City: Reno, NV

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (775) 786-3232, (800) 427-7247

Address: 219 North Center Street

Description: It’s hard to speculate what casino gaming would be like without the influence of the late Bill Harrah, founder of Harrah’s Casino Hotels. When he arrived in Reno in 1937 at the age of 26, Harrah learned that legalized gambling was a rough business not far removed from the card rooms and saloons of the wild, wild West. But he opened his first club, a one-room bingo parlor with six employees, and began a style of management and growth that would become industry standards over the years. Harrah reasoned that the comfort of his guests was the first priority, so customer service has always been the watchword at Harrah’s. Although guests may not be aware of this philosophy, they do know that the attention to the little things makes their stay more enjoyable. From that inauspicious beginning in 1937, Harrah’s Reno has grown and prospered during the years and is now a four-star destination gaming resort. Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., is also a publicly traded corporation that operates more than 40 casino resorts in three different countries, including Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and Harveys Lake Tahoe Casino Resort. Always a luxury destination for discriminating guests, the resort has recently completed new renovations of the casino area, hotel rooms, and a buffet restaurant, which was renamed Carvings Buffet. Expansion has added The Plaza at Harrah’s, an outdoor entertainment arena that is used for free concerts during summer months. Guests at Harrah’s Reno can choose from more than 900 deluxe guest rooms and suites (including about 400 formerly operated as the Hampton Inn), each with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and 24-hour room service. Amenities include an extensive health club, a swimming pool, in-house massage services, and a beauty shop. Harrah’s Reno has always been known for its award-winning cuisine—and with seven restaurants to choose from, guests will never go hungry. The Steakhouse, with impeccable service and outstanding entrees, provides a first-class dining experience for any occasion. It’s also popular with locals for power lunches. A variety of fine food is also available at Café Napa, Starbucks, Cafe Andreotti, the Lucky Noodle Bar, and Carvings buffet.Bill Harrah was also a pioneer in using celebrity entertainers to attract casino customers. The Headliner Room in Harrah’s Reno has showcased literally hundreds of top-name entertainers since it first opened in 1966. Until just a few years ago, the dinner shows were legendary events because they afforded guests as well as locals a chance to dress up and “do the town.” Although the attire is more casual now and only cocktails are served, the quality of entertainment remains just as high, with either headliners or stage revues playing nightly. The Headliner Room was renamed Sammy’s Showroom in 1991 in honor of the late Sammy Davis Jr., who performed there more than 30 times from 1967 to 1989. The resort recently added the snazzy Sapphire Lounge to its entertainment mix, where you can dance to live music and enjoy elegant drinks and appetizers (see the Nightlife chapter for details). Harrah’s downtown locale makes it easy for guests to walk from casino to casino and also to stroll along the Truckee River, which is just a block away. It’s also close to the National Automobile Museum, which houses a portion of Bill Harrah’s original collection of vintage cars (see the Attractions chapter for details).