It’s Been a Long Road for Rio Las Vegas, but the Comeback Is Here

It’s been a long and winding road for the Rio Las Vegas, but the once-popular off-Strip hotel-casino is making a comeback with a $340 million makeover. The Rio opened 35 years ago as Las Vegas’ first all-suite hotel-casino, featuring a colorful design theme based on Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval, appealing to both visitors and locals. A few years later, it became known for its showy Masquerade Village, which featured a suspended Mardi Gras-style “parade in the sky” and the massive Carnival World Buffet, the city’s first “super buffet” that set the standard for Vegas’ over-the-top, all-you-can-eat culture.

Under a succession of owners, the property—located just west of the Strip on Flamingo Road—deteriorated from neglect before the pandemic. Dreamscape Companies acquired it in 2023, setting out to revitalize the hotel-casino. Now, after completing Phase One of the multi-year transformation, the refreshed Rio is showing new signs of life, reclaiming its relevance in the competitive Las Vegas hospitality market.

New Room Product: Comfortable, Practical, and Large

Maintaining the existing 580-square-foot suite footprint allows the property to offer some of the largest modern rooms in the city. The 1,500 renovated suites in the Ipanema Tower, inspired by the contemporary apartments near Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, feature all-new furnishings and decor in an attractive color scheme. Amenities include separate living and sleeping zones, a 65-inch TV, and a sectional sofa with a queen-size pull-out bed. However, the living area’s lighting fixtures, while stylish, don’t provide sufficient illumination. The practical split-bathroom arrangement—featuring a toilet, sink, and oversized shower in a private room, plus another sink outside the bath—conveniently allows multiple guests to primp simultaneously.

Casino Modernization and New F&B Outlets

The 117,000-square-foot casino floor has been refreshed with vibrant carpeting and improved ventilation. The casino-centric Lapa Lounge, named after the upscale Lapa neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, offers a sophisticated cocktail destination with live music nightly.

Canteen Food Hall features six culinary concepts in a marketplace setup with plenty of seating. Options include smashburgers from Attaboy Burger, Shogun Ramen’s authentic Tonkotsu broth, and Tender Crush’s rich boardwalk donuts, all at reasonable prices, making it a great value.

The standout new F&B outlet is Luckley Tavern & Grill, operated by restaurateur Oliver Wharton. The Americana-themed menu includes warm artichoke dip, smoked short rib in red wine sauce, and house-made banana pudding. Wharton’s rock memorabilia collection adds context to the classic rock soundtrack.

Returning F&B outlets include Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho, Hash House A Go Go, VooDoo Steak, The Wine Cellar Tasting Room, KJ Dim Sum, and Kang’s Kitchen. Additional venues will be announced later.

Updated Pools, Revamped Meetings/Convention Space, and New Exterior Light Show

The revamped pool deck includes four mid-century design-inspired pools. The area, which opens in March, features an adult deck as a tranquil retreat for guests 21 and over. The 220,000 square feet of newly renovated meeting and convention space aims to attract gatherings of all sizes, with the added convenience of free parking.

The Rio’s two towers, visible from the Strip, now feature an exterior art installation with over three miles of programmable LEDs, creating an ever-evolving light show.

Phase Two Underway; Rio Joins Destination by Hyatt Brand Portfolio

Phase Two focuses on redesigning and modernizing the Masquerade Tower guestrooms. The Masquerade Village will also be reimagined, with details yet to be revealed by Dreamscape.

The Rio joined the Destination by Hyatt portfolio last year, raising its profile. World of Hyatt members can earn and redeem points for stays and enjoy waived resort fees on Free Night Awards. Elite members can also enjoy benefits such as room upgrades.