VegasChatter

Check-In:

Since we were running late for our Strip festivities, we ended up checking in around 2am, and thought that meant we’d get the grottiest of grotties when it came to our room assignment. On the contrary, we were told that the only room left was a double in the Masquerade (ie newer) Tower. Result!

Room Reaction:

A very nice surprise. The room was huge (it even had a sofa) and although it was facing down the I-15, rather than the Strip, we were high enough to get sweeping views from the Bellagio round to Summerlin and Red Rock Canyon.

The bed was fine, the bathroom was fine (although the sink outside the bathroom was a bit motelly for our liking) and everything was clean. The TV was a bulky old one, the curtains were a nasty pattern and the carpet was a bit early 90s, but other than that, it was far easier on the eye than our room at Caesars the other week (note to Caesars – color wakes up a room).

Unlike Caesars, there was a wardrobe outside the bathroom (in the corridor area). And they’d even provided eye candy – a magazine with a Matt Goss cover on the coffee table, and a ripped Chippendale bod on the billboard down below. Nice!

Amenity Madness:

Little pots of Gilchrist & Soames shampoo, body lotion and soap. Nothing in the way of cotton wool, sewing kits, shower caps or shoe shiners. We missed the little extras.

Internet Connect:

We didn’t use it but WiFi costs $13.95 per day. Not good, but at least since it’s Harrah’s, there’s no resort fee.

What We Liked:

The free shuttle to the Strip (although we got on the one to Harrah’s and it seemed to take the longest route possible). And we were pleasantly surprised by the room. Especially at that price.

What We Didn’t Like:

If we’d believed the “all suite” line that the Rio takes, we’d have been disappointed. Yes, ours was a big room, and yes, it had a sofa but it wasn’t what we’d call a suite.

Also we weren’t keen on the weird little window at head level in the bathroom wall. What’s it meant to be for – so you can look at the window as you bathe? Either way, it means you can be seen by your roommate while you’re in the shower. Not so sexy.

Bottom Line:

We wouldn’t be gagging to stay here again – we still think the casino is in dire need of a revamp – we certainly wouldn't be gagging at the idea. Roomwise, this was absolutely fine and much better than we expected. It was also much nicer as a room than the basic one we had at Caesars Palace. So if you bag a deal for $50 (or even $45), take it. You could do much, much worse.