Travel Tips & Adventures

We’re back with Wacky Casino Wednesday!  That’s Wacky Wednesday’s featuring casinos with hotels here in Arizona.

This week we’re featuring another casino that’s been around for a while with a hotel property that has a familiar name.

 

HARRAH’S AK-CHIN RESORT & CASINO

Located 34 miles south of the Phoenix International Airport is the Ak-Chin Indian Nation.  A relatively small community, the Ak-Chin got into the gambling game back in the early 90s. 

 

With names like Caesars Palace, Paris, Bally’s, The Flamingo, and Rio in Las Vegas, what brought the Harrah’s corporation to what was then a town of about 1,000 population, 40 miles south of downtown Phoenix?

In December of 1994 Harrah’s was contracted to manage a 72,000-square foot casino built just south of the small town of Maricopa.  Expansion brought a 148-room resort hotel to the area. 

In an effort to bring gamblers to the area, there is even a fleet of buses that travel to the Phoenix and Tucson area and bring back players to the gaming establishment for free.

Remember that town of 1,000 I just mentioned?  Well, now there are almost 40,000 residents and Harrah’s renewed its contract until 2010. 

GAMBLING

In 2008, the gaming floor underwent a total renovation.  Although not enlarged, a new Arizona-themed color scheme was adopted and table games were placed down the middle of the gaming area.  The 40,000-square-foot casino has slots, table games (poker, blackjack) and keno.  There is also a new high tech bingo hall (the only Bingo Hall in the entire Harrah’s organization.)

Reel and video slots range from $.01 to $25.  There is also a high stakes room just off the main casino floor. 

Bingo is now held in what was formerly the ballroom.  Players receive a portable computerized game system from the desk out front.  Yes, that’s right, a portable, computerized game system which they take into the room.

Whatever happened to the old Bingo Cards????

ENTERTAINMENT

Oasis Lounge

Offering free entertainment on a stage just above the bartenders, the Oasis features bands and entertainment covering many music mixes. 

The Oasis is also known as a stopping place for “baby-boomer” bands.  Within the last few years, performers from the 60s and 70s have dropped by such as The Grassroots featuring Rob Grill, and The Classic Rock All-Stars with members of some the biggest bands of the 70s. Chubby Checker even twisted away on top of the bar. 

This month, 60s international recording artist Herman’s Hermits, featuring Peter Noone (Herman) will appear for two shows.

There’s not a lot of seating in the lounge area, but standing room is available and it certainly doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds. 

Hours: Vary – Friday & Saturday: 9:00pm-1:00am

DINING

The Range Steakhouse

Long touted as the best restaurant in Maricopa, The Range is certainly the priciest.  It’s also a cousin to the restaurant with the same name located at Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. With steaks starting at $28.00, it’s pretty evident that you are in a casino/hotel environment (want the priciest food in almost any city, go to a hotel restaurant). 

It’s not a large restaurant (17 booths and seven tables (with room for a few more)), so the open kitchen is in view of anyone facing that direction.  There’s also a small bar just inside the door. 

I will have to say that “booths” might not be classiest idea for a high-priced steak/prime rib/lobster joint … but then again, you’re not there to eat the furniture!

Cost: $28 – $42 (Bison) Surf & Turf Combos $50-$60 

Hours: 4pm – 9pm (10pm Fridays & Saturdays)

The Harvest Buffet

Immediately next to the The Range Steakhouse, the Harvest Buffet features selections of salads, soups, hot entrees and hand-carved meats.  There is also a dessert bar.  Friday and Saturday night the food selection switches to a Seafood Buffet from 4pm to 10pm and there is a Sunday Champagne Brunch.

Cost: Lunch $9.99, Dinner $12.99

Friday/Saturday – Seafood Buffet $19.99

Sunday Brunch $15.99

Hours: Daily lunch and dinner

Agave’s Restaurant

This casual restaurant is actually down the hall from the casino, so smoke and the sound of gaming machines are far from the door.  Open for breakfast and lunch only, Agave’s entrees are reasonably priced for their location within the property.  The menu features the usual suspects for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch.

Cost: Breakfast: Average Entrees $7.00   Lunch: Entrees $10.50-$21.00

Hours: Open daily for breakfast and lunch – 7am to 2pm daily

 

Copper Cactus Grill

This walk-up grill just off of the gaming floor features sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza made to order.

Cost: $7.00 – $10.00

Hours: 24 hours

HOTEL

Although attached to the casino, the 144-room hotel is actually 20 separate buildings in a 2-story resort setting.  A swimming pool that curves around palm trees is also home to the Corkscrew swim-up bar. 

 

Rooms are 450 sq. ft. with either one king, or two queen beds. 

Although the hotel has no golf course, two are within easy driving distance.

For a town that still has no accommodations for out of town guests, this is the place to stay.

www.harrahsakchin.com

 

Tags: Arizona, Food, Gaming, Hotels, Restaurants, Southwest, Travel

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 6:00 am and is filed under Arizona, Entertainment - Adult, Food, Gaming, Hotels, Restaurant, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.