Ranking ALL 9 Laughlin casino/hotels. #1 might surprise you!

Product reviewed

The video ranks all 9 Laughlin hotel/casino properties (no single product). It’s a best-to-worst comparison of Laughlin casinos/hotels.

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Key takeaways (ranked worst → best)

#9 New Pioneer (worst)

Main issues / experience

• Not really “new”; old west-themed single-story casino.
• Room feel is dated: thin mattress, older bed frame, bathroom not updated (sink/vanity slopes; “things roll off”).
• Pet policy changed: now a $75 non-refundable deposit (was $150 non-refundable before, per host).
• RV parking restriction: only allows RVs 20 years or newer; other casinos are described as more flexible.
• Feeling of being unwelcome: “make you feel like an unwelcomed guest.”

Positives

• Bumbleberry Flats is “pretty awesome” (comfort food); nachos praised.

Overall

• Strongly negative service/room/RV-policies; host says they wouldn’t stay again.

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#8 Tropicana

Main issues / experience

• Air conditioning sucks (tried multiple rooms; reviews match).
• Wi‑Fi problem: advertises Wi‑Fi but can’t use it; charges a resort fee for amenities you can’t access.
• Rooms need remodeling; furniture scuffed.

Positives

• Large property: 1,500 guest rooms (two towers).
• Gaming: 5,300 sq ft of gaming, table games, high-limit games.
• Casino is described as nice/bright; multiple bars.
• Food options are mostly workable (Café for comfort food; Brew Brothers “okay” but overpriced).

Overall

• “Low on the list” mainly due to AC + unusable Wi‑Fi + resort-fee frustration.

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#7 Laughlin River Lodge

Main issues / experience

• Distance from other casinos (Golden Nugget / Harrah’s) → you’ll walk far.
• Limited dining on-site after the Big Horn Cafe closed; mostly small spots.
• Deposit equals one night stay.
• Not pet friendly.

Positives

• No resort fees (host highlights this as a major win).
• Good for families: family-friendly offerings, sweets, kids activities.
• Inside casino: multi-themed smaller “casinos,” bowling, arcade/PC gaming zone, etc.
• River-view rooms and large rooms.

Overall

• Not for everyone due to dining/distance, but strong family value and no resort fees.

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#6 Harrah’s Laughlin

Main issues / experience

• Resort fee: $19/day.
• Room problems:
  • South Tower remodeled, but shower leaks onto the floor.
  • North Tower rooms older/not updated; beds not very comfortable.
  • TV unusually small for room size (host joke).
• Diamond/elite benefit experience at bar:
  • Host says they were denied premium liquor at no charge unless Diamond + “premium liquor,” and felt it was handled unfairly (“chicken”—pay full price or get watered-down drinks).
• Overpriced, far from the center (requires driving or staying onsite).
• High smoke exposure in a crowded section (non-smoking area reached by walking through a very smoky area).
• Host also notes staff can be “rude.”

Positives

• Caesar’s property; host links rewards to Windham Rewards / Caesars for complimentary nights/deals.
• Large casino: non-smoking section, big gaming floor, poker/Kino/table games.
• Lots of dining and activities plus a “great” beach.

Overall

• Better than some due to size/amenities/deals, but let down by fees, room flaws, and elite-service friction.

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#5 Golden Nugget

Main issues / experience

• Bed bugs encountered on one stay; front desk wasn’t very accommodating.
• Smallest by rooms; low ceiling in casino; feels cramped.
• Resort fee charged.
• Courtyard rooms (for pets) are ok, but host implies overall rooms are similar/dated.
• Gaming floor and dining exist, but not enough to overcome bed-bug incident and lower-tier feel.

Positives

• Allows RV parking across the street without problems.
• Rewards program is decent; room Wi‑Fi works.
• Pet-friendly: $25/day pet fee; courtyard-room access to take pets out easily.
• Many dining options (including major chains/restaurant mix).

Overall

• Major con is the bed-bugs incident plus general smallness/low-ceiling feel.

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#4 Aquarius

Main issues / experience

• Host says it “had its day”; although remodeled from Flamingo-era, rooms are now outdated again.
• Parking is atrocious.
• Resort fee about $23/night.
• Cocktail waitstaff limited; doesn’t feel like “worth the hype.”
• Busy casino with lots of games, but host doesn’t vibe with it.

Positives

• Remodel gives it a “Vegas thing” feel.
• Lots of games, big casino floor, sports book, high limit area, table games.
• Food options: café (fish & chips praised), Outback, expensive Italian/rock restaurant, etc.
• Convenient location on/near the strip with walkability to other casinos.

Overall

• Big and busy, but parking + high fees + dated feel lower it.

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#3 Edgewater

Main issues / experience

• Rooms are “no different than the others” (somewhat outdated).
• Popcorn ceilings noted; beds not exceptional.
• Resort fee: $23.
• Water view possible depending on tower side.

Positives

• Big win: clean and large gaming floor, non-smoking half with a huge sports book.
• Friendly staff, plenty of cocktail waitresses.
• Entertainment/events venue: Edge Pavilion (Jay Leno, Easton Corbin referenced).
• Food variety: Capriotti’s, PT’s Express, Denny’s, steakhouse, etc.
• Unique perk: Pink Box Donuts (novelty; they enjoyed them).

Overall

• Strong customer experience (cleanliness + friendliness + food + amenities) despite room sameness.

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#2 (Runner-up) — Harrah’s? / “the yv” (off-reservation Nevada gaming)

Main issues / experience

• Located on a reservation; host emphasizes it’s Nevada gaming (not Indian gaming rules).
• Table games only open certain hours.
• Resort fees/taxes exist: ~$16/night.
• Property is 15-minute drive from the strip.

Positives

• Described as huge with “massive” gaming floor and “always a game open.”
• Many gaming options: Kino, sports book, high-limit room, large non-smoking section.
• Best pool and best beach in Laughlin; ability to launch a boat right there.
• Lots of dining options (buffet with mixed schedule; multiple restaurants including pizza, Panda Subway, cafes).
• Additional amenities: movie theater, KOA on-site, gifts/promos for Players Club.

Overall

• Strong “do everything” resort experience; held back mainly by drive/daily fee structure/table game hours.

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#1 Don Laughlin’s Riverside Casino (best overall)

Main reasons it’s #1

• RV park is “awesome” (about 450 spaces, described as super cheap).
• Shuttle provided so RV guests can access resort amenities across the street.
• Huge property with lots to do: gaming, entertainment, dining, pools.

Additional positives

• Over 1,300 rooms; many have balconies.
• Pool is “always hopping.”
• River Walk and a decent beach.
• Family-friendly options: arcade, bowling, bingo, kids activities.
• Strong food: buffet open and described as great; Riverview Cafe.
• Entertainment: Don Laughlin’s Celebrity Theater, tribute acts, Losers Lounge, karaoke “Night Club.”
• Many bars plus varied shopping/amenities (fast food, Cinnabon, Red Mango, etc.).
• Bonus: can take a boat to Davis Dam and back.

Overall

• Most complete “vacation destination” feel, especially for RV travelers.

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Pros vs Cons themes (across the ranking)

Common pros

• Big gaming floors, multiple food options.
• Many have RV parking or RV-related amenities.
• Some properties offer standout pools/beaches or strong entertainment.

Common cons

• Resort fees and discrepancies between what’s advertised vs what works (especially Tropicana Wi‑Fi).
• Room updates vary widely; several hosts say rooms are basically similar/dated.
• Service/experience issues: unwelcome feeling (Pioneer), elite drink restrictions (Harrah’s), bed bugs (Golden Nugget), parking problems (Aquarius).

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Overall verdict / recommendation

Based on the host’s personal experiences (stays + gambling + dining at all properties), Don Laughlin’s Riverside Casino is the best all-around choice (#1)—especially if you want an easy, activity-rich stay and/or RV access.

Avoid or be cautious with New Pioneer (#9) and Tropicana (#8) due to the strongest complaints (dated rooms, poor/fee-driven guest experience, and in Tropicana’s case nonfunctional Wi‑Fi + bad AC).

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Unique points mentioned about the product (casino/hotel ranking) — consolidated

• Ranked 9 Laughlin casinos/hotels from worst to best.
• Methodology: hosts ate, gambled, and stayed at least once at each property; matched check-in/out weekend dates to compare approximate pricing.
• Included specific policies/charges: pet deposits/fees, resort fees, RV parking restrictions.
• Highlighted restaurant recommendations (notably Pioneer nachos; Edgewater Pink Box Donuts; Aquarius fish & chips; multiple other on-site chains).
• Called out major dealbreakers:
  • Bed bugs (Golden Nugget)
  • Unusable Wi‑Fi + resort fee (Tropicana)
  • Unwelcome guest feeling + RV age restriction + dated rooms (New Pioneer)
  • Shower leaks + elite drink restriction (Harrah’s)
  • Parking problems + high resort fee + outdated feel (Aquarius)

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Speaker breakdown

• Corey (main speaker): delivers most of the ranking logic, room condition critiques, fee/policy details, and anecdotal experiences (especially Pioneer, Tropicana, Harrah’s bar incident, Golden Nugget bed bugs).
• Dale (mentioned often as co-visitor/partner): contributes indirectly through what they ordered/experienced (e.g., Dale’s meal choices like chicken fried steak; Dale’s Diamond status related to the Harrah’s bar issue; shared preference/complaints such as Pioneer unwelcoming feel).