Native American casino resorts around the West come in all shapes and sizes these days, and are found in settings ranging from sandy deserts to wooded Northwestern countryside.
One common denominator is that these properties seem to be constantly undergoing some kind of upgrade or evolution, in a constant effort to keep up with a competitive field that includes Vegas’ amazing array of traditional casino venues. Here’s a look at some of the more notable news of late at some top tribal casino properties around the West.
SPIRITED SPRUCE-UP
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The Spirit Mountain Casino & Resort in Grand Ronde, Ore., had its Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde council approve $8 million for capital projects/upgrades last year, and the already completed upgrades include new exterior paint, refurbished parking lots, 150 new slot machines, 1,850 new slot machine chairs and IT updates.
Also of potentially huge interest to groups is a new tour known as “Indigenous Oregon” that will acquaint attendees with the homelands of the state’s indigenous residents. Tour-goers will explore intriguing landmarks and get a peek into modern life on the reservation. The standard tour is an hour but can be customized for longer outings.
The property includes a 254-room lodge, five restaurants and more than 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space; it’s located about a 90-minute drive southwest of Portland not far from the coast.
ARIZONA UPGRADES
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Talking Stick Resort, in Scottsdale, Ariz., is making upgrades to further enhance its guest experience while offering new venue options in 2016.
Already home to more than 100,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space, this April marks the opening of a new outdoor event venue located near the resort’s main pool. The pool area is also in the middle of a revamp that will wrap this spring and include updated poolside cabanas and an additional outdoor bar with a fireplace.
Talking Stick also boasts 496 guest rooms, six dining venues, a robust spa, a cultural center and an acclaimed golf course in addition to its endless gaming options.
And just south of Phoenix, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa completed a $2.5 million design enhancement of the resort’s guest rooms, common areas, Kai and Ko’Sin restaurants and Aji Spa late last year.
The resort’s common spaces underwent design upgrades that included the lower lobby, where guests can now enjoy indoor/outdoor seating. The lobby bar was fitted with all-new granite, a customized mantle on the large-scale fireplace and upgraded humidor.
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WHAT’S UP IN WASHINGTON
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A pair of Washington casino resorts have seen notable upgrades recently.
The AAA Four Diamond-rated Tulalip Resort, about a 30-minute drive north of Seattle, is undergoing a spectacular overhaul that will include the revamp of 360 guest rooms and one mega-suite. Upon completion in spring 2017 the rooms will boast a refreshed design paying homage to the Tulalip Tribes.
The thoughtful revamp is being planned in five stages so as to ensure no disruptions at the property, which offers several fine dining venues and an elegant spa in addition to 30,000 square feet of meeting space.
And at Northern Quest, by Spokane, recent improvements include a redesigned banquet menu showcasing handcrafted and house-made menu items, a new golf course and upgraded tech and AV in its Pavilion Ballroom.
Other Northern Quest news includes the reworking of its main dining spot into a lively steakhouse. In total, the resort offers 250 guest rooms and about 22,000 square feet of flexible event space.
NEW MEXICO MAKEOVER
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The Inn of the Mountain Gods, in Mescalero, N.M., has a few new offerings on tap, including the March debut of the Broken Arrow Tap House following several months of construction. The brand-new venue exudes a modern gastropub vibe and menu to match, and is open 24 hours. It follows the addition of the handsome 1852 Treaty Room to the Casino Floor last summer, showcasing an array of single-malt scotches and rare cognacs, plus an extensive cigar humidor.
Elsewhere, Inn of the Mountain Gods wrapped a recent $2.4 million guest room revamp boosting 250 rooms, an effort that continues with the imminent completion of 25 suite upgrades this spring. And for adventure-seekers, the property has added to its many outdoor options with two new outings.
GOLDEN STATE STANDOUTS
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gratonresortcasino.com
San Diego’s Pala Casino has plenty to report of late, including the launch of the captivating CAVE, a unique dining and nightlife space comprising a snazzy restaurant, cocktail lounge and wine cave room. The new hot spot is home to 480 wine labels as well as frequent live music ranging from jazz to R&B.
Pala also has been working on its ambitious Pala RV Park Resort, slated to open just in time for Memorial Day. The $5.6 million, 10-acre resort will offer 100 luxury RV sites—each equipped with an outdoor grill, Wi-Fi and even cable TV access—plus a lively clubhouse, two spas and a heated pool.
An hour’s drive north of San Diego, in Temecula, the sprawling Pechanga Resort and Casino began a huge expansion project in December that will invest $285 million to add a new 568-room resort, two new restaurants and other fresh amenities. The ambitious undertaking is slated to wrap up in late 2017.
The huge project comes on the heels of several other recent improvements at Pechanga. In 2015, the property made over all 64 of its one-bedroom suites, revamped their lobby and also overhauled four of its restaurants, including the complete transformation of Kelsey’s into an elegant tavern showcasing hand-cut BBQ fare.
Other big California news includes the Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park adding to their gaming and entertainment array with an expansion that will be hallmarked by a six-story, 200-key hotel and extensive meeting spaces covering 20,000 square feet. Other highlights will include a spacious new pool area, plus a luxurious spa and bar; the project is currently on target to debut in the fall.
