On our way to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, our flight was scheduled to land at the Reno-Tahoe Airport. But before the long drive, to Lake Tahoe, we planned an overnight stay in Reno.
Reno, Nevada: “The Biggest Little City in the World”
Reno’s nickname, “The Biggest Little City in the World,” dates back to the 1920s reflecting the city’s unique blend of small-town charm and big city amenities. In fact, the Reno Arch, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, proudly displays that nickname, making it a popular photo spot.
But besides the famous nickname sign and a multitude of casinos, what makes Reno a place to visit? If you didn’t know, Reno sits 8 miles from the California/Nevada border at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. To sum up what we saw during our one-night, two-day sightseeing marathon is a small city with a mountain backdrop, lots of cool murals and statues, cute shops, restaurants and cafes, museums, nighttime entertainment, and spectacular scenic nature, especially the walking path along the Truckee River.
We booked a room for the one night at the Atlantis Casino Resort, located on South Virginia Street, a highly acclaimed, award winning hotel. The hotel’s huge Atlantis sign sits atop the building, and we could see it miles away as we made our approach.
Reno’s Most Award-Winning Resort
The AAA Four Diamond Atlantis Casino Resort Spa offers a huge casino, luxurious accommodations, TripAdvisor’s top-ranked restaurants, and Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Spa (awarded for the 10th straight year)!
Besides the resort’s impressive accolades, I selected this hotel because it’s a stand-alone resort, set away from the noisy downtown Reno hotels and casinos. The décor follows the “Lost City of Atlantis” theme with tropical vibes, lots of fountains, huge columns, and many restaurants. It’s housed in three interconnected glass towers that are beautifully illuminated at night. The resort features lots of wood designs decorated with gold and brown, and a few pops of bright color.
Driving up the entrance way with a bubbling outdoor fountain, we experienced the nicest valet parking staff. And that was followed by an easy check-in.
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Hotel Amenities
Considered an upscale casino resort, the Atlantis offers lots of amenities including a massive, 60,000-square-foot casino, concierge, 24-hour front desk, an airport shuttle, 10 restaurants plus multiple lounges in and out of the casino, full service spa, hair salon, fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools with cabanas and poolside drink service, arcade/game room, and 800+ guest rooms in three towers.
The spacious, 30,000 square foot Spa Atlantis has been awarded the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award for ten consecutive years. It offers a wide variety of exquisite treatments from around the world as well as spa amenities in an atmosphere aimed to renew a sense of self and relaxation. A day at the spa includes the Brine Inhalation-Light Therapy Lounge, Laconicum Relaxation Lounge, Aqua Spa Lounge cardio theater and fitness center, and indoor and outdoor pool areas. Spa amenities also include women and men’s tea lounges with refreshments, private lockers, safety deposit boxes, private dressing rooms, fresh fruit and herb-infused waters, botanical extracts, and more.
The Cardio Theater and Fitness Center offers a full complement of cardio and strength training equipment including TechnoGym® and Precor equipment with Active Wellness TV.
There’s an indoor atrium pool, a seasonal outdoor pool and sun deck, and year-round outdoor jet spa. The indoor atrium pool looks like a greenhouse with plants, trees, a waterfall and a huge rock wall. The outdoor pool offers lounges and cabanas (fee) and a convenient poolside beverage service is available.
The free valet and self-parking was much appreciated as it’s often costly and hard to park anywhere near a popular casino. As with many other hotels and resorts, the “free Wi-Fi and parking” is actually being paid in the form of a daily “resort fee.”
The Shoppes at Atlantis off a variety of name brand stores along with souvenirs, snacks, beverages, plus a whole lot more.
The huge casino offers the typical gaming you may see in a casino such as slot machines, blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, poker, along with a Race & Sports Book.
Atlantis Fun Center Arcade is perfect for the non-gamblers looking for some fun classic games and the latest racing, music, and prize redemption type of games. This hotel fun center was voted the Best Arcade in the Reno News & Review. In addition to a variety of games, the arcade also offers an amazing snack bar.
Guest Rooms, Suites, and Penthouses
Luxury hotel rooms and suites at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking incredible views of the city or the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We stayed in a 375-square-foot Premier King guest room featuring a king-sized bed with a breathtaking view of the mountains from those huge windows. It was spacious, lovely, and spotlessly clean. We enjoyed a fancy leather headboard set among wood furnishings, plush down comforter, pillowtop mattress, and a bathroom featuring marble accents, lots of counter space, and luxury bath products. We were certainly spoiled that night leading up to our Lake Tahoe trip.
Room amenities also included an in-room safe, coffeemaker, free Wi-Fi, clock radio, and a 42-inch flat-screen TV. While even the standard “Premier” guest room felt fancy, you can also upgrade to luxurious concierge tower rooms, penthouse rooms, and other rooms fit for “high rollers” and affluent guests.
Dining at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa offers 10 outstanding dining options. Considering we were only there for a few meals, we had a hard time choosing what to eat.
Fine dining:
:: Atlantis Steakhouse
:: Bistro Napa
Casual dining:
:: Toucan Charlie’s Gourmet Buffet & Grille
:: Oyster & Sushi Bar
:: Red Bloom
:: Manhattan Deli
:: Purple Parrot
Quick bites:
:: Chicago Dogs! Eatery
:: Java Etc.
:: Gourmet Grind
The Atlantis Steakhouse is recognized as one of the best restaurants in Reno, but it was a bit fancy for a one-night stay. However, we personally enjoyed the New York style deli and the Chicago hot dog stand. Purple Parrot, open 24 hours, made for a nice breakfast spot.
Nearby Things to Do in Reno
Before I tell you about the Reno attractions we crammed into our quick visit, I must tell you about the one place that we really wanted to see. It was the 2-story Reno Public Market that offers more than a dozen food places under one roof. After having a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, we headed to downtown Reno, did some morning sightseeing, and headed to the Reno Public Market for a big lunch that would hold us over throughout the afternoon, including the late afternoon drive to our intended destination of Lake Tahoe.
The Reno Public Market did not disappoint. It offers food, drink, and eclectic shops. This is not a mall of typical brand name stores but instead a group of artisan-type shops and local boutiques with a huge variety of handmade goods, many that would make great souvenirs. There were a few recognizable stores mixed in like Coldstone Creamery, CVS, Red Wing Shoes, and Sprouts Farmer’s Market. But the food was the real star in my opinion, every cuisine from fried chicken, burgers, and ramen noodles. There was Latin, Italian, Mediterranean, Indian, Thai, Peruvian, and more. Not to mention, there is ice cream, cookies, frozen yogurt, and coffee.
Now for our sightseeing marathon. The hotel’s location on Virginia Street made for a quick 10-minute drive directly up the street to downtown Reno. That’s where we found the iconic Reno Arch, National Automobile Museum, and lots of shops. And speaking of the shopping, the Meadowood Mall is mere minutes from the hotel and offers 1 million square feet of shopping.
Consider visiting these Reno attractions:
:: National Automobile Museum featuring many exhibits filled with a collection of 200 autos from past, present, and even future
:: Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum
:: Nevada Museum of Art
:: Take a selfie with the iconic Reno sign at night with neon lights
:: Walk or rent a bike to ride on the path along the Truckee River
:: See a show at the Pioneer Center, the building’s roof looks like a golden turtle
:: Watch a bowling tournament at the National Bowling Stadium.
:: Shop at Scheels, an outdoor sporting goods store, with amusement park-type rides, bowling alley, and more
:: Sparks Marina Park offers cycling and walking paths with great views of the Sierra Nevada mountains
A Wonderful Reno Visit From Start to Finish
Knowing that we would be back in the Reno area to catch a flight home at Reno-Tahoe International Airport following our adventure, we were excited to make a pit stop back at the Reno Public Market for a quick lunch. That turned out to be a smart decision as our flight home was delayed for three hours.
Another smart decision was staying at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. It was a remarkable hotel, beautifully decorated, and while we were only there for a one-night stay, we enjoyed exploring all that the resort had to offer. The floor-to-ceiling room windows with a view of the Sierra Nevada mountains added to the elegance of our guest room. We didn’t have time to enjoy a spa treatment, but the staff allowed us to peek inside and it is truly spectacular. And speaking of the resort staff, each team member we encountered was friendly and helpful.
A visit to “The Biggest Little City in the World” was a fun start and end to our Lake Tahoe trip.