Originally Posted by RevJim

You can park in an open lot or inside a parking structure, both are available and plentiful. If you are staying in the Ipanema tower, you will probably want to park in the garage around the back to the left of the main hotel entrance. I find it most convenient to drive in the rear entrance off South Valley View Drive instead of looping around the hotel entrance every time.

If you are staying in the Masquerade tower you will probably want to park on the other side of the hotel, around to the right.

I would recommend parking in the garage due to the heat. Handicap parking is available all around, and at least on the Ipanema tower side, there is a convenient air conditioned hallway from the garage to the casino, including automatic door openers.

Check in is exactly where you would expect it to be, in the front door to the left, smack dab in the middle of the casino. I stayed there a week ago and I had no problem checking in early (around 1pm IIRC) and staying late as well.

The best deal on the buffet is to buy the 24 hour pass for around $54, but on weekends the price goes up to around $75 ($69 for TR members). The price jump happens at 11am Friday, so if you get there before then you can buy a 24 hour pass at the weekday rate. If you time it right you can eat 4 full meals on a 24 hour pass, so it works out to a reasonable price per meal.

Another good "bargain" food option is to go across the street to the Palms hotel (10-15 minute walk, or drive with easy parking) and eat at the food court. There's several fast food restaurants to choose from, including one of my favorites, the Earl of Sandwich. Palms has a great movie theater as well if you get bored.

Rio has several pools and there is lots of shade. Dunno the hours though.

Pro tip: Rio has two different Starbucks -- one near the Ipanema elevators, and the other one near the Penn & Teller theater. If the Ipanema tower one has a long line (it usually does in the mornings) try the other one. The one near P&T also has a Diamond line that lets you skip to the front if you are a TR elite.

Best of luck, enjoy the trip.

One more thing about food... to the left of the sports book is a little restaurant called the Sports Kitchen. They sell pizza and subs and things like that.

My friends and I ate there several times over the week and we were always impressed. Everything there was fresh and delicious and fairly reasonably priced (for a casino). Pizza was great. The onion rings are highly recommended.