I remember the Rio opening. My late friend, John Mucha, and I stayed there during its' "soft opening," knowing we were getting great rates we could never afford when it was fully open for business. It was considered upscale when it opened, and the size of the semi-suite rooms was impressive, along with the huge window wall. Not your usual room, and we never did figure out why there was a little window between the bedroom and shower, but so much the better. I think we paid about $40 a night during that soft opening.

It had the first of mega-buffets, and the buffet really stood out back then.

And yes, the cocktail waitress uniforms were probably the best in the city at that time. That I do remember.