Station Casinos: Demolition and Construction, Plus Additions at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
It seems to be the summer of Station Casinos.
First, on July 15, the Las Vegas-based hotel and casino company’s corporate owner, Red Rock Resorts, announced the permanent closure of three area properties—Texas Station, Fiesta Rancho, and Fiesta Henderson. Shuttered at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trio of properties will be demolished, and the land sold.
About a week later, news broke that Station Casinos will potentially build a brand-new destination resort on Las Vegas Boulevard South and Cactus Avenue, about halfway between M Resort and the South Point. The company, which already owned the land on the north side of the intersection, purchased 126 acres on the south side for $172 million.
Station Casinos, by the way, is in the process of building the new Durango Casino and Resort, near Interstate 215 and Durango Drive in the Southwest valley, to open in 2023.
Less than a week after announcing its new purchase, Station Casinos was back in the news, revealing a casino-wide transformation for its flagship property, Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Summerlin. The luxury AAA 4-Diamond resort destination was renovated in 2020. Now it will enhance its dining, entertainment, and gaming portfolio with added restaurants and bars, an upgraded high-limit slots room, and an exclusive adults-only pool.
Some specifics of the new additions include:
- Lotus of Siam: Once a small hole in the wall, Lotus of Siam is now a local favorite with two locations in the Las Vegas valley. The Thai restaurant’s third location will open at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in the later part of 2022 in partnership with the newly launched Bua Food Group owners Penny Chutima and Lou Abin.
- Naxos Taverna: A new restaurant with traditional and authentic Greek seafood-focused cuisine, it will be located next to Lotus of Siam.
- Kallisto Oyster Bar: An intimate oyster bar with fresh seafood options and 13 seats, also from Bua Food Group, it will be located near the entrance to Naxos Taverna.
- Casino Bar: Perfect for pre-dinner cocktails or a nightcap, and with gaming options, the casino bar will be located between Lotus of Siam and Naxos Taverna.
- Cocktail Lounge: Set to debut this winter, and currently under construction, this will be a lively, classic cocktail lounge, located in the former Crimson event space.
- Adults-Only Pool Lounge: The former Crimson pool will be transformed into an adult oasis, steps away from the main resort pool. No kids allowed!
- High Limit Slots: A high-limit room with Blackjack, Baccarat, and Roulette debuted at the resort in May. It will be upgraded from 12 to 73 table games and will also include a high-end cocktail bar and a dedicated cage.
- Starbucks: An existing Starbucks in the food court will be updated and a second location will open in the hotel lobby.
- Nielsen’s Frozen Custard: Coming in early 2023, the freshly made frozen custard shop will be located in the food court. This is the second Las Vegas location for Nielsen’s Frozen Custard.
If you plan on staying at Red Rock Casino Resort before the above changes are complete, it shouldn’t be a problem. A spokesperson for the property says guests will navigate minimal construction while on property. Most updates will be completed by the end of the year while the adults-only pool will debut in 2023, presumably in time for pool season.
“It is an exciting time for Red Rock Casino,” Scott Nelson, vice president, and general manager of Red Rock Casino, said in a press release. “This stunning transformation will usher in the next era for the property, and we are confident these new amenities are going to be a hit with locals and visitors alike.”
Opened in 2006, Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa is already a fan favorite due to its quality offerings and convenient location. The property is walking distance from the robust Downtown Summerlin shopping mall and a short drive to the breathtaking sandstone formations of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
While the glimmering Las Vegas Strip is more than a 20-minute-drive away, you could feasibly go your entire vacation without making a trek there.
Unlike most Strip resorts, Parking is free at the property, but your stay (like most others in Las Vegas) includes a resort fee.
The hotel itself has nearly 800 modern guest rooms and suites, some with views of Red Rock Canyon (and truly breathtaking sunsets) or the palm-tree-lined three-acre pool complex. Relaxation and respite abound in the 25,000-square-foot Red Rock Spa by Well & Being, which is also home to a salon and fitness center.
As for gaming, the casino is full of options. There’s a bingo room, poker room, race and sports book, slots, and several table games—even poolside gaming. To take part in casino promotions, and earn points towards dining discounts, be sure to stop by the player’s club booth and sign up for the My Rewards Boarding Pass.
Restaurants here range from upscale dining options like T-Bones Chophouse and Osteria Fiorella to casual spots like the 24-hour Lucky Penny and a food court. There are also plenty of great places to dine (and shop) at Downtown Summerlin, so guests never have to look far for a fabulous meal.
With no shortage of bars and live music, Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa is ideal for adults, but it also caters to families thanks to a 16-screen movie theatre, 72-lane Red Rock Lanes bowling alley, and the pool. Cosmic bowling is especially fun with its glowing lanes and party atmosphere. If you visit with your family in the winter, be sure to check out the festive ice-skating rink at Downtown Summerlin.
Adults who need a break from their children can drop them off at the on-site Kid’s Quest, a supervised childcare facility. Just don’t forget to pick them up before your return flight.
