Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

Overall a good hotel/casino for Reno. I lived in Reno for 25+ years, and have to say this was my favorite hotel/casino. I lived there before they originally expanded the Peppermill back in 1980, from what used to be a restaurant and bar (that was THE place in town to party after hours), to a small casino that has grown enormously over the years. Out of all the restaurants (and there are many), my favorite, absolutely hands down, is Oceana. It has an extensive menu for both lunch and dinner. The food is excellent, and I have always had wonderful service. The atmosphere is just above average. All in all a great experience for a decent price. The White Orchid (supposedly a 4-5 star) restaurant is my least favorite.....wayyyy overpriced and the food/service mediocre. It's a total rip off. I do not make this comment in haste, as I have eaten there on numerous occasions. Thank goodness all my meals were a comp. And yet I still felt ripped off! As far as a place to stay: The mini suites are my favorite rooms! They contain a steam/shower, a jacuzzi, mini bar, and if you get a corner room, great large window views. The main spa in the casino has decent amenities. Some workout equipment including treadmills facing the pool, and a couple of excellent massage therapists, I must say. In a nutshell, for Reno, I would highly recommend this casino hotel above all others. The one thing I do not like about it is the neon lighting. I realize Reno is "the biggest little city." But honestly, the Peppermill has gone too far in the seriousness of the statement with their ostentatious lighting.…

Three misses and your out!. I have eaten at the White Orchid thee time and that is only because two times I was coerced by clients. Now I flatly refuse step foot into that place because of ... lets say tummy troubles so not to be seditious.

I have eaten in total dives and some of the best restaurants including Le Cirqu, Jean Gorges, L'Ami Louis, Felix, L'Astance, Delmonicos. I know what to let slide when paying $5 for a meal and have a good understanding of what to expect when I plunk down $250 per person. I have both front and back of the house understanding and expertise. I know my way around a kitchen and could hold my own with some three star chefs. I am a fat SOB because I love food. In short I know what I am talking about when I say the White Orchid is at best a three diamond establishment. No way could I go there three times over a two year period and have service so slipshod each and every time.

When I rate a restaurant I take note of everything around me including how my wait staff provides for my needs. At the four diamond level I expect to have what I want as I want it. I should not wait too long for anything. A truly great wait staff is one that knows what you want before you ever think about it, well thats not the case so... If I have a displeased face, I expect the waiter to notice and quickly ask me what is wrong. I should not have to wait 10 minutes after being served to be asked if my steak was cooked to my liking especially if I predicated my order with extra well done. I don't care if the chef has problems with cooking steak that way, it is the way I like it and I was quite clear on my request.

Even if you excuse the past problems tummy upset to the rich food... yeah... a cup of goose live pate wouldn't faze me, the service has been anything but. Downstairs, the much less celebrated steak house has more attentive servers. Come to think of it the first time I ate at the White Orchid about five years ago, I had to wait 15 minuets for my reservation that was scheduled for early diner. It was an insult to wait that long for a table I had reserved three weeks prior. To make things worse there was only one other couple there at the time, and I was not given a proper apology for my wait. I would have walked out but I was on a date and had to make nice.

Now I must say the Peppermill's wine list is rather good and their handling is exceptional, but that is to be expected if your paying upwards to $150 for a decent bottle.

I do like that the setting, the chairs were quite comfortable and the china was a pleasant pattern. But I go out to eat not be entertained or relax or drink for that matter. I want to have good food, which it was to a degree, but at this price point it should have been better.…

Our Favorite Casino. This is the place to go. Whatever kind of food you want, they got it somewhere. The rooms are fantastic, the pools are great. New parking ramp makes it easy to get to and park. When they added new towers they remodeled the entire place so it looks like one uniform structure. You do not have "old" parts that got neglected when they built the "new" parts.

To find a casino hotel as nice as this you will have to go to Vegas!!…