Essence Lounge - CHEROKEE

I traveled to the casino for a basketball tournament and they did not disappoint. This resort has everything you could think of. Gym, pool, various restaurants and a brewery,outdoor seating with fire pits, comedy club, shops, a bowling alley and more. Because of the tournament check in was a little hectic and the Starbucks line was always long but I'm sure during no events the lines are more decent. There are multiple hotel towers so depending on where you stay and what you'd like to do, you could have long walks. Buying everything on the resort can get expensive however there's a grocery store and eatery within minutes as well as a Walmart approx 30 minutes away. I'd heard great things about the casino but glad I was able to experience this myself. I will definitely be back next t time with a group of friends.

I was here for a work trip and overall was very comfortable with the accommodations although I do feel like the rooms are in desperate need of a refurbishment. I was not in one of the newer towers and was on the 19th floor of what I assume is the original tower and the rooms definitely have the smell of an older non-refurbished room. While the room was incredibly spacious for just myself, I was surprised that even though there are signs everywhere stating there is no smoking in the resort, that's all I smell coming off of the elevator into my hallway. There are plenty of dining locations throughout the property, including locations, such as Guy Fieri's cherokee kitchen, Gordon Ramsay's, food, market, Brio, Ruth Chris and others. I did find for a casino resort that most of their dining option stopped at nine or 930. I did appreciate that you can scan a QR code to have food delivered to your room. I did find it odd though that you cannot do the same for liquor. Would have been nice to be able to order a glass of wine to my room and not have to walk all the way down to the food court area. The convention space while large definitely does not have some of the most up-to-date technology. This goes for the room as well. I was very shocked to check into my hotel room and find that the room itself had no USB ports to charge my phones. Instead, they had one of the old-school docking stations for a iPod/iPhone of the fourth or fifth generation. Definitely is in need of updating in the rooms.

Being the closest casino with table games it's hard not to recommend. They are non smoking, with a separate smoking area, which is a HUGE plus. The dealers are great, the facilities are clean, the hotel, although sometimes dated, is overall ok, the spa is great, my only complaint is the food situation late night. The Dunkin express and Earl of Sandwich are the only two open after 11; no room service. And they are grossly understaffed. I've actively been waiting 20 min to order, no fault of the single employee working. One other, overall silly thing, to point out, if the tribal nation can de-criminalize marijuana, why can they sell alcohol after 2?!

It's a nice casino, nothing out of the ordinary compared to other casinos. If you're looking for a casino, this will fit the bill. I roughed up a $20.00 bill and enjoyed myself for the 90 minutes I was there. They have slots and table games in multiple pits. They also have a nice variety of food options, so you'll not go hungry. If you go, Good luck! :

Can you add an all-new Cherokee-Italian Fusion menu? Experiment with tomatoes, blue corn/amaranth and bean pasta, Appalachian herbs and ingredients, Blue Corn Pizza, Appalachian salads and veggies, meaty and vegetarian Cherokee-Italian fusion foods, etc. And add an Appalachian forest-themed indoor onsen spa /artificial hot spring. Thanks.