Rio Las Vegas – ReportWire

Rio Las Vegas Wins 10 Local Awards • This Week in Gambling

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Rio Las Vegas secured ten honors in the Las Vegas Review-Journal 2025 Best of Las Vegas awards. The resort earned three gold, three silver, and four bronze medals across several categories including entertainment, dining, and nightlife. This recognition comes during an extensive multi-phase transformation of the property, which is located just off the main Las Vegas Strip.

In the entertainment sector, the acrobatic production WOW – The Vegas Spectacular took home the gold award for Best Acrobatic Show. The long-standing magic act Penn and Teller also received a gold award for Best Magic Show. The Empire Strips Back, a newer addition to the property, earned gold for Best New Act or Show and a bronze for Best Female Revue. The Comedy Cellar was recognized with a silver award for Best Comedy Club.

The dining and nightlife offerings at Rio Las Vegas also received multiple accolades. The Canteen Food Hall earned a silver award for Best Food Hall, while Tony Luke’s won silver for Best Philly Cheesesteak. In the beverage and lounge categories, The Wine Cellar Tasting Room received a bronze award for Best Wine Bar, and Lapa Lounge took bronze for Best Cocktail Bar. Voodoo Lounge, known for its elevated position above the city, was awarded bronze for Best View.

These awards follow significant investments by the current ownership to revitalize the destination. The ongoing property transformation has already seen the completion of 1,500 newly remodeled suites in the Ipanema Tower. Additionally, the resort recently debuted a refreshed 117,000 square foot casino floor and a updated rewards program designed to enhance the guest experience.

Management stated that these wins reflect the renewed energy of Rio Las Vegas and a commitment to providing high-quality experiences for visitors. The property continues to operate as a Hyatt-affiliated resort, allowing guests to use and earn points through the global loyalty brand. As the renovation project moves into future phases, the resort aims to maintain its position as a prominent off-Strip destination for tourists and local residents alike.

Update to Renovations at the Rio Las Vegas • This Week in Gambling

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We’ve been following the renovations at the Rio Las Vegas for quite a while. And now, the property has announced that the initial phase of the upgrades has been completed. This is an ongoing project which began back in 2023, and may take another year or two for completion. In fact, we visited the resort back in May of this year to have a look around, and you can find that video below.

In this first phase, significant upgrades were made. This included the introduction of eight new dining options, a complete overhaul of the 220,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, and a refreshed pool district with four distinct pools. Additionally, more than 900 new slot machines were added, along with new carpeting throughout the gaming areas.

Collectively, all of the renovations at The Rio are designed to breathe new life into the property, all while preserving its iconic charm and elevating the luxury experience for both locals and visitors alike. President and CEO, Patrick Miller, stated that while their priority was to modernize and revitalize the property, it was important to “…preserving the vibrant atmosphere and excitement that made the Rio a pioneer in Las Vegas hospitality.

One of the most important standout features of the renovations at the Rio Las Vegas is the innovative lighting installation by Chris Kuroda and Andrew Giffin. Utilizing over three miles of programmable LEDs, they have created a dynamic light show that changes continuously and can be seen from across the Las Vegas skyline. Miller notes that no two shows are alike, adding a unique element to the experience, and we even have a video of the show at the close of this article!

Looking ahead, the next phase of this transformation is scheduled to kick off later this year, promising even more enhancements to the property. Stay tuned!

Luckley Tavern & Grill Opens at Rio Las Vegas • This Week in Gambling

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The Luckley Tavern & Grill has opened as art of the major renovations at the Rio Las Vegas. Conveniently situated right in the heart of the casino floor, this fresh culinary addition is a tribute to everything American. Step inside and guests will discover a warm, inviting space, perfect for enjoying expertly crafted cocktails and mouth-watering bites.

Upon entry to the Luckley Tavern, diners are treated to warm, earthy tones contrasted with touches of deep, sensuous green, highlighted by warm white lighting. The space is anchored by an elegant marble bar top and gold-accented bar stools. The music, curated by Oliver Wharton, the operator of Luckley and founder of A Perfect Bite, is a tribute to his own evolution. Born in the ’70s, growing up in the ’80s, and making his mark in the ’90s, Wharton’s musical selections reflect his journey through these decades.

The walls inside pay homage to some of music’s most iconic performers, including Blondie, Tupac, Aerosmith, Beastie Boys, and David Bowie, with art pieces personally selected by Wharton. Together, these design elements seamlessly blend to create an approachable and modern dining space perfect for a round of cocktails or a meal with friends.

Open seven days a week, Luckley Tavern serves up delicious flavors at The Rio with a Las Vegas flair. Guests can expect an approachable, yet thoughtfully curated dining experience meant to highlight the contrasting flavors and textures of ingredients harvested at the peak of freshness. The cocktail menu reflects the same attention to detail, featuring a wide selection of beverages meant to mirror the restaurant’s steadfast dedication to quality and taste without compromise.

Vegas Renovations at Rio, Venetian, Paris & More • This Week in Gambling

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We have a look at some of the renovations at Rio Las Vegas inside and out! Plus, major makeovers at Venetian and El Cortez , changes at Paris Las Vegas and big plans for Virgin Hotels Las Vegas!

Las Vegas is a city of change, and this week we have some big changes coming to Paris and Virgin… two words you don’t often hear used in the same sentence. There are also major makeovers from Venetian to El Cortez, but we begin with the renovations at Rio Las Vegas! Several weeks ago we visited the Rio and booked one of their 1,500 recently renovated rooms. I have to tell you, I was pleasantly surprised at how spacious it was compared to most resorts in the city.

With a unique layout that was a refreshing change, the bed was comfortable, the room was clean, and there were plenty of outlets for my devices, along with huge windows that provided great views and plenty of light. There was more closet space than most standard rooms, the sink and mirror area was large enough for two people, and the bath and toilet were separated, with a spacious shower and this convenient gap in the glass to turn on the faucet without getting blasted by cold water.

Downstairs, the pool is 3 acres of Brazilian inspired beauty with cabana and daybed rentals, breakfast and lunch options, and drinks served all day. Back inside the Canteen Food Hall has several new options, from Tender Crush Chicken to Nama Nama Japanese, there’s also Philly Cheese Steaks, Attaboy Burgers, Southland Burritos and more! Outside of the building, the static red and blue theme that had been a staple of the Rio for years is gone… replaced by a new exterior light show with over three miles of programmable LEDs! We even have a video of this light show in action, available on our YouTube channel.

Rounding out the renovations at Rio, back inside the Lapa Lounge will open soon, with monkeys and jaguars hanging from the ceiling. Serving Bohemian inspired cocktails along with local and craft beers. Plus, the Luckley Tavern will offer a range of lunch and dinner choices when it opens later this summer… from wings and pizza to a 32 oz Tomahawk Steak! The overhauled casino floor brings players 100,000 square ft of slots and table games to choose from, but of course there are are other entertainment options at the Rio as well, including the Penn and Teller show, Chippendale’s Dancers, and more! Lastly, Rio is also getting a new convention area, a wine cellar and tasting room, and even updated marquees out in front!

And finally this week, you may have heard us reporting on the new Venetian poker room that will be opening this summer, or their new Rewards Program which launched earlier this year… and now this: To celebrate their 25th anniversary, Venetian is upgrading all 4,000 of their rooms in the Towers at a cost of $1.5 billion! Those rooms should be available to welcome guests by this September. Meanwhile, the El Cortez in downtown is also getting a makeover, only theirs is going to cost around $20 million. They will be adding one new restaurant, two new bars, a high limit lounge, and 10,000 square feet to their casino floor!

Virgin will also be undergoing major renovation work, now that they have cut ties with the Mohegen Tribe. Those changes will make the resort look more like a traditional Las Vegas casino… their words, not mine. Also, Paris Las Vegas gained an entirely new hotel tower when Bally’s became Horseshoe. Work has been underway to make that new tower look like the Paris, and part of that work is adding outdoor balconies, many of which will have a great view of the Bellagio Fountains! To make the Paris feel more like, well… Paris, hotel staff is now being trained in how to condescend to their American guests. I can’t make this stuff up! Or can I?