Is Grand Sierra Resort & Casino worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Grand Sierra Resort & Casino is worth it if you want a single property that combines a very large casino floor with multiple dining choices, on-site entertainment and family-friendly amenities. It’s best for travelers who plan to use the resort’s pools, shows, bowling, or event spaces; if you want a quiet boutique stay or downtown walking access to other casinos, other options may suit you better.
In this guide
- Location & transport — easy to reach but not walkable to downtown
- Rooms and who they suit
- Casino, nightlife and on-site entertainment
- Pools, spa and fitness — choices for families and adults
- Dining and drink options
- Meetings, weddings and large events
- Who should pick Grand Sierra — and who should choose something else
Location & transport — easy to reach but not walkable to downtown
Grand Sierra Resort & Casino sits at 2500 E 2nd St in Reno, about a 2.5-mile (roughly 8-minute) drive from Reno‑Tahoe International Airport and about a 2.6-mile drive from the Amtrak station. The resort runs a complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle for registered hotel guests.
You can reach downtown Reno by car in about 10 minutes; the Truckee Riverwalk is around a 5–10 minute drive. There is local bus service (RTC Line 12) to a stop near the resort, but expect a 15–20 minute ride into central downtown.
- Address: 2500 E 2nd St, Reno, NV 89595
- Airport shuttle: complimentary for hotel guests, return-pass issued at check-in
- Bus: RTC Line 12 connects to downtown; rides cost a few dollars
| Nearby point | Approx. travel time |
|---|---|
| Reno‑Tahoe International Airport (RNO) | About 8 minutes / ~2.5 miles (drive) |
| Reno Amtrak station | About 10 minutes / ~2.6 miles (drive) |
| Truckee River / downtown walk | About 5–10 minute drive (not a short walk) |
Rooms and who they suit
Room types at the resort include Vista Room, Sierra Room, Sierra Tower Deluxe Room, and Vista Tower Deluxe Room. Options cover single‑king and two‑queen configurations depending on the room type; Vista Tower Deluxe Room listings indicate a 1 King Bed only.
Rooms are standard casino‑resort style with business amenities and free in‑room Wi‑Fi. If you need space for more than two adults, check the property’s policy: children 17 and under stay free using existing bedding, while additional guests 18+ may trigger extra adult surcharges.
- Vista Room — 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Sierra Room — 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Sierra Tower Deluxe Room — 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Vista Tower Deluxe Room — 1 King Bed
| Room type | Bed options |
|---|---|
| Vista Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Sierra Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Vista Tower Deluxe Room | 1 King Bed |
Casino, nightlife and on-site entertainment
The casino floor exceeds 80,000 square feet and offers slots, video poker and table games. There are multiple bars and lounges on site (Fat Tuesday Reno, Charlie Palmer Lounge, LEX Ultra Lounge, Crystal Lounge, Center Bar, Infinity Bar and more) plus a nightclub (LEX Nightclub) that serves an evening crowd.
Beyond gaming, the resort hosts a 50‑lane bowling center, a movie theater, axe‑throwing, regular shows in the Grand Theatre and space for larger events. If nightlife and on-site entertainment are priorities, GSR keeps most options under one roof.
- 80,000+ sq ft casino floor with slots and table games
- LEX Ultra Lounge and LEX Nightclub for late‑night music
- 50‑lane bowling center, movie theater, Grand Theatre
| Entertainment | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Casino | Large slots and table game area (80,000+ sq ft) |
| Nightclub / lounges | LEX Nightclub / multiple cocktail lounges |
| Family options | Bowling, theater, seasonal ice rink, axe throwing |
Pools, spa and fitness — choices for families and adults
The Pool complex includes a Main Pool open to all ages and an Infinity Pool Deck with VIP cabanas, daybeds and hot tubs. The Infinity Pool is restricted to guests 21+ during the regular pool season; when the Main Pool closes for winter, the Infinity Pool can open to all ages.
The Spa at Grand Sierra Resort offers massages, Hydrafacial™ facials, body treatments and salon services; spa guests can purchase a day pass or qualify for amenities by booking treatments of a specified minimum price. The newly remodeled Fitness Center is open 24 hours to hotel guests aged 16 and older.
- Main Pool — open to all ages for registered guests
- Infinity Pool Deck — adults‑only (21+) during regular season
- Spa hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–6 PM; Fri–Sun 9 AM–7 PM (subject to change)
- Fitness Center: 24‑hour access for hotel guests 16+
| Amenity | Access |
|---|---|
| Main Pool | Hotel guests with active room key (all ages) |
| Infinity Pool Deck | 21+ during regular season; may open to all ages seasonally |
| Spa facilities | Spa guests or day‑pass purchasers (hours vary) |
Dining and drink options
GSR lists about a dozen on-site dining outlets ranging from the upscale Charlie Palmer Steak Reno to casual spots like Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza and Starbucks. The Grand Buffet offers brunch and dinner seating on select days with published adult and child pricing.
Many venues recommend or accept reservations (Charlie Palmer Steak Reno, Rim Asian Bistro, Uno Más Street Tacos + Spirits), but several grab‑and‑go outlets operate for quick meals. Happy‑hour and half‑price promotions are listed for some venues (e.g., Charlie Palmer late‑afternoon lounge half‑price menu).
- Charlie Palmer Steak Reno — steakhouse with specific dinner hours and happy hour
- Rim Asian Bistro — sushi and Pacific Rim dishes (closed some weekdays)
- Uno Más Street Tacos + Spirits — late‑night tacos and margarita specials
- Quick service: Starbucks, Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza, Port of Subs, Jamba
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Upscale | Charlie Palmer Steak Reno |
| Casual / family | Grand Café, Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza |
| Grab & Go | Starbucks, Second St. Marketplace, Jamba |
Meetings, weddings and large events
Grand Sierra Resort & Casino has extensive event space across ballrooms and pavilions: Grand Ballroom, Summit Pavilion, Silver State Pavilion, Crystal Ballroom and the Grand Theatre among others. Total flexible meeting space exceeds 200,000 square feet and the property lists capacities for large conferences and weddings.
If you’re planning a wedding or conference, the resort provides on‑site catering and dedicated event staff; the Grand Wedding Chapel seats around 150 for ceremonies while larger receptions can use the ballrooms with much higher capacities.
- Grand Ballroom + Grand Salon: 40,500+ sq ft combined (large capacities)
- Summit Pavilion and Silver State Pavilion: 40,000+ sq ft each for big events
- Grand Theatre capacity listed around 3,000 for performances or conferences
| Venue | Notable capacity / feature |
|---|---|
| Grand Wedding Chapel | Seats ~150 |
| Grand Ballroom | Large ballroom seating and reception configurations |
| Summit Pavilion | Large conference pavilion (tens of thousands sq ft) |
Who should pick Grand Sierra — and who should choose something else
Pick Grand Sierra if you want most entertainment on site: a very large casino, multiple restaurants, bowling, theater shows and pool options without leaving the property. It’s also convenient for airport connections and groups needing big meeting or wedding spaces.
Choose a different hotel if you want a quiet, boutique or purely downtown experience within easy walking distance of the Truckee River district’s other casinos and restaurants. If smoke sensitivity is a concern, note that sources conflict about smoking policies in public areas and the casino may permit smoking.
- Good fit for: groups, families who want activities on site, casino and nightlife visitors, conferences/weddings
- Less good for: travelers seeking a small boutique stay, easy downtown walkability, or a strictly non‑smoking campus
| Traveler type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Families wanting activities | Yes — pools, bowling, theater, kid‑friendly dining |
| Business groups / conventions | Yes — large meeting & exhibition spaces |
| Couples seeking quiet boutique stay | Consider other downtown or boutique hotels |
