I have a chance to book a trip to the "Riverside" Casino/Hotel. I can book anytime for a stay up through Dec.;but must book within a couple of days! The price is $159/person which includes four nites room, airfare, taxes, and ground transportation!!! When I talked to the hotel; they said that they would honor most all requests; room location, floor, view, close to casino and elevators, etc.....
The main problem I have is..I have never been to "Laughlin or the "Riverside" so I have no idea what to beg for??
Any, and all help would be appreciated....

Irishmick, Laughlin is a lot smaller than Las Vegas. If memory serves me, there are nine casinos, eight of which are strung out along the Colorado river. The Riverside is first, beginning at the north end of Casino Center Drive, then the Flamingo, Edgewater, Colorado Belle. Pioneer Club, Golden Nugget, River Palms and Harrah's. The Ramada is also on Casino Center Drive but does not have any river frontage at all.

I've not stayed at the Riverside but I am familiar with the casino and restaurants. It's not an elegant hotel but I understand the rooms are nice, maybe a cut above Holiday Inn quality. There is a buffet, coffee shop and deli on the casino floor. On the second floor you'll find the Prime Rib Room and the Gourmet Room. For my money the Gourmet Room is by far the best room on the river and will stand up well against any Las Vegas restaurants. Service and food are outstanding. There are also the William Fisk Room in Harrah's, the Steak House in the Ramada and the Orleans Room in the Colorado Belle. None of these will disappoint you.

As far as the type of room to request, I'd ask for 1) a room overlooking the river and 2) as high up as they can get you. I believe the towers at the Riverside are 10 or 12 stories tall.

The Riverside also has a 5 or 6 screen movie theater and you can even get a beer to take in with you if you want.

Table minimums are lower than you'll find in Las Vegas. $5.00 tables are in abundance, and you can find $2.00 and $3.00 tables in virtually every casino. The Edgewater has a 25 cent craps table on the weekends with 20X odds. During the week it's $2.00 with 5X odds.

If you have a car, run over to the little town of Oatman on the Arizona side of the river. It's one of the stopping off points on old Route 66 and is a really interesting place to spend a morning or afternoon. Take a boat tour on the Colorado. There are water taxis for transportation between the hotels on the river.

Frankly, four nights might be a bit much. Laughlin is much slower and more laid back than Las Vegas. There are not as many other attractions as you'll find in Las Vegas but I go there for the slower pace and relaxing character of the place. There's a small outlet mall on Casino Center Drive with maybe 50 stores or so as well as an 11 screen movie theater. Laughlin is not everyone's cup of tea but it sounds like the price is right and, like sex, you should try it at least once. :rolleyes:

Laughlin is one of those things I keep putting off (I did drive through about 10 years ago), but Harrah's put out a similiar offer in my area. It's also 4 days, air & ground transportation, and OldJim's comments make me think that might be 2 days too long, although I would like to hobnob with those wild burros in Oatman some day.

I also received a "PPARK" offer from the Flamingo Hilton, $19/night with some twofers for shows and and a Colorado River cruise. FWIW, Flamingo has a show called "the Comedy Stop" running through August, and "Reflections of the Rat Pack" starts Sept 16th. Their phone number is 800-662-6004.

Irish,

I took a couple offers on junkets to Laughlin in 2000 & 2001. Stayed at the River Palms. Went back for a week with my wife last year to celebrate our 25th. Had no problem spending a week there.

I'd describe the Riverside as a worn down Sam's town. Similar clientel but not nearly as well kept up. The casino, not the clientel .

Restaurants have good food. Lots of things to do. Casino hopping, water sports on the river, movies, etc. A agree with a trip to Oatman. Stop in a grocery in Bullhead city and buy a couple bunches of carrots to feed the burros. Lake Havasu isn't a bad drive, you can see the London Bridge. We did Oatman and Lake Havasu one afternoon.

Laughlin tends to be 4-6 degrees warmer than Vegas but the river's always nice a cool. Big public beach just across the bridge in Bullhead city. Turn left as soon as you cross the bridge.

I stayed at the Colorado Belle for a few days in June.
To be honest I did not like Laughlin at all.

The rooms are below avarage and the atmosphere is not good in my opinion.

But its cheap and for your gambling fix it should do well.

Many thanks to those of you whom answered my request!! I just made reservations for the 10th thru 14th of November. The "Riverside" seemed to be very accommodating so I hope we like it? The price sure is right!!
senatorjm: Way back in my family (wagon train times) were the "Oatman girls"; so now I can rent a car and check the town out. I have some of the notes and stuff that "Olive Oatman" wrote and kept. My Great Grandparents were the people that she stayed with here in Oregon..
Again; thanks to those that replied!!!

Irish,

There's a walk along the river that connects most of the hotels. There's also a water taxi you can take.

For a nice dinner, try the qourmet room at the River Palms. I think it's called Helen's. Don't miss the lobster bisque. Great view of the river.

Riverside has a decent car collection on the second floor, free. The watch store is a rip-off.