Overall sentiment: Reviews for Five Star Premier Residences of Reno are overwhelmingly positive, with frequent and consistent praise for the staff, social environment, amenities, dining options, and property upkeep. Most reviewers describe the community as resort-like yet homey, emphasizing a warm, family-like atmosphere driven by long-tenured and highly attentive employees. Positive comments about management and visible leadership recur across reviews, and many families specifically name staff (including front-desk, activities, dining, and executive team members) as standout strengths.
Staff and care quality: The dominant theme is the high quality and compassion of the caregiving and support staff. Reviewers note long-term staff retention and individualized attention — employees learn residents’ names and routines and often go above and beyond for families. Nursing and care teams receive frequent commendation for responsiveness, hospice coordination, and crisis management. That said, several reviews caution that the community is not intended as a high-acuity medical facility; people with advanced or complex medical needs (e.g., later-stage Parkinson’s or significant mobility/Ataxia issues) may find support limited compared with a skilled nursing setting.
Management and administration: Management presence and leadership are repeatedly highlighted as reassuring and effective, with specific leaders praised for communication and responsiveness. Most transitions and move-ins are described as smooth and well supported by sales and administrative staff. However, there are a few isolated reports of problematic interactions — billing disputes, a small number of complaints about unprofessional conduct, and occasional perceived slowness in family communication during transitions. These instances appear to be exceptions rather than the rule but are important caveats for prospective residents and families.
Dining and food service: Dining is a central positive pillar. The community offers flexible dining hours (commonly noted as 7am–7pm), multiple venues (formal dining room, cafe, bar, coffee kiosk, and piano lounge), buffet nights, happy hours, and customized menu options. A $600 monthly meal credit or food allowance is mentioned frequently as part of the package. Many reviewers praise the restaurant-style meals, specialty items (e.g., fish and chips), and room tray delivery. There are, however, intermittent reports of inconsistency — some families experienced cold delivered meals or noticed the kitchen changed hands, resulting in variable quality. A few reviews note that only two meals may be included in some plans or that third meals incur extra cost; it’s advisable to confirm meal-plan details during touring.
Activities, wellness, and therapy: The community delivers an extensive calendar of activities — daily exercise classes, games (bingo, card games, bridge), creative programming (arts & crafts, drumming), tech help, movie theater, library events, music, and regular outings. On-site therapy services (PT/OT/Speech) and fitness/physical therapy support are available, which many families found valuable in maintaining residents’ physical function. Residents report strong social engagement, new friendships, and an active resident council, contributing to a lively, social atmosphere.
Facilities and apartments: The property is described as well-kept, thoughtfully designed for social interaction, and beautifully landscaped. Amenities include courtyards, terraces, movie theater, salon, exercise room, and multiple common areas with high ceilings and large windows. Apartment units often include in-unit kitchens and balconies; cleaning is provided weekly and linens are laundered. Reviewers note ongoing renovations and improvements (dining room enlargement, new flooring), which many view positively but which can also create temporary disruption. Some criticisms focus on apartment size (smaller units not ideal for couples or wheelchair users), limited two-bedroom/two-bath options, and uneven laundry availability (full-size washers/dryers are generally in larger units only).
Safety and operations: Safety features are well highlighted: emergency call buttons, motion sensors, 24/7 call access, secure perimeter, and a strong pandemic response with vaccination availability and early safety measures. Transportation services with competent drivers are widely praised for enabling medical appointments and outings. Maintenance responsiveness and cleanliness are cited as consistent strengths, though a small number of reviews mention periodic short-staffing which can affect service delivery temporarily (e.g., dining room closures followed by delivered meals).
Notable patterns and concerns: Two consistent caveats emerge in the reviews. First, cost: the community is repeatedly described as expensive, and several reviewers stress the need to evaluate long-term affordability and potential relocation if funds run out. Second, suitability for high-acuity care: while staff are caring and skilled, the community is primarily positioned for independent and assisted living needs rather than intensive skilled nursing care; families with residents needing advanced medical support should verify capabilities and limits. Additional recurring, but less widespread, issues include occasional billing disputes, isolated management or staff conduct complaints, construction disruptions, and variable dining experiences tied to staffing or kitchen changes.
Recommendation: In sum, Five Star Premier Residences of Reno presents as a high-quality, well-run community with a robust activity program, excellent dining options, strong leadership, and deeply committed staff that foster a genuine sense of community. It is especially well suited for independent or assisted living residents who value social engagement, hotel-like amenities, on-site therapy, and responsive housekeeping/maintenance. Prospective residents and families should verify plan details around meal inclusion/credits, confirm medical support limits for higher-acuity needs, review apartment layouts for accessibility, and clarify billing practices up front. Overall, the reviews reflect a strongly positive resident and family experience with a few manageable caveats to investigate during a tour and contract review.
