I find the Carnavale in Rio atmosphere to be a bit overwhelming, mostly in the older parts of the casino where the low ceilings, crowded floor plan, and general gaming merriment conspire to create more "energy" than I like. The newer parts of the casino in the Masquerade Village area have a higher ceiling, which is good, but be warned: the slots are right underneath the flight plan for their "Show in the Sky" and so once an hour you're going to have loud music, big crowds, and flying Mardi Gras beads to contend with.

But with over 120,000 square-feet of casino space you should be able to find someplace you can be comfortable. And don't forget that as part of the Caesars corporate family you can earn points on the Total Rewards slot club and redeem them at any Caesars property nationwide.

The rooms have always been one of The Rio's strengths, although they are not technically the suites they claim to be if you, like Webster's dictionary, define a "suite" as a group of rooms occupied as a unit. Rather, they are oversized single rooms with sectional sofas, tables, writing desks, and beds of course with a separate bathroom/dressing area. And yes, I know a bathroom counts as another room but if that is the argument for defining these as suites then almost every hotel room in the world is a suite.

They are of course very large rooms - bigger than any most other standard accommodation except for perhaps those at The Venetian or Cosmopolitan. They all come equipped with all (or most of) the following: high-speed internet access, hair dryers, irons and boards, safes, dual vanities, televisions with in-room movies and Nintendo style games, coffee maker, mini-fridge, and more. The furnishings are well-tended and are almost consistently updgraded to keep things fresh.

I still find the location to be a tiny bit of a drag. Yes, it's just across the freeway but it's still quite a hike to The Strip, especially if it's hot outside. And yes, they offer free shuttle service to Harrah's but then you're on their timetable instead of your own and that can be annoying.

Then again, why you'd ever need to leave is another question all together. There are more than a dozen restaurants, several shows, shopping, nightclubs, bars and lounges, a spa and salon, wedding chapels, convention and meeting facilities, a race and sports book, and an affiliated golf course just in case you get bored. Check the related reviews below for some of the best of the bunch.

It's worth noting that Rio is one of the only hotels on The Strip that allows pets. For an extra $20-25 per night, guests can bring up to two dogs, each weighing up to 50 pounds. Once in the room, Fido or Fluffy will be greeted with water and food bowls, a special doggie mat, treats, and even a special room service menu. In addition, you will receive packets that direct you to special dog walking areas and the disposable waste bags to take care of their business afterward. They even have a doggie concierge of sorts that can give you information about local pet services including grooming, walking, and vet care.

The service is a definite plus now. I often used to find the staff inconsiderate at best and downright surly at worst. However on our recent visit I got friendly smiles from almost everyone (there was that one bartender...) and that makes all the difference in the world.

Prices are a bit on the high side although not if you're looking at value instead of merely a price tag. The lowest I've seen it recently is about $79 per night during the week and $139 per night on the weekends, although the more common price range I've seen is about $30-50 higher than that. There are other hotels that charge similar or slightly higher prices that I like better but the Rio still has a lot to offer.

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