Escape to the Peppermill, Reno Nevada

There are a few things that make Reno worth the visit and one is certainly the Peppermill. Hands down one the best pools in Reno. How do I know, you may ask?? Well, I have seen almost every major hotel pool in Reno. There you go. I don't usually play at a casino/hotel until I have seen what that hotel has to offer. I am not going to play slots unless I WANT to get free rooms at that hotel/casino. I always ask for a tour. I also ask to be taken to the pool. It's a big deal breaker for us. I know I want to "earn" free rooms with my slot play, so they better be rooms I'll enjoy.

                                      ROOMS
The rooms are spacious and clean. I could do without the whole Italian Roman theme. It's a bit overdone. I think it's very gaudy, but that's me. At least it's mono-color. For a little extra each day you can up grade to a Tuscany tower room. See link for details. I have tried to up-grade several times. Each time during check-in they say they no longer have The Tuscany rooms available. It as happened three times now. Surprising since you have to pay for it. Here is our standard room:

Big comfortable bed. Fitted sheet. Very important as many hotels use the flat sheet on the mattress that comes undone as you sleep.....only to find your head on the mattress. So, I was happy about that. Large almost body-sized pillows. Benches at the foot of each bed. 

All rooms have been updated, which means, flat screen TVs for everyone. Nice and big. No HBO, though.  I do like to have  HBO in my room. Mini bar, and desk for your laptop. I couldn't get either of the desk lamps to work. Not a big deal, but a turn off. I was turning switches on and off at the wall, as well as the switch on the lamp itself. No go. Comfortable large desk chair.

Nice little sitting area. Not too bad.  I liked the chairs.

When I turned the corner and saw this I nearly jumped. I was able to sleep, though.  Again, just not my style. Seems so very outdated. Too colorful compared to the rest.

The bathroom was decorated the best. It did seem up-dated and modern.

Modern neutral tile. A win here. If I am going to have a shower curtain I am glad they have the rounded  rod so you are not at risk of having that thing cling to you. That was nice. Water pressure very high and water gets super hot. Love that.

Nice basic counter top, magnifying mirror,  a nice amount of amenities.  There was also a small coffee pot. That was nice.

All in all, nice comfortable rooms that were kept well cleaned and housekeeping was certain onto of it. Our room was cleaned in a timely manor each day. Carpet is well padded and soft to walk on. Nice closet that is lite when opened. Really all you needed was here.


Let's be honest.......here is why we choose the Peppermill during the summer:


                                                 POOL

Upper deck of the pool. Two life guards on duty here at all times. Full bar and food service as well.

Lower deck. No life guards.

View from the hotel hallway. We requested a pool view, but they said there were no rooms ready with a view. Here you can see the lower and upper decks. The lower deck was open at 6 a.m. The entire pool was opened at 8 a.m.  It stays open until 10 p.m. Very good hours. I would recommend going when it first opens to get a seat. It got extremely crowded on Saturday. Monday, of course, was the best day. The small pool to the right has a cascade the kids loved and it was very warm. We have been here during the winter and they keep the lower deck open. The water was steaming :) You only see one hot tub here, but there are a total of three.

Upper deck fountain. The sound of the water cascading down really added to the feel of the pool. Relaxing.  The music was soft however. Didn't have that Vegas feel. Not many servers out there. Very few people drinking....unlike Vegas. So it didn't really have that woo hoo! Party feel. We had lunch here twice. Wonderful Delicious pizza for the kids (always some left) at $12. We had the huge fresh cobb salad for $13. We thought that was reasonable and really enjoyed spending hours at the pool. 

Perfect poolside meal don't you think? Orders take about 45 minutes, but they tell you this.  No big deal.  The wait never seemed long. There are several patio tables around the pool. You could sit and really enjoy your lunch with a group. We just ate on our lounge chairs.

Cocktails were reasonable as well........a big glass of Sparkling wine  (Chandon) and Stan's big Bloody Mary came to $21. That's what I pay for ONE mimosa at the Palms. The kids enjoyed playing around the fountain. I enjoyed sitting there with my Mimosa.

Early morning, quiet and relaxed. Completely covered with sun by 10 a.m. Restrooms are right back through those doors. Big, clean and easy to get to.

Waterfall

Waterfall pool. Very warm......

There is also an indoor pool at the Spa....So this is a complete resort hotel. Everything you could want.



                                The Arcade

Great arcade for the kids with the ticket system and prizes. While in the casino I slid my card for special promotions and won a coupon....$25 for $50 worth of playing the arcade. So that was perfect. Lucas and Lucie each got a card with $25 on it. You just slide the card at each game. No tokens. Very simple. It would up date how much was left on the card each time. I have to say too.....that $50 latest much longer at then arcade than it did on the casino floor.

                                                    The Casino

The casino is large. It's dark with lots of lights. Pretty good variety of machines. No new trendy machines however, most are old school. I couldn't find all the new machines I enjoy. No, Hangover, no Breakfast at Tiffany's, no Tarzan, no Godzilla, no Superman, no Sex and the City. or any other new machines. Really a bit behind that way.  Hopefully they can update their machines soon. I could always get a machine I wanted, the area was clean, seats were comfortable and there is always a great ambiance.

Drink service was good. Of course, we are in Nevada, so like Vegas, the drinks are free....just have to tip.

 I wasn't as lucky as I have been in the past at The Peppermill and I heard some others complain about that too. Who knows, when you are losing you going to complain :)

There is a small open bar that always has live music playing onto the slot floor. That's nice. Makes it fun. There are twos rows of slots right around the band. Kin of fun. Lots of table games too.

Although the room comps are good, I had no free slot play with my check in. I think that is a bit tight. You'd expect at least $15 to say "welcome." So....no free play the entire time there.

                                  Restaurants                              

There are over ten restaurants to choose from at the Peppermill. You really don't need to go outside of the Peppermill to eat if staying here.  You have everything under one roof. Please browse link below. You really won't see all of these restaurants just walking around the casino floor. They are a bit hidden. Some real gems too.

We have eaten many times at Biscottis. It's an upscale coffee shop. Good. I prefer it for lunch or dinner. Their pizzas are great. Expensive for breakfast. $19 for a basic breakfast plate and not much of a choice. Three eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast was about $12. They do have a kids menu and Lucas got a nice breakfast for only $5. Pastries sold in two locations with pretty good coffee....probably the best bet for breakfast for us. We would get our coffee and pastries and head right out to the pool. However, since we are two hours away and drive, we have our car and tend to venture out for food. Nearby, Olive Garden, Mimi's, Bj's Brewery, etc. It's just easier with kids too. We do enjoy room service. Peppermill has great service. Nice to have breakfast in bed and watch a pre-pay movie....kind of fun. 

Next time we visit we'll have to go to the steak house. It looks good and there is seating overlooking the pool.

                                                         http://www.peppermillreno.com/dining/

                                          Visiting
The Peppermill is not downtown. It is across the street from The Atlantis, which is another fun casino to visit. You need a car to get downtown. It is close to the Atlantis which is another great casino.

I want to be friendly here....so how does one say it? Reno will be a disappointment if you are expecting a mini Vegas. The downtown area has seen better days....maybe in the 60s? Not sure when it was that the better days were there, but they are gone. It's run down, many of the hotel casinos are closed, and there is sad walking zombie land of down trodden homeless addicts. There. I said it. Do visit the Silver Legacy, great place to stay and play and wander over to the Eldorado. If you like to gamble you might also check out the Grand Sierra and the Nugget. That's about it. If you have kids the Circus Circus arcade is fun and is connected to the Silver Legacy. I will add that South Virginia Street has many cool thrift stores and antique shops. Also........you are about 45 minutes away, maybe less to North Shore Tahoe.....now that's a beautiful place to visit.

While in Reno this time we promised the kids we would go to the movies. We found a new shopping center called The Summit. The stores were closed when the movies were over, but I have been dreaming about the center ever since. Gorgeous up scale center with beautiful European flower baskets everywhere. We will definitely go back there for shopping and meal when back in Reno.

http://www.thesummitonline.com/reno/

We highly recommend the Peppermill if staying in Reno.

We had a great four days at the Peppermill. If you are going to gamble you could get free rooms or good offers.... Remember if you enjoying gambling, and want to receive free rooms...do most of your gambling in one spot. If you are gambling at five different hotels you are spreading yourself thin. We only gambled at the Peppermill for the four days we were there. Always us your players card in te machines. That's  how they monitor how much you play. They only ask for an address and pone number. It's just to send you offers!!!!!!!

The peppermill has great Valet service and a nice covered self-parking area. This is important to us, especially if you have stayed right downtown. The Silver Legacy parking lot is ridiculous. Tight tight spaces even if you are the thinnest person alive with a Smart car, it's a tight squeeze. Valet is Must there. So, the Peppermill parking is much appreciated.

Read more about The Peppermill or book a room today:

http://www.peppermillreno.com/hotel/