Morongo Casino Resort and Spa – California Valley Oasis

When I think about Joshua Tree National Park, I think of the iconic cacti named after their birthplace. I think of desert sunset and the mysticism that is associated with the Coachella Valley.

You know what I don’t think about?

A high-end casino resort just west of this sacred desert.

This is where Morongo Casino and Resort comes in.

A lot of non-Californian residents don’t know about this gem at the foothills of some of the most stunning mountains in Southern California. This California gambling destination is just a 20-minute drive from Palm Springs on native tribal lands owned by the Morongo Tribe.

A Little History Related to the Morongo Tribe and the Casino Resort

Morongo Tribe.

Most of us have never heard of this Native American tribe.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians are a sovereign nation located in the Coachella Valley of Southern California.

The tribe was given reservation land by President Grant in 1867 by executive order.  Like most native tribes, they have experienced great trials and tribulations over the course of their history.

In 1983 the Morongo Tribe opened a bingo hall on their native lands. Little did they know that this would change the course of the tribe’s poverty and unserved community. The Morongo Tribe would go on to expand their gaming interest into one of the few AAA 4 diamond casino and resorts in the entire state.

They now employ their community and give back to local non-profits that benefit the betterment of native people and the surrounding lands. They also have managed to become the largest privately help employer in the region. Who knew a little native land bingo hall could blossom into some so big?

I think it’s a great success story.

Morongo Casino and Resort Details and Amenities

Located in Cabazon (meaning stubborn in Spanish), the Morongo Casino and Resort is one of the oldest operating native lands casinos in the entire state of California. It’s also one of the most financially successful casinos in the state.

The casino floor is just under 150,000 sqaure feet of gambling space. They offer over 4,000 slot machines with an exclusive high limit room for the more daring slot machine player. The casino floor also is host to over 80 gaming tables. You can play Macau style baccarat, blackjack, poker, Mississippi Stud, or visit one their high roller tables.

If you’re not having luck at the table games or slots, follow the signage to their bingo hall. This is the game that started it all.

The Hotel and Spa at Morongo Casino and Resort

In 2003, the Casino and Resort would see a massive upgrade and complete overhaul. This made it the largest all-inclusive gaming facility for the nation.

The hotel’s décor is a throwback to 1960s retro chic with modern flairs. The architecture plays with light, radiating the enchantment of the surrounding desert valley.

The hotel rooms vary in size from the king suite to the casitas. A casita is a mini house (casita means little house in Spanish.) Guests have the option of a mountain view across the vast valley from their room.

Guests can visit the Oasis pool to cool off in the intense desert sun all while enjoying the cool crisp water. The Oasis pool has a popular swim up bar to meet your friends at and make new ones.

The in-house spa, SAGE, is a full-service salon spa. If it’s anything like the rest of the amenities, the guests are amazed at the attention to detail.

Gambling Makes Me Hungry – Where to Eat at the Morongo

I’m always scouting out the dining the options before I visit a new gambling destination. The Morongo Casino and Resport has many choices.

You can choose between 7 restaurants and a high-end coffee and bakery.

Here are some of my favorites:

1 – Pink Coffee

This lux coffee and bakery menu was designed with the guidance of Belgium pastry chef Jean-Marie Verhoeven. He brought his talents for European pastries and esthetic of a French coffee shops.

You can grab a coconut vanilla iced latte along with house made croissant with hazel nut filling. What a great way to knock the sleepies out of your brain and get the day started.

I met my friends there before we hit the pool for an early am water Pilates (self-guided) work out.

2 – Cielo Restaurant

My wife and I are always looking for a good classic steak house when we are visiting a new casino resort. Cello is this place.





The restaurant is located on the 27^th floor overlooking the valley below. The interior décor is classic with an obvious California edge. The crystal chandeliers were unexpected and stunning all at the same time.

I don’t go to a classic steak house and not order a steak Their steaks are of superior quality. All their steaks are wet aged for 35 days. Make sure to get a couple of sides to share, too.

If you’re a wine fan like we are, the wine list is superb. They have some expensive, hard-to-find bottles as well as full selection of wines by the glass.

Cielo Restaurant at Morongo Casino and Resort should be on your list for a splurge for when you have a big day on the casino floor.

 3 – Mozen Asian Kitchen

I’m not usually a fan of places that say they’re Asian. It’s usually vague with some soy sauce and scallions thrown on top of an American dish.

Mozen’s an exception. They have a variety of traditional Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Korean offerings. All of it is thoughtfully prepared with attention to detail. I ordered the lychee boba smoothie, and we split the roasted duck and shu mai dumplings. It was just what we needed after a long morning of traveling after we checked into our casita.

I was taken off guard that a native lands casino had put so much thought and care for detail in their Asian establishment. What I didn’t know was that Mozen was designed by famed restaurateur Kenneth Ussenko.

If you know, you know.

I did not, obviously.

The Morongo Casino and Resort puts time and thought into all their dining options. They have quick grab and go for when you have an event to get to. They have their steaks, oh their steaks. They have the traditional casino buffet but with the class you come to expect at this resort. They’re also constantly updating their options as tastes change over time.

Nightlife in the Desert Valley

The Morongo Casino and Resort does not skimp on their entertainment.

The casino and resort have everything adults could want to do after hours if you’re not gambling on the casino floor.

I’ll get to the family friendly entertainment shortly.

They have a spacious concert and events venue that was closed when we visited. I got to peak in on the space, and it looked intimate and grand all at once. The venue has hosted famous acts like LeeAnn Rimes and Michael Buble. They have 3 bars and a swim up pool bar.





We were able to have craft cocktails in the Drum Bar. It is tribal and old school in the same breath. I ordered a simple old fashioned, and I can say it was one of the best I’ve ever had. There’s plenty to do at night if you’re not wanting to gamble. The extensive wine and liquor lists found in the casino and resort’s restaurants is reflected in their nightlife venues.

As you’d expect, the detail and design found in the hotel, spa, and casino floor is reflected in their nightlife establishments. If I weren’t so old, I would have spent more time in their bars and clubs.

Let me live vicariously through you, please?

Family Fun at the Morongo Casino and Resort

We didn’t take our grandchildren with us on this trip. It was just my spouse and myself — anniversary and all.

The Morongo Casino and Resort lives up to the resort part of the property.

I have already talked about their stunning pool. They have a water resort. This would be the ultimate for a family vacation. The waterpark backs up to the mountains and has everything a kid could want. They also have a 36-hole world class golf course designed by Lee Schmidt and Brain Curley. The course offers beginner lesson and is friendly to all ages.

I found myself wanting to be out of the intense desert sun but not wanting to gamble. The Morongo Casino and Resort has an outlet mall as well as a 24 lanes bowling alley. I was one happy lady. As you can see, the casino and resort has something for everyone.

Brooding teenager?

Shopping and pool time should fit.

Little kids?

Golf lessons, water resort, and bowling.

Check.

Conclusion

I’m thoroughly impressed with the Morongo Casino and Resort.

It’s breath-taking.

I’m impressed with their attention to detail and luxury. They had more than we could do in the short 3-day trip we made. I will be adding this gem to list of places to visit again.

Have you been?

Do you want to go?

Please let me know if you have questions or have something to add by leaving a comment below.