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Stranded Airline Passengers Can Ease the Pain at...Um...Circus, Circus

Where: 500 N Sierra St [map], Reno, NV, United States, 89503

[Update: The offer is valid at Circus, Circus in Reno, not Vegas.]

Last week was a very bad week for some airlines. Jaunted has all the coverage of what went wrong with Skybus, ATA and Aloha Airlines, all of which went bankrupt leaving passengers in a bind.

But one hotel in Reno, Nevada is trying to help out. Circus, Circus is offering any passengers affected by these three shut-downs a complimentary two-night, three-day stay at their hotel.

Here are the official rules/requirements:

The free room offer is for up to 4 people in a room and is valid for any person holding an airline ticket for a cancelled Aloha, ATA, or Skybus airline flight, regardless of destination. To book a free room, call 800-648-5010 and ask for code VFREE08.

Airline tickets must have been purchased before April 1, 2008 and be for travel after March 31, 2008 for Aloha Airlines, April 3, 2008 for ATA Airlines, and April 4, 2008 for Skybus Airlines. Rooms must be booked before August 30, 2008. Subject to room availability. Please provide proof of ticket purchase at check-in.

Of course, Circus, Circus, would not be our first choice but hey, a free room is a free room right?

[Photo: Suffrboy]

Report from Reno / → All Tags

Report from Reno: Dzot's Final Thoughts

[Ed. Note: Before he signs out on his Report from Reno, Hotel Maven Dzot gives us some of his final thoughts on the biggest little city in the world.]

Even though this confirmed Vegas junkie went to Reno with a cynical attitude, I couldn't help be somewhat charmed and not just by all the eccentricities.  The folks in Reno were an easy-going, friendly bunch -- almost Norman Rockwell-ish in their ways; this in contrast to the intensity that permeates Vegas.

Even in the casinos, the dealers were very tolerant of those who might make transgressions of etiquette. In Vegas, confusion about when you can split or double down might induce stern looks or strong words from a dealer who can barely speak English (at Mandalay Bay I believe the policy is to spit on you).  In Reno the nice lady will smile and take a moment to gently educate you in her warm western drawl.  She'll probably even call you "Honey".

I wouldn't give up a Vegas trip for Reno.  But I wouldn't hesitate to go back again.

[Another Ed. Note:] In case you missed one, you can find the rest of the Report from Reno stories here. Additionally, Dzot wasn't the only one who thought the Peppermill was created by a man who frequently dropped acid back in the day. Reno Tripping has affectionately nicknamed the place the Trippermill.

Image via KenLund/Flickr

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Report from Reno: Grand Sierra Staff Still Wearing Old Hilton Uniforms

Where: 2500 East 2nd Street [map], Reno, NV, United States, 89595

[Ed. Note: Today, Dzot gets a break in his Report from Reno series. Instead we look at a place to avoid, Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, formerly the Hilton Reno.]

The Eldorado, the Silver Legacy and the Peppermill all have very reasonable rates (like under $100 per night). The Grand Sierra however bumps the rate up a tad more maybe because it used to be a Hilton so they think they can charge Hilton prices.

This is not so big a deal so long as you get your money's worth. But unfortunately this hotel's staff is ruining the fun for the guests:

We arrived around 10 am, the place is under transition, and is kinda messy, what turned me off, was the customer service, they "claim" to be or will be one of the most luxurious resorts in the world. They've got a long way to go! They've got the new signage up outside but don't be fooled, inside, employees are still wearing Reno Hilton uniforms, and Hilton names all over. I'm sure the rooms are the same as well.

Employees masquerading around in old Hilton uniforms? Even though this is Reno-not-Vegas, this does not bode well.

This also isn't just some isolated incident as several reviews on TripAdvisor seem to have had issues with the staff during their transistion phase. To be fair, The Grand Sierra will undergo some fancy renovations so we suggest waiting until the hotel and the staff's attitude have been made over before you hit it up.

Related Stories:
· Grand Sierra Resort & Casino reviews [TripAdvisor]

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Report from Reno: The Peppermill Hotel Casino

Where: 2707 South Virginia Street [map], Reno, NV, United States, 89502

[Ed Note: While everyone else was gambling in Las Vegas, Hotel Maven Dzot decided to check out the scene in Reno. So this week we are bringing you his reports from Nevada's other big little city. Enjoy.]

Beyond the "Strip" there are casinos spread throughout the city.  The most notable of those being The Peppermill.

If I were to ever go back to Reno, The Peppermill is where I would stay.  Walking into place is a dizzying event.  It is a 360-degree-swirl of brightness and contrast.  There can't be more than a few square feet of the place that is not covered in neon lights of some shape or form.  It sounds garish and it is, but it is also strangely compelling, probably because it feels like it was done in good humor and with a certain sense of its own absurdity.

More on the Peppermill's scene post-click

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Report from Reno: The El Dorado and Circus Circus

[Ed Note: While everyone else was gambling in Las Vegas, Hotel Maven Dzot decided to check out the scene in Reno. So this week we are bringing you his reports from Nevada's other big little city. Enjoy.]

The Silver Legacy's neighbor on one side, the El Dorado, was fairly non-descript.  There is an interesting little garden courtyard area and the place is very light on pretense and affectation and appeared to be pretty much theme-free, which is a treat in the casino world, but that's about it.

The third connected property, Circus Circus, is deeply twisted and terrifying.  First, there is the clown motif.  CLOWNS ARE EVIL.  

Second, there are those obnoxious carnival games like the ring toss over the pop bottles and the squirt gun in the clowns mouth thing and so forth.  All are manned by carnies -- small hands, smell like cabbage.  

But most disturbingly there this sign out front that features the beyond freaky picture of two obviously mutated dogs.  I am sure there is a reason for this being the featured graphic for the place but I really don't want to know what it is.  

You know how when you were in college and everyone would get together and drop acid, there was always the one guy who would curl up in the corner whimpering and crying "please make it stop, please make it stop".  Walk into Circus Circus and you'll know what he felt like.

Silver Legacy and Circus Circus (strangely, though, not the El Dorado) are owned by the MGM/Mirage group, although I doubt Kerkorian spends a whole lot of time here.

The only other significant property in walking distance is Harrah's, which looks and feels exactly like every other Harrah's, whether on the Strip, in New Orleans, or Tahoe -- a serviceable, decent quality casino.  It's kind of like the Bennigan's of casinos, nothing to get excited about, but at least you probably won't get food poisoning.

Image via Free Truman/Flickr

Related Stories:
· El Dorado reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Circus Circus Reno reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Report from Reno: The Silver Legacy [HotelChatter]

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Report From Reno: The Silver Legacy

Where: 407 N Virginia St [map], Reno, NV, United States, 89501

[Ed Note: While everyone else was gambling in Las Vegas, Hotel Maven Dzot decided to check out the  scene in Reno. So this week we are bringing you his reports from Nevada's other big little city. Enjoy.]

Reno bills itself as the Biggest Little City in the World.  It's often thought of as Las Vegas North.  Well, speaking as a confirmed Vegas junky, I was ready to have a good laugh at that claim.  But, you know, Reno does OK.  Style and attitude-wise, the Vegas Strip it ain't.  It's somewhat like downtown Vegas in that it is well downscale (and even seedy in parts) when compared to the glitter at the corner of Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd., but it's not without its charms.

First off, what might be termed the Reno strip is small-ish.  The only really big complex is a co-joined casino threesome of Silver Legacy, the El Dorado, and Circus Circus.  Stay at one and you have easy access to all three.  

The Silver Legacy, where I was staying, was the central of the three properties.  The first thing you notice is that just off the lobby, there is huge, multi-story Victorian era contraption serving as its centerpiece.  The device had no obvious function at first glance; it was just an enormous concoction of giant gears and lever arms and pulleys.  It looked like a prop from League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or a time machine as imagined by a contemporary of Jules Verne or H.G. Wells.

More on the Silver Legacy post-click.

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Reno PJ Slot Party!!!!: And other desparate cries for attention from Las Vegas' shadow

Hey everybody, it's unlucky in gambling, unluckier in sleepwear night in Reno ... so what are you waiting for? Grab your sexiest nighties, stat! And women, wear whatever you'd like (giggle, like chicks are going to this).

Yes, the Peppermill Reno Hotel is hosting a Pajama Party Slot Tournament on Sept. 6 and 7, 2004.

The $199 entry fee includes three rounds of tournament play, an awards dinner, airport shuttle transportation, complimentary cocktail in casino bars, Monday morning Danish and coffee, and a chance to wear your PJ's in public! Wear your best PJ's and participate in a drawing for your share of $500.

All this from a press release... See? Not all press is good press. Now, where's my teddy, bit***s? Daddy's pulling for 7's!