Awards go to two Carson City casinos

Small-town sensibilities made two Carson City businesses winners in Nevada Magazine's annual and statewide "Best of Nevada" competition.

At least that's according to representatives of the Carson Nugget and Best Western Piñon Plaza Resort, which won awards.

"We're old-fashioned and conservative," said Doug Brown, spokesman for the Carson Nugget for 12 years. "I think that reflects well in the community as well as at the Nugget."

For the sixth year running, the Carson Nugget received two awards for best place to gamble and friendliest casino in the Carson City region.

"In our newspaper ads we will mention that once again this year we've been selected as the friendliest casino in Carson and thanks for doing that for us."

Best Western Piñon Plaza Resort won best hotel-resort in Carson City. Sean Sever, director of operations at Piñon Plaza for eight years, said the company won because of great customer service.

"When guests check in, we treat them like they're family, and that's true for locals as well," he said. "We go the extra mile for the customer, and the customers come back and comment. That's how I know it works.

Nevada Magazine has run a "Best of Nevada" competition annually for the past seven years. Nevada Magazine publisher Richard Moreno has overseen the competition for several years.

"I like reading the ballots best," he said. "People write in their own comments. Some of them are funny."

Often voters write in categories they would like to see and even supply answers for those categories. A suggestion for a comedy club category resulted in the slot being added in the contest.

"Best thrill rides: Highway 50 going 150 miles an hour," Moreno cited from the ballots. "Best place to take kids: Home."

He said he's received suggestions for best politician and even best brothel categories.

Nevada Magazine receives between 700 to 800 entries each year. Northern Nevada winners are featured in the September/October magazine issue and Southern Nevada winners were featured in the July/August issue. Contest categories are largely the same each year.

Best hotel-resort, best place to gamble and friendliest casino are broken into five regional areas to give businesses a fair chance.

"Like the Nugget is a real popular place," Moreno said. "If we put them in rural, for instance, you'd never see any other winners."

Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at mo'neill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.