Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - Riviera Hotel and Casino

These wheelchair access and travel notes refer to the Riviera Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is one of the most wheelchair accommodating cities in the US - I guess our money is as good as anyone else's when it comes to giving it away to the Casino! The hotel door personnel are fully au fait with wheelchair needs, and seem capable of getting a handicapped accessible taxi within minutes at any time of the day or night. I would feel confident booking any major hotel in Vegas. The Riviera is okay, but I would guess there is a lot better. The hotel is situated some blocks down from the main cluster of activity, not far from the Stratosphere. This is one of the older hotels on the strip, and it shows.

Like most Las Vegas Casinos, you end up wheeling long distances from the door to the registration to your room, over thick pile carpet. My room was in the Monte Carlo tower.

The room (king bed, accessible, bath) was not very big, with large furniture, and circulation space was tight. I could operaste only in a small track from the door, squeeze past the over-size cabinet with the TV on it, past the work desk and to one side of the bed, after moving an easy chair. The work desk was a comfortable size. There was an electric socket in the desk lamp that was easy to reach. I was unable to get the Wifi Ethernet to work. The TV controls were left in front of the TV and easy to reach. There was no coffeemaker - the hotel doesn't want you lounging around in the room having fun, you're supposed to be out on the floor giving them your money! The air-conditioning unit was the standard one mounted below the window, and the controls were located on it at a comfortable height.

The bed was height was fine and transfers in and out were no problem. The bedside light could be reached from the bed, but the room lights could not be turned off from in bed (so, as always, remember to turn them off before getting out of your chair!). The closet was easy to use - no door, but comfortable rack height.

The bathroom was large with plenty of turning space. The grab-rails by the toilet were well positioned. The toilet itself was of the raised ADA type, a little high for me to sit comfortable balanced. The sink had plenty of knee space underneath but was set back a bit which made it a little awkward for washing. My room had a bath. The bath was a little high and the grab rails were not in the best position. However it was usable although some might need assistance. There was no shower seat, although one is available from house-keeping if required.  The shower rose was too high to be reached from the chair or when in the bath. Towels were placed at a comfortable height and easily accessible.

Although my room had been recently refurbished, this is an older hotel and feels like it. My only other experience in Las Vegas is with the Hard Rock Hotel, and that is far superior. However, the prices are also radically different - you get what you pay for I guess. The Riviera is fine, but if you can get somewhere newer, take it!

Las Vegas, Nevada - Hotel (The Hard Rock Hotel)

Revisited this hotel lately (first visit report is here).

Glad to report that not much has changed and this is still one of the most comfortable handicapped rooms I have stayed in.

Still recommended.

Hard Rock Hotel - Las Vegas

Hard Rock Hotel - Las Vegas

I was here for just a quick business meeting. Excellent hotel, off strip. There is level access from the taxi/drop-off doors. Valets took my baggage at the door and were very helpful. Check-in was fast and pleasant. They asked if I wanted roll-in shower or accessible tub. I took the tub as that is my preference, but was glad to note that they had the option. In the event, they gave me a roll-in shower but i did not bother to rectify the error.

The room was spacious and well fitted out. Water and a mini-bar was provided (watch the prices!!). The bed was about wheelchair cushion height. Large bathroom, with grab rails in all the right places. The roll-in shower was spacious, with a fold-up seat by the shower controls. Hand held or wall mounted shower rose - selectable by a wall mounted control.  Easy to operate and transfer to and from the seat. Bathroom sink had plenty of legroom underneath. 

The business area was well laid out, with electric plugs and wired Ethernet at table height. Controls for the large flat screen TV were left within easy reach for a wheelie. All in all no problems. 

Like all Vegas casino/hotels, the establishment is large, and wheeling across those deep pile carpets takes it out of you. But all areas seemed accessible. I had no opportunity to check access to the pool, but the spa is accessible and they have a handicapped accessible shower (with shower seat) in the changing area. I had to use the spa to get a massage for an extremely painful shoulder which is still in a bad way as I write this. The massage was great, but its effects, alas, were temporary. The only fault in the spa was the lack of a changing bench or somewhere a wheelie could lie to dress and undress. 

All in all, very impressive. Recommended.

(Note: The theme here, not surprisingly, is Rock. So public areas are noisy and energetic. If this is not your thing, then avoid! The rooms are quiet.)