I’ve always been a Las Vegas girl, myself. In fact, I’d never been outside of Las Vegas while visiting Nevada! After being such a fan of Southern Nevada, it seems only fair to visit the biggest little city and enjoy a rad hotel in the process by staying at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
This is not to be confused with the Atlantis hotel in the Bahamas. You know, from that awesome Mary-Kate and Ashley movie. This hotel is actually a huge resort where you can relax, eat, gamble and be entertained for days in Reno.
Prior to my arrival, I knew Reno was a gambling town. I guess I didn’t realize how much until I saw the slot machines in the airport. Reno is a helluva town, but Atlantis exceeded my expectations in every single way.
The Property
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is a hotel and casino in the famous city of Reno in northern Nevada. The resort sees all kinds of guests: tourists from California, locals from Reno and “burners” that need some R&R after Burning Man.
Atlantis has a long history in the small community of Reno. Originally built in 1972, the property was founded as Golden Road Motor Inn. It was a small hotel, run by a family in central Reno. Since it’s opening, the property has undergone several renovations and became the Atlantis in 1996. Now it’s one of the city’s famous staples with awards, sommeliers, and celebrity acts featured regularly.
With three hotel towers containing 824 guest rooms and Jacuzzi suites, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options at Atlantis. This paired with their kids arcade, spa, salon, 8 dining options, entertainment venues and casino and suddenly, you’re here a week and you’ve barely skimmed the surface!
I noticed two distinct vibes upon my arrival. The hotel rooms and first floor casino is an homage to the hotel’s early, grand days. Waterfalls and neon lights give off a vague jungle theme, but not incredibly overwhelming. Meanwhile, the second and third floors (which include the various restaurants, spa, fitness center and pools), have a modern touch. A contrasting vibe that is incredibly chic, luxurious and feels like a completely different world.
The Amenities
My room was in the Concierge Tower, a gateway to Atlantis’ VIP world. A stay in the Concierge Tower requires a key-card to access the neon-lined glass elevator that whisks you up over 25 floors. Across from my room was the lounge where I could smell the breakfast I was about to enjoy. VIP access meant complimentary breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, business services, a bar and lounge with a television. Naturally, butler service is available upon request. Steps away from this lounge was my home for the next 24 hours.
The hotel room definitely had some of its old charm from decades’ past. The lighting was low, the interior design included warm woods with marble and the glass paneling was pink. However the details turned this charming hotel into a modern-day resort.
The mattress was like sleeping on a bed of clouds and I definitely turned all 6 pillows into a snuggle buddy. Should I decide to veg out on TV, the huge flat screen was both beautiful and entertaining. And if I wanted some tea or coffee, I was set with a coffee maker as well!
I’m sure this experience is making you want a VIP trip to the Concierge Tower yourself! But every stay in any room status includes:
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Complimentary Standard Wi-Fi (property-wide)
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Complimentary airport shuttle (running every thirty minutes)
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Custom furnishings featuring warm, rich woods and marble accents
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New SAFLOK™ resort room access
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42″ flat screen HDTV with over 45 HD channels
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iHome® clock radio with iPod® docking station
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Custom desk with easy multi-media connectivity to the 42” flat screen HDTV
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Individual climate control
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Digital safe
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Dual line telephones
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Data ports and speakerphone
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Sealy® pillow-top mattresses
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Complimentary toiletries
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Rainforest Alliance Certified in-room coffee
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24-hour room service
Things to Do
When your mind goes to a casino resort, you probably picture a whole lot of gambling and not much else. Am I wrong? (Okay fine, buffets too). But this resort has so many options, it has become a premier staycation for locals and enjoyable getaway for tourists!
Reno is known for some bipolar weather. (At 4,500 ft., it actually gets snow pretty often). So while the sun was shining, I enjoyed Atlantis’ outdoor pool. Once the wind starting picking up and storm moved in, I moved to the indoor pool that felt like a tropical paradise.
Atlantis’ Spa is the only Forbes Four-Star Luxury Spa in Northern Nevada and it’s easy to see why! My day pass included access to the Laconium Relaxation Lounge, Aqua Spa Lounge with Experiential Shower, Brine Inhalation-Light Therapy Lounge, locker room with herbal steam and cedarwood sauna, tea lounge, indoor atrium pool, outdoor whirlpool spa, seasonal outdoor pool and sun deck and the Cardio Theater and Fitness Center. Cue gasp.
Additional services include facials, massages, scrubs, wraps and relaxation treatments. I may have only had a day pass, but the experience absolutely blew my mind! Remember when I said that burners like to come here after a week at Black Rock City? This spa is why!
There are literally a dozen dining options for you to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for sushi on the sky deck, sandwiches in the casino or gelato in the lobby, your tastebuds will be dancing with joy. I enjoyed one of the most elegant dining experiences at Bistro Napa. This or Atlantis Steakhouse is such a luxurious experience, you’d think you were in a cosmopolitan city.
Last but not least is probably what you came for: the entertainment. Kids can enjoy the arcade while you gamble at the casino. Or watch a show on the Atlantis stage. Or visit and enjoy one of the hotel’s seasonal events.
While you may want to visit the rest of Reno, I imagine you’ll have a hard time leaving the hotel.
The Staff
I was only slightly concerned when I traveled to Reno. If you’ve seen Reno 911, you know what I mean.
However the experience far exceeded all of my expectations. I arrived very early at the hotel, earlier than most people arrive at hotels (8:00 am to be exact). While my room wasn’t ready, naturally, I was able to enjoy the complimentary breakfast in the Concierge Tower.
That afternoon, I toured the premises and found this hotel was full of friendly people! The staff was happy to see me, the locals were sharing their lottery fortune with me (through smiles, anyway) and other vacationers were equally happy to experience the vibe.
My afternoon at the spa and evening at Bistro Napa allowed me to meet even more of the staff. All of which were wide-eyed, smiling and happy to serve. At no point did I ever find a single person with a frown or somber look on their face. It was one of the happiest places to be in all of Nevada!
