. It's been a while since I stayed at the Rio, the rooms are big, but I would assume dated. The casino is big enough and you can walk to gold coast or the Palms. I would pick Linq just for the location alone.
I would prefer the rooms at the Rio. The shuttle is painless and it is great having the Palms and Gold Coast nearby. But I am not in love with the casino experience at either. I guess it would be Rio on the room alone but would like a third option in this case.
location - Linq. room size- Rio. Just stayed at Linq and had no problem with elevators except a couple slow times. Can always use the extra bank behind first ones. So close to other casinos. Carnaval Court between there and Harrahs. Casino Royale, etc
Linq--LOVE the center strip location. We much prefer the accessibility to everything on the strip. Have stayed at the Rio a couple of times, feels out of the way.
I am in agreement with the previous posters. The Linq has remodeled rooms. Nothing luxury, but very comfortable. We stayed at the Rio last October and it was just too out of the way. The shuttle was unpredictable and it never failed, we just missed one. The Linq's location can't be beat. Do yourself a favor and book the Linq. (Staying there in a week!)
I can't speak about The Rio. But I stayed at The Linq in April. As everyone has said, location cannot be beat! I liked the Linq. The rooms are small but they're okay. In terms of room size, I will say that the "closet space" is pretty tight. Despite the room some, I was fine with the size of the bathroom. My only complaint was that the AC is a through the wall type AC and was louder than newer rooms. I'm a Wynnophile. But if I don't have the budget for Wynn then I would stay at Linq again.
I loved the RIO, big rooms and i used the shuttle back and forth to the Strip. There are two different shuttles, one for Harrah's and the other Bally's. (that goes to RIO). Also, if at RIO, you can walk across the street to Gold Coast and then to Palms. However, i'm a Strip guy, spend most of my time there. So i would choose LinQ. I haven't stayed there yet (i have spent many nights at Imperial Palace all through the years), but the LinQ is in the middle of everything. You literally have casino's, restaurants, shopping, clubs, concerts, entertainment etc right at your doorstep. Smaller rooms at LinQ are better in this case, rather than the larger rooms at RIO. If you primarily gamble at one place, or maybe a couple of places, then LinQ is it because you have many more options (like the Cromwell next door). Have fun.
The Linq has the advantage of location and the many bars/restaurants on the promenade between Linq and Harrahs, the Tag bar at the Linq offers a large selection of craft beers; many are comped if you are playing VP at the bar. Can't say anything about the rooms, since I have never stayed there. I have stayed at the Rio about a dozen times and will be staying there for a week in September. The rooms are large and have floor to ceiling windows; beds are comfortable. The Rio pool complex is very nice and their buffet is one of the better of CET offerings. If you enjoy a good glass of wine, you can check out their wine cellar; I stop in there at least once a trip and enjoy a wine flight. The sportsbook at the Rio has good seating and several large TV screens for viewing your favorite game. The Chinese restaurant does a land office business at lunchtime, with lots of locals dining there, so the food must be pretty good. The VP tables are poor, but I like to play at the shutters bar for the pleasant bartenders, good music, and fast drink service. The gambling is not that great, however. Blackjack will be 6:5, poor VP pay tables and the vibe just does not seem to be there anymore. The Gold Coast across the street has low table minimums and excellent VP offerings. I usually rent a car when I stay at the Rio, so getting around for me is not a problem. The shuttle service runs about every 30 minutes from 10 A.M til 1 A.M daily, with two shuttles: one drops you off at Bally's and the other at Harrah's. There is a great view of the Strip from the Voodoo lounge terrace. I don't suggest walking from the Rio to the Strip. It does not look that far, but the walk is not exactly pedestrian friendly.
Did that once. Never again. For location and general vibe, Linq wins by miles imo. Smaller rooms, but I think the recent remodel is nice.
When I used to gamble a lot I like quick access to other casinos just in case (almost always) I get into a losing streak or vibe at a casino (or certain section). I get that w linq (imperial palace for me back then) w Harrah and osheas and barbary coast and others just quick steps away. I think for a gambler it is pertinent in Vegas to have that quick access like no other place. Or else, I would just stay home and try my luck at a secluded casino like morongo in cabazon.
Obviously not the original poster, but after reading this, I think I'll stick with Linq. I'm more than pleased with the rates I got through TR for the Linq, but the comp at Rio was pretty tempting. Although I've not stayed at the Linq, I did stay when it was IP and LOVE the location.
I liked the Rio just fine a few years ago when I stayed there but, the Linq has a much better location and thus, wins on that alone.
I thought the Rio was very, very tired when I stayed there last year. The valence lighting looked like they had lost 10 straight fights. Room service remnants stayed in the halls for days. Room furnishings were completely worn out. I wish Caesars would just let the property go. That Being said, even though IP has completely redone I still see the sad IP Put a gun to my head, I would have to choose the linq. I would just hope none of my friends caught me with "her!"
The shuttles are definitely great at the Rio. As said above they have two separate shuttles and they run frequently. I love staying off strip. If you stay at the Rio you also have the Gold Coast and Palms right there. If you want $5 tables you'll always have some. I've stayed at the Rio quite a bit. It's definitely getting a bit run down. Caesars is sticking little money into the place. Word is it's for sale but at a steep asking price.
I've stayed at both recently. Liked em both, but liked Rio a bit more. Having a big room was nice. Rio pool is definitely better, i felt like drink service was better & play was appreciated more. I loved the linq location though. Linq in the winter, Rio during pool time the shuttle to the strip is frequent & drivers are nice.
Stayed at the Rio in January; the Linq in June. The Linq hands down. Rio is inconvenient and is getting run down. Linq is convenient to everything and is remodeled.
So I've decided to go with the linq. Pretty much on location. For some reason I was thinking the Rio was closer to the strip although it does have a shuttle I think it's easier to have plenty of other casinos right next door if you get on a losing streak at one place