Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino

Travelers booking an off-the-Strip property in order to avoid typical Vegas frenzy should not be checking out Rio. A mere five-minute cab ride from South Las Vegas Boulevard, the Rio is essentially an extension of the Strip. A sports bar, not a lobby, is the first thing guests will see upon arrival -- followed by the hotel’s sprawling casino, and maze of restaurants, shops, and lounges. The entrance/casino is dark and a tad overwhelming, even by Vegas standards, and the crowd contains everyone from young bachelorette parties, to vacationing families, to business travelers.   

Located on West Flamingo Road, Rio is about a five-minute cab ride or pleasant 20-minute walk from the Strip. The hotel is practically in Caesars’ backyard, only separated by the Las Vegas Freeway. Guests whose primary intention is to visit the Strip and all its attractions are better off booking a hotel directly on the main drag, considering cab prices in Sin City are astronomical. Rio is about a 10-minute cab ride to McCarran International Airport.  

Rooms at Rio are a mixed bag — some are nicely updated with bright furnishings and funky decor, while others are dated and bland. The good news is that all rooms are massive. Rio doesn’t take the “All Suites” part of its name lightly, and rooms start at 600 square feet. Even standard rooms have separate living and bedroom areas. Dated rooms, like the Carioca Queen we saw during our visit, resemble the waiting room for a doctor's office, with drab taupe tones, cheap furniture, and stock photos hanging on the walls. Though clean, these rooms feel worn. Sofas look like they’ve been sat in too many times, and throw pillows appear flatter than pancakes. Beds aren’t anything nicer than what you might find in a Best Western or a Holiday Inn, and amenities like flat-screen TVs and non-branded single cup coffeemakers don’t add any sort of wow factor. Bathrooms earn points for the size — large soaking tubs, glass encased showers, double sinks —but their bland tile floors and beige granite counters are nothing to write home about. Still, many will find these rooms adequate for the price. Updated rooms feel more aptly suited to the hotel’s Brazilian theme. Bright, funky decor feels a a tad more reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro’s lively streets and beaches. Bright blue headboards are complemented by a bright orange accent wall, while multicolored patterned rugs and wall art liven up the space. Unfortunately even in the updated rooms there is some wear, such as chipped desks and armoires. Bathrooms are not a high point, and we spotted cracked tiles and water stained showerheads. Some categories have only shower/tub combos or walk-in showers rather than separate soaking tubs and showers. 

At 100,000 square feet, Rio’s casino can hold its own against its peers on the Strip. The massive space is dark, but made to look like the lively streets of Rio during Carnival. Instead of one major space devoted to gaming, Rio’s casino meanders through the lobby, past bars and restaurants, and culminates before multiple elevator banks that lead to guest rooms. But for those uninterested in gambling, Rio is chock-full of nightlife and entertainment options. The hotel is home to multiple long-running shows, including Penn & Teller, Chippendales, and Rock of Ages. There are four bars, and one nightclub, and nearly a dozen dining options.  Rio is home to 11 restaurants, ranging from cheap all-you-can eat buffets to fine-dining steakhouses. Carnival World & Seafood Buffet is probably one of the most popular. The restaurant’s fresh seafood and reasonable prices attract guests and non-guests alike. Other options include Vietnamese, Indian, and Dim Sum. Quick bites like Starbucks and a Burger King Whopper Bar are also available. Rio has five bars, the most popular of which is VooDoo Nightclub. Located on the hotel’s rooftop, VooDoo Nightclub offers fantastic views of the Strip. Also on the rooftop is the VooDoo Zip Line — a thrilling ride that launches guests on a cable between two of the hotel’s towers. The hotel’s on-site spa and fitness center are dated and unimpressive. Rio’s cookie-cutter spa could be swapped with Bally’s and you wouldn’t know the difference. While it does offer a full range of facial, massage, and beauty services, we’d say it’s worth it to cough up a few extra bucks for a treatment at the Bellagio or Caesars. The gym is housed in a dark room with — get this — wall-to-wall carpeting, wallpaper, and thick drapery. LifeFitness equipment is crammed into every available corner, so try to snag a treadmill by the window that overlooks the pool.  Like many hotels in Vegas, Rio charges a hefty daily resort fee that includes “freebies” like Wi-Fi. 

While not as impressive as most Vegas pool areas, Rio’s aquatic complex, also known as VooDoo Beach, has four pools and a sandy beach. The beach is family-friendly and has multiple waterfalls cascading down faux rock formations. There are two other kid-friendly pools: one is freeform, while the other is shaped like a fish. Plenty of lounge chairs surround both pools, and there’s a grab-and-go snack bar for casual eats like burgers and pizza. The adult-only section of the pool complex turns into an outdoor club Thursday through Sunday, with live DJs and cocktail service.