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Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Arts & Entertainment Casinos Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Hotels, Casinos, Music Venues [Edit]
30 Buffalo Thunder TrlSanta Fe, NM 87506
(505) 455-5555
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 8 am - 4 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Music:
- DJ, Karaoke
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Tue
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- Yes
30 reviews for Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
Review Highlights
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"I wandered up to the Red Sage (restaurant outside of the..." In 5 reviews -
"...very enjoyable collection of Native American art around the..." In 3 reviews -
"The room I had was really nice and big." In 3 reviews
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30 reviews in English
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Review from Tony S.
Durango, CO
5/13/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great hotel. Beautiful decor. Very friendly & helpful staff.
* We were given a room upgrade upon arrival with larger room, fireplace & balcony!
* Beds & lines were good and we slept well.
* The bathroom was spacious, but the shower head dispersed the water justj too much to get a good rinse. And unfortunately, we could not change the setting. So, the shower took longer, which IMHO defeated the water saving feature. Oh well.
* Outdoor pool was closed. The indoor pool was awash with noisy children. So, we opted not to join in the "pee-party".
* Artwork (pottery in particular) was amazing throughout lobby & walkways!
* Only downside to the hotel were the smoky elevators (all three of them!) The Casino is at the bottom of the building and either smokers are indulging while riding the elevators (not likely) or the smoke from the Casino vented right up the elevator shaft (perfect example of why you don't use elevators in a fire!)
But, we very much enjoyed our stay and even signed-up for the Hilton Honors program. Yes, we would stay here again.
Oh, nearly forgot the Casino...
It was just OK. A bit too smoky for us. (Aren't they supposed to have air scrubbers?) While expansive, there were only a few tables beyond the many older video slot machines. All the slots looked like the same game with just a different colors and themes. We were unable to find our favorite video game style machine, Jack Pot Party.
In thinking about it, I would probably lower the overall score due to the casino, but the hotel was still really nice. -
Review from Chicago R.
Chicago, IL
5/9/2012
What a terrific surprise! Very nice facility, good service, great restaurants, cool indoor and outdoor pools plus hot tub. We used Hilton Honors points and it was absolutely fantastic. The breakfast was not only affordable but delicious, and Red Sage Restaurant was terrific. We're planning to return for sure, and we're bringing golf clubs!
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Review from Mark W.
Albuquerque, NM
4/24/2012
I came to Buffalo Thunder early in the day for an off-site conference. The desk personnel were able to get me in my room very early to get cleaned up for my conference: that was really helpful. The room was spacious, clean and comfortable and I appreciated the complimentary bottled waters. I am not pleased that the Hilton charges $9.95 for 24 hour web access - this practice really has to stop since there is no justifiable reason to charge that much. The property is remote so I wasn't able to use my Verizon Personal Hotspot, so I had to buy web access.
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Review from Lissa M.
Amarillo, TX
3/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Says its NOT good for kids, but they are everywhere here! Even on the casino floor. After not getting the suite and view we'd been assured of, then not having a working remote in the room OR ontime room service on top of the daycare atmosphere, we cant imagine ever coming back here!
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Review from Amy R.
Beacon, NY
4/30/2012
Spent a few days here for a convention. Staff was friendly. Food was decent, though it was all served cater style for our event so we never tried the actual restaurants or buffet. Location feels off the grid (literally), though they do have a shuttle that will take you into Santa Fe (ends relatively early though). Casino was like no other I've been to, it was only smoke-free in a corner, there were only a handful of tables and there is no wait staff. (I.e. no alcohol while you play). Hardly any tables, mostly slot machines. The crowd was mostly seniors, and the ambiance was somewhat anti-excitement. Spa services are rather pricey and the spa area was so-so as far as appearance. Indoor pool is pretty but small. Our room was overlooking the parking lot and the view was horrible, it was also five miles of a walk to get from the elevator to the room door. If you use a debit card to hold for room charges they are known to put a $150 hold on it that will stay for 10 days in case you incur any room charges. If you go before the outdoor pool is open (Memorial day) then you may find yourself bored like we did a few times. Bottom line: make sure you plan excursions in the area because unless you're into laid-back simple gambling you won't have much to do.
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Review from Casey K.
Sacramento, CA
10/21/2011
Well I thought this was going to be a 4 star review but, nope. Everything during the stay was fairly nice. The bedroom was comfortable except the shower had mold and the bathroom smelled like BO.
What really deserves the negative rating is the fact that after I left they doubled charged me for my stay and for a dinner that was already paid. We ate at the Red Sage which was tasty but, it ended up being an expensive night and the waiter asked if we wanted to charge to our room.
I never do this since I can add pts to my credit card. So they charged my credit card and everything went through. When I was checking out I noticed that they miraculously charged the hotel room for the dinner. Seriously?? Well, I got it taken care of and they removed the charge.
Fast forward 4 days after my stay I check my credit card statement and now I have been double charged for the room and the dinner. They must think that no one checks their statements :) Oh and the best part is to get it removed I have to scan a copy of my receipt and statement for the dinner and the hotel. Lovely. -
Review from Ralph T.
Stateline, NV
9/10/2011
We arrived and went to check in. We were with friends who made the reservations and got us a great rate.
Check in went smoothly-WE THOUGHT
Our room was large and well appointed. There was an odor in the closet which my wife thought smelled like dirty diapers. We asked that housekeeping clean the carpet but we think all they did was spray some deodorizer, because the smell came back.
Overall the hotel room and casino were nice.
Bar had decent prices but we did not eat at the hotel itself.
Halfway through our six day stay we were told that we would have to leave. WHY, the person who checked us in entered we would be leaving on the 3rd versus the 6th. We went to the front desk manager, hotel manager and casino guest services. They all agreed that the clerk made a mistake but they were sold out and were unwilling to accommodate us even though we were already there.
Finally they said we could call back in the morning to see if anyone had canceled on a day-to-day basis. We did not think that was realistic so we made reservations at another hotel in Santa Fe. Not easy on a holiday weekend.
The next day we were told that they had rooms for us at a higher rate for both days. But due to their unwillingness to deal with us initially on the issue and we had made reservations we decided to leave the hotel.
I will not return to this hotel. Customer service was lacking as they should have accommodated us due to their mistake.
OH Well I hope this is not indicative of the Hilton Brand. -
Review from Hannah P.
Phoenix, AZ
8/31/2011 1 photo
Warning: Don't Leave Anything In Your Room!
I accidentally forgot my phone charger in my room. I quickly realized and called the hotel an hour after checking out. They said that housekeeping "did not find it" even though I told them exactly which plug it was in. Upon later returning they wouldn't allow me into the room to look for it. The front desk and security people seemed sympathetic enough, however, they claim there is nothing they can do if housekeeping doesn't turn it in. To me, that makes them complicit in stealing! I asked for the phone number of the next guest to see if they had noticed the charger. They said there is no way the guest would have it and that housekeeping "always checks all the plugs". Apparently Hilton doesn't pay their staff high enough wages, so they feel compelled to take "gifts" for themselves. I wasn't offered anything to compensate my loss, only a "sorry".
On another note, they charge for internet connectivity. This practice is very out-dated and almost everywhere I stay offers service for free. I was planning on working in my room, and there are no restaurants or stores anywhere near this resort that even know what wi-fi is. I would rather have paid more for my room and had any cost for internet included in the price than be nickle and dimed about it. It really makes Hilton look sleazy and cheap, which is weird because all of the cheap places I've stayed lately have free internet at least in the lobby if not the rooms.
Also, the fridge is filled with items they are selling you and no space to keep food or drinks you brought with you. I had to keep everything in my cooler and keep getting ice for it. : (
Other than the issue with the "lost" (i.e. stolen) charger, the room was very nice and clean especially the bathroom, & the pool area was cool. And like other reviewers have mentioned, there is a lot of nice artwork throughout the resort. This could have been a good review. Details matter. -
Review from Jesseca T.
Los Alamos, NM
5/11/2011
We went in here the other day to check it out because we have had good experiences with the Hilton line. Ample and easy parking since it's in the middle of nowhere, haha. Nice looking golf course, considering it's in the desert.
Downstairs: I was worried that I didn't have enough tattoos to be allowed entry into the gambling part of this place, it looked a little rough going in. We got inside and there were penny slots everywhere! Not my scene.
Upstairs: Went upstairs to poke around and found some really beautiful pottery displays, plus an amazing sculpture of a Native American wearing a feathered headdress. Really cool.
Further down the hall: peeked around the corner and there was the CUTEST bar with outdoor wicker seating, covered and uncovered. Now that's what I'm talking about! We had: two gin martinis for the hubby, a very good glass of wine for me, plus a shrimp appetizer (three shrimp for $11? really?). Total bill after tip: $60, yikes! Service was excellent and friendly and quality of drinks/food was very good.
They had a lovely outdoor pool and patio area adjacent to this bar. I imagine summer evenings are just stunning with the scenery being what it is. They've done a good job making this into an oasis, we wlll be back after payday. -
Review from Sam A.
Santa Fe, NM
9/4/2011
This is based on the resort more than the casino... The rooms are slightly larger than I expected, with two TVs, one in the bedroom, and one in the living space, in case you have guests... The WiFi in the resort itself, once you leave the rooms a wifi key, which I had, but was incredibly spotty... The wifi in the rooms was stellar.
There's a small store where you can buy basic needs like cans of campbells soup for a low price in the building that houses the suites, and that was awesome...
I don't understand why all the "clubs" and "bars" don't open until after 7:00 in a state where the average dinner time is 5:00, but eventually they do open...
I did win $30 before I drove home...
More WiFi, and please get the fly problem under control on the outside of the Sage Restaurant!!! -
Review from Chris E.
Phoenix, AZ
6/8/2011 21 photos
Art Art Baby. This is on the art.
The most diverse and specatular Rio Grande Pueblo / Soutwest art you'll find for miles. Plenty of point of view, irony and execution reflected in the pieces. A collection of The Best. That alone is worth a stop.
Comfortable bed, beautiful room, nice patio with a table and chairs.
I read the other ratings. I did not have the needs every one else did, I had to leave before any feederies were open, and I had a great talk with those snotty doormen last night. It must have been the smoke in the air from the Wallow fire -
Review from Tiffany C.
Marysville, OH
7/11/2011
I wish I could give Buffalo Thunder a five star review, but sadly at the end of my two day stay, the resort and casino left a bad taste in my mouth.
We arrived an hour early, and was told that our rooms were not ready, which is obviously a scam to get patrons to hit the bars, or casino to spend some money, which is what my family did.
At first I was a bit perturbed at the fact that they offer no new member perks at their casino other than some touch a random chip on the screen and received $5-500, and figured THAT was a scam after my husband and I both received the same $5.
I WILL say that once we did get into the rooms (which BTW, was three hours later), they were wonderful. The resort ads their culture and art into everything at the resort, which is big for the artsy fartsy kinds like me that find our way into the Southwestern art mecca. When you walk into the resort you're greeted by a 30ft high stained glass piece of some Indian ladies, and all down the hallways and shops you'll find Acoma, and other tribal pottery significant to the area.
All of the eateries here are not so appetizing. The Turquoise grill was sloppy and simple, the Blue Parrot was a buffet, which left me running for the bathroom minutes after ingestion. Even the Red Sage, their attempt at an upper scale dining establishment left me disappointed and hoping that checkout would come sooner.
We heard from a few of the staff members that the resort had switched hands and owners, and you can really tell. Their once vast amounts of hand crafted beers, have dwindled to the mediocre cheap end beers you can get anywhere, and even their wine selection was simple.
The view here is bland, but I will say it was neat to see the wildfires and smoke plumes from the Los Alamos area, which was 15-20 miles away, but was able to be seen in the distance.
Buffalo Thunder was cool, but for a high quality resort they sure are starting to dwindle with bad service, and lack of selection.
Plus, I didn't win a damn thing.Listed in: WESTWARD BOUND
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Review from Jim L.
2/28/2011
I happened upon the Buffalo Thunder Hotel and Casino when the Hilton Santa Fe was WAY too expensive due to legislative session. The rate was $100 less than the downtown Hilton, which was good. The room was beautiful - rife with a fireplace, lots of space, and a casino downstairs! The common areas of the hotel are outstanding, with appropriate southwestern in its design, and blown glass features.
The bad part of the experience went like this: I had one clean shirt left for the important meeting for which I came to Santa Fe. After waking up, I warmed up my iron, started my coffee, and when iron hit fabric a stream of rusty water steamed it's way on to the front of my shirt, rendering it ruined. I had no alternative. It was 8 AM, and the best I could do was pull the breasts of my suit jacket over the obvious brown spots. I was pretty upset.
In my best passive aggressive voice, I accosted the front desk clerk and asked her to comp at least 50% of the room due to my issue. She was happy to do it, apologized, and offered to buy my breakfast. While I did not have time for that, she made sure I could at least hit the Starbucks. She asked me what I would like, and actually called down to the Starbucks with my order.
Did I think the hotel shold make a better effort and empty out any water in their irons? Yes. That said, I felt the issue was appropriately handled, so I am offering up props for the good customer service. -
Review from Ralph M.
Milton, FL
11/15/2011 6 Check-ins Here
This facility is beautiful! Nice, well appointed rooms. small-ish casino downstairs. You cannot have a drink of any type of alcohol on the casino floor, but you can in all the restaurants. Don't even try to use the wifi. it is so bad as to be nonexistent. I called the support number, waste of half an hour.
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Review from Hailey B.
6/15/2011
We got a great value on this hotel and were quite pleased with the accommodations - make sure to get a balcony! Staff was very nice, the casino (61k sq feet!!!) was a trip, and the pool was clean.
My only compliant: the local teens spent there days at the pool, which made things less than relaxing... -
Review from Justin S.
Los Angeles, CA
4/12/2010
This is a review for the casino only, I have never stayed at the resort.
Buffalo Thunder has quickly become not only my favorite casino in New Mexico, but it might just be my favorite casino in the world. I am giving it such high praise mainly because every time I go there, I seem to not only win but win big. When I say win big, I mean turning $100 into $1,500 or more.
It is unusual for anyone to go to any casino and win, which is why I am having such a difficult time describing my luck at Buffalo Thunder. I have been told by family members who live in Santa Fe who go there once a week who say the casino does not pay out, however, I go there about twice a year and almost every time I go there, I win. It does not seem to matter the dealer, the table or the table minimum, I just continue to win.
As a note, I only play blackjack, so I do not know how the slots or the craps table pays, however, I have had decent luck playing roulette there as well.
One thing that I personally love about Buffalo Thunder is the dealers. I cannot remember when I did not have a friendly dealer. They have conservation with you, help players that are not as experienced, joke and even give you honest advice when to walk or try another casino.
The pit bosses there are also friendly and also treat their loyal customers well. If I had been playing for a while, regardless if I was up or down, I was offered a free lunch, free round of golf, a free room if the weather was bad or very nice offers through the players club.
I have seriously considered skipping a Vegas trip and just going for a week or so to Santa Fe and just trying my luck at Buffalo Thunder. It seems to be the only casino that ever pays out.
I just really hope I have jinxed my luck with this review. We shall find out in a couple months. -
Review from Tony P.
San Jose, CA
7/20/2010
This is a review for the casino only.
I'm not a big gambler or a casino fan overall, but I had a blast at the Big Thunder Casino. The main floor is pretty much what I expected, smokey, noisy and somewhat busy. Despite the negative adjectives I did think it was fairly nice and a reasonable place overall. There is nonsmoking section with slots that is less smokey than the main floor but it certainly isn't smoke free.
While my wife was playing on the main floor, I went upstairs to visit the lobby of the hotel and check it out. It was rather nice and nicely decorated. There is a very enjoyable collection of Native American art around the lobby area and several nice restaurants. The wine cellar of one of the restaurants is a glassed in section where one can see all of the bottles of wine. There is also a huge, really nice faux stained glass section in the lobby area that added to the overall decor.
It was on that explore that I found the gem of this Casino. In the lobby there is a glassed off, nonsmoking casino area with a two to three dozen slots and a multi-player, large screen TV video blackjack game. The smaller room makes it a nice, somewhat quiet environment that I prefer to the casino floor. Some people will not like it because the lack or noise and excitement, but I loved it.
The most amazing thing to me was the great time my wife and I had at the video blackjack game. It was really a lot of fun even though there wasn't an actual dealer at the table. The game cycled through dealers about every 20 minutes and had at least eight different ones. The game worked well and both my wife and I were winners over the course of the evening. It was a $3 minimum bet and $200 maximum bet game.
The room has limited hours and I think we were eventually turned out around midnight or 1:00 am on Sunday. I probably would have spent even more time there if the room remained open.
All of the employees we met were very nice and the service was good except for a very long wait at the snack bar at the end of the evening.
If I were in the Santa Fe area again I just might go back there again. -
Review from Danny Q.
Santa Fe, NM
2/28/2010
I had a chance to stay here for a week for a conference. It was not a good experience and left much to be desired.
Here's the good:
It's a very nice place when compared to the other run-down places in the area. The inside, as others have said, is spectacular. It looks much better than many of the other resorts and casinos in Las Vegas. It is immaculately clean both in the lobby and in the guest rooms. The rooms that I saw were well taken care of, and beautiful. That's about where the good parts all end.
The Bad:
Our conference had some hiccups that were largely due to problems with the facility. The outlets in the room I was giving my training in were not functional. It took a bit of arguing with the maintenance staff to get them to actually look into fixing them. The problem ended up being that they were wired incorrectly. The only way to fix it was for the staff to remove the wall plates and correct the problem.
The training rooms each had a projector but the casino wanted an exhorbitant amount to use them. For the cost of using the projectors for two days, we could (and did) buy all brand new projectors. This was inconvenient and really caused problems keeping the presentation area clutter free.
The neighboring attendees were extremely loud. Their sound system caused the walls to shake in our training rooms. When we booked our conference, we were told that sound disturbance would not be a problem. The sound proofing isn't very conducive to multiple meetings between the different areas.
Compounding the power issues we did not have power to all of our tables until 5 minutes before our event began. This created problems when getting all of our equipment setup.
The service from pretty much anywhere in the resort is mind numbingly slow. We had dinner at their upscale "Red Sage" restaurant and it took 2.5 hours to get through. Despite the upscale look and feel of the restaurant, the menu was the usual fare of burgers and fries. Pretty much everyone in our party agreed that the quesadillas, which were literally just tortillas and melted cheese, were the most appetizing parts of the meal.
Now here's the ugly:
My wife and I ate at their buffet Sunday evening. The place was desolate, and not many other people were eating. The food was dried out, not fresh, and was not very appealing. After leaving my wife had one of the worst cases of food poisoning she's ever had.
The serving staff made us feel like they were doing us a favor by helping us. Some of them really went out of their way to be helpful but that was by far the exception rather than the rule. We were promised a special rate for our guests staying at the facility. I had to stop counting all the people that were denied the rate, or had errors in the check-in process. My reservation was incorrectly made for the day before I arrived (I called in to make it). It took 30 minutes waiting at the front-desk for a manager to be found to correct the no-show fee. We were promised a set of rooms for the conference organizers, but the salesman conveniently forgot about the week before the conference. You better like the smell of smoke because it seems to permeate everywhere inside the lobby, especially those areas close to the casino.
Given the large amount of money we paid to host our event here, I can't say that it was worth it. I would strongly recommend looking at other venues in the area before committing to Buffalo Thunder. -
Review from Brandon D.
Albuquerque, NM
1/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is going to be a quick one. I won $116 off of the free $25 that Buffalo gave me just for signing up for a "players card". I couldn't of cashed out fast enough.
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Review from Andrew K.
4/3/2009
It's brand new. I was hit by tumbleweed in the parking lot. The lobby (upstairs) area is pretty and classy - especially Red Sage. The casino downstairs was typical sort of tacky casino - sans liquor on the casino floor. Nicer than anything in Reno.
I had a conference luncheon here and the chicken breast w/ green chile/cream sauce was yummola (for a conference). -
Review from Mari V.
San Francisco, CA
5/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I went here twice, once on a sunday and the other on new years eve... needless to say the casino is the bomb, and the nightclubs are off the hook, but then again i was there on NYE. The gift shop was nice and also lots of art to look at. I never stayed at the hotel... i didnt like how they charged for wifi though hence the four stars.
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Review from Jeanne de M.
Santa Fe, NM
9/11/2010
The parking lot is capacious, but the staff who are positioned outside the entry door of Buffalo Thunder Resort and casino consistently ignore their duties and just stand talking amongst themselves. Walking in, walking out--no greeting of any kind to pleasant, sober, well-dressed people who may just spend megabucks inside this facility. Hilton owns the main floor, while the local tribe owns the casino downstairs. How Hilton could employ such duds is one of the great mysteries of the universe.
We have not only stayed in the hotel, which was mediocre, but eaten at the restaurant Sage (reviewed in the past my me, with high marks) and lately in the bar which adjoins it, called "Mica." Buffalo Thunder Resort has slipped since it was new a couple of years ago. We had lunch there at Mica last Saturday. We sat at the bar, where the employee was extremely professional and friendly; there was not only food on the menu, but all over the floor from the night before. The view from the barstool was the most nauseating we had ever witnessed in a supposedly civilized establishment, or even a more casual dive. There was a garbage can visible, front and center at the bar, and the wall just behind it had so many drops of food sauces on it that it looked like someone was keeping score with ketchup and mustard. We liked the barkeep Sherrie very much, so we did not desert her and decided to just move to a wobbly table where we wouldn't see the slop up-close, then ordered food and iced tea. My husband's cooked-to-order burger was just fine, from the bun to the crisply fried potatoes, and my steak on top of cheese enchiladas, doused with Christmas (red and green chile gravies) was very good. The meal cost about thirty dollars plus an ample tip for a genuinely nice employee. What ruined our lunch, and almost made us lose it was the filth behind the bar and under the barstools. It costs next-to-nothing to sweep and hide the food trash-bin, and keep a wall clean behind it. We were appalled and will never take a chance like that again. Even the restroom had slipped in cleanliness since last year. We had gone there not to gamble, but to have a good meal as remembered from the recent past. It turned out that we gambled without even entering the casino. The place is a health-hazard. In future, we'll just drive a bit farther north and eat in Española! -
Review from Happy J.
Glendale, AZ
4/4/2010
The hotel property is very nice; though it appeared some construction was taking place on the outer loop of the hotel's road. There's a gym, jacuzzi, and swimming pool. It was too cold to swim and easier to sit in the casino than run on a treadmill. The room price was a bit high, around $130 per night. I've stayed in other Santa Fe hotels that were lower priced and at least offered a continental breakfast. Guess the cost is for the location.
The room I had was really nice and big. I liked the big screen HD television, which I only watched in the mornings while getting ready. The bathroom was almost as big as the living room in my apartment. It had a shower AND a separate tub. At 6-foot-4-inches, tubs are too small for me, so I didn't try it.
The food was good. I had lunch at Mica's the breakfast/lunch restaurant in the hotel. The buffet for dinner was equally as good. I ate there twice; filled up on NY strip steak one night and prime rib the next. The selection included Italian, Mexican, Chinese, soups, stews, salads, and desserts. Very yummy and at a good price ($16).
The casino has live gaming, which managed to take my money as I attepted to play blackjack and roulette. I did well at the penny slot machines. Believe it or not, I didn't go into the bar at all. Yes, I'm still stunned and amazed I didn't do that.
I would probably come here again if there was a reason. For a gambling adventure, I'd save my money and go to Las Vegas, NV. -
Review from Gary L.
Brooklyn Center, MN
12/27/2009
I didn't stay here, rather I stayed next door at the Homewood Suites which I'll post a review about as well. I stopped in here one night though to look around having heard about the lobby and to take a peek at the casino.
Everything people said about the lobby is true. It's very well done, and they have some amazing local art displayed throughout. It's worth a stop just to walk around and see some of the art on display.
The casino looks like every other casino I've ever been in. I'm not sure what the crap's table odds were since the table didn't look hot at the time I was there. I wandered up to the Red Sage (restaurant outside of the Casino) for a cocktail before heading back, and it's a very nicely laid out restaurant. The staff was friendly but slow. I was impressed that they had Pyrat rum, but not impressed with what it cost to get out here. At my local Minneapolis steakhouse, a Pyrat XO on the rocks will run me $8. Here it was $18. So much for casinos being a choice for inexpensive drinks. The people next to me at the bar had a tortilla soup and a caesar salad, both of which looked good. -
Review from Glaciala A.
Providence, RI
1/1/2010 1 photo
Looks normal on the inside, but I'm not a casino expert. For those that are non-smokers and don't like the smoke...you might want to check out a smoke-free option. There is a smoke-free area in the back with a good number of slots, but of course the smoke wafts to this area as well.
If you're visiting, consider signing up for one of the casino cards...when you receive a card you'll get anywhere from $5 to $250 automatically on the card to start your gambling. There are also poker/roulette tables...but I can't talk to the specifics of those areas.
There is also the turquoise cafe, which is within the same area. If you earn enough points, you can get a discount at the cafe. -
Review from Trisha H.
Reno, NV
9/28/2010
I have visited this place a couple times a few years back and just recently visited. Its a fairly small casino, but most of the buildings were for the resort hotel. Its very beautiful inside and out. I have not yet stayed here only because it is always so pricey. We tried to eat there one night but got there too late and everything was closed around 9pm. Also the buffet only opens for lunch and dinner which was kinda weird, I am used to 24hr service or at least all meals. There are a couple of bars which were pretty dead on a Sat. night on an Indian Market weekend, which was kinda discouraging. But I one day I would love to stay here, have to save up big time.
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Review from Nick C.
8/26/2010
My coworkers and I were subjected to the unpleasantness of this hotel and its oddball staff due to a work conference a few months back. We came in with vast amounts of optimism to having a great experience as how can one go wrong in a resort in Santa Fe with a casino, night club, outdoor swimming pool, and multiple dining options.
The place is beautiful, however, that doesn't mean much for the quality of the resort. There were water leaks dripping from a top the main lobby which eventually flooded the lobby interior by the time we left. The staff was hit or miss, as the bar tender on the main floor was one of the rudest and most arrogant bar tenders I have ever encountered. This "Guy" ignored patrons, flirted with the female wait staff, messed up orders, was obviously high, and didn't know half the drinks we asked for. The overly hyped Blue Tower Lounge was a complete joke, as all the beers on tap were kicked except for the namesake beer the "Buffalo Thunder Ale". No joke, the worst beer I have ever had, sorry Milwaukee's Best. There was Karaoke going on one of the evenings in which nearly all the songs were in Spanish. In efforts to escape the Blue Tower Lounge, are efforts were debunked by the bouncers as alcoholic drinks were not allowed on the casino floor.
The place did, however, do a decent job in its accommodations for housing a large conference such as our own. Conference sessions aside, everything else was a complete let down and a bit of a shock. -
Review from Elle P.
San Francisco, CA
8/8/2010
This place is nice! Peaceful I must say. It is so big you might should walk around to experience this all. Very classy. The hotel section is operated by Hilton. The rooms are breathless. The furniture and bathrooms have a great vibe to them. Nicely furnished. Patios are prefect to see the beautiful sunset. Although I was here for business, this place is quite a gem. This place seems to have everything! You will enjoy!
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Review from Peter M.
Chicago, IL
12/31/2010
Hotel only review. So we wanted to stay outside of Santa Fe (pricey, pricey.... like people pay $250 for a room???? really??? kind of kidding, but not really.) We had seen some billboards for this saying rooms start at $79. We called - they said $140. I said "wow!", but it was on the way to Taos which we were on our way to the following day. Now, let me say if the rate had been around the $100 range, it would have more stars. But for this rate, I would have (as a bare minimum) expected "free wi-fi." Nope. Don't remember the price (maybe $10.00 or so.) You also had to pay if you wanted access to a fridge. Once again, not a big deal, but pay for access?? Sounds goofy to me.
The room itself was clean and decorated with Native American themes. The property itself was pretty enormous. The parking lot was quite vast. If you have a lot of bags, drop 'em at the door first. This place is about 15 minutes north of Santa Fe's "Old Town." These is another casino/ hotel up a few exits north, though I could not comment on prices or accommodation. However, if I were to stay in the area again, i would search for another hotel where the price and what you get match up a little better.
P.S. These is a Starbucks in the building. However, a straight medium coffee was over $3.00. Huh??? -
Review from Daisy S.
Durango, CO
7/1/2009
This is a great spot if you ever have the chance to go. It's a little out of the way but totally worth it. They have great indoor and outdoor pools golf coarse and the casino is really nice because it's not jammed packed full like most of the casinos and you don't feel overwhelmed people just trying to find a open slot machine. The players club also gives away some cool stuff they gave me nice a free spa set just because it was mother's day (I'm not even a mom). All the employees were very nice and they treat you great weather your a high roller or not which is very different from some places I've been. It was really nice to feel that my business was appreciated.
