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Cuts at the Rio

Discussion in 'Off-Strip Hotels' started by vinniemac274, Oct 25, 2015.

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  1. vinniemac274

    vinniemac274 Low-Roller

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    Just checked in to the Rio for the first time in a year. Booked the base room (COMP) and $20 tip at VIP check in got me Samba. Cool enough.

    That said, there's definitely been belt tightening:

    The Kuerig *and* the Mini bar are completely gone. Perhaps it was a case of chicken and egg there, but I noticed that change immediately.

    There are no real glasses in the room, only what formerly served as the disposable coffee cups.

    Crown Theater is vacant, which makes Masquerade Village seem even creepier.

    I'll update if I notice anything else. Here til Friday!
     
  2. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    I heard seafood buffet is closed or will soon. Masquerade village was one of my favorite places to play until they show in the sky went down...last time I was there it was so sad and so many empty storefronts. I hate what happened to the rio
     
  3. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Personally, I never quite "got" the Rio. Strip type property, but it is OFF strip. Even the shuttle service is a pain in the @%$#.

    Cool place, or could be. But, it takes too much effort to leave the options and glitz of the strip to go there.

    Too bad. Not unlike the old Hilton at the convention center. Great when at a convention, but otherwise.. a royal pain.

    If RIO was not part of CET, I think it would have died a long time ago.
     
  4. vinniemac274

    vinniemac274 Low-Roller

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    I don't know about seafood buffet, but Martarano's is closing.

    Also, 50 Tier Credits earns you a free trip to the regular buffet...
     
  5. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    I was glad to see the "Show in the Sky" before it closed because we stayed at Rio one night in Dec. 2012. It really got the place going. Problem was, people mostly stared up instead of gamble! :nono:
     
  6. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/whatsnews.cfm#21171

    We just learned via an LVA reader (and confirmed with the property), that November 8 marks the last day for the Rio's Village Seafood Buffet, the only one of its kind in Las Vegas. As of that date, the seafood-only concept will be merged into the regular Carnival World Buffet and be available as a premium "upgrade" option for an as-yet undisclosed price. What's in store for the space currently occupied by the Seafood Buffet, which is located in the Masquerade Tower, also has yet to be announced.

    I could not find anything else... Not sure if LVA is very good on news or not.

    - - - Updated - - -

    True... I would just find a slot and pound away, so much energy there.
     
  7. vinniemac274

    vinniemac274 Low-Roller

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    Nov. 1 is last day for Martarano's.

    I'm also hearing BK Whopper Bar will close soon.
     
  8. hotreds

    hotreds Illegitimi non carborundum!

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    Hmm- maybe I need to rethink March hotel!
     
  9. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    Actually it was the acquisition by CET that started the downfall.
    It may not look like it today but the Rio was a very hot property on the higher end of the spectrum.
    Great restaurants,service ,and crazy high end suites.
    Club Rio was the predecessor to all the high end clubs today and had a line that wrapped around the outside of the building.

    As soon as Harrahs bought the property things started going south in all aspects of the property.
    The show in the sky went from about ten floats filled with dancers to just a few.
    The restaurants cut back and closed.
    Maintenance and renovations became non existent .
    There was no shuttle to the strip because people wanted to be at the Rio and not because the rooms were cheap.
     
  10. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    I agree, when Marnell owned Rio it was my home casino, beautifully maintained, excellent dining, generous comps, well appointed rooms and the place was always bustling. CET destroyed it.
     
  11. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    The Rio can still be a magical place that will attract customers, but I believe someone else needs to step in and take it away from CET.

    Competition is what drives up quality and value. Vegas will be better served if MGM and CET weren't the only entities owning almost all of the resort/casinos.
     
  12. Mirageluvr

    Mirageluvr Let's Ride!

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    The buffet is still top notch, even if it's fallen a point or two. Also, the CW staff used to be as good, if not better, than any on the strip. :nworthy:
     
  13. TomTWI

    TomTWI Custom Title

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    It's good just not worth the money. Had the lunch buffet last month for $35 and didn't think it was much better than Sunset Station's buffet for $8.95. Rio's did include free Mimosa's that I didn't drink but I guess my wife got her monies worth.

    TomTWI
     
  14. ExVegasLocal

    ExVegasLocal Low-Roller

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    Total agreement. Rio used to be a heavy hitter in the locals market, offering high quality and exceptional value in all aspects of its operation. Think of it as the Red Rock of its day. As soon as CET took over, they ruined it.

    Actually, when CET and MGM became the only two major players on the Strip, everything went to hell. I'm happy to hear of CET's bankruptcy and the the sale of the Mirage. I can only hope that true corporate competition returns to the Strip one day. Until then, I've abandoned the Strip for the "ntz ntz ntz" crowd.
     
  15. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    Sale of Mirage?
     
  16. ExVegasLocal

    ExVegasLocal Low-Roller

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  17. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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    don't forget the thongs on real cocktail waitresses and C cup and better. My favorite was Treasure:evillaugh
     
  18. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    :nworthy:

    Yes sir...
     
  19. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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  20. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Rio fooled a lot of folks for a very long time. Big sparse rooms people actually thought were nice suites. Running out good eats for lousy ones. And yet the Kool-Aid poured and poured, and not just in relation to the barffet. It seems McHarrah'$ tried for appearances sake for a while at first, but the outcome was foreordained when that outfit got its hook in it. Hey, wasn't that long ago that the Park Place properties were bueno. Harrah's is to hoteliers as Denny's is to the restaurant biz.
     
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