Sometimes a visit to a hotel is much more than just a place to sleep. That’s what the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa delivers in Reno – a true resort experience with a friendly staff that welcomes you to a luxurious combination of rest, relaxation, and play as you enjoy a world-class spa, a dynamic casino, indoor-outdoor pools, and eight restaurants.

What makes the Atlantis the best hotel in Reno?

The Atlantis dates back to 1972 when the Farahi family purchased a 142 room motel in Reno. Over the years, the property evolved and grew, and in 1996, it became the Atlantis Casino Resort. Today, the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is owned by Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., but is still led by John Farahi.

Those family origins appear to have heavily influenced the culture of the resort. The result is a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests are greeted as if they were being welcomed into their home. Everyone from the managers to the front desk staff to the restaurant servers are friendly, personable, and professional, the perfect combination for a truly enjoyable experience.

The Rooms

I love hotel rooms that are spacious, tastefully decorated, and contain a plush bed that just beckons you to sink in and relax – and I just wanted to jump on the bed and fall back into those pillows the minute we arrived. And, note – two chairs! It always amazes me that so many hotels have only have one chair in the room. Kudos Atlantis for recognizing couples like to both have a place to sit!

It’s also the little things that make the difference and high on my list are luxury bath products. The Atlantis features June Jacobs spa products, which have a delightful fragrance and are quickly becoming a favorite of top resorts.

And, as a tech addict – you can connect your laptop or DVD using the multimedia launch pad to the 42″ flat screen HDTV in the room. When you spend 100+ nights a year in hotel rooms, you don’t want to go out every night, and the ability to stream to the TV is awesome.

Feel like an upgrade? You may have heard of a concierge floor but, at the Atlantis, they have a Concierge Tower, with personal butler service and access to the exclusive concierge lounge on the 25th floor, which offers a complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon hors-d’oeuvres.

We asked if we could get a peek at the concierge level and got a tour of the rooms and the lounge. Nice! It doesn’t get much better than sipping a glass of wine and snacking on sushi and fresh fruit while gazing at the beautiful Sierra mountains.

The Spa & Pools

No wonder the Spa Atlantis has won SpaFinder’s Readers’ Choice award for Best Casino Spa for four consecutive years. We could have spent the entire day there!

From the brine inhalation-light therapy room, where your respiratory system reaps the benefits of the combination of salt and oxygen (evidently popular after returning from the Burning Man playa), to the tranquil treatment rooms, the Spa Atlantis is pure luxury and relaxation.

Sometimes you just need a quiet afternoon spent poolside with a good book. Next, to the fitness center, there are two pools to choose from – one inside atrium pool and one outside – so, whether you want to cool off under the summer sun or take a dip after a day of wintertime play, the water is always perfect.

Rounding out the perfect afternoon wasting away poolside are indoor and outdoor whirlpools, rainfall showers, comfy lounge chairs, and pool concierge services. Ready to splurge? Rent a cabana with a flat-screen TV, refrigerator, safe, and more. Oh là là luxury!

The Restaurants & Bars

Time to eat. The Atlantis has eight restaurants that are popular with locals and hotel guests alike and range from coffee bars to high-end eateries.

Atlantis Steakhouse

A gorgeous, upscale restaurant, Atlantis Steakhouse delivers affordable luxury, impeccable (but not snobby) service, and the finest cuisine. We dined at Atlantis for my birthday and, from the bubbles to the desert, it was a fabulous evening for my “another run around the sun” celebration.

Bistro Napa

The happy hour at Bistro Napa is widely considered the best in Reno Tahoe. The doors open at 4:00 pm, but the crowd begins to form by 20 minutes ’til 4:00. Every day, year-round, locals and hotel guests alike, wait to get in like it’s a concert or art gallery opening.

The bar menu, which includes such deliciousness as Ahi Poke tacos, wood-fired artichokes, Kobe beef sliders, and steamed clams in white wine and butter – and the drinks – are half off between 4 pm and 6 pm. Wine by the glass is an 8oz pour and from a list that has names on it like Justin and Duckhorn. Following happy hour, the Napa Valley-inspired dishes continue through dinner, with seasonal, organic fare served alongside wines from the 4,000-bottle wine cellar.

For those more casual hunger pangs…Manhattan Deli, Café Alfresco, Toucan Charlie’s Buffet, Java etc, and the Purple Parrot

The Manhattan Deli is where New York meets the west coast. We stopped in for lunch and also left with a slice of authentic New York cheesecake for later. Café Alfresco is the place for brick-oven wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, and more than ten varieties of house-made gelato.

Another local favorite, Toucan Charlie’s wins the best buffet in Reno year after year with rave reviews of their extensive layout of offerings.

Admit it – sometimes you want pancakes at midnight. At Purple Parrot, you can get breakfast (or lunch or dinner) 24 hours a day.

and on the Sky Terrace… The Sushi Bar & The Oyster Bar

The Sky Terrace is home to both The Sushi Bar and The Oyster Bar, with the freshest sushi, sake, and oysters served with a great view of Reno’s iconic Virginia Avenue.

The Casino

The Atlantis casino has 60,000 square feet of gaming options comfortably arranged with 1,500 slot machines and a variety of gaming tables, a poker room, a Race and Sports Book, and a non-smoking gaming area on the Sky Terrace.

While you’re not going to bring down the house with $3 table games, it is so refreshing to find $3 blackjack (including our favorite, hand-dealt pitch) – giving your money a little bit longer to stay with you before parting ways. If your passion is on the other end of the spectrum, head over to the high limit area. Bon chance!

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

Reservations & more information: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa website

Location: 3800 S. Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89502 Just south of mid-town near the airport.

Design: Contemporary décor and comfortable luxury

Rooms: 824 guest rooms and 105 suites

Facilities: Fitness center, spa, casino, indoor and outdoor pools, eight restaurants

Area activities:  Gaming, skiing, hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, golf, jogging, kayaking, shopping

Spa: Unique treatments & facilities including Pantai Luar® eastern Asian massage, Rasul Mineral Mud Ceremony, and Cleopatra Milk and Honey Cocoon, Aqua Spa Lounge,  Laconium Relaxation Lounge, and Brine Inhalation-Light Therapy Lounge

WiFi: Free

Restaurants & bars: Atlantis Steakhouse, Bistro Napa, Sky Terrace Sushi Bar, Sky Terrace Oyster Bar, Manhattan Deli, Café Alfresco, Toucan Charlie’s Buffet, Java, etc, Purple Parrot

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