Over the years, Harrah's has gone from being an "also ran" to a "contender" and now somewhere in between. To be sure, the place as it is now is a tremendous improvement over what it used to be but it has a hard time competing against its grander and gaudier neighbors. Perhaps that is why Harrah's Entertainment has considered tearing down this hotel (and others) as part of its Strip redevelopment plans. The details of those plans have not been made public yet, but if it happens at all it probably won't happen until 2009 at the earliest.

Harrah's has a fun carnival in Rio feeling that manages to be both upscale and whimsical at the same time. For every bit of marble you have a touch of humor that seems to say,"Relax, it's just Vegas! We aren't taking this too seriously and neither should you."

The casino is very large and has all sorts of festive touches like fiber-optic fireworks explosions in the ceiling and confetti pattern carpeting. There are parts of it that are a little cramped but I forgive them primarily because I often win money when I gamble at Harrah's. That will make you forgive a lot.

The rooms in the two main towers are spacious and comfortable, each with an extra triangle of space at the end for a sitting area. The furnishings are light and modern and there is virtually no trace of the "party" theme that you see downstairs - a blessing when you think about it but it does make the rooms a little bland.

As you expect in a place this big there are several restaurants, several bars, a giant pool, a simple but satisfying healthclub/spa, some shops, and a few shows. check the related reviews for more information.

Outside you'll find the Carnaval Court shopping and entertainment area, complete with an outdoor bar/nightclub and a Ghiardelli's chocolate shop. That alone makes it worthwhile in our book.

As with every other hotel in town the prices have gone up dramatically over the years. The only problem is that here the high costs don't seem quite as worth it as they do at some other places nearby. You might be able to get a bed for under $100 a night for very slow periods but prices jump into the $150 and up range for weekends and busier periods. To be frank, for those kind of prices there are other places I'd prefer to stay.

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