Red Rock Casino, Resort And Spa Rating: 4.5 Pearls

Summerlin, Nevada, United States

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Luxury details in a desert oasis

A posh, off-the-beaten-path, 800-plus-room, casino-resort set in the dusty terra-cotta hills of Red Rock Canyon in suburban Summerlin, the Red Rock Resort and Spa opened in April 2006 as the first billion-dollar luxury resort off the Las Vegas Strip. The luxury is in the details, from the 32-foot long lobby chandelier made of Swarovski crystals to the burled wood of the casino's Lucky Bar. Station Casinos, the company behind the hotel and its sister property in nearby Henderson, Green Valley Ranch, specialize in creating luxury environments without the crowds and over-the-top glitz of the Strip.

None of which is to say that guests here don't partake in pure (and sometimes debaucherous) fun. On a typical afternoon, kids in water wings splash about while beautiful, tanned waitresses hand out cocktails served in hallowed-out pineapples. By the late afternoon, Cherry, the gated adult-only pool, is buzzing with underdressed sunbathers. (According to hotel staffers, Cherry is more popular with locals than hotel guests.) A businessman at the hotel for a conference waits outside the gates and asks the beefy bouncer, "are there pretty girls in there?" He'd be willing to pay the $100 bar minimum -- far more than most adult pools on the Strip charge -- if only the bouncer can guarantee it would be worth the cash.

Local residents flock to the resort's sleek casino, but vacationing families dominate the scene, especially at the large pool. Families enjoy kid-friendly extras like a multiplex movie theater, a 72-lane bowling alley, plus a kids' club and babysitting service with reasonable rates. Though service can feel spotty at times, this resort's unusual desert setting and modern, eye-popping decor make it stand out. However, with few other attractions nearby, the hotel is best for travelers who plan to stay on site or explore the nearby canyon. Those who want more retail and food options should consider Green Valley Ranch, the sister property, instead.

Drink service by the pool

Though check-in and checkout was a breeze -- a stark contrast to the overcrowded spots on the Strip, where coming and going can be a long ordeal -- other requests seem to get filled only when you've reached the point of maximum frustration. You often have to ask for something more than once. A few times when I called the front desk to find the answer to a simple question or place a room service order, the phone simply rang and rang. Despite the Swarovski crystal chandelier, this is not luxury service.

One service that is prompt and attentive is housekeeping. The staff tends to show up bright and early. On both mornings during my stay, a housekeeper was ready to come in and make my bed at 9 a.m. If guests want to be certain they can sleep in, alert the front desk the night before.

• Concierge can make dinner and show arragements, plus help schedule outdoor activties, including adventure tours, at Red Rock Canyon, and arrange for tee times at nearby golf courses.
• Room service is available around the clock, and the menu is fairly extensive.
• No drink service at main pool
• The hotel shuttle (included in the mandatory $25 resort fee), travels to and from the airport and the Strip (the drop-off is at the Fashion Mall). First shuttle to the Strip is at 9 a.m., and the last is at 6 p.m. Shuttle to and from the airport runs from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

View on a Larger Map

Red Rock Resort is located in Summerlin, an upper-middle-class, largely residential, and relatively undeveloped suburb of Las Vegas. The area, home to numerous retirement communities, is known for the stunning natural beauty of Red Rock Canyon, where outdoor enthusiasts can find great hiking, biking, and kayaking. Plus, several golf courses dot the region.

• Boca Park shopping center, five minutes away by car, has a Target, Williams-Sonoma, and several restaurants.
• Nearby golf courses include Arroyo Golf Club -- just 10 minutes away -- and Siena Golf Club.
• 20 minutes from McCarran International Airport ($50 by cab)
• About 25 minutes from the Strip (approximately a $50 cab ride).
• The hotel runs a shuttle bus (a service included in the daily resort fee) to and from the airport and the Strip.

An impressive soaking tub, even in standard rooms

The rooms are decorated in earth tones to match the natural surroundings of Red Rock Canyon, with fresh details like platform beds, all-marble bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the canyon views. Coming in at around 525 square feet, standard rooms have either one king-size or two queen-size beds. Expect to sleep like a cowboy in the desert on these firm, comfortable mattresses and high-thread-count white sheets. The room is filled with luxe details, like tiny reading lights on both ends of the headboard.

Occasionally rooms could use a thorough cleaning. During my stay, I found some unidentifiable stains on the bed sheets and towels, and a few items were missing from the minibar, so I had to call the front desk to be certain I wouldn't be charged.

• All rooms have a 42-inch flat-screen TV with more than 40 cable channels, including HBO. Pay-per-view movies, including films still showing in the theaters, are $11.99. Adult entertainment ranges from $20 to $30 a film.
• A Bose sound system with an iPod hookup is in all rooms.
• The large bathrooms are a standout; countertops and all surfaces are marble; twin sinks, and both a shower stall and a deep tub. Toiletries are resort-branded, though nice.
• Both Ethernet and wireless access in rooms (included in the resort fee). I found the standard wireless fast enough, but guests can upgrade to faster ($10 a day) or super fast ($15).

The main pool's fountain is popular with kids.

Of Red Rock's extra features, the most memorable are the wide array of pools -- a huge wading pool at the center of the property, an exclusive party pool, and a calm lap pool. The fitness center is well equipped, and the notable spa is the primary reason many guests choose to stay here.

• The "Backyard" pool area has a main wading pool with a spray fountain in the center, three medium-size pools, two little splash pools, and two Jacuzzis.
• The main pool is larger than the one at the nearby JW Marriott Las Vegas and as impressive as the main pool at the Green Valley Ranch. It has the glitzy feel of many big Vegas pools, but is more welcoming to kids.
• Unfortunately, there are too few places to sit in the shade for free. Shade-guaranteed cabanas and cabana beds can cost $200 to $500 in food and beverage minimums, depending on the day of the week and time of year. To avoid a desert melt for free, head out early to claim a shady spot.
• Cherry, the adult-only pool (photo ID checked by beefy bouncers), has only a handful of seats that don't require a food and bar minimum. A lounge chair will set you back about $200 in food and drinks.
• Like the spa at sister hotel Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock's spa specializes in Eastern-influenced techniques and innovative modern treatments like the "Jasmine Java Espresso Wrap." Prices tend to be lower than what spas on the Strip charge. A 50-minute aromatherapy massage at Red Rock is $145, for example, while the Venetian's Canyon Ranch Spa charges $175 for the same treatment.
• Spa facilities -- available to guests for no extra charge -- include a quiet pool, cold plunge pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. This pool is the best place at the hotel to do laps.
• Fitness center adjacent the spa is clean and well maintained, with plenty of Nautilus and cardio equipment.
• No golf on site, but concierge can arrange for a day of golf at any one of six nearby courses, including Arroyo Golf Club -- just 10 minutes away -- and Siena Golf Club.
• Mandatory $25-a-day resort fee for all guests covers access to the spa and fitness facilities, the shuttle to the Strip and the airport, in-room wireless Internet access and Ethernet hookup, local phone calls, and a shoe shine.

A 72-lane bowling alley can keep kids busy.

Red Rock is great for families who want a self-contained Vegas resort experience away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip. The resort has smaller crowds and more space to run around in than crowded mega-hotels on the Strip do, plus outdoor adventure at Red Rock Canyon in its backyard.

• The pool area probably couldn't be more exciting to the little ones unless there was chocolate oozing out of the fountain at its center. With its kid-appropriate shallow parts, along with water deep enough for adults to sit in comfortably, the pool is certain to be a family crowd pleaser.
• A 72-lane bowling alley, 16-screen movie theater, and extensive arcade
• Kids Quest has an indoor playground with a giant maze and jungle gym and supervised activities, from arts and crafts to karaoke; accepts children from six weeks to 12 years old; hourly rate is $6.75 to $8, depending on age.
• Between the finger-licking BBQ at Salt Lick, the diner favorites at Grand Café. and all-you-can-eat meals at Feast Buffet, kids should enjoy the food.
• Couches in the suites do not open up into beds.
• Rollaway beds are available for $15 a night, cribs are free.

The hotel's own movie theater

Even in the middle of nowhere, half an hour from the Strip, guests can find plenty of ways to stay entertained.

• The 72-lane bowling alley and 16-screen movie theater draw plenty of locals and hotel guests.
• Every spring the resort hosts poolside concerts in their "Backyard" area. Past performers include Kanye West, Sting, Goo Goo Dolls, Gnarls Barkley, and Joe Cocker. Check the resort's website for upcoming shows.
• The nearly 9,000-square-foot Cherry nightclub is always bustling.
• Dr. Zhivegas performs every Friday and Saturday night in Rock's Lounge in the casino.

Red Rock's casino boasts more than 3,000 games, including hundreds of penny slots and $100 slot machines. Some of their gaming highlights include an around-the-clock poker lounge, bingo room, and keno lounge. The sports book bar area has a 96-foot video wall.

The grounds and common areas of this resort are generally well maintained and clean. My room, though not unsanitary, showed signs of wear and tear on the furniture and accessories, and it could have been cleaned more thoroughly. The linens and some of the towels were stained. And the great view of Red Rock Canyon was marred by grime on the windows.

Hachi is just one of many restaurants

This resort offers both high-end, sophisticated eats and quick noshes for in between rounds of poker.

• For breakfast and lunch, Grand Café serves up diner-style dishes.
• Sandbar Grille offers food and drink poolside.
• Feast Buffet is inexpensive but unimpressive.
• Dinner options include Terra Rossa for Italian, T-Bone Chophouse for steaks, Hachi for sushi, Cabo for Mexican fare, Salt Lick for BBQ, Tides for seafood, and Turf Grill for burgers and hot dogs.
• The casino's food court has standard mall food court fare and two Starbucks.
• Room service available 24 hours a day