In a state renown for gambling, you might think that’s all there is to do in Nevada. Well, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno.
AGL spent some time at Atlantis around the holidays and we stayed busy and entertained the whole time. Sure, ways to test your luck abound at Atlantis, but this destination is just as much a resort and a spa as it is a casino. As a matter of fact, it’s a AAA Four Diamond resort that looks out over the Sierra Nevada mountains instead of a tropical beach. And the spa at Atlantis is the only Forbes Travel Guide–Four-Star spa in northern Nevada. Now that’s a sure bet!
The first thing Atlantis Casino Resort Spa offers is a view. Each of the property’s 800+ rooms feature floor to ceiling windows and a spectacular view of the Sierra Mountain range. Located in the heart of south Reno’s entertainment, dining and shopping district, Atlantis caters to those looking only for a weekend getaway to those planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Along with high-speed Internet and complimentary Wi-Fi in the rooms, guests can also enjoy 24-hour room service, individual climate controlled rooms, a 42” flat-screen HDTV in the bedroom and a 20” TV in the bathroom suites. Atlantis also provides complimentary shuttle service to Reno-Tahoe International Airport every 30 minutes; complimentary bottled water; and complimentary access to the indoor atrium pool, outdoor pool, whirlpool spa, and Cardio Theater and Fitness Center.
There are a variety of casual and fine dining establishments at Atlantis–everything from delis, cafes and buffets to sushi, seafood, and steakhouses. But one of our first stops was lunch at Sushi at Jazmine in downtown Reno, an Asian-themed restaurant with an all-you-can-eat sushi bar, and lunch and dinner menus featuring Chinese-style entrees. Afterward we spent the afternoon relaxing, taking in the beautiful mountainous views, and thinking about the evening’s activities.
Atlantis ensures that those who don’t have a betting nature have plenty to do. There are bars and lounges; shows and concerts, including free nightly cabaret performances; activities centered around dining experiences; and a fun center that’s a haven for arcade lovers and gamers. We went next door to the Eldorado Resort & Casino to catch a performance of Miracle on 34th Street.
The story of a single mother and her child encountering the real Santa Claus as a Macy’s department store Santa is charming and timeless on its own. Add an interactive element to it and the whole room becomes the performance! From the very beginning of the show–when about a dozen dancing Santas emerged seemingly from nowhere and danced through the audience on their way to the stage–to the end, when the audience was encouraged to sing along to a medley of classic Christmas carols, it was a fantastic time.
You can’t stay at Atlantis without getting a spa treatment in, and that’s exactly what we did the next day. True to its designation as a four-star spa, the treatments and packages are unique and one-of-a-kind. Along with all you’d expect to find at a luxury spa, there are amenities such as the Rasul Ceremonial Chamber, which recreates spa rituals adapted from those enjoyed by ancient royalty!
There’s no better way to cap off a day of pampering than with a sumptuous meal. The Atlantis Steakhouse fit the bill perfectly.
The next day it was time for a little sightseeing. We visited the Nevada Museum of Art, which has a permanent collection of creative works themed around natural, built and virtual environments.
The we visited Reno’s National Automobile Museum, which houses more than 200 classic cars. The museum came to be after California businessman and gaming pioneer William Harrah–founder of Harrah’s Hotels and Casinos–left behind over 1,000 cars after his death in the late 70s. The National Automobile Museum, which opened in 1989, showcases over 200 of them.
That evening, we visited the Reserve Wine Bar at Grand Sierra Resort, a place that makes the art of wine drinking a new kind of leisurely pursuit!
The next morning, Reno bid us adieu with grace and style. The newly redesigned Toucan Charlie’s Buffet & Grille inside Atlantis presented us with an infinite variety of breakfast/brunch foods, many of which were made to order.
Las Vegas is not the only hot spot in the state of Nevada. Our 36 hours in Reno was just as diverse and interesting and adventurous as any weekend trip to its more popular sister city. The next time you want a quick getaway, bring your friends! The Mercedes shuttle, complements of the hotel, will hold all of you during your next vacation!
