Rio Las Vegas eliminates $50 resort fee for group business bookings

Rio Las Vegas has removed its $50 resort fee for all group business bookings, a move the off-Strip hotel-casino says is aimed at attracting more meetings, conventions and organized events.

The policy takes effect immediately, applies to bookings in any year and does not have an expiration date. The 2,520-room property will continue charging the $50 resort fee to leisure travelers.

According to Rio, the change follows feedback from meeting planners regarding the impact of resort fees on budgeting and contract negotiations.

“Planners have told us for years that resort fees are one of the most exhausting parts of contracting in Las Vegas,” Ashley Lowe, senior vice president of sales at Rio. “They complicate budgets and create doubt at exactly the wrong moment. We want Rio to be the easiest ‘yes’ in this market, and that means being upfront about value from day one.”

Lowe said the resort initially introduced the waiver for group events scheduled in 2026 and 2027 before expanding the policy.

“The response was immediately overwhelmingly positive, so we decided to extend it to all years,” she said.

Additional incentives for event organizers

The resort fee waiver is part of a package of incentives designed for group customers.

Under the program, Rio is offering complimentary internet access in all meeting spaces, a 20% discount on audiovisual services provided by Encore, excluding labor costs, and double Hyatt meeting planner loyalty points.

The package also includes a 10% discount on food and beverage purchases, one suite upgrade for every 75 room nights booked, and one complimentary room for every 40 rooms actualized.

Group customers will also receive a $500 shipping and receiving credit, along with one complimentary amenity for every 40 rooms.

Competition for convention business

Rio officials said the property is not aware of any other Las Vegas resort offering a similar resort fee waiver program for group business.

Resort fees have long been a point of contention for meeting planners because they can add $50 or more per room, per night to the total cost of an event. The charges are frequently cited as a challenge during hotel contract negotiations and budgeting processes.

The 36-year-old hotel-casino is using the revised pricing structure and related incentives as part of its effort to secure additional group bookings in the Las Vegas meetings and events market.