Visitreno

TeddysDad · Joined: 24 Oct 2010 Posts: 8

So, in the mail today I got an offer from the Peppermill to stay at one of three places (Peppermill, Rainbow, or Montego Bay) in Wendover. Shockingly, we have never been to Wendover. Anyone here ever been there, any of those places? Now, we gamble, but I'm a degen, I'll shoot dice, play poker, play carny table games, drink, etc., almost anyplace, but,......... Any reason to go, or more importantly, Not Go, there? Any advice appreciated.

CaSwede · Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Posts: 866

I guess that is one of those fly in packages? I have received many of those in the mail, but have not gone. However, I have been to Wendover a few times. I actually own some land near there. Anyway, West Wendover actually has some very nice casinos. The three places you mention look surprising like the Peppermill----hey, same owners. I like the Montego Bay best of the three you mention.

There is just not much to do out there other than gamble. They have a small WW11 museum at the airport, golf and I think you can take a few tours. They also bring in some top entertainment if your timing is right.

West Wendover gets most of their customers from the Salt Lake City area.

Check out the web sites for the properties and see what you think.

mjames1229 · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 406

The Peppermill properties in West Wendover actually run their own flights, and from Milwaukee I can get a direct flight and three nights for about $250. The problem is the same as was alluded to... there is nothing to do in West Wendover except to gamble. The closest car rental agency is in Salt Lake City (an hour-plus drive... which is irrelevant as you would need a car to drive in the first place).

The $250 RT including hotel seems like a great deal, but I don't have the gambling bankroll to be held hostage in a casino for three days.

Click here for a view of the city

remano · Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 717

Several years back I had friends who took a free junket to Elko from Duluth Minnesota on a plane that was owned and operated by one of the Elko casinos. They quickly got bored and decided to rent a car or a trip to Reno. When they got to the rental agency they discovered that it was either owned by the casinos or had some cooperative agreement, because the agency checked the guest list for the free junket, and when they discovered my friends' names on the list they refused to rent them a car. I don't know if that would still happen now. In fact, I don't know if the Elko casinos even run that service anymore.

CaSwede · Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Posts: 866

remano- that is an interesting story about Elko. You were stuck in town. Many years ago they used to have an unwritten rule about the cost of the flights. If you were able to show so much cash ($750?) to the ticket agent the flight was free. The assumption was if you were carrying the cash you were willing to lose it at the casino.

The Elko flights have been gone for several years now.

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

Not sure about Wendover...but I did the Elko deal TWICE (slow learner) maybe 15 years ago.

There were six casinos in Elko...three owned by the same guys. Red Lion, Gold Country (next door to RL) , and another (I forgot...maybe Gold Dust). All three were about two miles from "DOWNTOWN" Elko.

Downtown is where the FUN COWBOY hotel/casinos and two really good Basque restaurants were.... The Stockman, Commercial and another cowboy bar.

When I was there, a Bull Riding tour was in town and all these short guys with a gymnast build were everywhere...on crutches!

I'm pretty sure the Red Lion bought two jets from Boomtown , Reno but only kept them for a couple of years.

Their favorite trick was having a "mechanical delay" on the trip home so they got an extra few hours to get everything in your wallet.

Those Boomtown junkets got me started on Reno.