How2Day: Rio Hotel in Las Vegas

Take part in gambling activities in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
The Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino on Flamingo Road is within a mile of the Las Vegas Strip, and features Carnival-themed décor in its suites and gambling floor. The hotel provides shopping at the Masquerade Village, and live music entertainment can be seen in Rio All-Suites' Voodoo Lounge. Before hitting the tables, swim in one of the hotel's four swimming pools. One of the pools has a sandbar, while another has a cascading waterfall.

The 2,500 guest suites at the Rio hotel are in 20-floor and 41-floor towers, and have an efficiency-style arrangement with ceiling-to-floor windows and a sitting area. Some of the more popular suites include the Masquerade Suite, which has a whirlpool tub, dining room and panoramic view of the city, and the Cariocas Suite, a golden-colored unit with a private whirlpool tub, 1 1/2 bathrooms and a walk-in closet. Pets under 50 pounds may stay for an additional fee. Only two dogs are allowed per room, and dogs must always be on a leash in other areas of the hotel.

The gaming floor at Rio features colorful décor, such as a pink and purple hot-air balloon floating over the floor, and murals of people in Carnival masks. Gaming opportunities include slot machines and table games, including blackjack, roulette and craps. While you are gambling, the cocktail waitresses will break out into song randomly before or after they serve you a drink. The casino's poker room hosts daily tournaments of Texas Hold 'Em, Pot Limit Omaha and Triple Draw. Keno and horse-betting also are available on the casino floor.

Over 60,000 square-feet of retail space is located in the Rio hotel. This area is called the Masquerade Village, and features high ceilings and Mardi Gras floats adorning the plaza. Upscale shopping is available for women at Landau and Higuchi, while specialty stores include Field of Dreams, which sells sports memorabilia, and the Michael Godard Art Gallery. Las Vegas-themed novelty items can be purchased at the World Series of Poker and Viva Vegas stores.

Rio Las Vegas is a popular dining spot for hotel guests and Las Vegas' passersby, especially at the Carnival World Buffet. This open-space restaurant offers international cuisine buffet-style for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You also can buy a Buffet of Buffets pass from Harrah's, the corporation that owns Rio, and use it for dining at Carnival World Buffet. However, the pass does not include alcoholic beverages. Wine enthusiasts should check out the Wine Cellar Tasting Room, which has an extensive collection of red and white wines, and traditional dining is available at the Gaylord Indian Restaurant and Martorano's, an Italian eatery with a South Florida flair.

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