Property Review: Sandia Resort & Casino
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Located on the north side of Albuquerque, NM, Sandia Resort & Casino offers the perfect blend of entertainment, luxury, serenity and fun. Nestled at the base of the majestic Sandia Mountains in the Southern Rocky Mountains, the resort and casino provide a breathtaking setting, world-class amenities and a wide range of activities for guests.
The resort and casino recently completed a $100 million renovation, which added 75,000 sq. ft. of entertainment to the property. The casino floor, spanning more than 140,000 sq. ft. is 100 percent smoke-free. It offers more than 1,940 slots and video machines in denominations ranging from a 1¢ to $100. Slot games include traditional stepper reel-type and video slot machines, video poker, electronic roulette and craps, and must hit progressive slot machines.
Sandia Resort & Casino also offers a premium VIP gaming experience beyond competition. VIP slots includes a high limit room with over 300 slot machines ranging from traditional stepper-reel to the latest video slot machines – with eight high-limit tables, thirteen 65’’ LCD TVs and cash games daily.
Daily cash games include 3-6 limit hold’em and above, 1-3 and 2-5 no limit hold’em and 4-8 Omaha hi/lo. There are a variety of fun tournaments to choose from. The casino also has abundant table games including blackjack, craps, roulette, Pai Gow poker, baccarat and no commission Tiger baccarat. Sandia Resort & Casino also features the only bingo room in Albuquerque with huge Planet Bingo progressive jackpots in addition to regular prize payouts. With its elegant and spacious design, the casino floor is an inviting atmosphere for guests to try their luck no matter their skill level.
Just outside the resort and casino is the beautiful Sandia Amphitheater, which is second to none in New Mexico and rivals outdoor venues around the globe. With 4,000 seats, many of today’s biggest acts come to New Mexico to perform under the stars at the edge of the Sandia Mountains.
The resort’s luxurious and fully remodeled hotel has more than 200 spacious rooms and suites with modern amenities, plush bedding and stunning views from every room. Suites range from the 2,500 sq. ft. two-bedroom Super Suite to the 1,475 sq. ft. two-bedroom standard suite or the 995 sq. ft. one-bedroom suite. The standard queen and king rooms are both 475 sq. ft. Adorning the hotel are original photographs and artwork that celebrate the region’s rich pueblo heritage. Whether you’re staying for a weekend or longer, the hotel provides a tranquil retreat for guests to unwind and recharge.
Also fully updated is the Green Reed Spa, which offers rejuvenating treatments including massages, facials, body wraps, manicures and pedicures and more. The spa also features a state-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor pool and hot tub, and the serene ambiance is the perfect environment to indulge in self-care and pampering. Distinctive and regionally inspired treatments allow for complete immersion in the high desert. Guests will experience signature services performed with the purest indigenously harvested ingredients available: lavender, prickly pear cactus, honey, rosemary, and sage. Or guests can choose a botanically inspired service using the finest plant based organic products available.
For foodies, Sandia Resort & Casino’s eight dining options offer a range of culinary options to please every palate. The fully remodeled roof top fine-dining restaurant, Bien Shur, is a must. Award-winning and located on the ninth floor of the hotel with 360-degree views, the menu showcases the finest contemporary cuisine with a Southwestern twist. For more casual dining, there are a variety of options throughout the casino and resort.
The newest addition to the property is the third-floor state-of-the-art sports bar with 50 televisions and new gaming machines, an outdoor wrap-around bar and lounge with 360-degree views of the Sandia Mountains to the east and the city views to the west, a new high-limit gaming floor that is three times the size of the previous one, the Mountainside restaurant, and a new Governor’s Room private restaurant. Sandia Resort & Casino’s new sports bar features a Class II gaming area, which means guests can enjoy cocktails while playing their favorite slot machines as well as order from a full menu.
The Scott Miller designed championship par 72 golf course is the longest in New Mexico. The course is designed for all skill levels and winds through the rugged high desert, offering dramatic views of the Sandia Mountains. There is a full-size practice range with double tiered all-grass teeing area, a 10,000 sq. ft. practice putting green, short area and a full-service event center and golf club.
Beyond the resort’s amenities, Sandia Resort & Casino is ideally situated for exploring the surrounding natural beauty and cultural attractions. The Sandia Mountains offer numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and skiing during the winter months. Additionally, the vibrant city of Albuquerque is a short drive away, where guests can explore its rich history, visit art galleries, and experience the unique blend of Native American and Hispanic cultures.
The Sandia Pueblo reservation covers 22,877 acres on the east side of the Rio Grande Valley. Sandia Pueblo is one of 19 pueblos located throughout New Mexico. The Sandia people are members of the pre-Columbian Tiwa language group who once dominated the Albuquerque area, and their lineage can be traced back to the Aztec civilization who later migrated to the New Mexico region. The present site has been home to the Sandia people, where they have cultivated the land and raised their families, since 1300 A.D.
The Sandia Mountain provides the source of the tribe’s spirituality as well as plants, animals and other resources which have been critical to their survival in this desert region. The Pueblo of Sandia owns and operates several thriving enterprises to help create a broad economic base to ensure its financial future as a self-reliant tribe.
Leading the Sandia Pueblo Tribal Council is Stuart Paisano, who was the youngest person to be chosen as Governor of the Pueblo of Sandia when he was only 27 years old in 2000. He served as Governor for six years, and then became the General Manager of Operations at Sandia Resort & Casino. He’s back again as Governor and has a lifetime appointment on the Tribal Council, where he will continue to impact education, health care and the tribe’s ability to provide services into the future. Paisano also has been awarded the distinction of Native American 40 Under 40 by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
