We just returned from a two night stay at Red Rock. First of all, I had read and heard that it is a very family friendly property, so I was eager to see what they had to offer. I am pregnant and we traveled with our preschool-age child.
How it looks
The rooms, hotel, casino, restaurants, and pool areas are spotless and modern, so no complaints there. Things were easy enough to navigate quickly. Check in was easy and set apart from the rest of the casino area which made for a more relaxing and quiet arrival and transition into the resort. There are two Starbucks and a foodcourt in addition to the buffets and restaurants. More on the layout later.
Charges
As another reviewer mentioned, there are quite a few extra charges or potentials for extra charges that irked us. The resort fee is daily and seems excessive. Why not work this into the room charge? Makes no sense! I know this is done more and more, but I will say, I don't like it one bit.
Rooms
First of all the views are spectacular- right to the red rocks. We were on the 9th floor. Loved waking up early every morning and seeing the mountains glow. As promised and mentioned by other reviewers, the beds are amazingly comfortable, pillows great, robes and slippers wonderful. I too considered purchasing them and taking them home (pricey though). Bathrooms are spacious and spotless, well stocked. Deep tub and there is a flat screen tv over it. Our daughter thought this was really cool. Unfortunately, there are about 10 different boxes of snack foods right at toddler reach level. If the boxes are removed for longer than 45 seconds, you are charged for them. I was constantly jockeying with my daughter and trying to explain that for the first day. I actually really appreciate snacks being available but there was absolutely nowhere to hide them once their existence was made known. I'd prefer them to be in a cabinet with the minibar as I've seen in other hotels. Or, since they knew we were traveling with a child, they could have been removed or put up high. So if this is the kind of thing that irks you, be sure to request their removal in advance. For what it's worth, the quality of snacks and goodies was pretty good- for adults and kids. Not just a bunch of snickers and cokes.
On our second night there, we were interrupted not once but three times by the housekeeping staff trying to do turn-down service. Thought I made it clear the first time it wasn't needed. We had adjoining rooms, so the first time I answered the door, said no thank you. Then they came to the second door, and though I called out, "no thank you, we're all set" they used a card key and entered the room anyway, terrifying my daughter. Then the maid insisted on handing me chocolates which again, my daughter could not stop asking about (after she was already in bed with brushed teeth- argh). I conveniently noticed the fancy "do not disturb" light button by the doors- after she was finally asleep.
This is picayune, but the cable channels weren't all that great for kids. I realize we're not there to watch tv but it is helpful. No PBS, just Nick and Disney. No kids movies available on their pay movie service, either. Odd. This is an easy fix and one I hope they make.
Pool
The pool area was lovely. Our group had pre-reserved cabanas which was nice, but they were a little far from the main pool area (but I didn't choose my cabana, so no fault on that). It took over an hour after we arrived for them to stock the fridges as promised. They were very kind about it, but we were literally told four times by the same two staff members that they were "just about to take care of that" and it didn't come until ages later, when we got a selection of one kind of juice and sodas. They were able to bring us some breakfast goodies, coffee, and other snacks later in the day (and the entire pool menu is available, of course). Cabanas in our area had no backs, so it did get a bit too windblown for us. The entire area is well laid out and there were plenty of chaises and cool bed/cabanas that were also reservable, but the all of the pools are completely cool and shaded until late morning. Maybe this is nicer during the prime heat of summer. But this time of year it was a bit chilly, so all the kids at the hotel congregated in the jacuzzi tubs, and once most of them had a taste of it, the bigger pools were just too cold even when the sun blazed on the pool. The biggest of the pools was absolutely perfect for small kids- major kudos on the design there. There is a wading area around the entire edge which is safer and a lot more fun for the pre-swimming set. And a fun waterfall right in the middle. Lots of chaise lounges that come right up to the edge of the pool, very convenient (and they're comfy, too). The pool area has a snackbar/cafe area, but we paid $18 for a virgin colada for mum and an icecream sandwich for our daughter. Um, wow. We did get three different flavors of ice cream- but one would have been fine. Sometimes simpler is better with a kid, eh? We got towels on the way in on both days, and both days they were scooped up by other folks. On the first day this actually happened twice, so we came out of the water shivering to find someone had taken them. Then upon requesting new ones, the pool staff had to go all the way back to the check-in area to grab new ones- but I noticed they first attended to some VIPs in a roped off area before attending to us. Maybe they need some towel stations located throughout the pool area instead of just at check-in. Or perhaps they just need to be absolutely sure everyone entering the pool area is well stocked with towels so people don't feel they can grab others?
Room Service
Always a nice thing when you have young children. $6 for a box of cereal. Can't order tea or coffee in-room without ordering an entire carafe. That means $8 for a cup of tea or coffee. I couldn't order a single cup, and no tea bags or coffee machine in the room. Sigh. Guess they want you to go down to Starbucks. However the menu was lengthy and did have child-friendly items on it. And the order process was smooth, delivery fast.
Kids Activities
The arcade was crowded but fun. Bowling alley- very neat place and something different for us in Vegas- we were surprised that even our 3 year old enjoyed herself there. We did not make use of the KidsQuest because apparently vaccination records were required- so if you plan to use this service, plan ahead. There's a movie theatre, too (Regal Cinemas). Food court has a good selection of different types of kid-friendly food (Italian, Ice Cream, Chinese, etc) though we had catered food through our group for the weekend (which was delicious and service was excellent). All of these child-friendly amenities are on the opposite end of the hotel area, so you'll have to cut through the casino smoke and chaos to get there. This walk got a little long, but I suppose that can't be changed. Bring a stroller.
Spa
Spa is lovely and I had one of the best treatments I've ever had. I usually get the same type of treatment whenever I use a hotel spa so I've had a good comparison. This was excellent. Check in and out was quick. The list of available services is extensive- from massage to salon services including manis and pedis, but no body waxing (why is this?), first time I've seen that glaring omission, especially at a nicer hotel.
Service
For us the most important thing at a hotel when traveling with kids is the service and respect you get as parents. This is especially true in Vegas which is primarily a playground for adults. Nobody wants to feel like a second-class citizen with kids there, and we have certainly felt that way at other casinos/resorts there. I have to say Red Rock did deliver excellent service in this respect 95% of the time. Every contact I had from check-in to check-out, bellmen to casino security to arcade staff to restaurant staff, always smiling and happy to make us happy. It was a very friendly, summer camp kind of atmosphere and that made me feel really taken care of the entire weekend. Moms and dads need pampering too and they made that possible.
Will I be back?
Probably yes. I think what I liked best about Red Rock was the feeling that I was being taken care of, despite a few very minor inconviences I can plan ahead/troubleshoot for next time. The staff really were friendly and at our beck and call. The beds were a dream and the rooms were intensely quiet. Loved the views. Though we didn't use their "Adventure Spa" the idea of a guided hike to a hot spring or kayaking was a wonderful idea and I'd love to take advantage of that aspect of Las Vegas. Red Rock is closer to these activities which makes me more apt to do them- plus they have gambling, a great pool and the wonderful spa. Pretty much everything you'd have on the strip, plus the outdoors activities, and a few extras for the kids.
