Established In:1990
Former Names: None
Owner: Caesars Entertainment
Number of Rooms:2526
Location: Flamingo Rd, off the Strip
A brief history of The Hotel
The Rio All-Suites Hotel opened its doors on January 15, 1990. As it was built off Las Vegas Boulevard, it was considered a locals’ casino. Over the years, the resort expanded, adding a new tower, and now it has over 2,500 rooms. As the name implies, every room at the hotel is a suite, which is nice for those who like a little more space in their accommodations.
Despite being off the Strip, the hotel was still popular but fell on hard times in the late 1990s. It was purchased by Caesars in 1998 for just shy of $900 Million, giving the resort operator a property away from the Las Vegas Strip to promote. Given its location, the hotel and resort is a steal for guests who don’t want to pay the high prices only a short distance away on Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Rio Hotel and Casino has hosted many entertainers over the years, but the most notable has been the residency of legendary magicians Penn and Teller, who have called the Rio home since 2001. They are a must-see act, and you can get tickets quite easily, depending on when you are traveling to Las Vegas.
The hotel is also known for its open-air rooftop club, the Voodoo Lounge. This club gives visitors a chance to dance the night away with a spectacular view of the lights of Las Vegas Boulevard. There is no shortage of entertainment to be found all over the Rio, and the party atmosphere has everyone in a great mood just by stepping in the door.
Gaming at The Hotel
The Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino have a large gaming floor, encompassing over 11,000 square feet. The casino is situated right in the middle of the action, and as you enter the front door, you are met with the familiar sights and sounds of table games and slot machines. There are over 80 table games spread over the casino, and many of these have lower playing limits, which are attractive for a more casual gambling crowd. Don’t worry, if you want to bet higher stakes, the casino will gladly let you, but it is refreshing to be able to play blackjack for less than $25 a hand sometimes.
There are also well over 1,000 slot machines on the Rio Casino floor. These games range from the old-school three-reel games to the most detailed digital slots. The slots also feature many of the massive progressive jackpots linked across all the Caesars properties.
Poker is a very popular game at the Rio Casino. There are ten tables in the Rio Poker Room, which is open all year long. However, the main draw for poker players happens every year from late May to early July, when the World Series of Poker is held at the hotel. The convention space is transformed into the largest poker arena in the world, with hundreds of tables hosting thousands of players every day. There are dozens of WSOP bracelets up for grabs in the events held during the festival, but the one tournament on everyone’s mind is the Main Event, which is the most prestigious poker tournament on the planet. In 2019, over 8,000 players entered the $10,000 buy-in event, with the winner walking away with a cool $10 Million USD.
Top 3 Suites at The Hotel
Even though all the rooms at this hotel are suites, there is still a way you can be a baller at the Rio. Let’s take a look at the top suites on the property.
#1. The Presidential Suite
This opulent 3,000 square foot suite comes with a spectacular view of the city from the panoramic balcony. That balcony also features a private pool, which you can enjoy while getting a beverage form your butler who is at your call 24 hours a day. This is the best way to hang out at the Rio after a long day of gambling and partying.
#2. The Penthouse Suite
Another suite coming in at around 3,000 square feet, this is an excellent space to entertain friends. There are great views of the Strip from this two-floor suite, and you will find all the top amenities in this room.
#3. Masquerade Suite
This may not be the most luxurious of rooms compared to others you will find in Las Vegas, but you are getting 2,000 square feet of room for a very reasonable price. This is a way to feel like a high roller while still having enough money left over to hit the shows and the tables.
Top 3 Dining Options at the Hotel
Being Off-Strip, the Rio can get a bad reputation for its food options (its main claim to fame for the longest time was its Carnival Buffet). Today, there are some diamonds in the rough at this resort.
Voodoo Steak
This is definitely the most luxurious restaurant in the Rio. This classic steakhouse is not only serving some of the best cuts of meat in the city, but it is giving guests one of the best views of the city from 50 stories above ground. This is a great spot to eat before sliding over to the Voodoo Lounge for drinks.
Wine Cellar and Tasting Room
While you aren’t going to get a full meal here, if you are a fan of great wine, then you have to check this place out. It houses one of the best wine cellars in the country with over 10,000 bottles. Tates a few or order a bottle – either way, you’ll come out of here with a new favorite.
Hash House a Go-Go
This Las Vegas favorite has expanded into a couple of properties in the city, and if you are looking for outrageous breakfasts after a night out, this is definitely the place to be. Their food cures every ailment you could have after a night out, but we suggest a nap by the pool after you are done your meal.
The One Thing You Can’t Miss at the Rio
With the great Penn and Teller show and the World Series of Poker, you already have a couple of great suggestions, but if you are a thrill-seeker, then we think you have to give the Rio Zipline a try. The exhilarating ride takes you on a journey of over 1/3 mile at speed over 30 miles per hour. A nice bonus on this ride, which starts at the Voodoo Lounge and travels to one of the other towers, is that riders get free entry into the Voodoo Lounge that same evening.