Cuts at the Rio

I took a shuttle from the strip to visit Rio and I am sure it was still owned by the Marnells. The stop was somewhere on the strip across from the Bellagio construction site.

 

The Rio called all their rooms suites but the standard rooms were really oversized rooms.
The higher end suites however were very nice and relatively accessible to mid level players.Even the Masquerade Suites were great at over 1500 sq ft.
I think they could hold their own in dining also in the pre Harrahs era.
Fiore and Antonio's still remain a couple of my favorite all time Las Vegas restaurants.
CET figured out how to close both within a couple years.
Buzio's was one of the better seafood options in town when it first opened.

 

I couldn't agree more. Rio was once our absolute favorite hotel. It was always our first choice.

And the buffet was once one of the best in town. And if you played the table games, the buffet was always at minimum offered as a comp, even to your "lower rollers". The higher players could easily get a full steak house comp, or the italian restaurant whichever you preferred. And those upper restaurant's were first rate, in food, service, etc.

We spent many a trips in Vegas, without ever having to purchase a meal. And I never had a "casino host", I never even had to go through that song and dance. These things were just liberally offered.

And if you were friendly and commiserated with the pit supervisors, a nice tip would often get you within reason, scores of various goodies. We once had a pit boss send Pierre Jouet champagne and shrimp cocktails up to our room. We had mentioned it was my wife's birthday, and the pit boss completely did this on his own. That's called class, and your customers never forget that type of thing. I think i'd drop dead from shock, if that were to occur in today's Vegas.

Rio was one of the first "suite" hotel concepts. In fact when the opened it was always referred to as the "Rio Suites". Even the pool was unique, with the ocean sand bottom.

It's hard to explain that to folks who weren't around when they first opened. They think you're being over critical. But it was just a different time, a special fun hotel. Then again lots of properties and aspects of Vegas don't compare to say 25-30 yrs ago.

Many people want to chalk that statement up to old people being grumpy and cynical. But we just wish we could take you back to that time, and show you how different it was. I don't necessarily blame the Casino's. The economy now simply isn't what it was during those days, that's what prompted the negative changes. They had a lot more money budgeted to their depts during those years, and they used that money to take care of their customers. Now they charge more for a "resort fee", then we used to pay for the entire room. That's on the rare occasion when they just didn't fully comp the room. Again, we were never confused for high rollers. We'd average about $20-$25 per hand in BJ, for 4-5 hrs per night.

 

I noticed a year ago over the holidays that they had cut the serving space of the buffet. The space for two steam lines toward the east end of the serving area was walled off. They also closed the (blow on fingernails, wipe on blouse) Diamond entrance where we lowly Plats were also welcome. Last time there the quality seemed to be good, but the selection was obviously reduced.

Last time we stayed there, I admit, I did not notice the mini-bar. I intentionally keep them as a blind spot. NBD if they removed them. I would think that some CET beancounter would realize that they would make far more on those if they simply had reasonable prices!

 

I have to think the space reduction that took place last year will be opened again to incorporate the seafood selection from the soon to be closing Village Seafood Buffet. I understand there will be an additional charge for the enhanced seafood selection. Hopefully, the charge will not be significant since this buffet is not exactly value priced. My wife and I love the Teppanyaki station, and this is the main reason why we still visit this buffet on every trip. Also, the LVA 2 for 1 coupon makes this buffet a value, and hopefully the coupon will be accepted with the Seafood option.

 

i normally stay there because of the suites. But the kicker is i normally just sleep there ( cause its quiet). I go to the strip to gamble.

Hope it doesnt close down for good because its my favorite place to crash.

 

Yes, there was a shuttle stop, As I recall in front of PHo, then Aladdin.

 

Buzio's is to close, with some menu items going to Voodoo. That space is supposed to get some sort of Guy Fieri concept...

 

Hey Vinnie,

Terry here. Will be at Rio next May. Comp room as well. 1st time staying there(myself only). Any suggestions which tower, parking(i will have rental), tips,etc..

Heard about cuts as well..Not surprised since they are under Ceasars umbrella(possible bankruptcy)

Thanks

 

$20 tip at check in and asking for complementary upgrades is usually a good bet; it won't get you a larger room here but if you can get something better than the worst room available go for it.

Most would suggest the Ipanema Tower I'm guessing. It's the original tower, but it's closer to check in/front door, has a Starbucks at the casino level. It has two elevator banks, which serve all floors. If your $20 tip can get you onto the 20th floor there, that's the old Diamond floor; you can have an adjoining room to a Penthouse (which does run the risk of getting a rowdy party; I once was hotboxed from the Penthouse. That is an impressive amount of cannabis.)

Masquerade Tower is the newer tower, but unless it's a Samba room probably is less recently renovated. If you are self-parking AND planning on using your car a lot, this may be the better pick for you, as it's easy access to the the Masquerade Garage. . (Rio has two self-park garages).. MT has a split set of elevators divided between higher and lower floors (I prefer this to IT's elevators). Masquerade Village is the sad part of the casino, but they do have live entertainment on a stage Friday/Saturday nights. Also, Voodoo Steak/Nightclub/Zipline are all accessed from this part of casino.

I honestly don't care which tower, but that's me.

I've only had a rental once, and used the free valet parking... so I don't know much about self-parking.

Any other questions?

 

Thanks so much Vinnie. Appreciate it!

 

http://vitalvegas.com/guy-fieris-el-burro-borracho-to-open-at-rio-las-vegas-buzios-seafood-to-close/

 

I wish I was coming into LV 25-30 years ago when this was the normal treatment casinos gave the patrons.
BUT... 20-$25 per hand at that time is equivalent to $60-$75 per hand in today's money. For 4-5 hours of BJ play at that rate would your comps be that far different today? But today there are computer programs that can take care of the comp system. This puts them into an account so you can use them at your discretion in a way that pleases you at a time that pleases you. A recovered alcoholic or someone allergic to shellfish would not have thought much of the generous room service the pit boss gave to you. What you really miss is the human connection. It's like comparing getting a human on the phone when calling a company and getting a computerized voice list options for you. In the future there will be even less human-human interaction and these will be considered 'the good ole days'.

 

Did they put anything into the Antonio's space? (Still pissed over that one and it's been a long time!)

Nice to see Vital Vegas giving a shout out to Vegas Bright!

 

They use that space for giveaways of gifts for invited guests... (I had to search the internet to figure out what space you were talking about!!)

 

Just putting it out there, but Vegas Bright was reporting that the Bourbon Room is closing at Venetian, and it may follow Rock of Ages to the Rio.

 

Last trip in September checked into the room and no Kuerig and water glasses were solved easily with a tip to housekeeping..Only thing about the restaurant closings/changes that bothered me was changing the 24 hr cafe to Hash House...As long as they keep the Sports Deli and that bar area/sportsbook and even semi-comped rooms I'm ok with it..(Low-roller)
Been staying there at least a few comped nights a year for the past 10 years or more.. Closing the BK may suck as I have gone up there before for a quick bite after too many early LV beers..Who knows maybe someone else will come in? Still like the place and love the location..Strip is too crazy for me and downtown have never stayed..

 

This is just par for the course with Harrahs. They just dumb things down little by little, thinking nobody will notice, until one day the higher end property they started with has turned into something approaching a dump--which is still marketed as a luxury property. It satisfies nobody, since those in search of a high end property are appalled by the offerings and those looking for value find it too expensive. They only get people in the door via total rewards.

 

That add salt to my wounds. Antonio's wonderful and there really hasn't been a true steakhouse at Rio since.

 

Has the Rock of Ages move to Rio been officially confirmed, or is it just a rumor at this point?