If heading to Las Vegas to gamble seems like too much of a hassle, might we recommend something a little closer to home? The Graton Casino is in San Francisco’s backyard—it’s just an hour drive north to Rohnert Park. With 130 popular table games, 3,000 slot and video-poker games, three bars, and an 8,700 square foot concert and special events center, it’s the closest full-service casino to the city by the Bay. What’s that you say? What are you supposed to do after you indulge in too much pinot at Tony’s of North Beach? There isn’t a hotel nearby? That’s a valid point, but everything about the Graton experience is about to change. When the casino opened three years ago, an adjoining hotel was planned for further down the line. Despite the fact that restaurants within the casino have shuttered, the plans for the adjacent resort moved ahead at full steam. Now we’ve got word that the hotel portion of the Graton will open this fall.
The Graton Resort and Casino is now accepting hotel reservations with an anticipated opening date of November 15. The $175 million, 342,000 square-foot expansion will transform the casino into a 200 guest room resort. The six-story hotel will have a variety of rooms and suites ranging in size from 500 to 2,600 square feet. The rooms feature luxurious marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs, a warm orange and chocolate color palette, and plush upscale linens. Amenities include complimentary Wifi, 24-hour room service, flat-screen televisions with premium cable channels, and stocked minibars. There will also be an opulent lobby, 20,000 square feet of event space, and a large relaxing spa offering massages, facial treatments, and manicures and pedicures. Hoping to give Vegas a run for its money, the Graton will house a sophisticated pool with outdoor cabanas, bar service, and plenty of stylish lounge space.
Located in the heart of Sonoma County, the Graton makes a wonderful starting point for a day of wine tasting. Partner wineries include Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards, Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens, and Chalk Hill Estate. With the hotel expansion, the Graton could establish itself as the leading luxury resort of the region. Only time will tell. Keep watching this space.
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