RENO, Nevada – Remember when Vegas was cheap? It can be again, except it’s not Vegas, it’s Reno. There are better reasons to come here than its reputation for quickie divorces might have you believe. For instance, big casinos just like in Vegas but not as pricey and definitely not as raucous.

The bed

We chose the Tuscany-flavored Peppermill (2707 S. Virginia St., 866-821-9996, www.peppermillreno.com ) and had a price flashback. Even though it was a holiday weekend, our small suite at this AAA four-diamond property was $130 for Friday night and $160 for Saturday. (Rates for a standard room in December and January start as low as $48 midweek, $64 weekends.) Our quarters had a giant four-poster bed and an in-room Jacuzzi under a mirrored ceiling.