Looking for an honest, family focused Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas review? We recently travelled to Las Vegas for the Rugby League Las Vegas 2025 event, securing an incredible British Airways flights and hotel package for our family of four. If you’re wondering whether the newly refurbished suites at the Rio are worth it, or how the off-Strip experience stacks up for those traveling with children, you’ve come to the right place. From free parking in Las Vegas to breathtaking views of the Sphere and the Bellagio, here is why we believe the Rio Hotel & Casino is currently one of the best value, family friendly hotels in Las Vegas.
The Deal: British Airways Flights & Hotel Package
We booked our trip as a package deal for 2 adults and 2 children through British Airways, and the price point was unbeatable. For £2,200, we secured:
- Our outbound flight from Heathrow to LA where we spent 3 nights (hotel not included)
- 8 nights at the Rio Hotel & Casino.
- Our return flight from Las Vegas to Heathrow
- A room upgrade to a newly refurbished suite with a Strip view.
For a family of four, breaking that down to roughly £550 per person for a week long Vegas holiday is stellar value, especially considering we were there for a peak sporting event.
The Room: Space, Style, and "That" View
When we arrived at the Rio Hotel & Casino, check-in was quick and easy, we paid our deposit, were given our room key and were told about the hotel facilities and where to find our room. When we walked into our room, we were genuinely gobsmacked. We had booked one of the refurbished 582+ sq. ft. suites, and the space was fantastic for a family of four.
Room Highlights:
The Size: It was enormous. At nearly 600 square feet, we never felt cramped. The room also features floor to ceiling windows that flood the space with light.
The Sleeping Setup: We had a massive King-size bed and an L-shaped sofa that converted into a comfortable queen sized pull out bed for the kids.
Other Room Features: There was a dedicated seating area by the window (perfect for morning coffee), a huge state of the art 65 inch TV (perfect for keeping the kids entertained while getting ready), a good sized bathroom with a spacious walk in shower and a large, dressing area separate to the bathroom which made getting the whole family ready much easier.
The View: This was the showstopper, the sweeping views aren't an exaggeration. We overlooked the pool areas and the iconic Rio Tower, but the backdrop was the entire Las Vegas Strip. We had clear views of the Sphere, the High Roller, Caesars Palace, and the Bellagio hotel all sparkling away in the distance.
The "Parent Hack": The Fridge Situation
One of the best surprises was the mini fridge. Unlike many Vegas hotels that use weighted minibars, where moving a bottle results in an instant charge, the Rio provided a standard fridge that was free to use. There was no minibar for the kids to accidentally trigger charges on, meaning we could stock up on our own snacks and cold drinks from Walmart which was a huge money saver!
Why the Rio is Great for Families & Drivers
Choosing to stay off the Strip was a deliberate move for us. Since we were travelling with children we wanted a hotel that was a little quieter and out of the way of the strip. We also had a hire car for the duration of our trip as we had lots of activities planned away from the main tourist areas.
Free Parking: Unlike almost every hotel on the Strip, parking at the Rio Hotel & Casino is free. This is a rare perk in Vegas and saved us a significant amount of money over eight days and made coming and going a breeze.
Uber Access: When we did want to head to the Las Vegas Strip, we used Uber. The Uber pick up is right at the hotel lobby, it usually cost between $9–$15 depending on the time of day and took us straight to the door of our destination. It was far more convenient than navigating Strip traffic ourselves.
Entertainment and Amenities
The Rio Hotel & Casino has a classic Vegas feel but with modern updates. The casino is a great size, large enough to have plenty of variety but not so big that you get lost for hours and the drinks service was good with some great cocktail choices all free of charge as long as you're gambling.
For the kids (and the young at heart), the KISS Mini Golf on site was a massive hit. It’s loud, neon, and exactly the kind of fun you want from a Vegas afternoon.
Dining: From Smashburgers to Chinatown Gems
You won't go hungry here. On site, the food court and Smashburger provided quick and easy fast food style meals that we perfect for the kids but there are also larger restaurants too. However, the real secret to staying at the Rio is its proximity to Chinatown which is a total game changer for foodies. .
We took a short trip to Chinatown and found some of the best food of our holiday. Ton Shou Premium Katsu & Izakaya, which was absolutely incredible, and Tous Les Jours, a beautiful bakery where we stopped for some delicious sweet treats and hot drinks. It felt like a much more authentic (and affordable) experience than dining exclusively on the Strip. Chinatown is a must-visit if you’re in the area.
Our Verdict
We would highly recommend the Rio Hotel & Casino. If you are looking for a hotel that offers fantastic value, massive rooms, great views, the Rio is hard to beat. It’s especially perfect if you have a car and want to explore more than just the casinos.
The only downside for us was being teased by the stunning pool area but it not being pool season. Unfortunately, despite the beautiful warm weather, the pools only opened the day that we were leaving (2nd week in March).
The combination of the British Airways package price and the quality of the newly refurbished rooms made our Rugby League Las Vegas trip one to remember.
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