Riviera -Old Style Vegas and Old Style Price (Riviera Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, USA))

Member Name: duchy

Product:	Riviera Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, USA)
Date:	24/11/08 (59 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great atmosphere

Disadvantages: Buffet is barely adequate

I booked this hotel via Priceline after same careless bidding(entirely my fault)-and was somewhat disappointed to have won it as it is North Strip.
That's the way it goes with Priceline sometimes so I checked in with low expectations-anyway who spends much time in their room in Vegas anyway !
Check-in was very busy -which for an October Friday afternoon was no surprise and as I waited in line I discounted my previous idea of trying the $20 trick s check in was a weird mix of automation and check in staff. The line was staffed by a very helpful and pleasent gentleman who answered everyone's questions and was generally charming. You stand in line but when you get to a desk you have to type in your details and put your card into kiosk. I couldn't see how the trick could be worked-however to my amazement I was upgraded anyway-to a full suite !!! Not bad for a Priceline cheapie.
The suite was huge-sitting area with wet bar -seperate dining area with a table seating six ,1.5 bathrooms, huge king bedroom and best of all a full size balcony-suddenly I WANTED to spend more time in my room :)
The Riviera in many respects reminds me of the Flamingo-except the casino is airier and lighter (and cleaner) and the location is not as central-however with the Deuce stop right outside it was not any issue at all to get to mid or south strip-I had planned to go to downtown on the Deuce as well but never made it.
I only ate once at the hotel buffet and although it wasn't as bad as some reviews make out it wasn't wonderful either-but as it was free and mostly edible (present your airline boarding card at the Player's club for a free breakfast or lunch) I had no real complaints.
The slots were very tight on Friday and very loose on Saturday-I didn't play any table games but there seemed to be more lower stakes available than mid-strip-as you'd expect. They had a Vegas style crooner singing in the casino Saturday afternoon-it was a nice Old Vegas touch.
Overall a very nice stay -to the point I called and asked if they could offer me player rate for my next weekend in December-to my amazement they comped me both nights and threw in a food credit of $30. I know the credit crunch is hitting but it was still a very generous deal for weekend nights considering I'd played very low stakes during my visit.
It isn't high end luxury-but it still has the atmosphere of "Old Vegas" without the seediness of Downtown and offers good value with an excellent chance of upgrade (I met other people who had also got upgraded). Definitely worth considering if you want to spend less on a room and more on entertainment.

Summary: Good value