This Interstate Casino is Worth the Sleepover

Casino accommodations can oftentimes be overlooked, particularly outside of competitive resort areas like Las Vegas.

The rooms are merely an afterthought to the resort, designed for respite from time spent partaking in more profitable entertainment elsewhere on the property.

Not so at Tulalip Resort Casino, thirty minutes north of Seattle. Guest rooms-already gargantuan by hotel standards (no guest room is smaller than 500 square feet)-also undergo frequent design refreshes. The most recent was in 2016. Rooms are outfitted in an intuitive, luxurious style, with amenities often found only in higher-end properties such as entry foyers and electronic do not disturb controls.

They are distinctly decorated with elements that draw strongly on the aesthetic traditions of the Tulalip tribes that occupy the lands of this sovereign reservation.

Depictions of Salmon, Cedar Trees, and Orcas in the Coast Salish style figure heavily in this immaculate, well-maintained resort, from the giant wood totems dominating the entry foyer of the hotel to the in-room artwork, including wall art and cozy tribal blankets on the difficult-to-get-out of beds. Design is also particularly modern in focus, with virtually endless choices for device plug-in, including USB ports for charging and connection to the room's entertainment system.

The rooms are certainly a sanctuary from the popular frenzy of entertainment by local residents and visitors on the casino floor, and there are outlets to suit virtually every taste.

Many casino dining outlets outside the major gaming centers could be diplomatically considered means to an end, but the dining outlets at Tulalip are clearly designed to be destination anchors in their own right.Sports fans will be drawn to The Draft, with inventive, potent cocktails and imaginative flavor twists on old bar food favorites. (It was "gin & juice" flavored wings and delightfully crunchy fried pickles on the evening of my visit.)

Fans of pan-Asian cuisine will enjoy Journeys East, with faithfully-prepared shared plates and dim sum. And for those drinking outside the box, my recommendation is sparkling sake. (Yes, you read correctly.)

Perhaps the crown jewelis Blackfish, featuring fresh Northwest seafood and a wine selection one wouldn't even dream of finding in a casino resort alongside the Interstate.

Here, television monitors proudly proclaim the provenance of the fresh fish-they were all from Alaska on the evening of my visit -oysters (Washington and British Columbia) and shellfish (also primarily the Northwest).

Through plate glass is an exhibition kitchen where diners can watch salmon steaks being cooked in the traditional way on wood spears sourced and carved from the surrounding woods by a tribal member. Steaks are also available, but like much else at the resort, the flavors and techniques here draw heavily on the heritage of the Tulalip tribes and the rich local bounty of the region for their ingredients.

When not busy gaming, dining, or enjoying the indoor pool, guests can also indulge at T Spa, a full-service spa and salon with spacious men's and women's wet areas and comfortable relaxation and treatment rooms. Talent acquisition and training programs here must certainly be top notch, for the manicure, pedicure and massage I booked were the work of experts in their field, (and more competitively priced than comparable spas in Seattle).

The Takeaway

Whether it's a staycation or a stopover on a longer journey around the Northwest, don't let preconceived notions about regional casino resorts prevent a visit. Guests here will find a facility so world-class it seems almost out of place in its serene rural surroundings. Non-gamers especially won't find their experience at all affected by those seeking a higher-energy evening.

The Math

I've seen rates from around $265 per night. Frequent players who are members of the resort's One Club may receive special offers.

Instagrammable Moment

Plates at Blackfish are worthy of a photo, as is the exhibition kitchen. Guest rooms are also worth a shot.

Loyalty

Tulalip Resort Casino operates its own players club.

Good To Know

Room Service menus are substantial and reasonably priced. Valet is free, fast and well-managed. Scan your valet ticket at the bell desk for automatic vehicle delivery.

Accommodations were furnished by Tulalip Resort Casino in preparation for this story.

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