Hyatt may have lost its key partner in Sin City, but it hasn’t given up on the city yet. In fact, as of March 1, the Rio Las Vegas joins the World of Hyatt, giving members a “Strip” option once again.
Ok, my introduction might have been a bit too generous lol. We all know that the Rio Hotel & Casino is a dump and isn’t quite on the Strip. But that the Rio Las Vegas joins the World of Hyatt is still a good thing, as it brings another option to the city, and one that’s more convenient than the other two. It doesn’t hold a candle to what Hyatt previously had with MGM Resorts International, but it’s better than nothing, right?
Rio Las Vegas Joins the World of Hyatt
For those who aren’t familiar with Vegas properties, the Rio Hotel & Casino is a massive property with over 2,500 guestrooms in two towers ranging from 580-square-foot standard rooms to 3,150-square-foot suites. However, the hotel has seen better days and is known to be rather dated nowadays. Its location probably doesn’t help, either. Much like Waikiki hotels with “beach” in the name, the Rio Las Vegas isn’t on South Las Vegas Boulevard. Instead, it’s behind Caesars Palace on the other side of I15. It’s almost the same distance from Las Vegas Chinatown as it is to the Strip.
Plus, what does the hotel have that’s of interest? Sure, it was a novelty when it opened, but the only thing of note that the property has left is Penn & Teller.
All of the above, including its lack of affiliation with a loyalty program I participate in, means I’ve never stayed here before, and never even considered the Rio. That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be worth considering moving forward, though.
While the Rio Las Vegas joins the World of Hyatt, it’s also undergoing a massive renovation project. According to hospitalitynet.org, the Rio is currently in the midst of a “$340 million” refurbishment. The two-phase project, the first of which is scheduled to finish this fall, includes a complete re-imagination of all guestrooms and public spaces.
Currently, the Rio doesn’t fall under any specific Hyatt brand. However, once renovations are complete, it’s supposed to be moved into the Destination by Hyatt brand. There’s no word on how that will affect the property’s category tier, though it’s currently a category 3 property, which means you can get an award room for 12,000 points/night at the standard rate, 9,000 points/night off-peak, and 15,000 points/night during peak periods.
Final Thoughts
Despite its Hyatt affiliation, the Rio Las Vegas won’t be on my Vegas radar (if I was planning on going) based on its location and style. Personally, I’d rather stick with MGM properties and credit my stay to Marriott, even though I’m no longer looking to earn Marriott points or status. But if any of you decide to stay, please let me know what you think!
If you do plan on staying at the Rio Las Vegas soon, be sure to plan your stay accordingly. From April 1 to June 30, 2024, World of Hyatt members can earn 500 bonus points per night stayed. Naturally, this applies to cash nights only/no points and points + cash nights.