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3700 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
(800) 752-9746
(702) 252-7777
Where can you find the thrill of a Brazilian carnival while you're in Las Vegas? Only at the Rio! Enticing elements resembling the world- famous carnival celebration in the streets of Brazil's most exotic city simmer throughout the Rio Suite Hotel & Casino.
Touches of Brazilian magnificence and splendor are evident throughout the neon-lit Rio Suite Hotel and Casino. The Rio's elevated site and striking glass facade are visible from all directions. Conveniently located one block west of the Las Vegas Strip, on Flamingo Road, next to the I-15.
1997 - Expansion -- (New Tower & Casino Data)
On February 7, 1997, the Rio opened its new $200 million Masquerade Village, a combination food, entertainment, shopping and gaming complex. The Masquerade Show in the Sky, an indoor entertainment attraction, features state-of-the-art floats that suspend from the ceilings and parade above the casino floor. Three themed parades are preformed throughout the day: Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnivale in Venice, Carnivale in Rio.
Inspired by European architecture, the Masquerade Village is located in the new Rio tower and includes an additional 30,000 square feet of gaming, 1,037 new suites, including three penthouse suites, one presidential suite, two wedding chapels, a reception area, and a 41st floor restaurant with a spectacular view of Las Vegas. The new, 41-story expansion is one of the tallest inhabitable towers in the United States.
With completion of the new Masquerade Village, the Rio Suite Hotel & Casino now encompasses a total of 2,563 suites, more than 20 retail shops, 14 dining outlets, nearly 120,000 square-feet of gaming and the Masquerade Show in the Sky, a $25 million indoor entertainment attraction performed free to the public.
Masquerade Village, the fully interactive show features elaborately dressed dancers, acrobats and musicians performing simultaneously in 17 different settings, including intricately designed stages, mystically appearing performers from the floor and ceiling and fantastical floats that parade above the crowds.
Shopping: Masquerade Village blends Carnivale from Rio, New Orleans and Venice into a world-wide celebration featuring distinctive retail shops such as:
Alegre - a men's apparel store, combines fun and sophistication to meet every man's clothing needs. From club trends to upscale designer chic, for men of all ages. Bernard K. Passman Gallery - Wearable art gallery featuring black coral jewelry. Cashman Photo Magic - Creates memories guest can take home as their image is superimposed onto one of more than 200 different scenarios. A large selection of cameras, binoculars and camcorders are available. Davante - Distinctive and unusual eyewear from designers such as Cartier, Jean-Paul Gautier, Gucci and Gio Franco Ferre. Davante has next-day service for optical prescriptions and eyeglass repairs. Elegant Pretenders - Finest faux jewelry, inspired by world-famous designers such as Tiffany, Cartier and Bulgari, pieces are made with solid 14k and 18k gold overlay and faux gemstones. Garys Cole Haan - Men's and women's specialty shoes and accessories. Garys Island/Dick's Last Resort - a complete line of resort-wear for both men and women, featuring well-known brands such as Reyn Spooner, Jams World, Kahala, Burman Bibas and Tommy Bahama. Guess Footwear - Bianca of Nevada also offers men's and women's specialty shoes and accessories, and features a full line of Guess and Charles David brand footwear. Houdini's Magic Shop - The Munari Magic Company brings the universal art of magic to the village, with free magic shows and lessons presented throughout the day. Appealing to all ages, the shop features the best in great magic novelties and gags. Kid Vegas - Bianca of Nevada, a long-time West Coast retailer, opened Kid Vegas, a children's specialty clothing and toy store, presented in a playful, urban-playground theme. Mardi Gras Cigars - Featuring "Fat Bob" with the world's largest smoking cigar. They specialize in boutique cigars and features a wide selection of hand-rolled cigars and high-end cigarettes as well as humidors, lighters, cutters and smoking paraphernalia. Money Magnetz - World's best selection of refrigerator magnets, as well as a complete line of clothing and gifts in a money motif. Napa Valley Gourmet Grocery -Offering a wide selection of gourmet products, patrons need to create their own culinary masterpiece. Nicole Miller -designer products from silks to sportswear, for both men and women, as well as perfumery. Nawlins Store - "benyay's" of the French Quarter and hot chickory coffees. Shop in its authentic Voodoo store featuring one-of-a-kind masks designed by world-famous artists. They also feature Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Rio Sundries - Destination products to meet the traveler's basic needs, perfect for hotel guests and visitors alike. Reel Outfitter - A full-line Orvis dealer, specializing in fly-fishing gear and hunting equipment. A full line of men's and women's outdoor/ travel fashions, luggage and a variety of unique gift ideas. Rio's Volare - A complete gift gallery, filled with unique Rio souvenirs, such as puppets, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and key chains featuring both the Rio signature and Masquerade fantasy lines. Rolands - Features designs by Tadashi, Armani and Versace in casual, evening and bridal wear, along with a complete line of accessories that include jewelry, shoes and handbags. The boutique offers alteration services. Speedo Authentic Fitness -a complete line of Speedo fitness wear including racing swimwear, authentic fitness wear, swimwear, water shorts, T-shirts, surf runners, goggles and a variety of accessories. Watch Zone - Sun Shade Optique brings Watch Zone to the Village. More than 2,000 high-end fashion watches and accessories from Rolex, Longines, Tissot, Piaget, Tag Heuer, Movado, La Salle and Rado.
Wine collection: The Rio Suite has the world's largest and most extensive public collection of fine and rare wines - The Wine Cellar Tasting Room. The record breaking $5 million collection, featuring wines once only enjoyed by kings, presidents and the cultural elite, is open to the public with free admission. From the Bordeaux regions of France to the valleys of Napa, the collection offers something for every nose, palate and spirit to enjoy. A centerpiece of the cellar is the $1 million Chateau d'Yequem collection, with 45,000 bottles from every vintage produced between 1855 and 1990. The Wine Cellar hosts five of the world's finest wine collections and invites guests to see, taste and purchase more than 700 different wines, nearly 300 available by the glass.
Restaurants
Napa Restaurant - French gourmet cuisine, selection of 600 wines. Open Wed. thru Sun. from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., reservations recommended. Seats 122. The Wine Cellar Tasting Room - Over 700 wines. Open daily 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Village Seafood Buffet - Seafood recipes. Open for lunch Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; dinner Sunday thru Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday to 11:00 p.m.; and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch was $14.95, dinner was $16.95. Seats 332. All prices, times, subject to change. Mask - A wide variety of Asian foods from Japanese to Thai as well as live Teppan grill cooking. Open nightly 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations recommended. Seats 158. Mama Marie's Cucina - Italian selections featuring fresh pasta, made daily. Family style dining, open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Seats 166. Bamboleo - Flavors of Mexico, Brazil and Argentina are prepared to perfection. Lunch and dinner served daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Seats 200. Voo Doo Cafe - Set atop the new tower, the Voo Doo Cafe offers a spectacular view perfect for a romantic evening of fine New Orleans dining and dancing, featuring live jazz music nightly.
Weddings
With the entire floor of the new 41-story dedicated to the "special day," the new wedding facilities include two elaborately decorated chapels, and two romantic 1,200 square-foot honeymoon suites and reception areas with complete catering facilities. A variety of wedding packages are available, with prices starting at $300 on weekdays in either The Rose Chapel, seating for 97 guests, or Gardenia chapel with seating for 60 guests.
All wedding packages include the couple's choice of chapel, wedding consultation with a Rio wedding coordinator, bottle of champagne, photography, fresh cut bridal bouquet and matching groom boutonniere, wedding music and a Rio monogrammed keepsake marriage certificate.
Four additional wedding packages are available with a variety of options including limousine service to and from the Clark County Court- house, personalized wedding video, dinner for two in one of the restaurants, accommodations in the new Hollywood and Rain Forest honeymoon suites, continental breakfast in bed, premium champagne, extra photography, even a romantic helicopter flight over Las Vegas. Wedding times in the Rose Chapel are booked hourly and the Gardenia Chapel is booked on the half hour. For additional information call (702) 247-7986 or (800) PLAY-RIO. Chapels open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Masquerade Village, inspired by European architecture, is combination of entertainment, food, shopping and gaming, woven together in an on-going carnivale atmosphere.
Masquerade Show in the Sky -The first interactive entertainment experience of its kind in Las Vegas. Rio visitors are invited to take a magical journey aboard one of the three fantasy floats, dressed in full costume, as they glide above the crowd to an orchestration of music, dance and celebration. Every hour on the hour, from noon to 10 p.m., Sunday thru Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, dark on Wednesday. Show: approximately 12 minutes, 3 complete shows.
A cast of 36 specialty dancers, musicians, aerialists and costumed stiltwalkers, each with his/her own show to perform. 102 one-of-a-kind costumes, designed by Edwin Piekny, and built by The Costume Shop in Las Vegas. A 950-foot track parades the floats 13 feet over the casino floor.
Five floats: Brazil - adorned with fruit, flowers and maracas, five petals that individually move up and down to carry six performers and nine guests; The Riverboat - complete with smoke stacks, paddle wheel, eight live performers and eight guests; The Venetian Gondola - allows four performers and eight guest to fly above the crowd carried by swans with telescoping necks and flapping wings; The Balloon - rotates in both directions as it carries two performers, one hanging down from a rope ladder to interact with guests on the casino floor; the two-sided "Faces of Masquerade" has a court-jester on one half and a fortune teller on the other. The innovative figure houses a hidden performer to control movement, sound and interactive conversations with casino guests.
In South of the Border style, this show combines the sights and sounds of Carnivale from Rio to the Caribbean. The main event stage: Features the giant Octopus King, an 11-foot-tall animatronic character with arms reaching 19 feet and a tentacle that shakes maracas in Rio spirit. He dons a regal fiberoptic-translucent crown. Over main event stage: Mobile streamers extend 18 feet above the main stage in Rio colors; Bar-show lift: A life-sized conch shell and a beautiful showgirl costumed as a jeweled oyster entertain; Slot carousel lift: A giant animatronic Voodoo Tree, with a live performer inside; Ceiling holes: A female singer appears in a Brazilian costume along side a flying butterfly and a pair of winged birds.
Mardi Gras Show: Features a combination of Cajun jazz and rock'n'roll in a New Orleans' Mardi Gras theme. Main event stage: The King and Queen of Mardi Gras hold court; Over main event stage: Two Marionette jesters perform supported by bungee cords; Bar-show lift: Exotic female dancers bearing oversized musical instruments perform; Slot carousel lift: Features giant animated Crab, Lobster and Fiddler; Ceiling holes: Includes a male singer who pays tribute to Louis Armstrong and a giant jazz trumpeter balloon that appears on the opposite end of the village. A giant crocodile with glowing eyes also drops down.
Venetian Show: The mystery and beauty of Venetian Carnivale captured within an atmosphere of diverse pop music sounds. Main event stage: A nearly 13-foot-tall Peacock with animatronics that fan out feathers bedazzled with a deck of cards in place of the tail's eyes; Over main event stage: Two Harlequin mines perform a flying bungee routine; Bar-show lift: A beautiful masked women appears in a shroud of mystery to entertain; Slot carousel lift: A beautiful Pierrot figure perches on a glowing half moon while a ribbon-clad mime flies on Pegasus with moving wings and legs. A dolphin carrying Lady Godiva "swims" from the ceiling, showcasing amazing acrobatic flying.
The following data is for the original hotel & casino build in 1990 - the main casino.
The Rio Suite Hotel & Casino opened January 15, 1990 with 1,554 spacious suites, the only all-suite hotel and casino. Every room is a beautifully appointed suite, with a large living area, choice of two queen-sized or one king-sized bed, crescent-shaped couch, separate dressing area, drip coffee maker, in-room refrigerator, and a complimentary in-room safe. Suites are a minimum of 600 square feet.
Parking A four-story parking garage includes 1,400 parking spaces with a bridge walkway that leads to the second level of the Masquerade Village.
Casino Area The Rio's theme is carried through to the full service 89,000 square foot casino. Experience invigorating waterfalls, exotic plants and the treasures of the Amazon as you play your favorite slot machines in the Rio's Rain Forest Casino. The Rio currently offers over 2,200 slot and video poker machines, including original games like Sneaky Queens, Rio Rita Royals, Desert Heat and Parrot's Perch. The Rio has 70 table games for playing Craps, Blackjack, Let it Ride, Caribbean Stud Poker and Mini-Baccarat. A full service Race and Sports Book offers the latest action, Keno -- with late night specials, and the Rio has a newly renovated Poker Room.
Restaurants Antonio's - offers fine dining with an Italian flair.
All-American Bar & Grill - offers zesty mesquite grilled steaks and seafood with a special collection of American made beer and wine.
Buzios Seafood Restaurant - is an elegant seafood restaurant overlooking the pool area. The all-exhibition cooking tantalizes patrons as scrumptious seafood specialties are prepared before them. Buzios' provides the finest deep water, North and South Pacific seafood, flown in fresh daily.
Carnival World Buffet - A colorful, unique buffet offering delicious fare from around the world. Choose from eleven distinct dining experiences and a bar. You'll find foods from America, Brazil, Italy, Mexico and the Orient as well a Western Barbecue, Teppan Yaki and Sushi specialties, Fish & Chips, 50's Diner, a margarita bar, and a dessert and salad pavilion.
Fiore Rotisserie and Grill - specializes in rotisserie-grilled steaks, seafood and poultry. This restaurant offers a full-exhibition kitchen and a cigar terrace.
The Beach Cafe - is a 24-hour restaurant which blends the best of European bistro with an American diner overlooking the swim lagoon and sand beach. Ideal for casual dining, the Beach Cafe features Chinese, Italian, and Mexican Specialties.
Toscano's Deli and Market - is conveniently located near the front desk. The deli and market features all of your favorite New York style deli sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, and Italian gelatos. Toscano's bakery, charcuterie and pasta retail items are made fresh daily at the Rio and are available for purchase in the deli and market area.
Gift Shop The Rio gift shop features three shops in one. Specialty shops offer unique gifts, distinctive clothing, jewelry, novel souvenirs, and sundries. The Logo Shop features an extensive line of Rio logo items. Spiagghia offers exotic jewelry and designer fashions. The Rio Beach Club is located poolside, where you'll find soft beach towels, sun-tanning products, and fun water rafts and toys.
Pools The Rio's sand beach pool welcomes you as the overflowing waterfalls splash into the turquoise blue water, resembling a tropical swim lagoon. The sand beach begins your path to a luxurious waterfall promising relaxation and enjoyment for all. A second pool in the shape of a tropical fish accents the sand-bottom waterfall pool. A recreational area includes an outside entertainment gazebo as well as two sand volleyball courts. The Coco-Bana poolside bar has a full line of tropical refreshments, a variety of food, and several Rio specialty drinks.
Fitness Guests may also enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness area with a complete facility of exercise equipment. After the workout, guest can enjoy a refreshing drink from the juice bar or visit the Spa at the Rio, a full-service facility featuring men's and women's steam rooms, two massage rooms, a body wrap room, and two types of pools. Michael's Salon pampers guests with facials, manicures, pedicures, personalized make-overs and hair styling. The fitness center is on the 2nd floor.
Meetings From state-of-the-art facilities to super accommodations, Rio's Phase IV provides every element necessary for a successful meeting or distinguished event. The Grand Ballroom now encompasses 14,632 square feet of column-free space. Featuring 12'9" ceilings, this ballroom is perfect for every event, from a corporate classroom to a mini convention or a formal awards banquet for up to 1100 people.
Entertainment The Copacabana Entertainment Complex features a unique 450 seat, one-of-a-kind entertainment and restaurant complex. Designed in a theatre-in-the-round setting, it features today's latest multimedia technologies, including special effects and high tech lighting and sound. Housed in the entertainment complex, direct from the famed supper clubs of yesteryear, the Copacabana is back! The Copacabana Dinner Show combines the best of supper club entertainment with the magical sights and sounds of a tropical paradise. Go back in time when evenings were filled with elegance, romance, and excitement.
Misc. Activities The Rio provides many activities for locals and tourists. Top-name performers provide entertainment, summer beach parties feature entertainment, food, sand volleyball and more. Dance all night long at Club Rio, Las Vegas' premiere, music video night club, featuring the best dances mixes and surprise celebrity performances. Mambo's Entertainment Lounge features great acts nightly. Visit the Rio's Ipanema Piano Bar to enjoy the Rio's award-winning Coral Crush cocktail and soothing music.
Zagat Survey of Las Vegas Hotels
Zagat, an internationally known publication that rates the nation's hotels every two years, rated the Rio Suite Hotel & Casino as the best of Las Vegas hotels (April 17, 1995). The Rio received 23 points out of a possible 30 points, and had an outstanding rating of 25 points in the Best Rooms category of the top ten Las Vegas hotels surveyed.
The top ten in each category: (from #1 to #10 - #1 the best):
Overall: #1 Rio Suite, Mirage, Caesars Palace, Golden Nugget, Treasure Island, MGM Grand, Sheraton Desert Inn, Luxor, Harrah's and #10 Alexis Park. Rooms: #1 Rio Suite, Caesars Palace, Mirage, Golden Nugget, MGM Grand, Alexis Park, Treasure Island, Sheraton Desert Inn, Luxor, #10 Harrah's. Service: #1 Rio Suite, Golden Nugget, Mirage, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, Harrah's, Sheraton Desert Inn, MGM Grand, Alexis Park, #10 Bally's. Value: #1 Lady Luck, Rio Suite, Excalibur, Hacienda, Four Queens, Palace Station, Harrah's, Golden Nugget, Stardust, #10 Circus Circus. Dining: #1 Rio Suite, Mirage, Caesars Palace, Golden Nugget, Treasure Island, MGM Grand, Sheraton Desert Inn, Alexis Park, Bally's, #10 Las Vegas Hilton. Public Facilities: #1 Mirage, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, MGM Grand, Golden Nugget, Rio Suite, Luxor, Sheraton Desert Inn, Bally's, #10 Harrah's.
Carnivale Facts From Around The World New Orleans Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras literally translated from French means Fat Tuesday, traditionally the day before Lent.
Mardi Gras can occur on any Tuesday from February 3 through March 9.
The official colors of Mardi Gras are green, gold and purple.
Mardi Gras parades follow a strict format, with the captain at the head, followed by officers, king and queen and in many parades, maids and dukes.
Favors, special souvenirs such as masks and doubloons, have been tossed from Mardi Gras floats since 1871, when Santa Claus appeared bearing gifts.
Krewe is a term with Old English flavor that refers to the Mardi Gras organizations that sponsor floats, individual parades and balls.
Rio Carnivale
Rio Carnivale is held in honor of the "roly-poly" King Momo, symbolizing polygamy and indulgence.
Rio Carnivale parade typically lasts eleven hours, beginning at 8 p.m. and running until 7 a.m. the following morning.
Originally, Carnivale emphasized pranksterism rather than celebration, complete with stink bombs, water balloons and even arson.
Venice Masquerades
At its height, the carnivale in Venice lasted six months.
Carnivale in Italy remains as a time where those who are hungry can eat.
During the masked and costumed carnivals of Venice, disguised nobels recognized each other by the jewelry they wore.
In 1687, Venice had more than 30,000 visitors come to participate in the Carnivale.
Other Traditions
In carnivals around the world, masks are worn as a symbol of immortality, stripping people of their identity and creating a sense of freedom.
Festival can be translated from Latin to mean a day of public joy.
Doubloons are aluminum objects, resembling coins, with commemorative imprints that are passed out in carnivals the world over.
One of the earliest known carnivals was in Rome, with everything-goes role-reversal parade where slaves and masters exchanged places and men dressed as women and women as men.
Carnivale in many Italian villages, and classically in Brazil, means a three-day battle of oranges, where fighters hurl tens of thousands of oranges at one another.
Confetti originated in response to the Milanese outlaw of orange throwing.
