Checked out this morning after my first stay here in 20 years. Low rates for Globalists & ability to earn bonus points is what got me to give it a try. Hyatt check-in in the VIP lounge worked well. Brought a plastic bag with me & got 10 waters for my five night stay. Easy walk to elevators. Room was fine - I do over 200 nights a year in hotels & this was as good as many Hyatts I stay at. Room was big, the bed and shower were fine and I liked the t.v. and couch. I was working remotely so I was hoping they still had desks in the room but they do not (at least in the Ipanema tower).

The casino is a work in progress but I wasn't there to play. Breakfast at the Hash House was fine - better than what many hotels are offering now. I said before that Globalists hadn't discovered the Rio yet. I was wrong there were lots of us at breakfast each morning. The Guy Fieri Mexican restaurant where Buzio's used to be was really underwhelming. Bland food that's overpriced - I feel bad for anyone who goes out of the way to eat there. On the other hand, Luckley Tavern is a nice update to The All American Grill. Excellent Happy Hour with a large $15 Wagyu Burger and other items too. I will go back there to try the $48 Prime Rib special. The only other dining options were in the Canteen Food Hall. I really tried to like it but found it to be average, overpriced & a pain to order. A Capriotti's or similar place would clean up there. By the way, the deli by the sportsbook which I remembered as decent was only open from 11pm to 5am. They also have the Starbucks where a large drink cost $11 and the staff looked like the walking dead. Next time I may have to try the Korean BBQ place. It looked interesting and has good reviews. By the way, the gift shop was strip priced. $5.95 for a 16 oz. bottle of Dr. Pepper & $12 for a premade sandwich triangle.

The Rio is somewhat isolated so unless you want to get your car out and leave the property to eat you're at their mercy for dining. I got a cheap rate so I'm not complaining, I knew they'd make their money up somewhere and food was it. Just be warned that if you're staying for a week the options are limited. I was hoping the food hall would be better. Each time I walked past I thought of the Carnival World Buffet & wondered if they would consider bringing it back like they did with the Wine Cellar.

I would stay here again - for what I got it served the purpose. My main gripe is the inability to get ANY live person on the phone to answer questions. The A.I. version of Rio Rita is not the same as a human. It was my first stay and I had some questions about my luggage, housekeeping, a printed copy of my folio, getting a bellman etc. I checked out & got my statement at the Hyatt check-in. The Bell Desk & Valet parking were a mess. Lines of people at both & I counted about 40 people waiting for their cars. It was the start of a Holiday Weekend so I'll chalk it up to that. Valet and Bell were both fine when I arrived. Will return at the end of the month.