Athletic-Minded Traveler

If you can overlook the bright and tacky neon lights in the casino (bring your sunglasses for indoor wear), this massive 1635-room accommodation is an appealing choice for athletic-minded travelers who don't mind setting up a home-base a few miles south of downtown Reno's heart. Even better, it's completing a staggering $400 million dollar renovation throughout.

Peppermill offers three styles of guest quarters. The least expensive Peppermill Tower rooms have been upgraded through, adding bulky Italian-like décor and a fresh coat of cream and brown tone paint. The Montego Bay Wing is tropically themed and has rooms decorated with Tommy Bahama-ish furnishings, dark wood doors and patterned fabrics/carpet. The most expensive Tuscany Tower suites provide luxurious abodes featuring 42-inch LCD televisions, pillow-top king beds, original hand-painted artwork, marble baths and iPod docking stations. All guests receive 24-hour room service and access to a fantastic on-site fitness center.

In addition to stocking top-of-the-line Precor cardio machines, free weights and strength equipment, Peppermill offers an aerobic studio, complimentary fruit and bottled water, and in-machine iPod docks. The black walls and grey accents make the workout space a bit grim, but overhead televisions help distract your attention from the less than appealing tones. We would like the facility a whole lot more if access was free, but alas, Peppermill charges guests an annoying $13.95/day fee.