The Eldorado Resort Casino stands as one of downtown Reno's most established gaming destinations, offering visitors a comprehensive resort experience in the heart of Nevada's second-largest gaming market. Located at 345 North Virginia Street, this property has evolved from a modest casino opening in 1973 into an 815-room resort that anchors a connected network of downtown properties under Caesars Entertainment ownership.
Understanding what makes the Eldorado Casino Reno Nevada a compelling destination requires examining its history, amenities, gaming offerings, dining options, entertainment venues, and its strategic position within the downtown Reno casino corridor. This guide provides detailed insights into every aspect of the property to help visitors make informed decisions about their stay.
History and Development
The Eldorado's story began in July 1972 when a group of six investors, including members of the prominent Carano family, announced plans to develop a new casino resort in downtown Reno. The property opened its doors on May 24, 1973, featuring 278 guest rooms, two restaurants, and a casino floor equipped with 200 slot machines, nine table games, and a keno game. The original design also incorporated a ballroom capable of accommodating 750 people, an underground parking garage, and executive suites.
The property's early success prompted the first major expansion in 1979, bringing the room count to 411. A significant September 1985 expansion added 20,000 square feet of gaming space and four new restaurants. By 1989, the Eldorado had grown to 814 hotel rooms and established its own on-site bakery, pasta and gelato shop, and butcher shop, demonstrating a commitment to quality food operations that would become a property hallmark.
The 1992 addition of a 10-story parking garage improved guest convenience, but the most transformative period came in 1995. Coinciding with the construction of Silver Legacy Reno, a joint venture between Eldorado Resorts and MGM Resorts International, the property added a physical connection to the new neighboring casino. This connection featured The Brew Brothers, the first microbrewery located within a casino environment. The Spa Tower added 10 floors of luxury accommodations, a 10,175-square-foot convention center opened, and a 580-seat Broadway-style showroom was constructed.
Subsequent renovations included the 2007 Skyline Tower addition, the 2008 Spa Tower enhancements, and comprehensive room renovations between 2008 and 2010 that included a new buffet and distinctive Swarovski crystal additions. Further tower renovations occurred in 2014 for the Skyline Tower and 2016-2017 for the Sierra and Virginia Towers, ensuring the property maintained contemporary standards.
Gaming Floor and Casino Amenities
The Eldorado Casino Reno Nevada offers 78,987 square feet of gaming space, providing a substantial selection of gambling options in a downtown setting. The casino floor layout balances accessibility with atmosphere, featuring distinct zones for different gaming preferences.
Slot Machines and Video Gaming
The slot floor features a diverse selection of machines ranging from classic reel slots to the latest video slot technology. Denominations span from penny slots to high-limit machines, accommodating players with varying budgets. The high-limit slot area provides a more exclusive environment for players seeking larger wagers and enhanced privacy.
Video poker machines are distributed throughout the casino floor, offering popular variants including Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and bonus poker games. The property maintains competitive pay tables on select machines, though players should verify specific game returns before committing significant play.
Table Games Selection
The table games pit offers standard casino favorites including blackjack, roulette, craps, and various poker variants. Blackjack tables feature multiple rule variations and betting limits, from low-minimum games suitable for casual players to higher-limit tables for serious gamblers. Craps tables maintain active play during peak hours, creating the energetic atmosphere this game is known for.
Roulette options include both American double-zero wheels and occasionally European single-zero wheels, with the latter offering better odds for players. Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and other specialty table games round out the offerings, providing variety beyond traditional casino games.
Accommodations and Room Options
With 815 guest rooms distributed across multiple towers, the Eldorado provides accommodation options ranging from standard rooms to luxury suites. Each tower offers distinct characteristics based on its construction and renovation timeline.
Tower Distinctions
The Spa Tower, created during the 1995 expansion, features 10 floors of accommodations designed with a focus on comfort and upscale amenities. These rooms typically offer more spacious layouts and enhanced bathroom facilities compared to older tower sections.
The Skyline Tower, added in 2007 and renovated in 2014, provides modern room designs with contemporary furnishings and technology integration. The Sierra and Virginia Towers underwent comprehensive renovations in 2016-2017, bringing these sections up to current hospitality standards with updated décor, bedding, and in-room amenities.
Room Amenities and Features
Standard room amenities include flat-screen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, climate control, and in-room safes. Bathrooms feature either shower or tub-shower combinations depending on room category. Suite options provide separate living areas, enhanced entertainment systems, and premium bathroom fixtures including soaking tubs in select categories.
Dining Options at Eldorado Casino
The Eldorado Resort Casino has built a reputation for diverse dining options that extend beyond typical casino fare. The property operates multiple restaurants spanning various cuisines and price points.
Signature Restaurants
La Strada serves Italian cuisine in an upscale setting, featuring house-made pastas, traditional Italian entrées, and an extensive wine selection. The restaurant's connection to the property's on-site pasta production ensures fresh ingredients and authentic preparation methods.
The Prime Rib Grill focuses on premium steaks and classic American chophouse fare. The restaurant emphasizes quality beef cuts, traditional sides, and a refined dining atmosphere suitable for special occasions or business dinners.
Casual Dining and Quick Service
The Brew Brothers combines a microbrewery with a casual restaurant menu, offering house-brewed beers alongside pub-style food. This venue serves as the physical connection between Eldorado and Silver Legacy, making it a natural gathering spot for guests of both properties.
Roxy Sushi Sake provides Japanese cuisine including sushi, sashimi, and cooked Japanese dishes. Pho Mein offers Asian noodle dishes and Vietnamese cuisine. Millies24 operates as a 24-hour café serving breakfast, sandwiches, and comfort food around the clock.
The Eldorado Coffee Company and an on-site Starbucks provide coffee and light breakfast options. In-room dining service allows guests to enjoy meals in their accommodations. The property previously operated The Buffet, which closed in 2020 and has not reopened, reflecting industry-wide changes in buffet operations following the pandemic.
Entertainment and Nightlife
Entertainment options at the Eldorado include both scheduled performances and ongoing nightlife venues that cater to different preferences.
Eldorado Showroom
The Broadway-style Eldorado Showroom, added during the 1996 renovation, seats 580 guests and hosts a rotating schedule of entertainment acts. The venue has featured tribute bands, comedy shows, musical performances, and special events. The showroom's design provides good sightlines from most seats and professional sound and lighting systems appropriate for various performance types.
NoVi Lounge and Nightlife
NoVi Lounge serves as the property's primary bar and nightlife venue, offering cocktails, live music on select nights, and a social atmosphere. The lounge attracts both hotel guests and local patrons, creating a mixed crowd that varies by day of week and time of evening.
The Brew Brothers also functions as an entertainment venue, particularly during evening hours when live music or DJ performances may be scheduled. The brewery atmosphere and craft beer selection appeal to a demographic seeking a more casual nightlife experience than traditional casino bars provide.
Connected Properties and Sky Bridge Access
One of the Eldorado's most significant advantages is its physical connection to neighboring casino properties, creating an indoor gaming and entertainment corridor unique to downtown Reno.
Silver Legacy Connection
The sky bridge connection to Silver Legacy Reno, established in 1995, allows guests to move between properties without going outside. This connection passes through The Brew Brothers, making the brewery a natural transition point between the two casinos. The Silver Legacy features its own gaming floor, restaurants, and the distinctive mining-themed dome that serves as a downtown Reno landmark.
Circus Circus Access
Silver Legacy also connects to Circus Circus Reno, effectively linking all three properties in a continuous indoor path. This arrangement allows guests staying at the Eldorado to access the combined amenities, restaurants, and gaming options of all three casinos. The connected properties are all owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, ensuring consistent service standards and integrated loyalty program benefits.
Caesars Rewards Integration
As a Caesars Entertainment property, the Eldorado participates in the Caesars Rewards loyalty program, one of the gaming industry's most extensive reward systems. Members earn credits for gaming activity, hotel stays, dining, and entertainment purchases across the entire Caesars network.
Tier levels within Caesars Rewards provide escalating benefits including priority check-in, room upgrades based on availability, waived resort fees at select tier levels, exclusive promotions, and access to dedicated customer service lines. Points earned at the Eldorado can be redeemed at any Caesars property nationwide, and tier status achieved through play applies across the entire network.
For frequent visitors to Reno or those who also visit Caesars properties in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, or other markets, this integration provides significant value through accumulated benefits and recognition across multiple destinations.
Location and Accessibility
The Eldorado's downtown Reno location at 345 North Virginia Street places it in the heart of the city's casino district. Virginia Street serves as Reno's main gaming corridor, with multiple casinos concentrated within walking distance. This central location provides easy access to downtown restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues beyond the casino properties.
The property is approximately five miles from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, typically a 10-15 minute drive depending on traffic. Taxi, rideshare, and shuttle services provide transportation options from the airport. For visitors arriving by car, the property offers both self-parking and valet parking services. The multi-level parking garage provides covered parking convenient to hotel elevators and casino entrances.
Downtown Reno's walkability allows visitors to explore multiple casinos and local businesses on foot, though winter weather may make this less comfortable during colder months. The Eldorado's connected access to Silver Legacy and Circus Circus means guests can experience three distinct casino environments without leaving the building complex.
Conventions and Meeting Space
The 10,175-square-foot convention center added in 1995 provides meeting and event space suitable for corporate gatherings, conferences, and social events. The facility can be configured for various event types including theater-style presentations, classroom training setups, banquet dinners, and trade show exhibitions.
Professional event planning staff assist with room setup, catering coordination, and audiovisual requirements. The property's multiple restaurants provide catering options ranging from coffee breaks to full banquet meals. The ballroom, part of the original 1973 construction, accommodates up to 750 people for larger gatherings.
The downtown location and connected casino properties make the Eldorado a practical choice for groups whose attendees want gaming and entertainment options within easy reach of meeting spaces. Hotel room blocks can be arranged for convention groups, with rates typically negotiated based on group size and dates.
Conclusion
The Eldorado Casino Reno Nevada represents a mature, well-established resort property that has evolved significantly since its 1973 opening. With 815 rooms across multiple renovated towers, nearly 79,000 square feet of gaming space, diverse dining options, entertainment venues, and strategic connections to neighboring casinos, the property offers a comprehensive downtown Reno experience.
The Caesars Entertainment ownership and Caesars Rewards integration provide additional value for loyalty program members, while the connected access to Silver Legacy and Circus Circus effectively triples the available amenities without requiring guests to go outside. The property's ongoing renovation program demonstrates a commitment to maintaining contemporary standards in a competitive market.
For visitors seeking a downtown Reno casino resort with substantial amenities, established dining options, and the convenience of connected properties, the Eldorado presents a solid option worth considering. The property balances its historical significance in Reno's gaming landscape with modern updates that keep it relevant in today's hospitality market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hotel rooms does the Eldorado Casino Reno have?
The Eldorado Resort Casino features 815 guest rooms distributed across multiple towers including the Spa Tower, Skyline Tower, Sierra Tower, and Virginia Tower. Room categories range from standard accommodations to luxury suites with various amenities and views.
Can you walk between Eldorado and other downtown Reno casinos?
Yes, the Eldorado connects to Silver Legacy Reno via an indoor sky bridge that passes through The Brew Brothers microbrewery. Silver Legacy also connects to Circus Circus Reno, creating a continuous indoor path between all three properties without needing to go outside.
Does the Eldorado Casino participate in Caesars Rewards?
Yes, as a Caesars Entertainment property, the Eldorado fully participates in the Caesars Rewards loyalty program. Members earn credits for gaming, dining, hotel stays, and entertainment, with benefits and tier status recognized across all Caesars properties nationwide.
What dining options are available at the Eldorado Reno?
The property offers multiple restaurants including La Strada for Italian cuisine, The Prime Rib Grill for steaks, The Brew Brothers for pub fare and craft beer, Roxy Sushi Sake for Japanese food, Pho Mein for Asian cuisine, Millies24 for 24-hour casual dining, and coffee options including Starbucks.
How far is the Eldorado Casino from Reno-Tahoe Airport?
The Eldorado Resort Casino is approximately five miles from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, typically a 10-15 minute drive depending on traffic conditions. Taxi, rideshare services, and shuttles provide transportation options between the airport and the property.
Does the Eldorado have meeting and convention space?
Yes, the property features a 10,175-square-foot convention center suitable for meetings, conferences, and events, plus a ballroom that accommodates up to 750 people. Professional event planning services and catering options are available for groups.