Harrah’s Council Bluffs Hotel and Casino

When we travel we like to settle in at a hotel with a restaurant attached or next door. Yesterday before arriving we even received an email with dining options. It included “The Stir cove Backstage Grill”. We get checked in an walk to the restaurant- Nope- closed. It will be changed to a different restaurant. So, we thought we would spend the big $$ and eat at the 360 restaurant - nope- not open Monday or Tuesday. Our ONLY option was the pizza place- cheap crappy burned pizza. The information provided said they had an “expanded” menu. Well the days “special” was chicken fingers. That was it. I love pizza but it doesn’t like me but I had no other option. Since it’s a pre pay hotel- couldn’t cancel or go anywhere else but had we known- we would have gone somewhere else. The room was ok- nothing special- mostly clean. Only provided 2 towels. So no towel for my hair but that’s ok. As far as gambling - small area. Machines are expensive- most 80 cents a pull on penny machines. No special machines really. I can usually play penny slots for an hour on 20$. Never expect to win but it’s nice to play for more than 5 minutes on $20. So, I played my 5 minutes and that was that. We frequent this area twice a year on our way back from Denver. This will be our last time here. Just beware of the very limited food options until they remodel the restaurant - but it has not been started yet. Oh, no night food options and breakfast at the pizza place doesn’t open till 8 am. Disappointing.

I have been staying at this Casino for over 20 years now and I have watched it slowly decline in the cleanliness, staffing, and rewards. The staff use to personalize your stays. I never had to pay a deposit, always received free rooms no matter where I traveled and the service was wonderful. Now the rooms are run down and dirty, there isn't valet service, no buffet, no shop in casino, and if you want a drink while playing the wait is half hour or they just cancel your order. With all the new Casino opening and having pools, and more dining services, I don't know how they will stay open. I have been to many resorts and this one charges a resort fee but no resort extras they even charge for internet even when you don't want it. No pool and no free shuttle service anymore.

We were leery about staying here after reading some bad reviews, & it was 5 years or so since our last visit. We were here Monday-Wednesday. Arrived early (before noon). We were welcomed & able to check in with no problem. Even though h the description for the rooms has no mention of a refrigerator, we were pleasantly surprised to find one. All personnel greeted us warmly. We were disappointed that there is only one restaurant open on the days we visited, but many places have done the same since the dreaded Covid. At least they provide a shuttle to their sister property where there are a couple of more dining options to pick from. The tub did drain sluggishly, but the pressure was great. They do need to invest in new pillows. Those were not good at all. Yes, we will be back. It would be great to add safes to the rooms, too.

Vending machines are out of service. No water at the front desk, we had to go to the casino and get carded just to get water. Casino is ridiculous about carding. My husband and I are nearly 40 and got carded every time we entered, even if we ran to the room and came back to the same person. Horseshoe casino, ran by same company down the street. seemed to use more common sense on age than Harrahs. A lot of older slot machines and not a large casino. Hotel staff was friendly and restaurant staff. Casino staff not as friendly. Rooms are dated. Would not stay again, there are better places out there.

We first stayed here 20 years ago. Couple years ago when we stayed there was question in our minds whether we wanted to try it again. This august we did and we won’t return. Walking in the property has not been cared for. The landscaping is not maintained with weeds and trees going everywhere. Construction is going on, I asked front desk clerk the plans. She said parking lot and replacing sky lights and plans for plumbing. Nope not the rooms. Rooms are dated. We got half pillows. The bed post shakes and the towels were worse than motel 6. No bottles of water in the room. Not even the overpriced bottles. Casino was also dated and not enjoyable. We had dinner at 360. Food was great, service was great and we liked our drinks. Again dated bar and restaurant. Maybe we will go back to eat and skip the hotel and casino but doubt it. So sad the days of this being a hopping nice place are past.