Rio Las Vegas Rolls Out All-Inclusive Concept


The off-Strip resort unveils a food/drink package deal for guests. 

With all of the negative backlash that Vegas resorts have received in recent months, it’s encouraging to see them try out something that’s advantageous to guests. And this one just might offer an appealing alternative to the nickel-and-diming that has swept the city.

The concept of an all-inclusive vacation with cruises and resort destinations is nothing new. Oddly, the closest that Vegas has ever gotten to going that route (to my knowledge, at least) has been the 24-hour buffet wristband (which, naturally, experienced frequent price increases that eventually negated its attractiveness).

Now Rio Hotel Casino on West Flamingo Road has quietly rolled out a one-price package this month called Total Deal. For those who like to play where they stay, this could be a winner. Starting at $365.00 for two nights (depending on the dates chosen), the stated rate will include food and cocktails for two guests on each day of their stay, excluding the morning of check-out.

Rio Las Vegas

Rio Las Vegas…where men have apparently been declared extinct.

Naturally, there is plenty of fine print…and that infernal $30-per-day resort fee tacked onto your bill along with requisite taxes. Meals are restricted to certain venues (Carnival World and Seafood buffets, Hash House a Go Go and Sports Deli) and have a $250.00-per-day cap.

Cocktails included in the offer are limited to well and domestic and can be obtained at any of the hotel’s property and outdoor pool bars (Purple Zebra and showroom bars are exempt). There is a limit of 12 drinks per person, per day, which should be quite adequate for most livers.

When the sun goes down, Total Deal provides two passes to Voodoo Rooftop Lounge each night. Voodoo is one of this writer’s favorite places to take in the Vegas skyline after dark and is highly recommended. A nice mixture of age groups and music styles, with both indoor and outdoor bars and booths.

Rio Las Vegas

According to the Caesars blog, Total Deal is only available through May 31st. Then again, that same blog also uses the term “unlimited” when describing the offer’s inclusions, so take that information with a grain of salt.

My guess is that Total Deal is a test or pilot program that Caesars could expand to their Strip resorts if received favorably (not unlike the stadium baccarat setup we told you about here). We’ll keep you posted if we receive notice of the inclusive concept popping up anywhere else in Las Vegas. And if you catch wind of one, please drop us a line!

[Cover photo by Sammasseur, screencaps via Rio Las Vegas]

14 thoughts on “Rio Las Vegas Rolls Out All-Inclusive Concept

  1. Hmmmm, interesting. Finally a change from a huge resort that MIGHT be good for the guests! Wait and see.
    I do love that this article reminded me of my time me and the boys did the Buffet of Buffets. Let’s just say we got our monies worth!!! #vegasglottony :)

  2. I’m not sure this is such a great deal. Notice that they state prices start at $365. The Rio has has rooms for as little as $30 per night in May and I’m sure that $365 price is only available on nights that are cheap without the package. That means you are paying $300 for drinks and food for 2 people for 2 days. You might save a little, but not a whole lot as the prime restaurants like Voodoo Steak aren’t included.

    1. That’s $365 for 2 NIGHTS. Since you can use $250 per day food and beverage ($500 for 2 nights) it seems like it could definitely work for some people.
      (Package: Total Deal)
      Room 1: 2 Nights
      Subtotal: $377.40 Taxes: $7.68 Total: $385.08

    2. On the lowest-price days of the offer, if you max out on the food/drink, you definitely can come way way ahead. Even a well drink can cost $8.00 or more. Multiply that by 48 (12 drinks per day times two people times two days), add in the $500 for food ($250 per day). Yes, that’s advantageous vs the $365 plus $70 resort fee plus taxes. It adds up. On peak-rate stays, not so much. All you need is a calculator and an idea of your own ala carte spending habits to make it work…or not.

  3. All inclusive makes sense in some vacation destinations, but not in Vegas. This Rio deal would be a beneficial program for few people I know.

    Here’s an example from the past that kinda, sorta offered an all-inclusive option:

    Not sure who they offered it to, when, or how, but Westward Ho included unlimited drinks and comp meals in their cafe as part of your stay. Again, I don’t recall what the conditions were to qualify.

    I stayed at the Ho once in the early 2000s for a handful of nights. I could get well drinks at a casino bar, and the cheap 99-cent margaritas at no charge. I assume I had access to cheap tap beer, too. I don’t recall that part. I also received some sort of free food each day. I don’t recall if it was one, two or three meals per day, but it was included. I didn’t pay extra for this perk, it was part of the room rate I booked through some sort of travel agency website, the kind of thing you really don’t find much of any more. Booking your own flights and hotels were a thing in the early 2000s, but that was still in its infancy. Charter companies and travel agents were trying to compete in the online world, as if they had a future in the industry.

    Good to have you back Sam!

  4. You would think they would throw in a pool package (daybed or cabana) and/or a show (or spa, or other activities, etc.) to complete the “all inclusive” aspect. Eating and drinking and waiting to eat and drink some more. Otherwise they still just want you there to spend more money gambling.

  5. I’ve come to the jaded conclusion that no matter how they spin it, nothing offered by a resort/casino in Las Vegas is advantageous to guests anymore. If they didn’t think they’ll make more money with this offer than what people will choose to spend ala carte, then it wouldn’t be offered.

    And besides, who wants “well” drinks in Vegas? Call me snooty if you want, but it’s top shelf or no shelf for me!

  6. I took a look at it. 6 nights for the week I would be there (includes a weekend) is $841 (including resort fees).

    Cost of the all inclusive for the same nights is $1,442.

    So it’s about $100/night to feed and drink two people, which is reasonable.

    The only reason it wouldn’t work for me is part of my Vegas fun is eating in a different place every meal.

  7. Could be nice, but when in Vegas I like to visit and try different places in and around The Strip and downtown.

  8. Considering there is a value segment class that likes the idea of fixed pricing, I see this going well with the Millennials. Not a bad idea of CET considering the Rio has been the fading star of the portfolio. While for the gambler who can score comps, I see this as a new in road to value conscious traveler. Package this with an airline partner and I could see a small uptick in booking for the property.

  9. I suppose it is worth at try for them. maybe good for non-gamblers. if you gamble much you should getting “free” drinks and some comped meals anyway.

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