We had a nice, clean room with a king bed for 2 nights and were pleased with our stay. The large room could have used an easy chair but we made do with the cafe table and twin stools. Rooms are basic and not swanky and are dimly lit but otherwise no complaints - everything was clean, comfy, and in good repair, and for 28 bucks a night, it's hard to imagine asking for more. The eateries looked okay - nothing to write home about - but it's only a couple of blocks to a wide variety of eateries in/around the El Dorado. We ate at the Fuzio place in the Sands one night - good but not special. Mel's Diner downstairs looked cheery and busy, and the Cabana cafe was packed with oldsters at 5:30 in the morning.

I don't quite grasp some of the negative comments I've read on this place. This is not Las Vegas and it's not a swanky hotel - it's RENO, and after all - Reno really is a little depressing if you have a look around. This place doesn't compare favorably to the El Dorado or the Silver Legacy, but if you want more flash, you walk out the 4th St. end and down 4th St. to the El Dorado and Silver Legacy (it's only 2 blocks.) There's absolutely NOTHING scary about that walk except for the windy, cold winter weather - sidewalks are well lit, and it's a major street. The Greyhound station lies to the south - I didn't walk there, but I wouldn't have any occasion to do so unless I were catching a bus, so I can't say if that part of town is scary. The Sands for me is not the greatest place around but clearly above average for Reno, close enough to the bigger brighter places, and a very good value.

For being as old as it is, Sands Regency is a Grand Old Gal...The price is reasonable, the rooms large and comfortable and the staff knowledgeable and friendly. My wife and I stay at the Sands whenever we are in Reno and on our last visit we requested a "quiet" room which is considered to be any room above the 9th floor! The casino portion of the building is usually crowded and the machines a little tighter than other casinos in the area. The casinos exchange windows are poorly manned and a wait in line can usually be expected. The hallway between the hotel and the casino is usually crowded with people and buzzing with activity. We ate at Mel's diner which was comparable to any other burger place in price, cleanliness and service. The parking lot is large but generally filled...It seems that the locals fill up the parking lot making the rest of us use the parking ramp. The checkin lobby was always loud with rock music...A good suggestion would be to pipe in more relaxing music to make a good impression of the place while being checked in. I nearly had to shout to have myself heard by the person behind the desk checking me in. I had booked my room online with the hotels website and when I arrived, my reservation had been made for a day later than I had planned. Staff assisted in making the correction. Our overall experiences at the Sands Regency have been satisfactory and we intend to stay there whenever we come to Reno. Can't beat the price!

I have been going to the Sands for a few years now and I have to say that the people who work it the casino are very hard working people. I have got to know so many of them, that I can really consider them more than aquintance, but friends. I have never had a bad stay. Even when the power went out, it wasnt bad. We come there to have fun, gamble, eat,drink and be "merry". And most of us come from states that if we were getting paid $6 an hour to bring you a free drink, we probably would not be smiling and as pleasant as these people are. Give the place a break. We are not spending top dollar to stay there. Actually I seldom pay anything, just join their Bonus Beach Club. Robin Jenner, Ca

Met a long time friend at the Sands for "Hot August Nights", 2007. The hotel and casino turned out to be a much better experience than we had expected. Food was good, service was good as well as friendly. Bars were exceptional. Did not win a lot, but did not win a lot anyplace else, either. Have already made reservations for a couple of days at the Sands during the first week of December, 2007. My friend and I are meeting there again and hope to do so many times, in the future. Our experience at the "Sands Regency" was very enjoyable as well as very reasonable, pricewise. The Sands is close walking distance to the more popular casinos downtown and the parking is easier to contend with than the higher traffic areas. I highly recommend the Sands and on a scale of 1-10, I would give it a 7-8.