The Rio is one of those hotels that is hard to get a bead on. There is a lot to like about the place - terrific rooms, enough to do so that you never need leave the building, friendly service, and more. But there are also a few issues that can't be overlooked that keep The Rio from being one of my favorites.

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, including a 2003 addition of a high-limit gaming area, are much more enjoyable places to lose your rent money in. Although be warned: the slots in the Masquerade Village area 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 Harrah’s corporate family you can earn points on the Total Rewards slot club and redeem them at any Harrah’s 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 other standard accommodation except for perhaps those at The Venetian. They all come equipped with all (or most of) the following: high-speed internet access, dataports on the phones, 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.

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 $100 per night during the week and $130 per night on the weekends, although the more common price range I’ve seen is around $120 and $180 respectively. 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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