Rio Consummates Relationship With Hyatt, Announces New Luckley Tavern

By Scott Roeben, on March 01 2024
3 min read 6 comments
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Things are moving fastly and furiouser at Rio as the resort reinvents itself under relatively new ownership, Dreamscape.

Rio is now part of the Hyatt family of hotels, a big deal for the resort, especially given Hyatt’s massive customer database.

Rio also announced the replacement for its All-American Bar & Grill, a new concept called Luckley Tavern & Grill. Tough to say, spell and remember, but we’re up for anything new and shiny.

Hyatt is an Old English name meaning “lofty gate.”

Members of the World of Hyatt loyalty club can now earn and redeem points for stays at Rio.

Rio is in the middle of a phased renovation. Phase one will be completed in fall 2024, when the resort will move into Hyatt’s Independent Collection under the Destination by Hyatt brand. There will be a quiz. Hyatt people know.

Rio will be the first Destination by Hyatt hotel in Nevada and the third Hyatt hotel in Las Vegas. There’s also Hyatt Place Las Vegas and Hyatt Place Las Vegas at Silverton Village.

According to Rio and Hyatt, “To provide World of Hyatt members even more ways to be rewarded, World of Hyatt is offering members 500 Bonus Points for every qualifying night at Rio Hotel & Casino from April 1 to June 30, 2024, as part of the new hotel bonus point offer.”

A partnership with a company like Hyatt is huge for Rio. When Caesars Entertainment handed over operations of Rio to Dreamscape, it took its girthy database.

There are more than 1,300 Hyatt hotels, in 77 countries, and their loyalty club has more than 40 million customers.

You should see all the things Hyatt has its fingers in, including a dizzying number of brands as part of the company’s various “collections.” The list is mind-blowing: “The company’s offering includes brands in the ‘Timeless Collection,’ including Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Vacation Club, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove; the ‘Boundless Collection,’ including Miraval, Alila, Andaz, Thompson Hotels, Dream Hotels, Hyatt Centric, and Caption by Hyatt; the ‘Independent Collection,’ including The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, and JdV by Hyatt; and the ‘Inclusive Collection,’ including Impression by Secrets, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts and Sunscape Resorts & Spas.”

Try saying that five times fast.

The only thing more valuable to Rio than being a Hyatt partner would be if the Las Vegas A’s built their stadium in Rio’s parking lot. Stop laughing. It probably won’t be on the Tropicana site, and the Las Vegas Festival Grounds is owned by the discerning (demanding) Phil Ruffin, so Rio is our favorite site, despite Rio saying they are no longer in active talks with the A’s. Give it a minute.

Fun fact: These A.I. ballparks have about the same chance of existing as anything the A’s release.

In other Rio news, Luckley Tavern & Grill will debut in late May 2024.

Here’s how the news release describes the new offering: “Drawing inspiration from the idyllic Cotswold hills of the English countryside, Luckley Tavern & Grill encapsulates the convivial atmosphere of traditional pubs and the essence of warm hospitality. Reflecting its namesake’s welcoming ethos, the restaurant beckons guests to immerse themselves in a culinary adventure filled with hearty flavors and friendly vibes.” News releases gonna news release!

Luckily, most people think “luckily” is spelled Luckley, anyway. Thanks a lot, public schools.

What’s on the menu? “The menu showcases a playful reinterpretation of American classics, featuring delectable offerings such as lollipop-style buffalo wings, tantalizing Tuna ‘Pizza,’ and innovative Scallops ‘Benedict.’ With signature dishes like the Lobster Pot Pie, the impressive 32-ounce Tomahawk steak and a table-side Ice Cream Sundae cart, there’s something to satiate every palate.”

They lost us at tuna pizza, but immediately won us back with ice cream sundae cart.

We’re going to withhold judgment (for a change), because recently we tend to give Rio the benefit of the doubt, given how awesome their new Canteen Food Hall turned out.

We’re a little sad it looks like the video poker has been pulled from the venue, but there’s no shortage of video poker bars at Rio.

Luckley Tavern is a partnership with A Perfect Bite and local restaurateur, Oliver Wharton. Wharton has been involved with Nobhill, Fix, Stack, Yellowtail and other concepts. Also onboard is Chef Alex Resnick, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, whatever that might be.

We’re champing at the bit to hear about Rio’s Italian concepts in the works, but we’re open to American classics until those details are nailed down.

Rio is making a lot of smart moves and it’s our bet for biggest Las Vegas turnaround in 2024 and beyond. Rio’s refresh, inside and out, isn’t just lipstick on a pig. It’s a rebirth of a sentimental favorite, and Dreamscape is putting its money where its mouth is.