California: Yaamava' casino to hold grand opening ceremony for new luxury resort on Dec. 13

After a $760 million expansion and three years under construction, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, California, will be hosting a grand opening ceremony for its luxury resort on December 13. The news was confirmed by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which has called the opening “a historic milestone.”

The ceremony will be a VIP invitation-only celebration for Tribal citizens and special guests. Located in Highland, the venue, formerly known as San Manuel Casino, is now ready to unveil its new 432-room hotel, its latest addition.

The new 17-story hotel tower, which includes 127 suites, adds to the existing casino floor, and aims to provide guests with the “ultimate Southern California getaway.” At the resort’s new amenity, guests will be able to enjoy an expansive pool deck with personal lounges and private cabanas, plus a full-service spa.

The casino resort now also features expanded dining options and 24-hour in-room dining. The top floor of the hotel tower features an exclusive lounge with indoor and outdoor areas, with views of the San Bernardino Mountains.

The redevelopment plans will also see the addition of a 2,800-seat theatre, which will join the list of amenities at Yaamava’ “in spring 2022.” The casino resort is now offering an online virtual tour for guests to learn more about the newly expanded areas.

“As we watched Yaamava’ take shape over these last three years, the San Manuel community recognized we were building something special”, said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman, Ken Ramirez. “We can’t wait for our valued casino guests and new visitors to experience all that Yaamava’ has to offer.”

In order to commemorate the milestone, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino will be hosting a public promotion with prizes valued at more than $120,000 on December 13, 2021, between 1 pm and midnight. The celebration will kick off with a winner being selected for the grand prize, valued at $18,910.

Throughout the public promotion event, every hour from 2 pm until midnight, five new winners will be selected to receive $1,891 in free play. “The number 1891 is significant as it represents the year the San Manuel Band of Missions Indians was recognized as a sovereign nation,” states a press release.

“In my thirty-plus years in the hotel industry, I have never been more excited to open a property than I am Yaamava’ Resort & Casino”, said Afsi Bird, VP of Hotel Operations. “With the guidance and support of the Tribe, we are building something truly unique that is rooted in exceptional service and dedicated to creating memorable experiences for our guests.”

The resort’s $760 million expansion first began in July, 2018. However, it faced a series of delays amid the coronavirus pandemic. The first phase of the redevelopment project opened in summer 2021, featuring expanded gaming space, new high-limit rooms, the Serrano Vista Café, three bars and new shops. In September, the venue changed its name to its current one.