Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
How did it make you feel when you got there?
Backlit onyx, tinted glass, and thousands of Swarovski crystals give this hotel the glitz and glamor of old Las Vegas. It looks like the Desert Inn. But it also feels very modern and natural. The rooms and public areas are very much in line with the colors of the desert, with natural tones and dark woods with pops of color, because the building backs up to the beautiful Red Rock Conservation Area.
How is the crowd?
Because it is close to the protection area, this hotel is very popular with people who drive in from California and other states. There’s an exit right there, and it takes about 20 minutes to get to the Strip. But most people come here to get away from Las Vegas Boulevard. It’s known as a “locals’ casino,” just like the other casinos run by Station Casino, and a lot of people go there. Locals also like the restaurants there, and since Downtown Summerlin opened next door with its own shops and restaurants, this area feels like paradise for Las Vegans. It just finished a $35 million makeover that included adding more food to the restaurant. And people who think of local casinos as places where old people play bingo should check out the new High Limit Room, a 9,000-square-foot lounge with table games and butler service.
What’s cool: Describe your room.
I stayed in a luxury king room not long ago. It was 500 square feet and had a great view of the mountains. Updating the hotel often has kept it up to date, and the dark chocolate browns, neutral tones, and pops of color that were used to decorate have always looked smart and classic. There are a lot of different types of rooms, from the smallest (the King Deluxe) to the largest (the newly renovated 7,500-square-foot penthouse).
We really need some deep, healing sleep. They got us?
The Egyptian cotton sheets are bright white and feel cool and fancy. The bed was one of the best I’ve slept on in Las Vegas. There were four big, fluffy pillows and a big blanket on top of them.
What about the little things, like a minibar or shower treats? Do any of those things end up in your bag?
Prices at the minibar are about the same as those at other minibars. Still, there are some nice touches, like TVs in the bathrooms (in the tub, not on the ceiling), so you can watch TV while you soak.
Tell us that the bathroom will be good.
The bathrooms are big, have dark walls, and have two vanities with marble tops and bathtubs. They look and feel big and fancy. Gilchrist and Soames make the goods.
Wi-Fi is likely the most important subject of all. What do you call it?
The Wi-Fi was great, and it was part of the $40 daily rental fee.
What to Eat and Drink In 2020, famous Philadelphia chef and James Beard Award winner Marc Vetri moved from The Palms (which had closed and been sold) to Red Rock. This was one of the best new restaurants in all of Las Vegas. One of the best new places in the Las Vegas Valley is Osteria Fiorella. It has a sunny patio with great views of the Red Rock Conservation Area. They make beautiful pastas by hand and serve beef short rib pappardelle and whole branzino cooked over a wood fire. Another brand-new restaurant in Red Rock is the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, run by Bruce and Eric Bromberg. Fans will be glad to know that this version still has their fried chicken. The famous Lotus of Siam restaurant has moved to a new site, and Naxos Taverna and Kallisto Oyster Bar, a Greek surprise hit, have also opened recently.
Is room service worth it?
Some hotels on the Strip have 4,000 rooms, but this one only has 800. However, the food options in each room are just as big as those in many of the bigger hotels. Breakfast is à la carte, and there are a lot of fresh-pressed juices to choose from. Prices are cheaper than on the Strip. Building your own omelets is one of the signature breakfasts, and a prime ribeye and lobster burger from Red Rock’s T-Bones restaurant is a hit on the dinner menu.Kids are welcome, and there’s a nice menu just for them. There’s also a good drink menu for when you’re in your room.
Staff: Who would get a prize if you could give one? Why?
When I called and asked to be put through to someone at the reception desk who could help me log in to the Wi-Fi, I loved that he told me he could help me and showed me how to do it. It was nice not having to wait.
Do any of the other services and benefits stand out to you? It doesn’t matter if it was babysitting, gyms, spas, parking, or something else.
The spa is great, and it was changed as part of the $35 million hotel renovation. Since Well & Being runs the hotel, it is similar to staying at a commercial spa with a busy casino and dining options downstairs. Outdoor and indoor yoga classes with live music, exercise tools like a “Bod Pod” that measures your body fat, wall yoga classes, and a wide range of specialty spa treatments, such as Thai massage and acupuncture, make the spa stand out. When you add in the easy hike trips you can take into Red Rock Conservation Area, you have everything you need for a great spa vacation.
Ability to access For people who need it, Red Rock is one of the easiest casinos in Las Vegas to get to. The eating rooms are mostly all on one level. The guest rooms, the registration area, the IMAX Complex, the bowling alley, the exercise center, the spa and salon, and the casino and gaming areas can all be reached.
What did you remember or find most upsetting about your stay?
The big pools (there are three acres of pools) with cabanas and a bar by the pools, as well as the completely new and amazing spa on one side, are what people remember most about this hotel. There are also a lot of great restaurants on the gaming side, and more are on the way. There is also a movie theater, a bowling alley, and a kids’ zone where you can leave your kids for about $10 an hour and take a break. It seems like two very different parts of the same great resort.
In the end, is it worth it, and if so, why?
The best way to see a part of Vegas that most people who only visit the Strip miss is to stay at this resort. Even though it’s near the beautiful Red Rock Mountains, it has great restaurants and places to play games (locals like going to the movie theater and bowling hall).