If I book Rio (questions)

I'm in charge of booking a hotel/casino for our group of 10 (5 couples, all mid-40's). The wife and I haven't been to LV in 4.5 years. We have one first time couple but the others have been more often. I'm contemplating staying at Paris, Bally's, Mirage and/or Rio for 3 nights in late April (weekend).

Just so I'm clear, I have a few questions

1. Ipanema or Masquerade tower?

2. Samba suites are the renovated rooms in Masquerade but which floors (don't want to be bothered by Voodoo Lounge music all night long)

3. Have any Ipanema tower rooms been renovated, which floors?

4. Is there still a wine bar at Rio?

5. Has anyone seen the MJ Live show, how was it?

Thanks
Dan

 

May I ask why you are considering RIO? I'm asking because I wouldn't recommend staying off strip unless you have a car, and you would need several with the driver in each not being able to drink. If not renting cars then cabs will get expensive. I realize there is a shuttle but I personally found that a PIA. I also think that every first timer should stay mid strip their first trip

I actually like the RIO. I just wouldn't stay there with a group. Hubbie and I actually have plans next week to go to RIO for dinner at Buzios and the MJ show so I am also interested if the wine cellar is still there. I will post a review when I get home

Have fun planning.

 

One of the couples going (the Vegas veterans of the bunch) stayed there two years ago. They liked their stay.

I figure two trips a day max to the strip. Shouldn't be that $$$. I like to drink and gamble at the casino/hotel i'm staying at so I can easily and quickly make it back to the room after a long session of drinking and craps.

As for the first timers, they are the most laid back couple of the group and I'm sure they will be fine with staying anywhere that's chosen.

 

I can't answer your questions as I haven't been to the Rio in ages but it always holds a special place in my heart...my first VP Royal Flush happened there

sorry to hijack your thread

 

I was there in Oct.

1. Ipanema tower is quieter but I am unsure if any rooms are renovated.

2. We had a fresh Samba on the 30th IIRC and the club noise was "barely" tolerable, but we like out quiet too so maybe a few floors lower would be best.

3. Can't answer but vegasvic could he was there a week later and stayed in that tower.

4. The wine bar was advertised as open but we never did make it there.

5. No opinion as we didn't go.

Note: The $20 sandwich seems to work well here and the housekeepers will honor coffee requests if you leave a tip with your note.

 

I disagree about needing a car. The shuttles run frequently to both Harrahs and Paris. When we stay at Rio we easily go to and return from the strip. If I'm planning some excusions away from casinos a car is a nice option of course. But to go from the Rio or any other off strip hotel to the strip I find it more of a pain in the ass to have a car. To answer the questions:

1. Ipanema or Masquerade tower? As stated above the Masquerade towers have some renovated Samba suites which are very nice. But you can get noise from the Voodoo lounge. I stayed in the Ipanema tower and it was great. A bit of a shorter walk from the lobby and it's convenient to the shuttles.

3. Have any Ipanema tower rooms been renovated, which floors? I'm not aware of any being renovated but ours was very nice.

4. Is there still a wine bar at Rio? We also didn't make it there for some reason, always meant to.

5. Has anyone seen the MJ live show, how was it? Sorry, did not.

 

@ billinpg & vegasvic-Thanks for the info

I told my group that we should make a decision on hotel stay by Feb 1 for our trip in late April.

I thought I might get an offer from Total Rewards, however I just signed up. Guys trip is planned for Sept or Oct of this year, so will probably receive a good offer after this stay that can be used later this year.

 

Even though you just signed up go check your rate calendar at Total Rewards. I just got an email for $29 rooms at Rio. If you didn't get the email I would gladly PM you the code for the discount.

 

Interesting, i just looked up my account and now the days we are planning on going (April 25-28) are "no promo" dates. Just yesterday I had 20% for a total of approx. $170/night average.

Do they flip flop around promo dates and non promo dates regularly?

 

It seems as if the Rio is always changing rates and promos around. Most places do to a point based on supply/demand of course but the Rio's rates always seem to fluctuate.

 

I've stayed at the Rio at least a dozen times. Stay in the Ipanema tower. The buffet is one of the better CET venues. The wine cellar is located downstairs in the Masquerade tower; it is one of my must things to do when I am in Vegas. Jose and Mary Ann will treat you well. Having a car is nice but not mandatory for staying there. Their free shuttle is pretty convenient. VP pay tables are bad but you can walk across the street to the Gold Coast or the Palms. If you want to stay on the Strip, Bally's is the best value and you can't beat the central location.

 

Thanks for the info. Leaning in the direction of booking at the Rio, although they just raised the price per night for the weekend we are going.

There are 10 of us (5 couples) so the wine bar is of interest and most important is the less expensive gambling options @ Rio, GC and the Palms which is why we are leaning in that direction. I don't mind the shuttle or taxi-don't need a car.

 

The wine bar is still there. It is priced way beyond what the current Rio clientele is interested in so you will have it to yourself.

 

I'm headed to the Rio in a couple weeks for a stay and feel just fine about it.

 

Unfortunately, everything else seems to be heading that way as well. I mean seriously...$35 buffets, $5-6 bottled beers, $25 for wifi, etc.

It seems to be getting out-of-hand price wise. I haven't been there in almost 5 years so hopefully I will not be disappointed with this trip.

 

Correct. At those prices you might as well stay at a nice place.

 

Glad I read this thread, I've stayed at the Rio several times and didn't even know they had a wine bar.

VP pay tables are similar to most CET properties but I seem to do much better there than the others. Last trip we took the shuttle a couple times and it worked well. With a group that large you might not all get on one shuttle.

I like the Rio but that large of a group might be difficult to get back and forth to the strip as often as you plan. On a budget you might consider the Quad. Rooms are cheaper and you can't beat the location. The rooms at the Quad get a lot of bad press but we've never had a problem.

 

I seem to remember the shuttle runs every half hour. Getting all of you on a forty-person shuttle may take longer than you think. Four times (you mentioned two trips a day) is a lot of travel time. If you have a group that has a good time just chatting the wait time will not be a problem.

Late April, Rio has a good pool. Big rooms, I think they have refrigerators. It's a nice hotel. Good vibe in the casino.

The only downside of staying at the Rio is location. The upside is everything else.

 

Shuttles run from 10 AM until 1 AM daily with pick ups around every 30 minutes. Shuttles pick you up on the west side of the building; they have seating outside, with overhead heaters in the colder months. Shuttles take you to either Bally's or Harrah's. If you have a 7 star or diamond CET players card, you get to board first. Drivers do appreciate tipping(usually give them a buck each way).

 

The shuttles will probably be fine. I don't anticipate the whole group hanging out together every waking moment, so to each their own. Personally, I can be somewhat impatient, so waiting for a shuttle or not being able to squeeze into a full shuttle and having to wait another round just doesn't work for me. I'll just grab a cab. No big though, I usually budget for public transportation on trips to places such as Vegas, Chicago, etc.