Imagine a place where you don’t have to compromise at all whether it is for a romantic getaway, corporate retreat, family bonding time, or milestone celebration. Imagine a place where you can have it all and do it all. Located in Oneida County, Upstate New York, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Resort Casino is home to four hotels, two luxurious spas, five gorgeous golf courses, culinary experience with over twenty dining options, nightlife venues and a 125,000 square foot of gaming space.
It isn’t at all surprising that the Turning Stone Resort was named “Best Countryside Hotel/Lodge” in 2015 and “Most Excellent Golf Resort” in 2010 by Condé Nast Johansens, a Four Star Award for The Lodge, Wildflowers restaurant, and Ska:na: spa by Forbes, Forbes Recommended Ratings for TS Steakhouse and the AAA Four Diamond Award for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel, and Wildflowers restaurant for twelve consecutive years. More recently, the resort was also ranked among the best casinos outside of Vegas by 10best.com and “overall best” gaming resort in New York state by Casino Player Magazine.
The Place
You quickly become immersed with excitement as soon as you step in the lobby of The Tower. Greeting you at the main entrance are the massive 500 square-foot curved LED screens visible from three sides, and award-winning food, beer and cocktails of The Lounge with Caesars Sports. Standing as the tallest building between Albany and Syracuse, you can be sure that the elegant and luxurious rooms offer breathtaking panoramic views of the majestic golf courses and of Central New York. Rooms are furnished with sumptuous queen or king sized beds, a soothing well-lit work area, a comfortable and chic turquoise arm chair, and everything else you need for a world-class experience stay.
Wake up to an early tee time by the gorgeous, newly redesigned Shenendoah Golf Course. The course offers 18 holes of PGA-level golf for beginners and pros at more than 7,000 yards and was recently redesigned by Rick Smith to comply with the Audubon International Standards for Environmental Protection and Preservation. That’s without saying that you get to play on a course that once hosted the PGA National Club Professional Championship in 2006. The course is closed for the season but check out the Golf Dome next door! The Golf Dome has a double-decked interior practice area with 40 driving range stations where you also get to play a short game year round on three greens, two bunkers, fairway, so you never lose your edge. In case you forget your clubs, the Golf Superstore has you covered with everything you need, and more!
Treat yourself to a restorative and mindful experience at the Ska:ná Spa (Oneida word for peace) where they combine American Indian cultural themes to enhance health benefits. The facility has been designed to bring harmony and peace where men and women have separate steam rooms, saunas, mineral whirlpools, rest area, and finally joining again at the cool water pool. Start with a thermal experience to relax and stimulate the circulatory and central nervous system, the therapeutic experience is a perfect balance between the use of hot and cool waters, steam baths and dry inhalation. It is recommended to allow 40 to 50 minutes before your massage or spa treatment to complete the Balancing Waters Ritual. As for the massage, we recommend the Sage & White Pine Hot Towel Massage – the white pine and sage have healing properties especially known for fatigue and mental exhaustion.
The Food
The plethora of dining options at the Resort can surely satisfy your culinary experience. Room service catered by the Emerald offers a beautiful breakfast menu with classic items to help you start the day on the right foot, or end it on a good note with its 24-hour service. Coffee, juices, pastries, eggs benedict, and more! To lunch or dine, Pino Bianco offers a perfect menu of old and new Italian specialties to satisfy your appetite – fancy for some Lobster Ravioli or Linguine Vongole? Or do you need an extra something to celebrate a moment or a milestone? Bring it up to the TS Steakhouse! Located on the top floor of The Tower, Chef Ray Wells brings you an exquisite dining experience with a perfect marriage between steaks and seafood. Before you is a Petit Seafood Tower, Pomegranate & Burrata and an 8oz Filet Mignon. Wished we had room for dessert…
The VIBE
From early mornings to late nights, there was never a dull moment during our three-day weekend at the Turning Stone Resort Casino. Did I forget to mention the nightlife? Bar hopping has never been more fun, from the bar at the TS Steakhouse to the LAVA Nightclub to The Turquoise Tiger, each had different music, decor, ambiance and vibes! The overall stay was impeccable and more! It has been a real treat to discover and experience the world-class hospitality at the Turning Stone Casino Resort!
Photos: Courtesy of Wayne Tsaur (@themisterwayne).
