1st Trip to Vegas- Staying at Riviera

10 days to go! My boyfriend and I are going to Vegas 9/30-10/6. This is my first trip there, he's been there a couple times.

We are staying at the Riviera. I had some(read: a lot! ) of complaints about staying there as there are so many more nicer places. We have to stay there for his race car convention at that hotel. I booked a reservation for a one-bedroom suite.. which from what I've read.. don't seem all that bad.

Since he will be occupied there with that most of the day.. I can do what I want during the day. When I go away I love to gamble and sit by the pool and read and drink. He doesn't like to gamble .. or sit by a pool. So I plan to do both of those during the day while he''s racing.

Has anyone recently stayed at the Riviera? How far of a walk is it to the Encore/Wynn and can I sneak into their pools maybe? lol Will it be crowded during this time? I'd prefer not to be near crowds they make me kinda nervous.

 

Encore/Wynn is probably a 10 minute walk. I'm not familiar with their pool set up but I would imagine that kind of property would have security requesting a room key. The Riviera is good if you don't like crowds. Most other places you go will have lots of people.

 

I love the riviera and I am only 23. Probably my favorite place to stay when i am focused more on gambling. It is a really short walk to wynn and encore but not sure about getting into encore pool. Riviera does have it's own pool though. This summer when I went the pool was so live. Music bumping all nightand peoplehaving fun. The casino is laid back and a slot players paradise. They had more new slots atthe riv than anywhere else on the strip from what I saw. Single zero roulette and not euper crowded. I walk all the way from the riv to the main strip but that is just me. Some people take a cab or go over to LVH and do the monorail. I would just walk. You save so much and it is not a bad walk at all. You will love it

 

I'm 23 also. I don't mind walking at all to get to other hotels/places. I looked up the monorail too.

I know the riviera has a pool. I do like a moderately quiet pool.. with people who are wearing appropriate pool attire.

Thats good to hear about the new slots too.

 

Yea the riv pool is generally quiet but this year they had a convention there so it was really crazy.You are my age so you would be a lot better off walking. A lot to see and do when you walk. Enjoy

 

Honestly the Riviera is pretty much a dump. I love the history though so I keep going.

The gambling is God awful because the place is so dead most of the time. I am convinced the jack up the hold to high heaven or they'd be closed by now. I guess those conventions keep them going.

Single zero roulette is long gone I assure you, I was just there.

The pool is nice and there's no annoying DJ or pool parties on most weekdays. The water is warm and refreshing with a ton of chlorine and there's a deep end. Plenty of chairs to lay on. I like to think of the scene in Casino when DeNiro is talking to Alan King out at the pool about running a casino.

One bedroom suite was a good call. I just stayed in one on my last trip. For a good view of the strip ask for a suite in the Monte Carlo tower, facing the pool (South). High of a floor as possible and you'll have a nice strip view and a balcony to watch it from. If you end up with a North facing view you'll be staring at the dead unfinished Fountainblue, with the shuttered Sahara past that.

For good gambling go across the street to Circus Circus and play the bank of Aces+Eights video poker by the pizza place.

 

I am aware that it is not up to par with other hotels that are more my taste (Palazzo, Bellagio, Encore, Mandalay Bay).. but we've had many bickers over this and I agreed to stay in this hotel(and stop complaining about it lol). under 2 conditIons.. we stay in a suite, and our next trip to vegas we stay at a MUCH nicer hotel.

Will definitely ask for south facing view. I just hope they honor my request as we won't be checking in until 1am. Fingers crossed.

 

I forgot to mention: R steak and seafood is very very good.

 

*drool*

 

Sucks they got rid of single zero roulette -______-

 

You may want to check out lasvegasadvisor.com I think they have a pool list and those open to the public. I'm assuming many have an entry fee though even if they are open.

The only one that I knew was fairly open was Rio, but I'm sure others are for a price.

 

The Riv was my first hotel I stayed at in Vegas so it still has a special place in my heart. The pool is nice - not too crowded most of the time. Pretty much everywhere is a long walk from there except Slots-of-Fun, Circus Circus or LVH. Since you don't mind walking, you'll be just fine. We would take the monorail @ LVH or the convention center to go mid to south strip.

Later at night you might not want to wander around too much in that area, though. There can be some scary characters hanging around.

 

The area isn't scary. You will start to see some fringe people in that area later at night but I have never felt unsafe there.

If you are a single woman you might not feel comfortable walking there by yourself at night, but I believe you said you will be with a boyfriend or husband.

The first time my brother and I went to Vegas I was 26 and he was 21. we stayed down Convention Center Drive at the Villa Roma. We went to slots of fun the second night and he had left his ID in the hotel. I sent him back by himself to go get it...no big deal.

 

I stayed at the Villa Roma in 1990.

 

I looked at that website and found quite a few... most have a charge which I don't mind. (As long as people keep their clothes on..)

Yes I will be with him when we go out at night but. I'll be alone during the day which I don't mind at all.

 

Our friends are staying here in December when they come from CA to meet us. What specifically should they request at checkin? They are aware, too, that it's not exactly the Wynn. :wink

 

Have fun! Main thing is to watch your money. Gambling in today's Vegas is basically throwing cash down the toilet. Have a specific amount you're willing to lose every day, and quit when you reach. Never, never, never, NEVER try to "win back a little" after losing. NEVER. This is the big, fatal mistake beginning gamblers always make.

Besides gambling, you can have a lot fun in Vegas just strolling around and seeing the sights and watching people.

 

It's a bit north, but not as bad as you think. The only casino further out is Circus Circus (thankfully you're not staying there). 8/10 minute to the Wynn. The Riveria is sorta low energy from what I experienced. They also have a joke for a sports book. You're probably staying there for dirt cheap, which is great, and for your first time it's not a bad place to stay. Just remember, walk south, and don't walk north of Circus Circus if you want to "full Vegas experience".

 

We are staying there for a car race convention thing that my boyfriend is going to.

I actually was suprised with how cheap it was lol.. hence why we have a suite. it was about $90-120 a night.

I'm afraid of clowns so I don't plan on stepping foot in this circus circus. I will be found at the nicer hotels lol

 

You might want to go exploring during the day if the weather isn't good for pool. I found the old abandoned pool above the casino earlier this month, as well as the gorgeous neon valet drop-off below it. The place is pretty large with lots of halls, twists, escalators and separate areas. You'll get a neat feel for how Vegas used to be, and there's a certain old-school vibe that Sahara used to have before it closed. Be sure to try Peppermill Restaurant next door to Riviera for even more classic Vegas experience. Just don't expect great service, but the look and atmosphere of the Peppermill are awesome, and it fits right in with Riviera.