Riviera

Set at the North end of the strip, just across from Circus Circus, The Riviera is a little way from the action of all the new comers to the strip, but only a short walk from the Wynn and The Palazzo. It has a nostalgic feel to it of bygone years and the Rat Pack era.

The renovations due for completion in October are well over due, but it seems these only run towards the guest rooms, the outside of the property and the public areas it has to be said are starting to look worn. Until October it is potluck what room you get, we couldn’t even find out what percentage of rooms had been completed. The old rooms reminded me very much of granny and granddads house, stacks of chintz and plenty of melamine furniture. The new rooms are much more unto date, neutral colours and flat screens all the way. If you can’t blag one of the refurbished rooms, then for second best, go for the slightly larger rooms in the Monaco or Monte Carlo towers, these were built last so the rooms are newer too.

The Casino is big here, you get around 100,000 sq ft to play in, again though you feel like its seen better days it is mainly full of senior citizens who have probably been coming here since it’s glory days when it was the biggest hotel in town.

Table minimums are lower there and start from $3-$5 and they have plenty to play; blackjack and craps seem to be the most popular. You can play the slots from a nickel upwards.

Dining:

The choice is limited to say the least, you can have a steak or some seafood in Kristofer’s or pasta in the imaginatively named Restaurante Italiano.

Might be worth a visit in October.