Editorial Review

The Rio's gaudy puple-and-red Carnival theme runs throughout the casino, reaching its apex in the ongoing "Carnival in the Sky" show where masquerading dancers gyrate on a series of floats that drift around the shop-and-bar-crammed "Carnival Village." The Rio has tried to take a more upscale angle, rather like the Palms across the street, adding the necessary ultralounges and even briefly having Prince as a resident performer for a while. However, the Rio remains the sort of place where guys in Dockers move in Budweiser-swilling herds and giggling, bead-draped bachelorettes down apple martinis before the Chippendales show. the Rio is an all-suite hotel: Rooms are done in light, buttery tones and all have refrigerators and separate seating areas. Upgraded suites have jacuzzis, dining rooms and 180-degree views.