Travel Feature Story

Pala Casino Spa & Resort, Isolated Splendor

By: CANDICE MERRILL
Published: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 | 10:59 PM

Once in Sussex, as I turned onto a bridge after passing a dense row of trees, a shining castle atop an emerald green hill exploded into view. Everyone in the car gasped, dumbstruck. It was one of those not-to-forget moments in life.

A similar emotion swept over me as I glimpsed the Pala Casino Spa & Resort looming up from the untamed reservation back hills in San Diego County. GPS had directed us down a windy country backroad through rock-strewn canyons, and then suddenly a luxurious, gorgeous oasis spread before us. Fantastic!

At one with its surroundings, Pala stands in the Temecula wine country, a sentry to luxury and understated elegance. Although a casino, Pala is not adorned with any of the tawdry trappings of its brethren. No flashing neon lights mar the skyline, no glittering faux golden pillars rise up, but instead is a unique stone building that speaks of serenity and relaxation.

The Pala band of Mission Indians have just completed a $100 million renovation adding new electronics, upgrading the bedding in the guest rooms with Simmons Felicity II mattresses and extra-special touches to the suites like in-room Jacuzzis and Keurig coffee makers. All rooms have high speed internet and new 42-inch flat-screen televisions.

“The upgrades to our hotel rooms and suites not only complete our renovation but also provide our hotel guests the ultimate experience in comfort and luxury,” Bill Bembenek, Pala’s chief executive officer, recently said. “We have been selected a AAA Four Diamond Award winner for six consecutive years by the American Automobile Association and one of our goals is to maintain that status.”

One of the things that impressed me about Pala is the separate entrances to the Casino and the Hotel. Most casinos want to make sure you have to walk through the gaming area to get anywhere in the hotel. Not Pala, its separate parking area and entrance mean you can avoid the casino crowd until you’re ready to go exploring.

My companion and I were booked into a luxury suite complete with, sofa, desk, wet bar, dining table, Jacuzzi bathtub and separate shower – all the comforts of home (well somebody’s home anyway.) I was really impressed with the art on the walls, which was beautiful photography of the surrounding area. Images of rushing streams, the Carlsbad flower fields and groves of oaks were all mounted and framed. It was a thoughtful touch and pleasant change from the usual mass-produced hotel artwork.

The resort boasts a full service spa, pool, cabanas, Jacuzzi and ten restaurants along with nightly music at their Center Bar plus entertainment Friday and Saturday night in The Grand Cabaret, a cocktail-style lounge with free admission. During the summer months the Palomar Starlight Theater is also opened for outdoor concerts and shows.

My companion and I had a busy first day and hadn’t eaten anything so we were starving and ready to eat dinner; with ten restaurants to choose from Pala has something for everybody.

Boasting the largest buffet in Southern California, “Choices” was our choice. It was seafood night and there was every type of shellfish and fish one could imagine. King crab legs, lobster claws, fried shrimp, steamed shrimp, shrimp scampi along with oysters on the half shell, fresh clams, mussels and fried clams. That of course was alongside all the other goodies from Asia, Italy, Mexico, as well as American favorites.

I generally hold a very low opinion of buffets (most serve up vast amounts of mediocre food), but not this buffet. Everything is freshly made (you can watch the chefs as they prepare it) and the food is of high quality. Be sure to save room for a made-to-order crêpe filled with your choice of Bananas Foster or cherries jubilee garnished with ice cream and whipped cream. Yum!

After a delicious meal and restful night’s sleep we were ready to hit the spa – did I mention they also have a spa? I was booked for a massage and pedicure and my companion a massage and manicure.

The massage was a pure delight of gentle pressure and stretching. After having a yummy yogurt parfait by the pool I had my little piggies oh so gently soaked, the soles of my feet massaged with oils and my tired calves massaged. Now this is my idea of a vacation! Pala’s spa boasts full service, anything you might want from facials to body scrubs, couples massages to prenatal facials and hair treatments, cut, color and make up.

Not wanting to “harsh my mellow,” I grabbed my book and headed poolside to imbibe in a margarita and enjoy the late-autumn sunshine. The air was warm, the sky blue and the surroundings beautiful, it was all very Zen.

I had an appointment to meet with Chef Luciano Cibelli of Mama’s Cucina Italiana to watch him make his fresh pasta, something his restaurant does every day. This day we watched fresh fettuccini make its way through the large pasta machine and witnessed the creation of the ravioli of the day, stuffed with fresh roasted vegetables. We also got to taste test it fresh off the stove, topped with simple delicious marinara and provolone cheese – spectacular! (To read a complete review of Mama’s Cucina Italiana click here).

Other restaurants to tempt your palate are:

The Oak Room, a romantic spot with a fireplace offering prime steaks and chops as well as fresh fish, veal and chicken;
Noodles, traditional Asian dishes from China, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan;
Amigos, an authentic Mexican restaurant with traditional dishes from south of the border;
Sushi Sake, a sushi-bar style restaurant offering a variety of fresh and baked sushi and hot and cold sake;
Pala Café, serving California cuisine in a bistro setting;
Promenade Deli, over-stuffed sandwiches loaded with hot pastrami, turkey, roast beef, and salami all on breads made from Pala’s own onsite bakery;
Poolside Café & Bar, breakfast and lunch overlooking the surrounding mountains; and
Coffee Amore, serving a variety of coffees, espressos, cappuccinos and iced coffee along with Panini sandwiches and freshly baked pastries, cakes, and cookies.

Don’t forget the casino! Pala is after all a Casino, Spa & Resort. They have a full gaming area with a poker parlor, slot machines, black jack, craps and roulette. Pala has slot machines that take from one cent to one hundred dollars if you’re a high roller (the penny slots are more my speed).

The hotel also books some great acts; a couple of popular ones coming to the resort next year are comedian Tim Allen on January 30 and Tony Bennett on April 18. Tickets are reasonably priced (Tim Allen tickets start at $45.00 and prices for Tony Bennett tickets begin at $70.00).

The hotel can also book you a trip to the Temecula wine country on the Grapeline wine shuttle or golfing in one of the area’s golf courses. There is also a place to pan for gold, and don’t miss the buffalo herd and wild horses on Highway 76.

Pala Casino Spa & Resort is located at 11154 Highway 76, Pala. For reservations and more information call (877) 946-7252 or log onto www.palacasino.com.

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