Unexpected trip May 10 to 15 for National Pet Expo

Staying at The Rio for the first time. Welcoming any thoughts on big stuff to do during those dates or at The Rio. Trip 15 to Vegas. First time at The Rio. Anybody else taking in the conference?

 

Quick questions....

Do you find the 20 trick doesn't work if your trip is booked via Expedia or another third party?

Is there a free shuttle from the Rio to Freemont street?

Do they still do the Mardi Gras in the sky in the casino daily at The Rio?

Years back there was a fabulous Mexican place at the rio. Second floor overlooking the casino. I know it was gone 5 years ago. Was it ever replaced? Anybody else remember this place?

How are the pools or pool at Rio? Loud party like TI or relaxing and quiet like Golden Nugget?

Is Gold Coast across the street a good option for low end blackjack? Like double deck blackjack and 5 dollar tables?

 

Realize this belongs in off strip forum. Sorry....my mistake

 

$20 trick - doesn't matter how you booked, more important is who your lobbyist is.

The sky show thingy is long gone.

I would guess Gold Coast would be a good option for BJ. It certainly has lots of full pay VP.

I doubt there is a shuttle to Fremont. There is probably one to the strip.

 

There is a shuttle to the strip, you pick it up next to the buffet (regular buffet not seafood). The $20 trip didn't work for me, but I checked in at 9:30 pm and the hotel was full because of the conference I was attending. The room I got was in the 4th floor, pet friendly (I didnt have a pet, but the guy next door had a huge and loud bulldog), the hotel was old, but the room was clean and decent.They did have a promotion that if you earn 200 points in 24hrs you got a free buffet..

 

$20 trick is independent of how you booked, so it doesn't matter if you used a third party.
No shuttle to Fremont St. Only a shuttle to the Strip (Rio to Harrah's and Rio to Bally's). Next door at the Gold Coast there is a shuttle to The Orleans. Uber is your best bet to get Downtown.
As Royal Flusher said, the show in the sky is completely done.
I've found the restaurants at the Rio to have nothing outstanding when it comes to their food. Next door at the Gold Coast are two very good Chinese restaurants. One, called Ping Pang Pong, has great dim sum in the early afternoons. The Gold Coast also has games with a much smaller house edge so I enjoy playing there more. Put it this way. I'm staying for free at Rio next week but I will be eating and gambling next door at the Gold Coast Yes, you will find lower minimums next door, also.
The pools at the Rio are really nice. The first one has a sand beach to it. The middle one is heated. The third one has a great seated area in the pool behind a water fall that you can enjoy the pool without direct sun. I love their pools. Not an old crowd, but not a party crowd either. Just right.

 

Haven't stayed there in a few years but I liked the place. There isn't anything I would call exceptional in the way of entertainment or dining but it is a nice spacious casino where you don't feel like you are always wedged in next to everyone else. The selection of machines is a bit dated and the odds aren't great but I find it comfortable. I would say much the same thing about the rooms: a bit dated (even the remodeled ones) but comfortable. Buffet is still pretty good and has a wide selection of food. I have always found the All American to be a fairly good meal and they now have a couple of what I'll call "stunt restaurants" with the Hash House and the new Guy Fieri place. If you've never been, the Voodoo has a great view of the city and I think they have that crazy zipline if you want a thrill. Furthermore, I've always been a big proponent of that area as you have the Gold Coast and the Palms within walking distance with additional gaming, food and entertainment options. And, as mentioned, there are always shuttles to various locations on the Strip. None to downtown but, if you were a little crazy or just wanted to kill time, you could take the Rio shuttle to Harrah's and then catch the Sam's Town shuttle (more good value food and gaming plus a cool atrium) and then catch their downtown shuttle. Anyway, have fun. I'll be in town the same week but not staying in that area.