Grand Sierra Resort Reno--Just back and I added my thoughts!

[BillyFan]

Has anybody stayed there recently? I going to this weekend, and I'm wondering if there is any info I need ahead of time. The pool looks really cool on their web site. Is there anything else to do?

 

[mamacatnv]

We locals call it Gun Shot Residue since the new logo is GSR

Nikki Beach night club is supposed to be the hot spot in town. The self serve wine bar is interesting albeit a little spendy. I haven't stayed in one of their rooms in a couple of years. My brother stayed there in June and came to my house for his second night. They did not book one of the "upgraded" rooms and found the room they had was shabby and dirty plus they had some sort of "coupon code" that upon check in they hotel was giving them a hard time about. The GSR is rumored to be having severe money problems. They spent a ton of money revamping the upper floors into privately owned condo's and redoing the casino floor layout.

Johnny Rockets has a decent burger and the Arnold Palmer Steak House is supposed to be very good.

Don't know if this helps, are you planning on attending the Rib Cook Off in Sparks?

 

[BillyFan]

Thanks for the heads-up. Yes, we are going for the Rib Cook Off. I also have a code, and am planning on bringing the card with me.

 

[grizbuzz]

We stayed there less than a year ago and were in one of the unremodeled rooms, which was a bit outdated and shabby. We didn't visit the pool, but sawand heard it from our room. It was a bit too young and hip for us, but people really seemed to be enjoying it.

There's quite a bit to do in the casino...movie theater, bowling alley, indoor golf, shopping (though not terribly great shopping). Plus the seem to have redone some of the bars and restaurants. If the casino were in Vegas, I don't it would get high marks, but not bad for Reno.

I'd stay there again, but would get an upgraded room if I could.

 

[mamacatnv]

Thanks for the heads-up. Yes, we are going for the Rib Cook Off. I also have a code, and am planning on bringing the card with me.

While at the Rib-Cookoff make sure to visit Great Basin Brewery there in Victorian Sq. (if you like micro brews) My fav. is the B'tchn Raspberry and the local fav is the Iche (Icky).
Do bring your "code" with you and have it in hand. I am not sure what my Brothers issue was, but I do know he and his wife checked out and stayed with me instead.
It's supposed to be warm this weekend (mid 90's) and remember the elevation, drink lots of water and dip yourself in sun screen. Also, the evenings can be warm and they can be really cool. This is the time of year where the evenings get unpredictible, bring a light sweater/jacket just in case.
Have a great time - don't forget to pay your "casino" taxes so we who live here can continue to not have any state taxes.

 

[BillyFan]

Thanks for the Beer Tip. We will be sure to go there! I'll report back when I get home.

 

[BillyFan]

Well, we just got home a couple of hours ago, and I wanted to report on our stay. Upon check-in I was told the only king rooms available were pool-facing, and she did not recommend that because of noise. I asked for an upgrade, but was told they were sold out for Saturday. So we took the room with 2 double beds, and they were tiny. But I soon got over that when my brother in law and his family got a pool-facing room on the 5th floor. Lets just say there were fireworks and a sky diver in the pool Saturday night! It was very loud and kept them and their kids up very late.

Other than that, the hotel was fine. Our room was clean, but not beautiful. The pool area was nice during the day, but there was no shade and you couldn't even bring a bottle of water in with you. We saw a movie, went bowling, and took the kids to the arcade. We also ate at the buffet, which was typical, not fantastic.

But the best part came when I was checking out. Our whole trip was comped! I'm not sure why, and I didn't want to stick around and questions it. So for free, the hotel met our expectations, but I think I'd rather stay downtown next time.

We also had a great time at the rib cook-off. Ate tons of ribs and even made it to the brewery!

Thanks again for all your input before our trip. It was a fun weekend.

 

[mamacatnv]

Wow - you must have really done a bang up job paying your Nevada taxes if they comped your room!

Glad you had a good time, the weather was perfect for the rib cook off this weekend. Hope you come to visit again soon the state is having a major budget crisis

Warning: Downtown is pretty scuzzy, IMO if you are coming to gamble the 3 sister resorts (Circus Circus, Silver Legacy and El Dorado) are not a bad place to stay. The Legacy is the newest and the CC is the oldest.

I personally really like the Nugget Tower in Sparks.

 

[pixiewings71]

I was going to suggest Silver Legacy. We haven't stayed there but it was by far our favorite casino in Reno! We stayed at Fitzgerald's, I got it for very cheap, I'm thinking it was $29 or $39 a night in January. Anyway, I went to the SL website and signed up and now I get offers all the time from them, for as little as $39 & $49 a night.

 

[grizbuzz]

The Peppermill is another interesting option. We stayed there a few months ago and first we got a "hot tub" room that I found so gross. If CSI came in, I'd hate to think what kind of "evidence" they'd have found in there. Yuck!

Anyway, we were switched to a "more clean" room and got a lovely recently renovated room in the same Peppermill tower with a completely different feel. I thought I was in a different hotel/casino. And they are in process (or maybe now finished) of completing a Tuscan tower with European style rooms.

I think I like Silver Legacy best, but consider Peppermill another good option. And it consistently wins top casino awards.

Just another option...

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

As a local, I second the Nugget idea. They have a great pool area and you'd walk out the door to the Rib Cookoff! You'd probably need to make your reservations now though!