It’s so goods to hear that The Rio is being “refreshed”. It was one of my favorite places from the time it opened until it co-hosted the World Series of Poker that Harrahs snatched away from Horseshoe downtown. They announced that their “cultures” were so aligned that they decided to merge. Rio’s Carnival World buffet had been at the top of the Best of Las Vegas unscientific locals poll from the time it opened but fell to 3rd the year of the merger and never made the top 5 after that.
I hadn’t been a guest there for a few years until I went back in November 2016. I was appalled! Huge bleach spots all up and down the halls, wallpaper peeling away at the corners, my room was very worn down. The only non-depressing thing about my visit was that I got to see Penn & Teller again. They were still awesome.
I’ve stopped in Harrahs every time I’m in town to have fried oysters but I will never stay at one of their properties again. They neglected a gem like The Rio into ruination and therefore should just get out of the casino/hospitality business.
With The Palms getting a makeover, that area of Vegas will be a good off-strip area to play at.
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