I had been planning a trip to Vegas for over 6 months and frequently visited this and many other travel websites to get a preview of what was in store for me and my stay at the Riv. I read many headlines that talked about bedbugs, poor service, maids stealing personal property, etc. and quite frankly I was a little concerned.
Other than being a bit too far north of the main strip area(ride the Duece on an all-day pass for 5 bucks and you'll be at the center of the strip in 10 minutes though), we had no complaints about the Riv.
HOTEL ROOM- nothing fancy schmancy- but it was roomy enough, clean, and more than adequate for 2 people. Its not the Venetian or Mandalay Bay, but if you're looking for that, youre probably not on this website anyways. Our room did have an iron and hair dryer, but no safe or coffee maker. Beds and pillows standard hotel issue. The shower-head in the shower was a little flimsy and sometimes you had to move it around with your hand to get it aimed properly, but other than that, no problems.
FOOD- only meal I had there was breakfast(3 times); once at the Buffet, once at Kadys coffee shop and once at Kristofers continental. Probably the only low point of the Riv here. Food is of average quality at best. Buffet had a pretty good selection, but taste and quality were a little lacking. Kadys also had a decent selection, but was way overpriced for what basically is typical diner fare. Probably wont eat there if we stay again.
CASINO- we played a little in pretty much every casino up and down the strip. Read this....The Riviera has the loosest slots in Las Vegas, period. Not up on Fremont Street, not down South on the strip, at the Riv ! My girlfriend and I cleaned up on slots all 3 nights we stopped in the casino. Table games usually start around $10 minimums; a few 5 dollar minimum roulette tables around also. Lots of people say the Riv's casino is outdated, crowd is too old and not hip enough, etc.. Well again, if you want the glitz and glam go to Mandalay Bay; if you want a decent shot at winning some money, go to the Riv. Incidentally a bottle of beer (Bud Light) at the Riv was about $3.25; same bottle of beer was $5.50 at the Mirage and $6.25 at the Venetian.
In review- its a hotel; its not a dump or a hole, and its not luxury suites or penthouses. If you want budget lodging and a decent place to stay on the North strip, book a room at the Riv. Its classic old-school Vegas; by the way their multi-million dollar renovation is underway so it is getting a facelift as I speak. If you're looking for the trendy, swank , "beautiful people" place to stay, then youre probably on the wrong website anyways.