I normally don’t think about the CALLERLAB convention hotel until it’s time to make a reservation. However, I wondered over to the CALLERLAB site, and they already had info on next year’s hotel. So I went to the hotel’s site, mainly to try to get a reading on where it is in Reno. No way! I couldn’t find a map anywhere! So I Mapquested it, but the resulting map didn’t really tell me where it was in relationship to the other Reno casinos. After zooming out a few times, it appears that the hotel is a few miles from the downtown action. So no walking around and taking in the sights…but who does that at CALLERLAB anyway? (Apparently, there’s a shuttle service going downtown, so you can get your sleaze fix if you want it.)

The only meals that one has to worry about at CALLERLAB are (depending on when one gets there), the weekend preceding and Monday morning. Everything else is taken care of. However, if one is there for the Beginner Dance Program, one does need to think about food. The hotel has a buffet (duh, it’s a casino), but it doesn’t sound too promising: some quotes from anonymous critics here: “Nothing exciting – just edible.” and “Not worth the trip.” (But we won’t have to make a trip because we’ll already be there…).

On the other hand, the reviewers here like it pretty well: “Well above average, and a good value, too. This is a big buffet with a big selection and good quality food. Breakfasts feautre made-to-order omelets and a decent selection of fruit and pastries. At dinnertime, the fresh meats and decent salad bar come out to play.” They also say: “A huge hotel, done-up very tastefully, which is a huge disappointment. This place seems to take itself seriously, so it doesn’t offer any of the cheesy thrills we look for in a casino.” And here’s their take on service: “Service Quality: