2500 E. Second Street
Reno, NV 89595
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Grand Sierra is a luxury 4 star property offering great amenities and convenient access to Lake Tahoe attractions. It features wonderful amenities at a great price point. It is a great hotel for anyone looking to avoid the rowdy downtown section of the city. Grand Sierra is attractively located far away from the commotion.
Mike and I found this hotel randomly one day in Reno when we were comparing various casino poker rooms. We decided to stay here on our next trip and have been hooked ever since!
We visited this resort at least once a weekend while living in Nevada. This year, we are no longer living in Nevada but still returned here for Thanksgiving week.
Sign up for the Grand Sierra Resort email club because this hotel frequently offers fantastic promotions. They often offer deals such as: 2 free nights with 2 free buffets, or $39 rooms. Over Thanksgiving week, we received 2 free nights and 2 free breakfast buffets!
Update: In July of 2024, the resort announced plans for a billion dollar renovation. A new arena and satelline ice rink are part of the plans. In addition, the resort made a deal with the University of Nevada men's basketball to play at the arena.
The Grand Sierra's lobby and casino look very clean and elegant, especially compared to other casinos in downtown Reno. I prefer the less flashy appearance of this casino. I love the look of the chandeliers and waterfalls. Overall, the entire property is very classy and well-maintained.
The Grand Sierra offers plenty of activities right on-site including a discount movie theater, bowling alley, a spa, restaurants, bars, miniature golf, shopping, and of course the casino. The Grand Buffet offers a wonderful assortment of food (and great desserts!) and is always clean and maintained. You will find a number of budget friendly cafes and more exclusive dining options like the Charlie Palmer Steakhouse.
The bowling alley is always a fun time: sometimes the buffet gives out promotions. On one of our trips we received a coupon for 3 games of bowling for 2 people including shoes and a large pizza for $15.
The discount movie theater is nice because they have loveseats in addition to regular season. It is a comfortable atmosphere and a great fill in between other activities. Plus, the movies are only $3!
I love the gym! It is pretty big for a hotel gym with plenty of cardio and weight machines. They have at least 15 treadmills and ellipticals (all newer equipment too). Your resort fee covers use of the gym and locker room with the hot tub and saunas, so you don't have to worry about paying extra.
I have received a Swedish massage at the spa, definitely worth the $95. I like the relaxation room (soothing music, dim lights, coffee and tea). In addition, a sauna, steam room, and a hot tub are great for extra relaxation/opening your pores before or after your procedures.
The one problem I had with the hotel was the extravagant pet fees. Pets are $30/night on weekdays and $40/night on weekends!
The $12 daily resort fee includes valet, 2 water bottles each day, and access to the gym and spa. My only disappointment is that a lot of the bars have limited hours.
A complimentary airport shuttle and free valet parking are 2 more great amenities offered at this resort. I have used both on multiple occasions and have enjoyed the added convenience.
Update: The movie theater is closed, however, there are many more family friendly activities on-site including bowling, an escape room, an arcade, and a winter ice rink. Also be aware that pets are no longer offered on the property, unfortunately. Also, the resort fee is now a whopping $40! Restaurants have changed many times over the years. The best dining option, The Grand Buffet, is still going strong. There are also a number of bars and nightlife option on-site including LEX nightclub which has attracted a lot of big names including DJ Pauly D from Jersey Shore.
The Grand Sierra always offers special promotions. I always find a deal which offers at least one free night every time I book a room. I constantly receive deals in my inbox. Sign up for their email list and get a player’s club card to stay on top of promotions. We stayed 5 nights over Thanksgiving week for only $200! As of 2025, rates start around $100 and can soar up to $300 on busy weekends. They do still offer a number of great promotions, so check the website for ongoing deals.
The hotel room is spacious, but a bit basic in appearance for a 4 star hotel. I wish there would have been a coffee pot in the room.
For a small charge, you can upgrade to The Summit rooms, which are more contemporary and include a marble bathroom, butler’s pantry, and flat screen TV.
Update: All rooms have been upgraded. As of 2025, rooms now include coffeepots and flat screen TVs. The basic rooms are quite spacious with over 400 square feet of space. The Sierra Tower rooms are even more spacious at 558 square feet.
I highly recommend the Grand Sierra Resort for your hotel choice in Reno. Even without a special offer, this hotel offers the best value in Reno. You will never be bored here or feel like you need to drive your car somewhere because there are so many restaurants, activities, and entertainment located on site. If you do feel like venturing out, Lake Tahoe is just a quick 45 min drive away.
