The Yaamava’ Resort And Casino Celebrates Its History While Offering New Luxuries

Forbes
 
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The Yaamava’ Resort & Casino has a rich history along with the look and feel of a new resort. After multiple renovations and extensions, a luxurious spa was added in December 2021 along with 432 guest rooms and an all-new pool oasis.

It is currently the casino with the most slots in the western United States, and its history is remembered and preserved even as it expands. “The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians first opened the property now known as Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel as a bingo hall on July 24, 1986,” explained the resort’s general manager Peter Arceo. “In 1994, it expanded into a 100,000 square foot casino that featured slot machines and card games.”

“In the fall of 2021, the Tribe rebranded the property from San Manuel Casino to Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel. Yaamava’ is the Serrano word for ‘spring’ and the new visual identity is inspired by the ancestral lands of the Serrano people,” he added.

Here are some of the reasons that guests keep coming back to this resort.

The Serrano Spa brings people from all over California and beyond to the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino. For an authentic experience, Shane Upson, the director of spa operations, recommends the Turquoise Ocean Body Ritual. That treatment includes a full body enzyme exfoliation, invigorating brushing to encourage circulation, a cream wrap, and a nourishing massage with botanical oils with eucalyptus and lavender.

Matt Smith, the executive chef at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino, and the rest of the culinary team are happy to prepare special meals to meet any dietary needs or concerns. Happily, there are creative vegan choices on the menu at many of the onsite eateries.

At Rock & Brews, you can get a variety of custom-made vegan entrée salads such as their signature Strawberry Fields Salad. George Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen serves custom-made vegan burritos and healthy bowls. Hong Bao serves custom-made vegetable stir fry platters, garlic baby snow pea leaves, and house-made vegan chow mein. In-room dining choices include a penne primavera pasta, vegan seitan bacon, and salads.

Last but not least, there are vegan desserts. Guests can enjoy a coconut panna cotta with a blueberry coulis or a chocolate-avocado mousse.

A busy casino is not everyone’s idea of romance, but there are a lot of romantic spots within the resort that makes it a good getaway for couples. There’s the Love and Vitality couples massage at the Serrano Spa. Private cabanas can be reserved for a relaxing, romantic day by the pool. Romantic dinners can be followed by sweet treats from Decadence at Yaamava’ and a show in Yaamava’ Theater.

Located in Highland, California, the resort is only about an hour or an hour and a half drive from Los Angeles, depending on traffic. Many Southern California residents are within easy driving distance and take advantage of the proximity to have an easy weekend getaway that feels like a true vacation.

The Yaamava’ Theater debuted in 2022. It’s a state-of-the-art venue that can hold up to 3,000 guests at each concert with a 3,800 square foot stage that gives entertainers a lot of creative freedom. In 2022, some of the performers who will be gracing its stage are Tim McGraw, Pink, Ice Cube, and Earth, Wind & Fire.