Eldorado Resort Casino at THE ROW

HOTEL OVERVIEW

I’ll be honest – when I first walked into the Eldorado Resort Casino, I wasn’t expecting much from the outside. It’s right there on Virginia Street in the thick of downtown Reno’s casino row, and honestly, the exterior doesn’t scream luxury. But you know what? Sometimes the best places surprise you, and this one actually grew on me pretty quickly.

The thing about the Eldorado is that it feels like what Vegas casinos probably felt like twenty years ago – there’s this authentic, unpretentious vibe that’s hard to find anymore. Sure, the carpet patterns are still casino-loud and the slot machines still ding constantly, but the staff actually seems to care about what they’re doing. I mean, the front desk guy remembered my name the second day, which never happens at those massive chain places. The rooms are solid – not Instagram-worthy, but clean and comfortable with decent beds (I’m picky about mattresses, and I slept well). The bathrooms could use some updating, but hey, everything works and the water pressure is surprisingly good.

What really sets this place apart is the food situation. The buffet gets talked about a lot, and for good reason – it’s one of those old-school spreads where they actually cook things fresh instead of just warming stuff up under heat lamps. Their prime rib on weekends is legitimately good, and I’ve seen locals drive in just for dinner, which tells you something. The sports book area gets pretty lively during football season, and if you’re into that scene, you’ll feel right at home. Parking is free (thank god), which matters more than you’d think when you’re downtown. The Eldorado connects to some of the other casinos through these skywalks, so when it’s freezing or blazing hot outside – and Reno definitely gets both – you can wander around without dealing with the weather. Location-wise, you’re walking distance to the Truckee River, and if you’re here in summer, those riverside concerts are actually pretty fun. It’s also an easy shot up to Tahoe if you’re planning day trips, though honestly, there’s enough happening right in this area to keep you busy. Look, this isn’t the fanciest place you’ll ever stay, but it’s got character and the price is usually reasonable. If you want authentic Nevada casino culture without the Vegas madness or the boutique hotel prices, the Eldorado delivers exactly what it promises.