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Rio or Orleans?

Discussion in 'Off-Strip Hotels' started by MikeOPensacola, Oct 26, 2012.

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  1. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Which of these off strip hotels offers better value and good times? I've heard a lot of nice things about both of these resorts. I don't need all the bells and whistles, just a place with nice rooms where the staff treats you as a valued customer. Thanks.
     
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  2. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    They are both nice places. Rio is one of my faves. However Orleans is that fits what you asked for.
     
  3. GREGRIO

    GREGRIO VIP Whale

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    Me too, I'll always stay at the RIO howeve...
    the Orleans certainly has more choices for gaming
    and eats...you're just so isolated over there.
    At least at RIO you have Gold Coast and PALMS close
    by.
    I haven't stayed at the Orleans in years, so have no
    opinion on rooms or staff. I do enjoy their PRIME RIB LOFT
    alot. That and their showroom is the only reason I visit
    these days.
     
  4. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Thanks

    Thanks for the scoop guys, much appreciated.
     
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  5. buffalo

    buffalo Low-Roller

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    We are Strip crawlers but we always try to spend a night at Orleans. Games pay pretty well, rooms are spotless, and the staff is second to none. Take the shuttle to the Strip if you have to scratch that itch.
     
  6. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    I've always heard great things about the staff and how friendly they are at the Orleans. My last trip to Vegas I stayed at the Trop and the staff really turned me off to that place. I vowed that the next time I went to LV I would stay at a resort where the staff really values a customer's business.
     
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  7. mola

    mola Tourist

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    We always stay at the Orleans for at least 4 days, there are shuttles that leave Bill's on the strip and go to the Gold Coast and the Orleans, I get up early (EAST Coast time) and find that the shuttle starts a little late ( 9 or 9:30 )for going to the strip for breakfast, the 24 hr cafe is good but B1G1 coupons or the senior day (50+ Tuesday) are both ok options. I will check out the Prime rib loft next month. Our friends also like Canal St at the Orleans.
     
  8. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    I find the casino at Rio to be unpleasantly cut up, while Orleans' main floor is often really hopping. Orleans used to have good live music on the casino floor several nights a week- haven't stayed there lately so not sure it still does. Rio has that show in the sky- or did- if you're interested. Once is enough for that.

    Orleans has fairer games. Cheap rooms are available through the slot tournament promo and some others. Rooms are good and staff is excellent at Orleans. Rio is a Harrah property, so I'll never stay there. Others find Harrah ownership a positive.

    I always drive, so location is a wash. If you like to casino hop on foot, Rio is a better choice. Gold Coast and Palms are both worth visiting for one thing or another.
     
  9. jrinct1

    jrinct1 VIP Whale

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    For the value play, ORLEANS. I love things about both places and that being said if ya have wheels and or want tool around, even MORESO the Orleans. However if staying at the Rio play at either the GC or Palms.Better gambling there. But Rio wouldnt be a terrible choice. Is there much of a price difference between the 2??
     
  10. Trailer666

    Trailer666 Low-Roller

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    I really like the Orleans. I am staying there for the 3rd time this year in December. I don't mind walking, so going to the Strip is only 25 minutes and the Palms or Gold Coast is a 20 minute walk. The staff is great at the Orleans. I tried it out after reading the great reviews from this forum.
     
  11. lgw

    lgw Tourist

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    Just got back from staying at the Orleans. Love that casino. Live music was fabulous. Rooms very nice.......dealers even nicer.
     
  12. turkeycaller

    turkeycaller Tourist

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    We have stayed at both but we tend to stay at the RIO over the Orleans and the only reason is the RIO has refrigerators in all rooms and the keurig coffee makers. Funny how a couple of things can sway our choice! The Orleans does have a much better option for eating and they have the bowling alley and movie theater...and I do believe there is an ice rink right there where a hockey team plays....if my memory is correct.
     
  13. mckevin32

    mckevin32 Low-Roller

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    If a refrigerator is the deal breaker, Orleans has always provided one for us at $25 one time fee (not per day)...
     
  14. Dewey089

    Dewey089 VIP Whale

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    I'd go for the Orleans. My stay at the Rio included the sounds of those drums around the pool, two sets competing with each other. And one night they tested them at 2 AM just loud enough so the base kept me awake. The Orleans is uniformly quiet, especially the upper rooms.

    The 202 running along Flamingo leaves from in front of the Palms and will take you to the strip from the Rio after the free shuttle to Harrah's or Bally's is done for the day. Coming back it is a hike to get into the casino, but the 202 drops right off in front of the Rio. You can also ride to Ellis Island, Tuscany or Terribles on the bus and skip the walk to whose places from Bill's after the shuttle. In fact, you can ride all the way to Eastside Cannery if you want. I think there may be a bus stop farther East than the Palms stop, but once I exited Rio and walked East and found that there were none East of the Rio. I walked all the way to the strip that morning.



    The 201 running along Tropicana leaves from across the street from the Orleans and will get you to the strip at the NYNY MGM corner. The shuttle will drop you at Bill's on the Flamingo and strip corner. That flexibility is a decent plus as it allows you to access two highly desirable locations on the strip directly with no crowded buses or long walks along the strip itself. That 201 will also go out to the Pinball Hall of Fame, a popular side amusement.

    If you just take these or other residential routes, a 24 hour fare is just $5 purchased with exact change from the driver upon boarding and stamped at the time of purchase so it is good for 24 hours. Technically, those passes are not valid on the Deuce or the SDX without a local ID. Some here say that they are never checked for local ID on strip buses. Also, early in the morning the buses might only come along Flamingo or Tropicana once an hour, so a schedule of the two routes printed and taken along is helpful and avoids a long wait at the bus stop. These buses also offer an inexpensive way to get out to the strip earlier than the free shuttles run, and the buses then come about every 15 to 20 minutes.

    Also, a cab is very cheap to Orleans if picked up in the NYNY circle as it just has to go down an uncrowded Tropicana so you can't be long hauled. Be certain the cabby uses the meter. It has been a few years since I did that when it was $7, but I can't imagine it being more than $10. The expense of that one cab ride home late each night is usually covered by the savings on the rooms at the Orleans over other prices. If you have a B connected card look at the cost of the Orleans on their site after logging in. Prices are very good.

    Parking is much easier at the Orleans than the Rio. My favorite spots are outside and to the left as you face the main entrance. It is a short walk then to the casino. All driving in that area is easy and free of traffic holdups. Using Arville to Flamingo to access Bill's for parking on the strip avoids strip traffic and gives great location and convenience. Bill's is small and access to the strip fast.

    There is a fine laudromat on Arville as well.
    http://www.yelp.com/biz/wizard-of-suds-las-vegas
    I would not walk from the Orleans to the strip, especially after dark. Plenty of hookers and Wild Wild West is a place to avoid after dark. Often characters. In fact, I would not walk that in daylight. That being said I did go to Denny's at the WWW by car at 2 AM for a build your own breakfast. Tables were full of hookers on a break and having a late night snack. They were the more unattractive hookers I have even seen, but cheerful. I was with my grown nephew, however, so I did not have to deal with solicitation as did solo slot players in the Wild Wild West. This Denny's replaced what was once a wonderful diner with the best hamburgers in Vegas.

    The walk along Arville to the Gold Coast during the day has always been easy and full of people and businesses. I have rolled my luggage along that route and stayed at the Gold Coast after the Orleans or caught the Flamingo bus to other casinos. There is an Arville bus, the 104, but walking is faster than waiting; I did take it one trip when my luggage was large and the day warm.

    I have not tried that walk after dark. Since it is after dark, after midnight, that the shuttles do not run, that is the time you might feel isolated at the Orleans. I would not walk after dark from the Rio to the strip either. I don't like being confined on walkways where there is no escape were someone to accost me. But I go solo and I'm too old to fend off trouble. The same shuttle that takes you to Bill's will continue on to the Gold Coast, so before midnight you have a good bit of flexibility.

    The room quality is very dependable at the Orleans. I would not expect to need to be moved for any reason and quiet is uniform. They clean in areas other places skip. When I do my initial bedbug inspections, moving furniture and such, I don't find old socks or Mike and Ike boxes and balled up tissues behind side tables or chairs at the Orleans. They keep the place very clean.
    I find it easier to navigate and certainly the machine gambling has better odds there. The poker room deals good games, but difficult games. At the Rio there are only no-limit games. At the Orleans there are limit games and Omaha. But the Orleans competition is tough.

    Also, I think the rewards system is more generous at the Orleans and much easier to understand than Total Rewards, although I use both. Orleans, Gold Coast, Sam's Town, Main Street Station and Fremont and Suncoast all share the same card and room offers are generous even on a small amount of play.

    There is a $6 resort fee at the Orleans, so figure that in the math.
    Seniors particularly like Tuesdays as the Orleans features point multiplication, cheap buffet, cheap movies, and for very little play a drawing for cash. Check on the website for Young at Heart.
    I like Big Al's, the comedy club and it is usually not crowded and easy to get tickets even at the last minute. The American Casino Guide has a 2 for 1.
    Al's Oyster House will make Oyster chowder if you ask (not on menu) and it is very good. A fine way to use up points. Al is a popular name at the Orleans.
    There is free wifi at the coffee place and even plug ins if you get there when there is a spot.

    The buffet is basic, but decent. And they did have a full day's pass that included a VIP line pass (bracelet) for very little money
    http://www.orleanscasino.com/dining/french-market-buffet/pricing

    This is especially a good bargain on those days when the buffet prices go up for some special, and since I like to graze rather than overeat at one sitting, having the bracelet meant I could, without lines, nip in for coffee and fruit between poker hands as often as I liked during the hours it is open. It is a great deal if you are going to spend a day at the Orleans and fine insurance for a time when you might get sick and want to just hang around rather than travel all over town.

    Across the street from the Orleans is a fine little Irish Pub. Mostly locals The gambling there is not that great, but the potato chips with assorted dips is great as is a pint of Smithwick's. There are happy hour specials. The ambiance includes old fashioned nooks all in nice wood where you can have some sense of privacy. Sometimes restautant.com has a voucher. Over a dozen of us ate Christmas dinner there one year and had fine food and a room all to ourselves for not much money. At times there is music. The people are all friendly.
    http://www.mcmullansirishpub.com/index.shtml

    I also think the Orleans has one of the best nickle gambling games in Vegas. They are banks of these in two places, one is not far from the buffet, heading right as you exit and on the other side of the casino corridor. They are nickle triple play with progressive royals and a 9/7 Double Bonus pay schedule. Lots of fun. My free room offers come from that play, for the most part. 75 cents a spin, with three hands each time is a great frugal game.

    If you buy an American Casino Guide the Orleans coupons will pay for the book
    $10 matchplay at Orleans
    2-for-1 show tickets at Orleans
    2-for-1 tickets to Big Al's Comedy Club at Orleans

    Tickets to live events can usually be had even at the last minute with this coupon.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 3, 2012
  15. jrinct1

    jrinct1 VIP Whale

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    Well, Dewey pointed out a few things that i never considered.IMPRESSIVE!
     
  16. SandsFan

    SandsFan VIP Whale

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    We stayed at the Rio two days this week for the very first time and really enjoyed ourselves. Room was very nice but we may have gotten upgraded and didn't know it. It is a Harrah's property so the VP is poor but the staff was great. We got to know three people very well in the short time we were there. The rooms were comped but we didn't get much else comped since our host was off.

    After reading Dewey's post, I think I want to try the Orleans. We stopped there for the first time a few trips back. Thought the casino was well laid out and liked the decor. It would be great to stay there and not have to worry about driving after playing (well you know what I mean). All in all, we have probably spent 3 hours there over three trips and hit a royal at the alligator bar the second time. Since then we get a regular offer for 2 free nights. That could be a sign right?
     
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  17. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Great post Dewey, thanks. I've always heard great things about The Orleans, and I am definitely going to give it a couple of days on my next trip to LV. Thanks again for such an awesome post.
     
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  18. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    Mike
    You've now opened threads in the last two weeks asking about NYNY, Circus Circus, Suites at the Monte Carlo, The Lady Luck, Excalibur, the Superbowl, and this one. Are you actually doing anything with all this information you're getting?
     
  19. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    *double post edit
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 11, 2012
  20. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    I have stayed at both Orleans and Rio within the last year.

    Orleans has an expansive, enchanting, mysterious, comfortable, yet old-fashioned luxury feel to me. Rooms are bright with 1970s (or a previous era) decor. Nevertheless, well-appointed. The casino slots are terrible in my humble opinion but the tables are the best (along with nearby Gold coast).The food is not bad; there are lots of options from a buffet to fine dining to a food court with Subway and Fudruckers. They have both a bowling alley and a nice movie theater. It has a wonderful pool during the summer months. You can have fun here if you make it but the vibe is definitely slower, more laid-back with an older crowd. I adore it, particularly for the vibe and that enchanting, comfy feel. But unless gaming is your primary concern, and particularly tables, you can tire of The Orleans. The strip is only an every-ten-mins shuttle away!

    Rio feels exciting, bright, lively, and fun. The rooms are incredibly hit or miss however. The Masquerade Towers are terribly done in terms of decor with extravagant clashing colors but Ipanema Towers look rather plain but well-done. During the summer months, you can hear the blasting of the music at the pool in the rooms facing the strip. The mountain view I hear is quiet. The rooms are very very spacious but they are large rooms, not suites. Rio enjoyed a hipper vibe a decade or so ago but some of that vibe has died I hear. However, it still retained some of its former zest which you can feel in the air. It's still a little electrifying feeling (moreso than the once-electrified Palms which seems more dead). The tables are $10 on weekends and many weekdays with terrible CET rules. The slots are tight. In fact I find most slots tight on the West side of the strip (all except Palms). However, Rio is neighbors with Gold Coast, which has great table rules and $5 minimums (still terrible slots). The Lounge is nice at night. They hand out free passes to their lounge and shows at night on the casino floor. They have a number of shows including Penn and Teller which I hear is amazing. Their pool is my favorite in Vegas. It's nice and relaxing with less of a crowd and nice landscaping but the dayclubbing at the pool brings in loud music. I like to go early before they come around lol unless I'm in that mood. Their buffet is the best I have ever tasted in life thus far hands down with lots of options (it's HUGE). I did not get to explore the food options too much. There is a shuttle outside to Harrahs on the strip every 30 minutes. I find Rio to be a fairly beautiful property. I loved the vibe and the amenities. But I would personally stay at Rio if I were not interested in gaming (tables/slots) which on occasion is a reality for me particularly on long trips.

    In the final analysis, Orleans wins by a margin in gaming over Rio but Rio wins by a landslide in fun vibe.
     
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