Reno hotels

This six-room boutique hotel north of the Truckee River is a perfect example of how Reno is reinventing itself. Built inside the same building that used to house The Royal Hotel, which first opened in 1907, The Jesse opened in 2019 to plenty of buzz.

One of the best hotels in Reno, inside you’ll find the sort of stylish décor that wouldn’t look out of place in a design magazine – think exposed brick walls, low ambient lighting and vintage-looking tile floors in the bathrooms. The bar and garden on the ground floor, Estella, is a major highlight.

It serves outstanding Mexican food like blue crab tostadas, grilled elotes (Mexican-style corn on the cob) and out-of-this-world tequila and mezcal cocktails – including my favourite, the 50/50 Margarita with prickly pear. No wonder this is considered one of the finest boutique hotels in Reno.

One of the few non-gaming hotels in the city, Whitney Peak is hands down one of the best hotels in Reno. The Whitney is located in the heart of the action on North Virginia Street, close to the bright lights of one of the city’s oldest casinos, Club Cal Neva, and next to the world-famous Reno Arch.

Look up from the street and you’ll see BaseCamp Climbing Gym, the Guinness World Record holder for the tallest artificial outdoor climbing wall. It stretches 50 metres up the side of the hotel, offering amazing views of the Arch and the glittering city lights below.

I took a crack at the wall and had so much fun – it was an unforgettable experience and the staff were so patient. The hotel also has a great indoor bouldering gym. Inside, the Whitney Peak is supremely stylish.

The Peppermill is one of the best hotels in Reno if you’re looking for a luxury resort with casino gaming inside. With décor inspired by Tuscany, the resort is truly palatial, as emphasized by its jaw-dropping three-storey, 3,065-square-metre Spa Toscana. Here you’ll find marvellous mosaic-covered floors and fountains that will make you feel like you’re in ancient Rome.

The Peppermill has a whopping 10 restaurants to choose from, including Bimini Steakhouse, which has been voted Reno’s best steakhouse. You’ll also find 15 bars and lounges and one of the best gaming setups in the city.

If you’re a golfer, the Peppermill is close to Reno’s Washoe County Golf Course. Before you hit the 18-hole golf course, check out the historic Stone House Café – I just love sitting outside in the peaceful garden there.

You don’t need to discover a lost city to stay at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno. This hotel is located in the quieter south end of the city and connected to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, so it’s perfect if you’re attending an event there. It’s also conveniently close to the airport.

The Atlantis is known for its terrific dining options, including the freshly renovated Sky Terrace Oyster and Sushi Bar. This Japanese restaurant has incredible views of the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains and serves 50 types of sushi and premium sake – their spicy scallop hand rolls were a big hit when I ate there.

This is also one of the best hotels in Reno if you’re on a budget, as the rooms often enjoy hefty discounts – keep an eye out to make sure you don’t miss them.

Plaza Resort Club is one of the best hotels in Reno for a stylish stay. Here you’ll find comfortable rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views and a picturesque pool under a glass roof. The golden elevator doors in the lobby are a nice touch too.

The hotel is located in one of Reno’s loveliest areas, The Riverwalk District. Here, a scenic path lines the Truckee River – along the way look out for the colourful flowers and bridges that cross over to Wingfield Park. Join adventurous locals by taking a dip in the water, or meditate on a rock above the murmuring waves.

Plaza Resort Club is also next to trendy West Street Market, an indoor/outdoor food court with bars, art and live music. With a bunch of great food options to choose from, I highly recommend Thalí for outstanding Indian food. If you’re looking for fine dining, Smith and River is a must-visit.

If you’re just driving through, Hampton Inn & Suites Reno West is one of the best hotels in Reno for a familiar roadside stay. Located west of the city just off I-80, you’ll be able to leave the hotel and get to the California border in under 20 minutes.

Lake Tahoe, a main attraction in the region for its refreshing water and ski resorts, is another 25 minutes or so away. Or head east on I-80 to stretch your legs at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. This 234-hectare park has five calming nature trails totalling 9 km. Don’t miss the flower-filled Wilbur D. May Arboretum & Botanical Garden.

I’m a big fan of the spotless rooms here, as well as the outstanding hot breakfast every morning. Add that to the prime location and it’s hardly surprising this is consistently one of the top-rated hotels in Reno.

The Aloft is one of the best places to stay if you want to be close to the airport. That said, this stylish, modern gem isn’t your run-of-the-mill airport hotel. There are attractive design accents all over this striking property, from the bright red poolside lounge chairs to the curved velvet couches and artistic lighting in the public areas.

The guestrooms feature beautiful décor too, and I particularly love the chic wallpaper accents. The wide range of art on show is a wonderful tribute to Reno and its connection with Burning Man.

Another thing I love about this hotel is the pool room, while the outdoor pool is a big bonus too. If you have time, be sure to head into Midtown and try the bar that was recently rated Reno’s best, The Emerson Cocktail Lounge. It hosts frequent fun events, including monthly drag brunches.

For Bonvoy points collectors and anyone who loves the comfort and familiarity of a Marriott, there are three hotels from the beloved global chain in the city. For me, this is the best Marriott hotel in Reno due to its prime city centre location, overlooking the Truckee River.

Along with calming views of the river below, the hotel has sleek décor in the rooms and public areas. Even the bathrooms feature funky design accents. I love the fact they all come with modern conveniences, such as microwaves, mini-fridges and coffee makers.

Across the river you’ll find the Old Reno Arch, first built in 1927, and the National Automobile Museum, which showcases more than 200 antique and vintage vehicles dating back to the first years of the car. This area is also great for spotting beautiful murals painted by local artist Erik Burke.

First opened in 1978, the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is one of the best hotels in Reno for entertainment lovers. For decades, this hotel has been a major destination for live performances, with top acts like Steve Aoki and Diana Krall playing here. It also has a cinema, bowling lanes and a driving range.

This is also one of the best spots in town to watch a game, as the hotel’s sports bar, Chickie’s & Pete’s, always has a fun, lively atmosphere (something I think is a must when you’re cheering on your team).

4.8 km north on I-580, pop into the Reno Generator for a tour. This is where many of the amazing art pieces for Burning Man are made. Individual and group tours of up to eight people are offered from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

South of Reno in the Rancharrah villages development, this is one of the best hotels in Reno if you’re looking for a quieter, calmer stay. The hotel has just under 100 guestrooms, making it one of the smaller properties in town, and is set well away from the casino resorts.

Homewood Suites by Hilton features a solid line-up of amenities, including an indoor pool and an outdoor pool with a hot tub. Rooms also come with a free hot breakfast.

In Rancharrah, you’ll find a golf country club and a peaceful walking trail in Anderson Regional Park. If you’re in the mood for a classy evening, try Rancharrah’s Grafted Whiskey and Wine Bar. The food here is made with seasonal, local ingredients from the Reno area and I’m a big fan of the fun happy hour held on Mondays from 3 to 5 pm.