In answer to the original question, I would not hesitate to recommend the Riviera for an alternate north strip hotel. We have stayed there several times for conferences, and it's fine.

If you do decide to stay off strip, I really like the Orleans. The rooms are really nice, the beds very comfortable, the pool is great. Good restaurants and we used the shuttle to Barbary Coast every day and never found it full. You can also shuttle over to Gold Coast to play there or walk to Rio.

Chris