There is so much to love about this establishment, it could fill several reviews. If that sounds like a great thing, it is.
First things first. The Red Rock is visually striking. From your first moments inside the red doors of the registration desk to your last moments in your room itself, you'll find nothing but well-appointed rooms and hallways with chic postmodern decor. You are drawn in by the luxurious nature of the decor and fixtures, and kept enthralled by views that seem to get better with each stroll through the property.
The casino area contains several restaurants, all of the ones I visited were stellar. A bowling alley, movie theater, intimate concert venue and several bars round out the interior. As if all that isn't enough, an exquisite pool and spa can complete your experience.
When you start to adjust to the striking beauty of the complex, you begin to notice other things...like the fact that everyone you encounter here is wonderfully kind. They all seem to actually care that you are satisfied, they all seem genuinely interested in what they can do to help you, and they are all just so darned friendly. It makes for a warm, inviting experience...which is not something you tend to find in Vegas. I encountered dozens and dozens of staff, and with only one exception which will be noted later, everyone from the bellmen to the housekeepers to the grounds staff were lovely.
The rooms are spacious, well laid-out, and well-appointed. The bed was exquisitely comfortable, and the bathroom had a separate tub and shower. This is a fabulous idea for any of you couples who are trying to get ready for dinner at the same time. If you're the one who chose the tub, you'll have access to a TV that is mounted on the wall above the foot of the tub. What a great way to relax!
Here comes the word of caution. And it is a big one. When you book your room, you'll be booking either a "Canyon View" or a "Strip View" room. The problem is that the "Strip View" rooms from roughly the 6th floor down aren't "Strip View" rooms at all. They are "Parking Structure View" rooms. You see, one of the parking garages is more than four stories tall, and is located between the building and the Strip. I have attached a picture of this so you can get a better idea of what I mean. In my view, Red Rock ought not call them "Strip View" rooms, or ought to discount them a few bucks from the price of what a room with an actual "Strip View" would cost. Since there is no way to guarantee what floor you'll get, I would recommend getting a "Canyon View" room instead. The mountains are gorgeous and unobstructed, and the Strip is far off anyway.
That's the second issue, the lack of proximity to the Strip. Many tourists think only of the Strip when they think Vegas. For those folks from out of town, know that this casino is about 10 miles from the center of the Strip. Those without perfect vision won't see any vestiges of the Strip at all, and those who are looking to hit the bars on Las Vegas Blvd are going to have an outrageous taxicab bill. For those of us who don't like the smell of stale urine, or having our shoes vomited on by some girl in leopard print, this location is ideal. It offers all the amenities of the Strip and less than half the vomit!
As previously mentioned, all but one staff member I encountered were wonderful, helpful, and kind. The "one" happened to be a registration desk clerk. As the person who tends to be the first point of contact with customers, it is doubly important that the registration desk clerks be on their game. So for this young lady to be as brusque as she was with several folks who were coming and going before I got to her was a bit of a surprise. When I approached her I was greeted with what could almost be called a sneer, and was given information that did not jive with what I had been told over the phone by the telephone registration clerks. Things can easily get lost in translation, or miscommunicated between the desk and the phone operators, so I understand that. What I didn't understand was her negative attitude. I thought perhaps she was just having a bad day until I observed her the following day at the desk behaving in a similar manner. Fortunately, I was being assisted by a different clerk who was friendly, kind, and helpful...which was the same as every other staff member I encountered. I think this particular staff member is an aberration, but it is unfortunate that she'd be found at the first point of public contact.
So why the five-star review even with those gripes? Because this place is just that good. The Mustache is a known skeptic who is not easily impressed and doesn't fall for hype. But in this case even I must admit that all the good things I had read about this establishment were spot-on. It is a place where you will get precisely what you are paying for, and you'll feel like a king or queen for a night. And you deserve nothing less.