Rio Las Vegas Review: Is This Off-Strip Resort Worth It?
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Today we're at the Rio Las Vegas, checking out the whole property. A few years ago the Rio was added to World of Hyatt as a Destination by Hyatt, which means you can earn Hyatt points here, which I checked out when the partnership started. That changed the way I Vegas stay in a big way. I've stayed at the Rio a number of times over the years, and they've made real improvements with the renovation. Here's everything you need to know before you book.
Booking & World of Hyatt Perks
This is where the Rio gets interesting for award travelers. Because it's a Destination by Hyatt, you earn World of Hyatt points on your stay, and your elite benefits apply:
Globalists get free breakfast and a waived resort fee — and in Las Vegas, a waived resort fee is a genuinely big deal.
Globalists also check in at VIP registration, which was very helpful and quick. Waters were offered at the desk, and that’s where you’d grab them each day if you so wished.
If you're not a Globalist, you can still get a little upgrade as a Discoverist or Explorist, or at least earn and redeem points on the stay. It’s a Category 3, so even with the new Hyatt changes, it’ll be a reasonably priced redemption.
Free breakfast in Vegas is not a common occurrence, so stacking that with a waived resort fee makes the Rio a strong value play — especially compared to the Strip casinos and resorts I usually stay at.
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The Brazilian Theme
The Rio is Brazilian-themed, and they really commit to it. You'll notice floors that reflect the sidewalks of Rio (and Portugal, which colonized Brazil), custom furniture, and that Rio vibe carried all the way into the guest rooms. Not every Vegas hotel extends its theme into the rooms, at least not anymore. I think that's a nice touch, and when you're staying off-Strip, you have to make things a little more special. They pull it off.
Love the styling of the suites at the Rio!
The Rooms
The Rio was the first all-suite property in Las Vegas, so even a standard room is large. On this visit I didn't get a suite upgrade like my first stay, so I was in Room 1715 — I'd call it a junior suite, but still very spacious and a great deal for what you pay.
A big tip on towers: stay in the Ipanema Tower. Those rooms are renovated, stylish, and convenient to the whole casino. The Masquerade Tower rooms are still unrenovated — old-world Rio — so I wouldn't book there unless you get some kind of crazy deal or offer.
Here’s my review of the property. Like and subscribe!
What a Globalist Upgrade Can Look Like
On a previous visit I was upgraded to a suite on the top floor of the Ipanema Tower (Room 2048) — a good example of what you might score as a Globalist. It had two bathrooms, a large living room with plenty of space to congregate if you're entertaining, and a massive dining room (great if you want room service or to bring food back from the excellent food hall on property). I loved the style. If you're a fan of big suites, try to finagle one of these. Check out my video above for the tour.
Dining & Bars
There's a lot to like on the food-and-drink side, and most of it got refreshed:
Tavern + Grill — one of my favorite spots, and they hand you two-for-one drink vouchers at check-in to use here, so use ‘em!
Canteen Food Hall — a big draw, and a great grab-and-go option when you can't decide: a sushi bar, chicken tender restaurant, Tony Luke's (the famous Philly cheesesteak), and more. It gets busy, partly because the Rio hosts a lot of athletic events (like cheerleading and volleyball competitions while I was there), so it's an easy post-match bite.
KJ's Dim Sum — still here (seemingly a long-term tenant), popular with locals, with its own entrance in the back.
Eggslut — brand new, the same popular breakfast spot from the Cosmopolitan, right by check-in.
Lapa Lounge — the lobby bar, with a tropical-jungle vibe (jaguars and monkeys on the ceiling) and excellent cocktails. Don't miss it. They also have a great happy hour.
Tacos del Rio — replaced the old Guy Fieri restaurant (I didn't get to try it on this visit).
The Kitchen Table — formerly Hash House A Go Go, now where the Globalist breakfast is served. Typical breakfast fare, but again — free breakfast in Vegas is a win.
Pool & Gym
The pool area looks stunning — bright colors that complement the buildings, multiple pool experiences, and an adults-only pool (helpful, since there are a lot of kids on property for those sporting events). They were still changing things around back there on my visit. The gym has been refreshed too. It was a disaster the first time I stayed here, so that's a real improvement.
Entertainment
The Rio still has classic Vegas entertainment, which I love supporting:
Penn & Teller — they've been at the Rio since basically the beginning, thousands of shows in. We don't have a lot of classic Vegas left, so I always try to catch them.
Comedy Cellar — the famous New York comedy club has a room here, with lots of comics coming through.
WOW - The Vegas Spectacular – Classic Vegas.
The Old Masquerade Side
Part of the resort — the Masquerade section — is still largely unrenovated, and it's a fun piece of '90s Vegas history. It used to host "Fantasy in the Sky," a parade above the casino floor. Much of it is no longer casino space; I hope they expand and add more here. Upstairs, the old Voodoo Lounge has been reconcepted with a James Beard award-winning chef. There's also plenty for families: Kiss-themed mini golf and a KISS museum, an arcade, and glow mini golf (an extra charge). Rideshare pickup is right next to the main lobby, close to check-in.
The Off-Strip Tradeoff
Here’s the thing: the Rio is off the Strip. It's not far from anything, but you're removed from walking-distance activities beyond the Rio itself, so factor in Ubers back and forth if the Strip is your real destination.
That being said, it’s close to attractions like Area15 and is never far away from most of the Strip.
Final Verdict: Is the Rio Worth It?
For a points traveler, the Rio Las Vegas is a strong value — large all-suite rooms, a fun Brazilian theme carried into the design, solid dining, classic entertainment, and a property that keeps getting better with each renovation. Pair it with World of Hyatt benefits — especially Globalist free breakfast and a waived resort fee — and it's one of the better deals in town, as long as you're okay with the rideshares to the Strip. Book the Ipanema Tower, grab a suite if you can, and you'll have a great stay.
Stayed at the Rio, or have a favorite Vegas points hotel? Tell me in the comments!
