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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]