Viejas Casino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Viejas Casino |
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The exterior of the Viejas casino.
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| Location | Alpine, California |
| Address | 5000 Willows Road |
| Opening date | September 13, 1991 |
| No. of rooms | 237 |
| Total gaming space | 133,000 sq ft (12,400 m2) |
| Signature attractions | Outlet mall Bowling Alley |
| Notable restaurants | The Grove Steakhouse The Cafe at Viejas The Buffet at Viejas' Willows Coffee Bar |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians |
| Renovated in | 2007 2013 2015 |
| Website | viejas.com |
The Viejas Casino and Resort is a fun place to visit in Alpine, California. It has a hotel and a shopping center. The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians owns this resort.
The resort offers many things to do. There are over 2,000 gaming machines. You can also find many table games and a bingo hall. There are three restaurants and a deli for food. The resort also has places for concerts and meetings.
The hotel at Viejas Casino and Resort is quite large. It has 237 rooms and suites. The first part of the hotel opened in 2013. A new section was added in 2015.
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History of Viejas Resort
The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians bought the land for their reservation in 1932. They used money from a time when they had to move from their original home. This area is now called El Capitan Reservoir.
In 1977, the Viejas tribe opened a bingo room. It was located at the Ma Tar Awa RV Park. The main Viejas Casino opened its doors on September 13, 1991. The bingo room later moved inside the casino in 1994. A new, separate bingo room was built in 2000.
In 2006, the casino got a big update. It cost $19 million to make it better. The Viejas tribe also made an agreement with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This agreement allowed them to have more gaming machines. In return, they would pay more money to the state.
Resort Expansions and Upgrades
The Viejas tribe planned a large expansion in 2007. This project was going to include another casino and hotel. However, those plans were not fully completed.
Still, many improvements have been made. By 2015, the resort had a new non-smoking gaming area. A large parking garage was also built. An expanded part of the hotel opened on October 30, 2015. A poker room was added in 2016 but was later removed.
More hotel rooms were planned for 2018. This new hotel tower would have 159 suites. It would also include a spa and a saltwater pool.
The Viejas Hotel Experience
On August 31, 2011, the Viejas tribe shared plans for a new hotel. They wanted to add a fancy 150-room hotel. The final plan was for a 5-story hotel. It would have 128 rooms, including 99 regular rooms and 29 fancy suites.
This hotel project cost $36 million. Construction started in early 2012. The hotel building was finished in November 2012. The grand opening celebration was held on March 21, 2013. Viejas describes the hotel as having a modern and unique style.
The first hotel included many features. It had a business center for work. There was also a fitness center for exercise. A resort-style pool with special VIP cabanas was also part of it.
Hotel and Casino Connections
When the hotel was built, the casino entrances were also updated. Valet parking moved to a new spot. More valet parking became available at the hotel entrance.
The bingo hall moved into a new, bigger space inside the casino. The old bingo hall was taken down to make room for the hotel. The main entrance was made larger. This connected the hotel to the casino. The buffet restaurant was also updated and made bigger. The buffet is the only restaurant where children are allowed. Other parts of the casino are for people aged 21 and older.
After the hotel opened, the name changed. It became Viejas Casino & Resort. Since 2013, the resort has won the AAA Four Diamond Award every year. This award means it is a high-quality place to stay.
Parking and Further Growth
In February 2013, plans for a new parking garage were made. This garage would be 6 stories tall. It could hold up to 1,000 cars. It would provide more parking for both the casino and the hotel. Construction began in April 2013. The parking garage opened on November 21, 2013.
In 2014, the casino started another big project. They added 15,000 square feet to their gaming area. They also built another five-story hotel tower. Non-smoking casino areas were also updated.
The larger gaming area allowed for 1,000 more gaming machines. The new hotel tower added more rooms. This expansion created 50,000 square feet of new space. It brought the total number of hotel rooms to 237.
In 2016, Viejas Casino & Resort began building a third hotel tower. It is called the Willows Hotel & Spa. This new part is for guests aged 21 and older. It has 159 suites. It also includes a saltwater pool, two new restaurants, and a spa.
Dining Options
Viejas Casino & Resort has many places to eat. You can find restaurants and eateries throughout the casino, hotel, and shopping areas.
