Visitreno

[SeahawkSiren]

Just returned from an epic three-week vacation all over the American Southwest, which included Las Vegas, Zion National Park, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Sedona, and ending in Reno before flying back home to Seattle.

It was an adventure just getting to Reno from Phoenix with two delayed flights among other things. Southwest Airlines cancelled my direct flight from Phoenix to Reno and instead put me on a layover in Las Vegas and had to change planes and fly to Reno from there. Since both flights were delayed I didn’t get to Reno and checked into the room until nearly 9:00 p.m. It was a long day after driving from Sedona to Phoenix and then the air travel. So my view from the plane photos to share this time are of the sunset between Vegas and Reno. Nothing like a sunset at 30,000 feet!






Ten hours after I left Sedona I finally made it to Reno! Waited nearly 30 minutes for The Row shuttle and then another 30 minutes to check into the hotel with only one person working the desk (there are a few self check-in kiosks if you prefer that route, which I presume are just temporary because of the pandemic because they have not been there in the past). Needless to say, by the time I had dinner (after 10:00 p.m.) and with all the travel and other headaches I did not do any gambling that first night. Instead, I just relaxed in the room with some of this, which I definitely needed!



Aaahhh, after a good night’s sleep after a stressful travel day it’s time to get moving! My room was on the 29th floor and faced north and west so had a view of Circus Circus and the mountains (with a peek-a-boo view of The Sands). It rained most of the trip so had a good view of the incoming weather systems.

A storm is a brewin’ in Reno!





After morning coffee enjoying the view from the room it was time for breakfast at Café Central. Some of the tables have been removed to allow for more distancing and Pearl Oyster Bar is temporarily closed to add more spaced tables to Café Central on the weekends and other times when it’s busier. The entire menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner is all on one single page as it has been greatly reduced because of the pandemic.



After breakfast fuel it was time to head down to the casino. Look here, it’s the Silver Baron Lounge, my favorite bar in Reno! I haven’t seen you in two years. It’s good to see you old friend!

Nirvana!





It was time to head over and get my new player’s card. Say goodbye to the One Club as The Row casinos are now part of the Caesars Rewards program and I must say they were pretty generous here initially which I presume some of that is because they are desperate to get people back into the casinos. Considering I had not been to Reno in two years I received an offer for three (of my five) nights comped. Not too shabby! I also received $90 in free play (I’ve never even come close to receiving that amount before!) and $50 resort credit.

Some slot machines have been removed and it seems more than usual amounts of machines are currently set up in a carousel format vs. lined up in a row to also allow for more distancing.

Day one gambling was awesome with some good hits! This was my biggest slot hit on day one.



Day two gambling was terrible and the machines just took, took, took. So that meant doing some other things besides gambling.

In doing my usual walk around the property I noticed that the old SL Buffet is now completely covered up (used to be able to still view into the restaurant even after it permanently closed). I asked someone who worked at SL if there are any plans of doing something with that space and she said she is not aware of anything, it will just remain vacant for now. Such a prime location, hopefully something new will be in there in the future.



Time for lunch.



Then it was time for an afternoon glass of wine in the room watching the rain.



Day three I didn’t do much gambling as it was Football Sunday! And it was a good day to be inside as it was still raining and dreary outside. But the lights of The Sands and Circus Circus still shined through the gloom.





Gotta love watching football in the SL sportsbook!





Canter’s Deli on the casino floor is one of the restaurants that is temporarily closed. A real bummer not having that place available for football Sunday.

After watching morning football it was time for lunch.

Asian Chicken Salad (which was excellent!).



Day four gambling was also awesome, had several good hits! This was my best hit of the entire trip! It was on a Fu Nan Fu Nu machine (which was the same type of machine I won the hand pay on the last Reno trip in 2019).



After a few mimosas in the morning it was time for some carbs for lunch.

Spaghetti and meatballs, anyone?



The weather finally cleared up in the afternoon. OK sunshine, fine, be that way and show yourself only on my last day!



I always wait until the last day to use my free play. So I managed to turn my $90.00 in free play into this over a few hours of playing! Boo-yeah!



I watched my Seahawks lose to New Orleans on Monday Night Football and then it was time to head up the room to start packing and get ready to say goodbye to Reno.

Well, the day had arrived to go home after being gone for three weeks. Alaska Airlines changed my very convenient 11:00 a.m. departure from Reno to a 7:00 a.m. departure. So that meant getting up at 3:30 a.m. Ugh! Yep, vacation is definitely over.

It was an awesome three-week vacation and one I will always treasure. And I did have a lot fun in Reno especially having not been there in two years!

I love you Reno and look forward to visiting again when life returns to normal. Oh, how I long for life to return to normal.

[BC Dave]

I knew you were soon to post a trip report and I've been checking for it at least twice a day. The Covid/border restrictions put my planned Reno getaway on hold for awhile, so I've been waiting (somewhat feverishly) to see Reno vicariously through your eyes, words and photos.

Love your views from the plane and from the Silver Legacy room window. That chicken salad looks very mouthwatering and the spaghetti and meatballs do too. The peeks of the Sands and the Sundowner are a pleasant buzz to this old Reno addict's soul. Many great memories in both those places. And as long as they leave that 'Best Rest in the West' banner up, it'll stay the Sundowner to me!

Glad you're able to report some very nice wins. Congratulations!! That last day free play win was quite the bonus!

As usual, you end with a shot of the arch. A nice way to sign off on your trip reports. Sad to see the former Harrah's in the background. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they'll do something worthwhile with that great old landmark.

Great, great report. Thanks!!

[Zydeco]

Another EPIC report Siren!

Question: Were all those meals from Cafe Central? I'm with BC Dave, that spaghetti looked really good.

Excellent payouts and wow on the comps. I'm such a low roller, they'd never comp me anything interesting. But they have in the past when I've filled 6+ rooms for a weekend.

But I have to say I am SO happy for you to have taken a full three weeks and visited such beautiful places.

But Baron Lounge? Ah yes, come to papa.

Thanks for the report and photos, LOVE IT!

[SeahawkSiren]

[Zydeco]

Next trip be sure to hit up The Atlantis. I gotta tell you...it was great and the staff was really awesome to us. We had a blast back in May. We walked around the Row, but the "vibe" (as the kids say) was not happening....it was weird.

But looking forward to heading back for a few at The Silver Baron for sure!