We took a charter flight to Reno sponsored by Harrah's and were somewhat dubious about staying in this older hotel. I had read reviews and learned that the East tower was the newer and the West the older and when we were assigned to the West tower expected the worst. Upon opening the door to our room I wondered what the complainers were talking about. The room was clean, pretty and although smaller than some rooms I've stayed in at Harrah's very nice. The beds were very comfortable with a choice of pillows and the HVAC was quiet and worked well. The bathroom was small but again very clean with a coffee pot, hairdryer etc. The hotel itself was far better than I expected. We had several meals there and all were good. The buffet was excellent. Not as huge as the Vegas ones but how much can you eat at one meal. The staff was very friendly both in the casino and hotel. Lots of smiles and how are you doing today. Downtown Reno for those who have never been there is small. The casinos are old and nothing like the Vegas monsters, but the machines were nice and again clean. Smoke was not as noticeable and I figured that perhaps not as many people are smoking these days. Harrah's had one nice thing and that was some machines right in front of windows, where you could actually look outside. All in all we were well pleased. My biggest criteria for a hotel is cleanliness, quiet, and a good HVAC. This had all that and more. The average age at the hotel was the over 55 crowd. The casino was quiet during the week and picked up some on the weekend but again mostly with an older crowd. I would not suggest this as a place for children, but if you like good food, and a fun casino it's great. Other casinos are right across the street or up the block. I felt perfectly safe even at night 10:30PM walking between casinos. If you want to go to the larger, newer hotels a taxi is about $13 with the tip. I'm definitely going again.

Harrah's rooms are what you would expect to find in a casino. They are clean and a good value. We were surprised that the king room in the tower we had reserved and later confirmed was not available at check in. We were given two double beds in another tower. Harrah's does not guarantee room or tower preferences. Rooms are assigned at check in so try to arrive early.

Stayed at Harrah's Reno on a comp room offer for two weeknights via Harrah's Total Rewards players club (earned points in Vegas & Tahoe). Airport shuttle was timely, Front Desk granted a late checkout (1pm) during check-in without a hassle. East Tower room was clean and functional...neighbors' conversations could be heard through the walls after 2am (typical for a casino hotel)....Breakfast buffet was forgetable, had a good late-night burger at Cafe Napa, despite surly waiter (blew off my request for a bottle of ketchup--I had to walk into the back room to ask the beverage server).

The Indian casinos in California have taken a major toll on Reno....all the downtown casinos were essentially dead during the weekday mornings--never seen business that slow (first trip to Reno was '93). Several of the downtown hotels have converted to apartments and condos...Downtown Reno is the last place I'd want to live; it's rundown and gloomy. I took a cab across town to the Peppermill, which was more lively (i.e., younger crowd) than the downtown casinos.

I stayed here because of the free room, but probably wouldn't pay to go back again...especially if I could choose Vegas or Tahoe. Reno is just too depressing.

We were promptly waited on by the valet, registration desk, and bellmen. Everyone was most helpful and courteous. We stayed on the 13th floor of the West Tower. Maybe staying the previous week at Harrah's in South Lake Tahoe spoiled us. The bathroom was more than tiny. The rest of the room was average. Yes, there was a coffee maker in the room. The HVAC system utilizes a continuous fan.

Having stayed previously in the East Tower, the difference we experienced was that is more convenient to get to the casino and restaurants from the West Tower room. That is it!

The airport shuttle was great! We did not expect to be deposited at our airline ticket entrance. The shuttle runs on time. Leaves the airport on the half hour, leaves the hotel on the hour.

My wife did quite well on Harrah's slot machines.

Cafe Napa was most reasonably priced, and offered top quality food.