Many vacationers looking for a high end hotel in Reno, Nevada will narrow down their hotel choice to just 2 hotels: The Peppermill or Atlantis Hotel in Reno. Both of these hotels are great, but here are some helpful tips to help you decide which hotel to stay at, the Atlantis or the Peppermill.
Where To Stay – Peppermill or Atlantis Hotel In Reno?
Here is a brief overview of each hotel. For additional information, I recommend checking out TripAdvisor which is full of user reviews on each hotel.
Atlantis Hotel & Casino: This hotel is currently ranked #1 on TripAdvisor as the top hotel in Reno. Featuring a casino, hotel, spa, and indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, this hotel is ideal for vacationers looking to spend time lounging in the sun or playing their favorite casino game. The indoor pool is a great way to spend the day if you are vacationing in the off season when outdoor temperatures prohibit usage of the outdoor pool.
If you are reading reviews about the Atlantis, you may come across some old material referencing the Motor Lodge at the Atlantis. Not to worry, this was shut down in 2010. Your room will be in one of their towers.
Not all rooms at the Atlantis Hotel in Reno are created equal. Many of the rooms are older and not refurbished, a little tired looking. The best rooms are in the Concierge Tower (which also features the Concierge Lounge), as well as the Luxury Tower. The Atrium and Royal Dolphin Towers have the older and less stylish rooms but usually at a better price.
Peppermill Hotel and Casino: The Peppermill is ranked as the #2 hotel in Reno on TripAdvisor, edged out slightly by the Atlantis. It is well worth checking out the Peppermill reviews on TripAdvisor. However, if you’re trying to decide between the Peppermill or Atlantis hotel in Reno, I would not factor this into the equation too much. In fact, many other websites give Peppermill a better ranking.
If swimming pools are what you are after, you should be aware that this hotel does not have an indoor pool. Winter in Reno is not a good time to be hanging out by the pool, so factor this into your decision should you go to Reno from October through to May. In the summer months, however, the pool is beautiful.
Travellers should also be aware that many people book this hotel only to find out that they’re staying at the Peppermill Annex, a 2-story motel whose rooms are of substantial lower quality. This is very subtle, so take extra caution when you book. For example, Expedia provides the following information on these rooms:
“Located across the 3rd floor skywalk of main tower or outside, adjacent to Tuscany Tower via covered walkway….This room’s star rating is lower than that awarded to the hotel as a whole.”
This tiny but very important piece of information was burried away where most consumers would not even notice. Take care when booking the Peppermill.
Recommended Hotel – Peppermill or Atlantis
As a personal preference, I like the Peppermill more than Atlantis, but this does not mean I would always book the Peppermill. In fact, I will be staying at the Atlantis hotel on my next trip to Reno. Bottom line:
- Book the Atlantis Hotel if you want to use their indoor pool year round.
- Avoid the Peppermill Annex unless you are okay with an inferior room.
- All else being equal, book the room that is cheapest during your travel dates. Both hotels are wonderful and offer great service, amenities, and value.
Tips For Better Bidding On Hotels In Reno
Both of these hotels show up on Priceline and Hotwire. I always recommend that travellers look at bidding for travel before booking through online travel reservation sites as this can save travellers anywhere from 30 to 50% or more in some cases.
On Priceline, these hotels show up in the Reno South – Airport (RNO) bidding zone as 4 stars. For a full list of known hotels in Reno, check out the Priceline Reno hotel list. Not sure how much to bid? You can also find out what Priceline customers are paying in the Priceline and Hotwire forum. I’ve seen the Peppermill Hotel go for as little as $55 per night and the Atlantis for an amazing $39 per night. It is definitely worth checking out the Priceline and Hotwire forum to see Priceline winning bid prices.
On Hotwire, the hotels appear in the South Reno – Tahoe Airport zone. These hotels are currently ranked as 4 1/2 stars (Peppermill) and 4 stars (Atlantis). The hotel rankings change all the time, so it is always best to check the Hotwire hotel list for Reno, NV before bidding.