Harrah's Laughlin Hotel & Casino

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Harrah's Laughlin Hotel & Casino

Updated: 4/24/21

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Self-parking in an adjacent garage is complimentary, but it's a bit of a walk if you have lots of luggage. Take advantage of the complimentary valet parking. (Seven Stars cardholders get preferential treatment with expedited retrieval of their vehicles.) In addition, there are

There is a special Seven Stars/Diamond check-in (where you can pick up a complimentary copy of USA Today while supplies last). Check-is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lots of people don't agree with me, though, and Laughlin has many die-hard fans who appreciate this low-key alternative to the glitz, glamor and non-stop activity of Las Vegas.

There's nothing particularly wrong with Harrah's or Laughlin, but it's definitely a Vegas stepchild. The grounds are beautiful, and the setting on the Colorado River is lovely (with its own beach!), the employees are all friendly and accommodating, but unless you're driving from Arizona and really can't stomach 100 more miles (or an hour and a half) on the road, I'd tough it out and continue to Las Vegas.

Overview

The appeal of Harrah's Laughlin Hotel & Casino is unclear to me personally – especially with Las Vegas less than 100 miles and 90+ minutes away by car.

Inside Information

NOTE: All shows, events and deadlines are subject to postponement or cancellation due to temporary casino closings and/or safety and health measures implemented by the state.

■ Avoid the traffic on Casino Drive by turning on Thomas Edison Drive from SR163. Thomas Edison ends at the entrance to Harrah's.

■ The Caesars Rewards Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight.

12 specially designated reserved parking spaces, left, for Seven Stars cardholders at the entrance nearest the buffet. However, you'll need to get a parking hang-tag from a host, or risk having your vehicle towed.

The salon and day spa seems an after-thought, but there is a small fitness center located across a courtyard from the spa. Admittance for Seven Stars cardholders is complimentary.

Harrah's has two outdoor pools and hot tubs overlooking the Colorado River. Access to the pools is reserved for hotel guests only. An active room key is required to access the pool areas. Pools are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The South Pool – which has been closed for repairs – has reopened. Guests must be at least 21 years of age. The pool is not heated, but there is a hot tub which is temporarily closed, as well as cabanas and day beds available for rent.

Hotel overviewThe hotel has 1,500 rooms, including 170 suites. They're pretty standard, and are furnished in self-described "south of the border" style. The North Tower is designated the "Family Tower" and the South Tower has been dubbed the "Adult Tower." Enough said. The Central Tower offers a combination of standard rooms and suites. High-speed Internet access is dependable.

Casino overview

Harrah's has more than 900 slot, video poker, and video keno machines, a live keno area, blackjack, craps, and roulette. Keno is open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Table games are now open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

In addition, there is a poker room and sportsbook, as well as a separate 18,000 sq. ft. non-smoking casino.

Complimentary drink service in the casino is relatively frequent; and dealers, slot attendants and servers all are extremely friendly and helpful.

Harrah's participates in the Pet Stay program. Click here for details.

However, Seven Stars cardholders no longer get two complimentary round-trip tickets every day. One-way tickets are $5 each, and a day pass costs $20. (You can use Reward Credits to purchase tickets, but at a 2:1 ratio.) The taxi service begins at 9 a.m. daily. Closing times will vary due to season, holidays, water level or inclement weather.

■ Visitors to Harrah's can take advantage of Laughlin's unique water taxi service, above. Taxis leave the dock on the beach level every 10 minutes or so and make stops at each of the other eight casinos along the river.

With Caesars Sports, players now have a convenient way to place a sports wager anytime, anywhere in Nevada using any iOS or Android device. Download the app at Caesars.com/Mobile-Sports. Complete the mobile wagering applications on the site and bring them to any Caesars Entertainment sports book in Nevada to activate an account.

Special Seven Stars benefits*

There are special Seven Stars entrances for the buffet, café, cashier and Caesars Rewards Center.

Other special benefits include access to the spa and fitness center.

The buffet offers a special seating area for Seven Stars cardholders, but it's shared with Diamond cardholders. This section provides cloth napkins for its guests, and unlimited complimentary "champagne" – domestic sparkling wine, to be more accurate – at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The buffet opens 30 minutes early at dinner for Seven Stars, Diamond and Platinum cardholders.

In addition, Seven Stars cardholders can go to any bar and get a cocktail, wine, beer or other beverage at no charge, and no play is required at bars which feature slots or video poker.

At the desk in the rear of VIP check-in, you can get your boarding passes printed.

Seven Stars Lounge

Dining Dining choices are limited to The Range Steakhouse (where there is a $25 per person minimum cover and a $6 split plate charge, and no substitutions!), a Fresh Market Square Buffet, 24-hour Beach Café and Guy Fieri's El Burro Borracho ("The Drunken Donkey"), right. There also are a Smashburger, Pin-Up Pizza, Red Mango and Cinnabon, but only Smashburger and Starbucks in the lobby accept Quick Rewards.

Entertainment

Harrah's has a small 300-seat Fiesta Showroom, as well as a 3,000-seat Rio Vista outdoor amphitheater. Entertainment leans toward country stars, but occasionally hosts more "mainstream" acts like Paul Anka, Cheech and Chong, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

ShoppingThe Marketplace and remodeled Harrah’s Club Shoppe are now open. The Club Shoppe sells beer, wine and spirits, candy, snacks, beverages, toiletries and personal items, as well as handbags, jewelry and clothing. Laughlin souvenirs and Harrah’s logo items also are for sale there.

■ Across the street from Harrah's main entrance is a Harrah's Convenience Store that includes a Shell station.

■ Fun Fact: Harrah's Laughlin was originally called Harrah's Del Rio.

The lounge has special seating area for Seven Stars cardholders and their guests. In addition, the lounge offers a selection from the following Seven Stars menu*:

    • Gnocchi

    • Crab Stuffed Mushrooms served with diablo sauce

    • Berry Compote

    • Hot Wings

    • Cajun Shrimp

    • Popcorn Shrimp served with ouzo cocktail sauce

    • Cheesecake with caramel sauce

    • Ice Cream & Berries

*One menu item per person each promotional day for Seven Stars cardholder and up to three guests. Available from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

There is no Seven Stars Lounge, but the small Laurel Lounge(former Diamond Lounge) offers priority entrance to Seven Stars cardholders.

In addition, there is a computer which you can use to check your email or browse the Internet. The lounge also has an outdoor terrace with tables and chairs. There is no smoking inside the lounge, but smoking is allowed outdoors.

The lounge has no servers, so you'll have to walk up to the bar to order your beverages. There also is a separate self-service coffee station.

Hours – always subject to change – are 4 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Should you choose this for your Annual Retreat?

Unless you really want an understated alternative to Las Vegas, Laughlin is probably not going to be your first choice. There are connecting flights, but most visitors either drive from Las Vegas or some city or town in Arizona. Unless you eat every meal in the casino, it would be difficult to use your entire $500 credit.

If you're looking for sightseeing, here are some tips from "The Queen of Comps" Jean Scott:

Down through the years we have enjoyed many side road trips.

  • The Indian-owned Avi Resort and Casino 25 miles down the Colorado River has a Vegas-style hotel and casino, with many amenities that include a movie theater, an RV park, and beach and water activities.

  • You can see the original London Bridge, dismantled and brought over from England and reassembled, in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. An adventurous way to get there, which we did with our granddaughter and her friend, is on a jet boat that leaves the beach at Harrah’s for a scenic two-hour ride 60 miles down the Colorado River. There will be a stopover in Havasu City to see the bridge, have lunch and then the cruise back to Laughlin.

  • One of our favorite places to take friends and family is the historic former mining town of Oatman, Ariz., on Route 66, about a 45-minute drive from Laughlin. These days it is a quirky tourist destination with fake gunfights in the streets, wild burros roaming carefree, and the usual places to eat and drink and buy kitschy souvenirs. If you don’t mind crowds and long walks after you finally find a parking place, hit the town during special events like the annual Bed Races or the Sidewalk Egg Fry Contest on July 4. If you don’t have a car, there are commercial tours to Oatman and to many of the other attractions around Laughlin.

When you check-in, be sure to verify that your $500 comp account has been set-up. Alcohol charged to the room counts toward your $500 in expenses, but not gratuities. Best advice is to keep all your receipts until you settle your final bill.

*subject to change, revision or cancellation

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