1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Is Reno benefitting from all this?

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by earth-3, Apr 20, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2003
    Messages:
    1,000
    Location:
    Lisle
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    With all the changes going on in Las Vegas, is Reno becoming an option to anyone? I have never been there but will be in November for a national meeting. I know it's scaled down from Las Vegas, but are the gaming rules better overall? Rooms Cheaper? Less/No resort fees? Drinks more reasonable? etc..
     
  2. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 1999
    Messages:
    44,189
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    I'd love to hear what you think when you get back from Reno, so be sure and share it.

    I've been going to Reno & Tahoe since I was a toddler. I played slots on mom's lap and Bingo with grandma so many times. They are what I thought Las Vegas was going to be like. I was quite wrong.

    However, at this point the gaming is probably better in Reno. I haven't been in a long time, but looking at the emails and offers I still get from Atlantis & other casinos, room rates are comparable with downtown Vegas. IMO, Reno just doesn't have that same flash that Vegas has, but if you want to grind away at blackjack, it might be your place.
     
  3. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2012
    Messages:
    2,420
    Location:
    Colorado Springs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    You can find better gambling in places other than Vegas. You can't find Vegas anywhere but Vegas.
     
  4. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 1999
    Messages:
    44,189
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    Mike hit the nail on the head. Exactly!
     
  5. tatterdema

    tatterdema VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2001
    Messages:
    1,642
    Location:
    Seattle WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Reno used to be my go to place for gambling, and quick trips. I quit going there about 6 or 7 years ago because of airfare and hotel prices. Last year I went back, and it probably will be the last time. It just was not fun to me anymore. I was drawn to Fremont Street originally because it reminded me of Reno. Now, take all the casinos in Reno, put them in 1 building, and you have 1/10th of Fremont street.

    The gaming seems to me to be about the same as Fremont Street, or off strip. I play only slots and video poker, and the video poker paytables are similar to downtown Vegas. Food is hard to come by. There are few if any restaurants open all night anymore in the downtown area. If I remember right, Harrahs restaurant did not even open for breakfast on weekdays. Most all of the hotels now have resort fees. They are a lot less than the resort fees in Vegas, but include less also (like nothing). The largest pool in downtown Reno is about the size of the Plaza pool, with equal ambiance. Drinks are about the same price. ALL of the downtown properties felt "dirty" to me. Like I wanted to take a shower immediately after leaving the gaming floor. The is very little to no nightlife during the week. I like to bar hop, and there are bars to hop into, just no one in them.

    The one place in Reno I still enjoyed, was the Peppermill. It has great restaurants, nice pool, good video poker, and just feels cleaner to me than any of the downtown properties. It has a higher resort fee to compensate. Ditto with the Grand Sierra.

    A car rental is pretty much a must in Reno these days, unless you want to cab it, which could get expensive if you want to go to Peppermill, Grand Sierra, Nugget, and Atlantis. One thing Reno will always have, is the natural beauty of the area, and temperate weather. Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, and Virginia City are great getaways from the Casinos.

    In summing it up, I dont think you can even compare Reno with Vegas any longer. More compare it to Laughlin, and on Casinos, Laughlin would probably win in my opinion.

    ***EDIT Just to add, I was there over Labor Day weekend, and Burning Man, so I think it was busier than normal, and it felt dead, dead, dead.
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2013
  6. Terry Benedict

    Terry Benedict VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2010
    Messages:
    1,658
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    I've been to Reno three times in the last four/five years. It is not a destination any more. I won't go back unless it was a special event or something. I just got back from Lake Tahoe last night. Loved it. It isn't just like Las Vegas, but it was a great alternative for me.
     
  7. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

    Joined:
    May 31, 2008
    Messages:
    3,505
    Location:
    None
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    I agree with these two posts. I have only stayed at Harrah's in Reno (twice over the past two years), and the rooms are a bit old. I felt bad for the current condition of downtown Reno with closed casinos and shops lining a good portion of the central downtown area. It reminded me of Atlantic City (pre or post hurricane). Reno is not a substitute for Vegas.

    I really like Lake Tahoe and would love to return. I stayed at Harrah's and really liked their rooms. I would like to return to the Tahoe / Yosemite area for a week to enjoy Tahoe or Yosemite and use Reno as a 1-2 night stop for arrival or departure.

    I don't like the blackjack rules at many Reno casinos (no DAS. D only on 10/11) and will not play with those rules. The VP was decent in both Reno and at Harrah's in Tahoe. I really like the Peppermill and Grand Sierra, but the rest of the casinos range from meh to ewh.

    Reno should be fun for your meeting and you'll likely find cheaper room rates.
     
  8. Brewing18Aces

    Brewing18Aces Tourist

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2004
    Messages:
    78
    Location:
    Lincoln, NE
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    Having been to Reno several times in the last few years, I would have to say it is okay for a couple times, but because of the limited entertainment options it can get old quick. It does have some nearby distractions that differentiate it from Vegas. AAA baseball downtown (within walking distance), Tahoe was not too far away, so there are a few more outdoors related activities available. Virginia City is interesting nearby. Really the only reason I go there anymore is because the USBC national bowling championships have been held there frequently lately.

    I find downtown Vegas more fun, but it really isn't bad for 1 or 2 visits. It is just so much more expensive to fly there unless you catch a rare sale.

    I have been to Tahoe a couple times, but I think it is more interesting in either the winter season or summer season. both times I went there it was on the shoulder season and was a bit dull. Nice place to visit.
     
  9. uli_1515

    uli_1515 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2013
    Messages:
    220
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    Ill be in Reno in June from the 20-23rd staying at the Silver Legacy. Just a guys trip with about 10 of us. They have a BBQ/Brew festival so hopefully that will make it worth it.
     
  10. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2011
    Messages:
    4,201
    Location:
    Milwaukee, WI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    36
    In three weeks, it will be my 8th trip to Reno for the USBC Nationals since 1995, and I have passed the stage where I am tired of Reno and now I am back to appreciating it.

    Reno's downward spiral was the opening of all the Indian casinos between San Francisco and Reno. At this point, the city is trying to re-invent downtown. A double-whammy was the 2008 recession, as those closed casinos that were going to be high-end condos (Golden Phoenix and Comstock) lost all momentum.

    Part of the recovery includes rafting and other activities at the Truckee River downtown, moving the train tracks underground to ease the flow of traffic on Virginia St, the Reno Aces ballpark is right outside of Harrahs's back door, the Freight House district is trying to be a burgeoning club scene, and the Knitting Factory has brought a lot of indi live music to Virginia Street.

    Outside of Reno proper, there is another realm of stuff to do; world class golf and skiing, the old time charm (and 21st Century souviners) in Virginia City and the breathtaking sights of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area. As a matter of fact, one of my most favorite things to do when I am at Nationals is to take the 72 mile drive around Lake Tahoe. The wonder of God's creation in full display.

    The city still has a long way to go... the Kings Inn casino (which has been closed for almost 30 years) is in the dictionary as the definition of "blight", panhandling appears to go unabated sometimes, there are too many boarded up casino fronts and storefronts on Virginia Street, and the best resorts (the Atlantis, Peppermill, John Ascuaga's Nugget and the Grand Sierra Reno) aren't particularly close to downtown.

    When describing Reno to friends, I compare it to most major American cities (Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit, Indianapolis, etc.) in that it is just a city that happens to have seven major casinos within a square mile of downtown. Gambling is not the major economy (as is in Vegas).

    For someone going to Reno for the first or second time, I could give a list a mile long of things to do and you would have a great time. By the fourth or fifth time, though, unless you are a straight gambler it gets tough to keep it a fresh vacation destination.
     
    USBC Nationals are back in Vegas
  11. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    Messages:
    9,889
    Location:
    Northern Nevada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    248
    I wrote a response to this thread yesterday, as I live 30 minutes outside of Reno. Somehow, my response ended-up in "cyber-space" (operator error) and I didn't feel like retyping it then. Was going to do it now, but no need... this says everything I was going to say and then some... :wave:
     
  12. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 1999
    Messages:
    44,189
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    How is JA's Nugget now? Last time I was there, ages ago, it was getting quite crusty around the edges. Someone told me a few years ago they were fixing it up. Did that ever happen? I have good memories of low rolling with friends there.

    That and my favorite dealer of all time is in Reno. Al and his #29 on the roulette wheel in the Tower Casino at Circus Circus. We couldn't lose that trip... even on Roulette! ;) I will still throw money on "29 for Al!" every now and then.
     
  13. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    Messages:
    9,889
    Location:
    Northern Nevada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    248
    It's pretty decent... still family owned and operated. John Asquaga, who's gotta be close to 90, still walks through the gaming and dining areas on a regular basis, but his son and daughter now run the business. They've kept the place in good repair. A couple competing casinos downtown have closed, so the Nugget is pretty much the only ball-game, except for Baldini's and couple truck-stop joints out east.
     
  14. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 1999
    Messages:
    44,189
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    Thanks! I got an offer from Atlantis one year and never looked at another property. They treated me well for my $0.25VP play. But I sure miss that place. I can't believe the old guy is still wandering the casino.

    Am I the only one who remembers those old John Asquaga's commercials?
     
  15. shokhead

    shokhead No big spender unless eating drinking having fun!

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2007
    Messages:
    7,108
    Location:
    SoCal
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    85
    During the hot august nights they will now have a barrett jackson car auction new this Aug.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.