Our non-smoking live poker room features 8 handed poker tables and brand new chairs with USB charging stations on each seat. Enjoy amazing views from a prime vantage point overlooking the beautiful Colorado River. Featuring Texas Hold'em action, with Limit and No Limit games available, along with plasma TVs and player tracking. Try Your Luck in the Exciting 55,000-Square-Foot Destination You just might win big at the casino at Harrah’s Laughlin, offering a variety of action-packed games in a festive Southwestern atmosphere.

Overview

Harrah's Laughlin (Laughlin,NV) Video Poke Inventory provided by vpFREE2.com.

The appeal of Harrah's Laughlin Hotel & Casino is unclear to me personally – especially with Las Vegas less than 100 miles and 90+ minutes away by car.

There's nothing particularly wrong with Harrah's or Laughlin, but it's definitely a Vegas stepchild. The grounds are beautiful, and the setting on the Colorado River is lovely (with its own beach!), the employees are all friendly and accommodating, but unless you're driving from Arizona and really can't stomach 100 more miles (or an hour and a half) on the road, I'd tough it out and continue to Las Vegas.

Lots of people don't agree with me, though, and Laughlin has many die-hard fans who appreciate this low-key alternative to the glitz, glamor and non-stop activity of Las Vegas.

There is a special Seven Stars/Diamond check-in (where you can pick up a complimentary copy of USA Today while supplies last). Check-is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Self-parking in an adjacent garage is complimentary, but it's a bit of a walk if you have lots of luggage. Take advantage of the complimentary valet parking. (Seven Stars cardholders get preferential treatment with expedited retrieval of their vehicles.) In addition, there are 12 specially designated reserved parking spaces, left, for Seven Stars cardholders at the entrance nearest the buffet. However, you'll need to get a parking hang-tag from a host, or risk having your vehicle towed.

The salon and day spa seems an after-thought, but there is a small fitness center located across a courtyard from the spa. Admittance for Seven Stars cardholders is complimentary.

Harrah's participates in the Pet Stay program. Click here for details.

Hotel overview

The hotel has 1,500 rooms, including 170 suites. They're pretty standard, and are furnished in self-described 'south of the border' style. The North Tower is designated the 'Family Tower' and the South Tower has been dubbed the 'Adult Tower.' Enough said. The Central Tower offers a combination of standard rooms and suites. High-speed Internet access is dependable.

Casino overview

Harrah's has more than 900 slot, video poker, and video keno machines, a live keno area, blackjack, craps, and roulette. Keno is open daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Table games are now open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

In addition, there is a poker room and sportsbook, as well as a separate 18,000 sq. ft. non-smoking casino.

Complimentary drink service in the casino is relatively frequent; and dealers, slot attendants and servers all are extremely friendly and helpful.

With Caesars Sports, players now have a convenient way to place a sports wager anytime, anywhere in Nevada using any iOS or Android device. Download the app at Caesars.com/Mobile-Sports. Complete the mobile wagering applications on the site and bring them to any Caesars Entertainment sports book in Nevada to activate an account.

Dining
Dining choices are limited to The Range Steakhouse (where there is a $25 per person minimum cover and a $6 split plate charge, and no substitutions!), a Fresh Market Square Buffet, 24-hour Beach Café and Guy Fieri's El Burro Borracho ('The Drunken Donkey'), right. There also are a Smashburger, Pin-Up Pizza, Red Mango and Cinnabon, but only Smashburger and Starbucks in the lobby accept Quick Rewards.

Entertainment

Harrah's has a small 300-seat Fiesta Showroom, as well as a 3,000-seat Rio Vista outdoor amphitheater. Entertainment leans toward country stars, but occasionally hosts more 'mainstream' acts like Paul Anka, Cheech and Chong, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Shopping

The remodeled Harrah’s Club Shoppe is now open. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. The Shoppe sells beer, wine and spirits, candy, snacks, beverages, toiletries and personal items, as well as handbags, jewelry and clothing. Laughlin souvenirs and Harrah’s logo items also are for sale there.

Special Seven Stars benefits*
There are special Seven Stars entrances for the buffet, café, cashier and Caesars Rewards Center.
Other special benefits include access to the spa and fitness center.

The buffet offers a special seating area for Seven Stars cardholders, but it's shared with Diamond cardholders. This section provides cloth napkins for its guests, and unlimited complimentary 'champagne' – domestic sparkling wine, to be more accurate – at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The buffet opens 30 minutes early at dinner for Seven Stars, Diamond and Platinum cardholders.

In addition, Seven Stars cardholders can go to any bar and get a cocktail, wine, beer or other beverage at no charge, and no play is required at bars which feature slots or video poker.

At the desk in the rear of VIP check-in, you can get your boarding passes printed.

Seven Stars Lounge

There is no Seven Stars Lounge, but the small Laurel Lounge(former Diamond Lounge) offers priority entrance to Seven Stars cardholders.

The lounge has special seating area for Seven Stars cardholders and their guests. In addition, the lounge offers a selection from the following Seven Stars menu*:

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms served with diablo sauce
Hot Wings
Popcorn Shrimp served with ouzo cocktail sauce
Ice Cream & Berries

*One menu item per person each promotional day for Seven Stars cardholder and up to three guests. Available from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, there is a computer which you can use to check your email or browse the Internet. The lounge also has an outdoor terrace with tables and chairs. There is no smoking inside the lounge, but smoking is allowed outdoors.

The lounge has no servers, so you'll have to walk up to the bar to order your beverages. There also is a separate self-service coffee station.

Hours – always subject to change – are 4 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Should you choose this for your Annual Retreat?

Unless you really want an understated alternative to Las Vegas, Laughlin is probably not going to be your first choice. There are connecting flights, but most visitors either drive from Las Vegas or some city or town in Arizona. Unless you eat every meal in the casino, it would be difficult to use your entire $500 credit.