The 6 Best Hotel Resorts in Reno in 2025 (From a Local)
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More and more, Reno, long known as the biggest little city in the world, has been seeing a steady rise in visitation rates in recent years. While Reno has always hosted a decent amount of annual travelers, it has traditionally been the casino crowd and those on their way to either Las Vegas or nearby Lake Tahoe.
With its recent push to clean up its image and to offer visitors more than just gambling, Reno has slowly been becoming a destination in its own right and not just a stopover or a place to spend a quick weekend. The city now offers family-friendly activities such as museums, hiking trails, an array of festivals, delicious local eateries, a river walk, and more.
In order to host its millions of visitors, Reno also offers an array of hotels. They range from your standard one or two level motels and all the way up to resort-style casino hotels. This post aims to provide you with my top six recommendations for the latter.
I've lived in the Reno area for the last 17 years and have stayed in many of Reno's best (and not-so-best) hotels. If my family or friends were going to visit Reno for a few days, these are the six I would recommend to them.
1. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
With more than 800 guest rooms between its three hotel towers, the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa has been one of the top ranked and best resorts in Reno since opening in 1996. The property features a variety of amenities, such as award-winning restaurants, table games, hundreds of slot machines, a wonderful spa, fitness center, indoor pool, and more.
However, the Atlantis shines in presentation, with its exterior showcasing a harmonious blend of modern architecture and tropical-themed design elements. The three hotel towers, with their sleek lines and expansive glass facades, are complimented by Greco-Roman columns. The iconic Sky Terrace, an enclosed walkway spanning Virginia Street below, adds a striking visual highlight.
The interior spaces are adorned with warm woods, plush carpeting and rich marble accents, creating a welcoming and upscale atmosphere. Additional, there's no shortage of dining options, as the Atlantis features a buffet and a number of traditional sit-and-serve restaurants, including the Atlantis Steakhouse, which earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond designation.
The rates at Atlantis tend to be higher than the remaining four resorts on this list, which has always surprised me given the fact that Atlantis is a fair distance away from downtown Reno, where many of the city's most popular attractions are located.
If you're in town for an event at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Atlantis should be your go-to as it's one of the closest luxury hotel at just under an easily-walkable half-mile away. Additionally, they offer free airport transfers to and from the nearby Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
2. Grand Sierra Resort
The Grand Sierra Resort has remained a prominent fixture in Reno's skyline since opening in 1978. Its towering 27-story structure, with white walls and golden windows, along with the distinctive "GSR" red emblem, reflects a modern design that exudes elegance and grandeur.
While a fair distance from the heart of downtown Reno, Grand Sierra's relative remote location gives it a feeling of being on an island of its own. With an array of dining options, expansive gaming options (including sports book), bars, concert hall, shopping opportunities, spa, fitness center, movie theatre, arcade facility, and bowling alley, leaving may not be necessary.
The room rates are often reasonable, but can jump at times if there's an on-site concert with a big name artist or some other area event going on, such as Hot August Nights.
I've stayed here quite a few times and have never had an issue with cleanliness or service from the staff. The staff here are generally friendly and go out of their way to ensure a flawless guest experience.
Those traveling with kids will appreciate the lower level of the property, which features an extensive arcade-game facility, in addition to a movie theatre, bowling ally, brand-familiar eateries, an escape room, and more.
3. Whitney Peak Hotel
Located in the heart of downtown Reno and mere steps from the infamous Reno Arch, the Whitney Peak Hotel takes a refreshing step away from the traditional casino-heavy environment of downtown Reno by not having one. That's right, there isn't a single table game or slot machine on property.
Some may view that as a negative but those with small children will likely appreciate their quiet and smoke-free lobby. One major downside, though, is that the Whitney Peak Hotel doesn't feature a pool. That's the unfortunate trade-off.
Even without a pool, Whitney Peak is more than worth staying at. The property's location is unmatched, placed just steps away from the Reno Arch and within walking distance of several downtown favorites, including the National Automobile Museum, Truckee River Walk, Reno Events Center, Greater Nevada Field and more.
The hotel leans heavily into the active lifestyle (obvious, given its Mount Whitney namesake). One of their main amenities is their indoor rock climbing facility and fitness center, but most immediately take notice of the 164-foot tall exterior climbing wall, which ascends the side of the 16-story hotel tower.
Unlike other resorts on this list, Whitney Peak Hotel isn't exactly flush with dining options but don't fret, you're within walking distance of several amazing local restaurants (including a few of my personal favorites). These include Sierra Street Kitchen, Pine Street Biscuits, and the Depot Craft Brewery & Distillery.
4. Silver Legacy Resort Casino
If your goal is to stay in the heart of Reno in a hotel that's quintessential downtown, then Silver Legacy Resort Casino is for you. It's located just steps from the infamous Reno arch, offers nearly 90,000 square feet of gaming space, and lights up the downtown area with its signature green and gold hues.
Together with the El Dorado and Circus Circus, known collectively as THE ROW, Silver Legacy offers many dining options in-house, with others included with the neighboring properties. These include a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and not one, but two, restaurants by famed chef Gordon Ramsay.
Accommodations at the Silver Legacy are designed with comfort in mind. Guests can choose from a variety of rooms and suites, each featuring modern furnishings, plush bedding, and flat-screen TVs. Many rooms offer stunning views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains or the bustling cityscape, providing a serene retreat after a day of exploration.
Rates fluctuate wildly here, more-so than most hotels in the area (this also includes its neighboring properties making up THE ROW) but unless there's a big name performing that weekend or there's a city-sponsored event taking place, nightly rates generally remain under $150.
5) J Resort
J Resort is the newest resort-style hotel offering in Reno. Its parent company, Jacob Entertainment, purchased the now former property of the Sands Regency last year and committed millions of dollars worth of upgrades and additions to not only the hotel, but its surrounding area as well.
Aside from the amenity and dining upgrades, the best one yet is the installment of the Neon Line. The Neon Line is an outdoor art-walk displaying several art installations once featured at the popular Buring Man event. You can walk it any time, but at night is where the art pieces truly come to life with lighting and musical effects.
As far as rooms go, J Resort offers guests spacious and thoughtfully designed rooms. Each accommodation features contemporary furnishings, including pillow-top mattresses and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide stunning views of the city or surrounding mountains. Modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, USB charging stations and kitchens (in select rooms) ensure a comfortable stay.
This is most recent property my wife and I stayed at. We had an overall pleasant stay, but since the property's renovation was still in progress we weren't able to enjoy the pool or partake in all of the dining options (they have another restaurant opening sometime this year).
However, we paid less than $100 a night (the resort fee included) for our room and the dining options we did experience, which included their cafe "Hanna's Table" and their signature steakhouse, "J Paul's", were nothing short of stellar.
READ ALSO: “My Honest Review of J Resort: A Downtown Reno Hotel”
6. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
Nestled in the heart of Reno, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino exudes a blend of modern luxury and classic elegance. Its interior is adorned with rich, warm tones, intricate mosaics, and Roman-inspired architecture. The resort's design seamlessly integrates artistic elements, featuring the "Windows of the World," a collection of high-definition displays showcasing exotic landscapes and vibrant imagery.
Accommodations at the Peppermill are thoughtfully designed to cater to a range of preferences, offering everything from well-appointed guest rooms to lavish suites. Each room is equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay. Guests can unwind at the resort's two geothermally-heated swimming pools, as well as their award-winning Spa Tuscana.
Fine dining options include Bimini Steakhouse, renowned for its hardwood-grilled steaks and seafood and Romanza, which offers exquisite Italian cuisine in a romantic setting. Casual dining venues such as Biscotti's present an expansive menu to please all palates, while Oceano features the freshest seafood and all-you-can-eat sushi.
Room rates at the Peppermill vary depending on the season and accommodation type, but the resort consistently offers competitive pricing for its range of luxury and comfort. Given its comprehensive amenities, diverse dining options, and exceptional service, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino stands out as a premier destination in Reno.
