In my research on Las Vegas, I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to go to the Rio. It was off the strip and seemed like a waste of my time. HOW WRONG I WAS!!! Rio is owned/operated by the Bally's group, so keep in mind that there is a free shuttle from Bally's on the strip to the Rio.
We sat down at our new favorite game Texas Hold Em Bonus, and we were greeted by our dealer, who took our players cards. She read them to know our names, and told the pit boss that we were sitting down to play. Not only was our dealer friendly, but when she went for her break, she told the next dealer our names! And when we got up to leave, they called us by name and said goodbye!
We were starving at this point and made our way to the buffet. WHAT A SPREAD!!!12 cooking stations and they are packed!!! Everything was fresh and appetizing. I remember seeing a bread station, salad station, Italian station, carved meat station, Mexican station, pizza station, sushi station, dessert station (of course) and there was also teppanyaki (sp?) where you get your raw veggies, sauce and meats and they mix it up on the grill for you. YUMMO!!!
If we ever get back to Vegas, I want to stay here!

We had a great visit to the Rio Casino earlier this month. We took the shuttle from Harrah's which made it very convenient. We had very good luck there - which won't always happen, but made the visit especially good.

I thought the cocktail service was exceptional. The sign advertises the friendliest cocktail waitresses in Vegas and after visiting there I really believe it. Without exception, the girls are cordial, efficient and never afraid to make eye contact with a customer who might want a drink.

In addition to providing cocktail service, the girls take turns performing (usually singing or dancing) and they are as talented as they are beautiful.

I think Rio is definitely worth a stop while you're in Vegas.

This place is worth venturing off-Strip to check out. We caught the free shuttle from Bally’s (it’s also available from Harrah’s or Caesars Palace). Drink service in the casino was good, and we enjoyed the free aerial Masquerade show above the casino much more than we expected to. The Rio has a fun and exciting vibe. There are tons of lively lounges and restaurants, and the servers wear some of the sexiest and/or most attractive outfits of any we saw in Vegas.

We probably would not stay here, but only because the shuttle service is kind of sketchy. They run every hour, but when they fill up, anyone else trying to take the shuttle is out of luck until the next hour. We were the last ones on the shuttle to the Rio, and we saw several people after us turned away. When we were ready to leave, we waited 10 minutes and still didn’t get on the departing shuttle. After our second try an hour later was also unsuccessful, we finally cabbed back to the Strip.

We stayed at the Rio from May 27-30, 2005. The staff was great, service excellent and the rooms spacious. Most of all, the place "rocks" from 3:00 in the afternoon through the evening with the "Parade in the Sky", dancing numbers and music that swells through the Masquerade Village. It is so much fun, you never want to leave. In addition, all of the bartenders are juggling experts and put on a show themselves every time you order a drink. As a diamond card holder, I was treated to a welcome fruit basket, home baked cookies every night and cookies and drinks served at check-in.
Antonio's restaurant was phenomenal, the pools are gorgeous and the spectacular view of the strip from the room was breathtaking. You never have a problem getting a drink on the floor -- unlike the Venetian, where they had only about three waitresses in the entire casino. You MUST go to this hotel and casino. It is the absolute best and the most fun in Vegas!