In March 2021, it was announced that the Rio Las Vegas would eventually become a Hyatt. This is a long term project that’s well underway. There’s a major update for World of Hyatt members, as the Rio Las Vegas has now joined the loyalty program. Let’s go over all the details.
In this post:
Rio Las Vegas being renovated, becoming multiple Hyatts
Before we cover the latest updates, let’s go over the background. In 2021 we learned that the 2,500+ room Rio Las Vegas would be renovated and then become a Hyatt property. This multi-phase project is expected to bring multiple Hyatt full-service offerings to Las Vegas.
Here’s what we know so far about this new Hyatt:
- The 2,500+ room Rio Las Vegas will undergo a significant redevelopment of current public spaces, including gaming, retail, food and beverage, spa and fitness, and pool recreation deck
- One of the hotel’s existing towers will be renovated, and upon completion the tower will become a 1,501 room Hyatt Regency property, with standard guest rooms averaging 580 square feet
- The remainder of the Rio’s guest rooms are expected to be branded or affiliated with one or more other Hyatt full-service brands after they are renovated, though the details of the branding haven’t yet been announced
The background here is interesting, because in December 2019, Dreamscape purchased the Rio Las Vegas from Caesars. The agreement required the property to continue to be operated as a Caesars property for a couple of years, but the owners are now free to brand it however they’d like.
Suffice it to say that this is a major (and necessary) win for Hyatt. Hyatt used to have a partnership with MGM, though that was terminated in 2023, as MGM instead pursued a partnership with Marriott.
Rio Las Vegas joins World of Hyatt
While the transformation of the Rio Las Vegas isn’t complete, the property has joined World of Hyatt as of March 1, 2024:
- It’s now possible to earn World of Hyatt points for stays at the property, at the standard rate (at least 5x points per dollar spent)
- You can redeem World of Hyatt points at the property, and this is a Category 3 hotel, meaning that a free night redemption costs anywhere from 9,000 to 15,000 points per night; one of the nice things is that points bookings automatically confirm into renovated rooms, which aren’t the entry level rooms at this property
- Full World of Hyatt elite perks will apply at these properties, for World of Hyatt Globalist, Explorist, and Discoverist members; so you can expect waived destination fees on points bookings (and for Globalists on all bookings), breakfast for Globalists, room upgrades, and more
This is intended as a first step of integration into Hyatt for the property’s $340 million, multi-phase renovation. The first phase of the renovation is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, and that’s when the hotel will move into Hyatt’s Independent Collection under the Destination by Hyatt brand. Then when the renovation is fully complete, the property will join Hyatt Regency and other full-service brands.
Here’s how David Tarr, Hyatt’s SVP of Development for the Americas describes this latest update:
“We’re proud to collaborate with Rio Hotel & Casino on this transformational project to revitalize the iconic hotel as a Destination by Hyatt hotel. Destination by Hyatt hotels are individual at heart and embody the true spirit of the destination, and Rio Hotel & Casino will be no exception. This renovation will serve as a gateway for guests to experience a place of purposefully crafted entertainment and immersive experiences, infused with authentic design, and warm and welcoming service. We look forward to providing World of Hyatt members and guests an authentic and unforgettable experience in Las Vegas.”
Bottom line
The Rio Las Vegas is in the process of undergoing a massive renovation, and it will eventually be rebranded as a Hyatt, following an extensive renovation. Now as of March 2024, the property has already joined World of Hyatt, meaning that members can earn and redeem points, and take advantage of elite perks, for stays here.
As of now this isn’t exactly a world class property, but it’s at least nice for World of Hyatt members to have access to a major property in Las Vegas, after the MGM partnership ended.
What do you make of the Rio Las Vegas joining World of Hyatt?
It would be really nice to see the hotel get back to being fun again. 25 years ago it was corny but fun. Saw Penn and Teller there recently (they’re still great), other than that the hotel is just sad.
Put microwaves in coffee makers back in the rooms
We lost MGM for this?
Hi All,
One of the towers the small one has rooms renovated already.
For Globalists one may get one based on availability @ check in
Speaking for myself and likely that of others with weekday rates as low as 22.00 dollars a night I wouldn't care if I came for breakfast in the AM and slept elsewhere for the night! Breakfast is taken at Hash House a go go for 2 with...
Hi All,
One of the towers the small one has rooms renovated already.
For Globalists one may get one based on availability @ check in
Speaking for myself and likely that of others with weekday rates as low as 22.00 dollars a night I wouldn't care if I came for breakfast in the AM and slept elsewhere for the night! Breakfast is taken at Hash House a go go for 2 with 27.99 per guest for any entree and if one has children that includes up to 4 entrees (2 adults 2 children) plus beverage credits
Now we are talking stay credits and bonus points etc
Free valet and self parking
I think once they finish the renovation prices will rise so I see a real opportunity early on no matter what ....Granted this isn't Cosmo or the Waldorf ;)
Cheers
Hyatt Ambassador @ Flyertalk.com
Glorified Motel 6!
Thank god it's gonna get renovated. The smell... and the carpet... and the stains... and everything about this hotel just needs to be gutted. Excited to see it after the renovation.
Has been considered one of the worst hotels in Vegas for a while...woohoo?
Let's see how the reno goes, but until then: https://www.tiktok.com/@vegasstarfish/video/7252805752014867758?lang=en
Seriously, there's just so much about The Rio that is summed up by one word; Yuck. West side of the freeway? Yuck. The Rio? Yuck. The only referring piece will be Hyatt but I'm not sure I can choose to stay here (unless I'm globalist mattress running in a few years). I've avoided it since it opened, there are many better cheap options in Vegas. Yuck
Wonder if they waive resort fees for hyatt bookings if you had rio level 2 status (waived resort fees).
You booked thru Hyatt you need to be globalist to get resort fee/destination fee waived, no different than any other hyatt properties.
Resort fees only waived on point stays not $$ stays. At least to my understanding. Hyatt and Rio do not offer any status match opportunities ATM, nor do any other casinos with Rio. So until there is a match play or waived resort fees, it's not an amazing deal for Hyatt nights. Watching carefully if anything changes. You also do not get Hyatt points or stay credit if booked through Rio website/offers based on play....
Resort fees only waived on point stays not $$ stays. At least to my understanding. Hyatt and Rio do not offer any status match opportunities ATM, nor do any other casinos with Rio. So until there is a match play or waived resort fees, it's not an amazing deal for Hyatt nights. Watching carefully if anything changes. You also do not get Hyatt points or stay credit if booked through Rio website/offers based on play. Only when booking through Hyatt. So excitement about this is lukewarm.
Rio was grand 25 years ago, but not much investment since. Now this could be the new life the HUGE property needs. I am hopeful for deeper Hyatt integration and new Hyatt partnerships in Vegas.
Unfortunately, it does not look as lucrative, in terms of collecting WOH nights, as the MGM partnership had been. I was able to reach globalist the last two years via free room offers from MGM. Oh how sweet that was. Oh well, back to explorist I go. I'm gonna miss my personal concierge. :(
Resort fees are waived for Globalists regardless of the booking method.
Absolutely FALSE, I bet you are not even a Hyatt globalist, as if you are, you know better at any Hyatt properties in the world, especially those in US particularly Jdv, Thompson, and unbound, they all have destination fee, but we all got that waived no matter on paid or points stay, you are confused Hyatt with Marriott and Hilton, as those two you can only get resort fee on points stay. Rio is owned...
Absolutely FALSE, I bet you are not even a Hyatt globalist, as if you are, you know better at any Hyatt properties in the world, especially those in US particularly Jdv, Thompson, and unbound, they all have destination fee, but we all got that waived no matter on paid or points stay, you are confused Hyatt with Marriott and Hilton, as those two you can only get resort fee on points stay. Rio is owned by Dreamscape which is Hyatt unlike MGM, there is no need for a status match
FYI, if you had read the Rio website about Hyatt (which obviously you didn't), it even listed Rio as a new property that you will get new property bonus per night for stays between April 1st and June 30th, just like any new Hyatt property
Looks like potential. I will wait until 2025 to book a room.
Rio is a horrible, dirty, dingy, smelly rundown hotel. It needs a lot of work.
It is listed as Destination hotel. The terms (which have not been updated today and still say the Rio is not a woh hotel... pathetic) do not list any resort fee exclusion for Destination hotels.
Once upon a time, the Rio was known for its fun atmosphere, amazing seafood buffet, and low prices. Ceasars then basically abandoned it. Looking forward to see the renovations and some competition to the MGM/CEC part of town
You have a rose colored memory of the place, it's never been the place to be. Shoot, at least The Palms had hedonism on its side. The Rio had Penn & Teller...
Seeing weeknight rates there around $22/night + taxes/resort fees.
Here's to hoping they waive resort fees...the loss of Excalibur left big shoes to be filled ;)