Holiday Happenings
Parades, light displays, festive celebrations and cold hard cash make casinos very merry, indeed
By Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic
Most people find themselves getting a little anxious as the holiday season approaches. Before anyone notices, its time to shop till you drop, plan family visits—yes that includes the in-laws—and organize extravagant feasts. All the while our wallets start taking a huge hit. Adding to the stress of the season, every family has a laundry list of traditions and rituals that need tending to make the holidays complete.
For many Casino Player readers, though, this is the perfect time of the year to head out and enjoy a well-deserved getaway. From coast to coast, casinos have stuffed those stockings and prepared loads of special deals, discounts and opportunities to help players embrace the spirit of the season—and have a lot of fun. Make an early resolution this year to treat yourself to something different. Pack your bags, and try some of our favorite ways to spend the holiday season!
Take a Holiday Break at French Lick Casino Resort
In the heart of the Midwest, less than a half-day’s journey from Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Chicago, is French Lick, Indiana, the unexpected home of an ultra-luxurious, super scenic, historic retreat: the French Lick Resort.
Having embarked on a $500 million historic restoration and expansion, French Lick Resort offers two stunning hotels and a grand, Vegas-style casino on 3,000 beautiful acres. The French Lick Springs Hotel, established in 1845, has been returned to its original charm and beauty. It was here that such famous guests as John Barrymore, Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, Elizabeth Taylor, and the Reagans once stayed. The West Baden Springs Hotel, once dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” was originally built in1902 and modeled after the greatest spas in Europe, complete with the largest free-span dome. Guests will find shopping, riding stables, championship golf, and the healing waters of the hot Pluto Mineral Spring—an area attraction for more than two centuries.
For the holidays, the resort is pulling out all the stops. The grounds and hotels have been transformed into a Winter Wonderland featuring a half a million twinkling lights, larger than life holiday trees, music of the season and treats to tempt every taste bud. Other highlights include a Victorian village, a giant ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas story book for Santa Claus, a Scrooge’s house and an oversized Gingerbread house decorated from top to bottom with edible treats.
In keeping with a favorite holiday tradition, guests can catch a train for the North Pole with the spectacular The Polar Express Train Ride. The round trip train excursion, at the French Lick Scenic Railway, includes a meet and greet with Santa Claus, hot chocolate, Christmas caroling and a treat, plus a gift for each child. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas! For more information on this and other holiday packages, call 888-936-9360 or visit www.frenchlick.
Strip Skating at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
While it may be unusual to see real snow in Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas makes sure that winter is still alive and fun for visitors. Ice-skating returns to the desert this year with festive displays and an amazing rink that over-looks the famed Las Vegas Strip.
The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan returns this year, transforming the Boulevard Pool into a winter wonderland. This intimate lodge setting high above Las Vegas Boulevard features falling snow, ice skating, fire pits and a collection of favorite winter cocktails and seasonal food offerings.
This year The Ice Rink features a new attraction—snow showers. Under a light blanket of falling snow, visitors will experience showers throughout the evening while skating, roasting s’mores by the fire and taking in the sights and sounds of the Strip. Also new this year is an expanded skating area of over 4,200 square feet of real ice. A light snowfall will occur every 30 minutes Thursday–Sunday evenings between 6 and 10 p.m. throughout December.
Making a return is The Ice Rink’s popular “Date Skate,” where visitors can experience a date night on ice as three beloved holiday movies such as A Christmas Story, Elf and Miracle on 34th Street are shown each Monday night on the resort’s digital marquee. Also returning is “Throwback Thursdays” giving guests the opportunity to dig out their leg warmers and disco gear as they skate the night away to music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
The winter haven will feature curated cocktails such as the Campfire Delight, created with Patron XO, crème de cacao, Rum-Chata and marshmallow. Seasonal food offerings including grilled cheese, tomato soup, a chili bread bowl and more are sure to warm things up, along with the return of the immensely popular fireside s’mores kit.
The Ice Rink is open Monday–Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight and Saturday and Sunday from noon to midnight until Jan. 4. Special holiday hours of noon to midnight will be in effect Dec. 22–Jan. 2. All day skating access is $10 for Nevada residents and $15 for non-residents. Visitors are allowed to bring their own skates or can rent a pair for $5. Skate aid rentals are also available for $10. Admission to the unique winter atmosphere surrounding The Ice Rink is free. The Ice Rink welcomes guests ages two and up. For complete details, visit www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com.
Deck the Hall and More at Valley View
A San Diego favorite, Valley View Casino &Hotel has decked the halls with beautiful displays you won’t want to miss this holiday season. Valley View has teamed up with Unicorn Jewelry & Watch Boutique, San Diego’s largest family-owned jewelry store, to create a series of luxury treessure to dazzle.
A total of 14 holiday displays are featured through-out the casino and hotel, each with a large tree decorated in its own unique and spectacular theme. You’ll find eye-catching tree designs ranging from the traditional to the modern. While each represents a distinct, striking theme, all of the trees have one thing in common—they have first-class, breathtaking designs that transport you to a winter wonderland in sunny San Diego. From nutcrackers joyfully suspended from each branch to holiday trains glittering with snow and even elves working away in the Hotel lobby, there is décor to delight every guest. Perhaps the most stunning of all is a powder white pine tree draped in twin ivory peacocks with glistening leaves and ornaments.
Valley View is adding to the holiday cheer this December by giving away $100,000 in cash and prizes during Dave Mason’s Great Big Holiday Giveaway. Visit Valley View on Dec.13 to win great prizes including cash, free slot play, electronic tablets, laptops, designer hand-bags, HDTVs and more. Winners will be chosen every 30 minutes and all you have to do to win is play your favorite slots and table games. Plus, every guest who joins the fun will receive an exclusive Great Big Holiday Giveaway T-shirt.
Say “Aloha” to 2015 Valley View Style! On New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, Dec.31, count down to 2015 in a Hawaiian paradise. The Hawaiian-style New Year’s Eve bash is packed with San Diego’s best gaming, live entertainment, party favors and more. Guests are invited to come dressed in their best island attire to dance the evening away to live music from Upstream, Pali Roots and Caliber at the Main Stage Bar. Plus, photo ops will be plentiful with hula dancers, a Don Ho impersonator, giant Tiki statues and Hawaiian décor throughout the casino.
To make the New Year unforgettable, Valley View will also be giving away two trips to Maui as they count down to midnight. Join them at the Main Stage Bar at 10 p.m. and again at11 p.m. for your chance to win a prize package including round-trip air-fare for two, luxurious hotel accommodations, exclusive dining, $1,000 cash and more. Simply swipe your Valley View Casino Players Club card at the Main Stage Bar starting at 7 p.m. to be entered to win.
For more information visit www.ValleyViewCasino.com.
Holiday Giveaways at Pechanga Resort & Casino
Just a short distance from cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County is the Temecula Valley Wine Country. With more than 30 wineries, this area offers boutique and full service wineries that are friendly, relaxed and unpretentious. Amidst these rolling hills sits Pechanga Resort & Casino—one of the largest and most expansive resort casinos anywhere in the U.S. This AAA Four-Diamond resort offers plenty of fun for gamblers—including 3,300 slots, 130 tables, a bingo facility, poker room, and numerous dining and entertainment options. For golfers, the 7,219-yard, par-72, 18-hole Journey golf course is ranked as one of the best in the state. But for the holidays, Pechanga has a way to make it festive and fun for everyone. This December spend some time celebrating with chances to win extra holiday cash, a Mercedes Benz giveaway, A-list entertainment and unforgettable New Year’s Eve parties.
Pechanga’s holiday decorations are a sight to be seen with more than 500,000 lights, dozens of trees, 9-foot topiaries, and giant festive wreaths displayed beautifully throughout the property. The tallest, and most impressive tree is the 35-foot gem placed at the hotel valet entrance. You’ll be sure to snap a photo of your loved ones in front of this beauty to store in the memory books or on your Facebook page.
Headlining entertainment features a special appearance by Brian Setzer Orchestra’s Christmas Rocks Extravaganza on Dec.19. And boxing fans can get in on the action on Dec. 11 with “Night of Champions,” a tribute to Southern California promoter Dan Goossen. Riverside’s heavyweight Chris Arreola, L.A.’s Sergio “The Snake” Mora, Austin Trout and many more are training to be victorious on the fight card.
During this time of year, we could all use a little extra cash. Stop by the casino kiosks on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1p.m. and 9 p.m. Dec. 2-18 and swipe your Pechanga Club Card for a chance to win you up to $1,000 in EasyPlay or gifts such as lap-tops, iPads, jewelry and more. On Dec. 26, warm up with the Holiday Hot Seats promotion. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., a slot player with his or her club card inserted into a machine will be chosen at random every five minutes to win $100—a total of $12,000 in holiday cash will be given out!
The New Year’s Eve parties at Pechanga Resort & Casino are unforgettable and this year one lucky winner will be driving home in a 2015 Mercedes Benz CLA 250! Swipe your club card between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. for a chance to win this sweet ride and a share of $22,500 in EasyPlay. Drawings will be held at2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Jan. 1. At 2 a.m. 25 winners will score $500 each in EasyPlay; at 3 a.m. ten winners will be awarded $1,000 each in EasyPlay; and one lucky winner will hit the top prize and drive home in a brand-new Mercedes Benz!
Celebrate the arrival of 2015 in style and join thousands of partiers for the Round Bar’s countdown to midnight featuring a legendary balloon and confetti drop, live DJ and no cover charge. If dancing till the wee hours is on the agenda, the Eagle’s Nest is hosting a 2015 bash with doors opening at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person. Pechanga’s Cabaret Bar offers an NYE party with cover/dance/top 40 band The Basix. Tickets are $25 at the door beginning at 7 p.m. Last but certainly not least, Pechanga Bingo and the Pechanga Poker Room host separate player parties to ring in the New Year. Space is limited so contact the bingo or poker room early for your seat.
For more information visit www.pechanga.com. To purchase tickets to any of these events, visit the box office or call 877-711-2946.
Beau Rivage Brings a Winter Wonderland to Bilxoi
Casual elegance awaits at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, MGM Resort’s International’s destination resort on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. French for “beautiful shore,” Beau Rivage blends the charm and character of the Mediterranean with graceful touches of Southern hospitality. December marks one of the most exciting times of year to visit this charming resort as it sets out to host a series of special events, a spectacular holiday show, free activities for the kids and a glittering display that will conjure up days of Christmas’ past.
One of the Gulf Coast’s most anticipated holiday displays returns this as the Beau’s horticulture team captivates the imagination with a spectacular exhibition rich in nostalgia and tradition. Sip warm cocoa as you enjoy the magnificent Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, and larger-than-life Nutcrackers. Guests will listen to the joyous sounds of Christmas carols as you stroll through more than 5,000 red and white poinsettias making this year’s display a gift for all ages.
For family fun, don’t miss Santa & Friends on Ice, an entertaining journey into the Christmas holidays Dec. 2-28. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their helpers transform the Beau Rivage theatre into a glittering frozen winter pond made of real ice. World-class figure skaters, vocalists and actors present an endearing holiday story, guaranteed to put you in the spirit of the season. Shows are nightly at 7 p.m. with additional matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $12.95with special packages such as a family four packs ($40, promo code ICE), and two ticket offers ($20, promo code Santa) available on certain days. Make a night of it with a special room and show package (promo code Holiday) that starts at $79 and include two tickets to the show and deluxe accommodations for one night. You must book through the box office by calling 888-566-7469 and be sure to mention the appropriate codes.
After the show, keep the fun rolling with free photos with Santa Claus, Dec. 13 and Dec.18-23 from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Make a stop in The Buffet where children 12 and under eat free from 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Dec. 13-23. Other dining deals worth checking out are at Scoops, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, with a “buy one, get one free” special Dec. 13-23. Dine at Stalla and Coast and mention code XMAS25 to receive 25 percent off meals. Receive a free appetizer with purchase of an entrée at JIA, the Pan-Asian restaurant that artfully combines the best culinary traditions of Japan, Thailand, China, Korean and Vietnam by mentioning code XMASJIA.
For gamers, the fun doesn’t stop here. The casino is also offering some amazing promotions this month. Guests can play and win during Mistletoe Money through Dec. 24. M life members earn $5 per 1,000points earned on their M life Players Club account and Mistletoe Money can be redeemed at Beau Rivage retail shops. Players can also win their share of up to $1,200,000 in FREEPLAY and prizes including a 2014 Jaguar F-Type during the Winning Wonderland Giveaway through Dec.27. Hourly drawings every Wednesday and Saturday from 6 p.m.–10p.m., and the grand prize drawing on Dec. 27. For more information, visit www.beaurivage.com
$200,000 New Year’s Eve Package at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, invites guests to live like a rock star this New Year’s Eve. The resort is offering three New Year’s Eve vacation packages ranging from $2,015 to $200,015.
Guests are invited to be a part of rock ‘n’ roll history with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s ultra exclusive New Year’s Eve 2015 “Rock Royalty” package for $200,015, where six guests can experience the luxurious life and party in true rock star fashion at South Florida’s premier destination for fun and entertainment. Six will fly in a private jet to Hollywood, FL and receive $15,000 in Resort Spend, as well as a six month membership to the Seminole Gaming Wild Card program valid at all Seminole-owned properties. The $15,000 in Resort Spend will be divided into $5,000 to refresh and rejuvenate at the world class Rock Spa or spend on Hard Rock’s signature merchandise, $5,000 to indulge in the resort’s award-winning food and beverage options, and $5,000 to double down, ante-up and live it up in free play or table promotional chips. Private VIP gaming is also available for the truly discerning casino guest.
Lavish accommodations include one Apollo Suite and five pool view Deluxe Rooms for three nights. Fit for a rock ‘n’ roll king or queen, the finely appointed Apollo Suite shines with 1,225 square feet of sheer decadence featuring a king-size bed with Seminole Hard Rock’s Sleep Like a Rock signature bedding, a marbled master bath with a sunken Jacuzzi tub, a 60” high-definition TV and a walk-in shower and a separate half bathroom. It also includes luxury room amenities such as butler service, a stylish, modern dining room with seating for six, a living room accented with classic rock photography and art, a wet bar, electronic shades, a state-of-the-art Bose sound system and nightly turn-down service.
The epic New Year’s Eve celebration will begin with an exclusive VIP New Year’s Eve dinner prepared by one of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s innovative chefs, and continue at one of Miami’s famous nightclubs with a $5,000 bottle service credit. On New Year’s Day, guests will relax and recharge inside a private “chickee” cabana with scenic views of the resort’s breathtaking4.5-acre lagoon and pool oasis, where a private mixologist and house DJ will shake-up the beats in complimentary synchronicity. Three “Prince of Rock” New Year’s Eve packages are also avail-able for $20,015, and include a $5,000 airfare reimbursement for up to four guests. Guests will receive four pool-view rooms for up to three nights, as well as access to a VIP New Year’s Eve dinner. Rock princes and princesses will be pampered at the Rock Spa with a $1,000 credit and a reserved cabana at the pool on New Year’s Day.
A party of two can enjoy the “Rockin’ NYE” package for $2,015, which includes pool view accommodations and a $215 resort credit. Book one of the available “Rockin’ NYE” pack-ages; limited to 25 packages, three have already been reserved.
The exclusive “Rock Royalty” package must be reserved by Dec. 15. All offers are non-refundable and a full deposit is required at the time of reservation. For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1 800-937-0010 or visit www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com.
