Located less than a mile from the Vegas Strip, the Rio seems to attract a larger concentration of younger clientele than most resorts. A number of reasons contribute to this. First of all, guests are discouraged from bringing their children to the hotel and casino. The Rio actively pursues a Mardi Gras / Carnival feel, and they feel children might hamper this mood. Another contributing factor is that on the 41st floor of the newly constructed tower, the Rio has opened the Voodoo Cafe, the hippest joint in town (see attractions). The Voodoo Cafe offers live jazz, dancing, a fantastic view of the Strip and environs, and some of the trendiest people in Vegas. The casino floor's nightclub, Club Rio, also appeals to the hipsters with their video/techno, New York style dance club. If you're still not sure, the cocktail waitress' outfits will convince you that the casino caters heavily toward adults.

The Rio also features "The Masquerade Show in the Sky", three different shows that all have scantily clad performers lip sync a variety of songs. Floats suspended from the ceiling in conjunction with dancers on the stage below evoke a party atmosphere. It's worth seeing if you're at the casino, but doesn't deserve a special trip. Try to catch the show from the balcony on the second level.

The casino itself is designed like the French Quarter with a tinge of Latin influence. There is plenty of neon and swirling colors. The Masquerade Village is spacious, especially compared to the rest of the casino, which tends to be a bit dark and confining. However, the Masquerade Show is performed here, so it can get noisy and crowded during showtimes.

The guest rooms in the Rio are supposedly some of the largest in Vegas. Each room is considered a suite, complete with couch, coffee table, refrigerator, coffee makers, and other amenities. The windows in the rooms extend from the floor to the ceiling and have a nice view.