Finding your way to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino from Santa Monica is a piece of cake – jump on the 10 Freeway and head east for about 140 miles.
Located in Indio in the Palm Springs area, the 250 room hotel right near the freeway presents the best of Las Vegas without having to leave the state.
Guests can enjoy complimentary wireless internet in their rooms and throughout the property, in-room flat screen LED TVs, 300-thread count linens and feather down comforters, complimentary valet parking, and unlimited access to its Nautilus Fitness Center.
Outside there is a 103-foot swimming pool with Jacuzzi surrounded by a sundeck, cabanas, and a pool bar serving up cocktails like mojitos and margaritas.
On the top level of the hotel is the 12th Floor Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge, which is open daily from 5 pm featuring 29 wines by the glass as well as a great beer and liquor selection.
The casino is owned by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. The Cabazon Band was the first Native American tribe in the U.S. to have gaming on its reservation.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1987 Cabazon Decision paved the way for other tribes to operate gaming centers.
This casino has 2,000 slots/video poker machines and 40 table games including Blackjack, California Craps, and PaiGow.
For hotel rates and availability, call 760.342.5000 or visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Golfing Heaven
Palm Springs and golf are synonymous – and Eagle Falls Golf Course right next to Fantasy Springs is among the best in the region.
Renowned architect Clive Clark has created 18 holes with elevations and water features not usually seen on a golf course that is open for public play.
This 6,715 yard par 72 challenge tests the low handicapper, but also provides an enjoyable and fair test of golf for the average player.
Current summer rates through Sept. 30 are $39 for 18 holes Monday through Thursday and $49 for 18 holes Friday through Sunday (and holidays).
Golf fees include access to the driving range and a golf cart with a state-of-the-art GPS system. The carts are also fitted with a cooler with ice and four complimentary bottles of water.
Early morning tee off times are recommended as temperatures reach triple digits during the summer.
For more information, call 760.238.5633 or visit www.eaglefallsgolf.com.
Dine In Style
Fantasy Springs serves up seven dining choices including POM (contemporary American café), the Bistro (fine dining seafood, steaks, plus sushi bar), JOY Asian Cuisine, Lique Ice Cream Parlor, Fresh Grill Buffet, The Pizza Kitchen, and Starbucks Café.
POM is a must with very generous servings with great quality and value for money.
Chef Freddy Rieger uses only the freshest and healthiest ingredients, creatively prepared to pique all the senses and presented eloquently with attention to detail.
Rieger fuses traditional California cuisine with tastes from Latin America and Italy, offering a global feast for the palate.
The dinner menu has a great “Shared for the table” section featuring Calamari with pesto aioli, Pork Empanadas with a cilantro-lime sour cream dip, and Mozzarella Lollipops with spicy marinara to name a few.
There is a great meat selection including the Filet Mignon, Rib Eye, and Prime Rib. The menu is diverse with plenty of seafood options (Scallops, Shrimp, Salmon) as well as pastas, chicken dishes, pork chops, salads, and sandwiches.
Don’t forget to leave room for dessert – the New York Cheesecake Brûlée with caramelized sugar and butterscotch sauce is the perfect way to finish off any meal.
POM is open daily for breakfast from 6-11:30 am, lunch from 12-4 pm, and dinner from 5-11 pm. A late dinner menu is offered 11 pm to 2 am on Friday and Saturday nights (as well as Sundays during holiday weekends.
For more information, visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com and click on ‘dining.’
Bowl The Night Away
Need a break from gambling? Consider escaping to the casino’s Fantasy Lanes for some bowling.
There are 24 state-of-the-art lanes that are family friendly – each lane is equipped with bumpers for younger bowlers.
The bowling center is operates daily from 10 am. It is open until 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 12:30 am on Friday nights and midnight on Saturday nights.
Enjoy late night lazer bowling on Fridays and Saturday nights from 10 pm and 9 pm respectively.
Fantasy Lanes also has a large arcade with the latest video games, a snack bar, and sports lounge for adults.
Lazer bowling is $10 per hour (shoe rental $3.50 extra). Regular hourly lane rental is $19.75 with games $4 each and shoe rental $3.50 per person.
For more information, call 800.827.2946 or visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com and click on ‘bowling.’
Nightlife & Live Concerts
Once the sun sets, there are plenty of options to party the night away at Fantasy Springs.
The casino’s lounge bar is called LIT. It is open daily with live music on Fridays and Saturdays, plus NFL Sunday Ticket. It features dozens of oversized LED TVs and two giant projection screens. Thursdays are country music nights.
The casino’s Springs Bar is a great spot to watch your favorite sporting events and sip drinks at the center of the casino floor.
For anyone feeling adventurous, the Rock Yard Outdoor Concert Stage near the pool features shows through the end of October with free concerts on Saturday nights. Upcoming shows include tributes to Van Halen, No Doubt, and Bon Jovi.
The casino even has an Improv Comedy Club, but it only runs early in the year from January through April.
The casino’s 3,500-seat Special Events Center attracts big names in entertainment.
Upcoming acts include Diana Ross (Aug. 2), Los Lonely Boys & Los Lobos with Alejandro Escovedo (Aug. 10), and Heart & Jason Bonham (Aug. 24), and Luis Miguel (Sept. 20).
For more information, visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com and click on ‘entertainment.’
