Go All In at Turning Stone Resort Casino

The perfect gaming vacation isn’t always about the game. In addition to pinpointing a wagering destination with a great poker hotspot, we also need to find indulgences and excitement to keep us entertained beyond the poker table.

That means amazing amenities, several fun and exciting entertainment options and unique, personalized experiences. For all of the above, you should plan your next poker trip to upstate New York and experience Turning Stone Resort Casino. Situated just 30 miles outside of Syracuse in the town of Verona, sprawled out on 3,400 pristine acres, the resort offers an extensive list of award-winning amenities. In fact, the destination resort is the only central New York property to have earned both the esteemed AAA Four Diamond Award (for three different venues actually) and the Forbes Four Star distinction. Turning Stone’s first-class amenities, as well as its exemplary guest service are both cited as deciding factors for the prestigious awards.

The property boasts two luxurious spas, five golf courses, more than 20 dining options, a cabaret style showroom, a 5,000-seat arena, and several nightlife venues. Bets are placed 24/7 on Turning Stone’s deluxe gaming floor delivering more than 120,000 sq. ft. of options with a full slate of table games, the latest in slots, keno – including the progressive MegaKeno – and last but not least, poker – 32 tables of live poker.

Many pros, a couple of whom were part of the 2015 World Series of Poker November Nine, have cut their teeth in this iconic poker room. Turning Stone’s poker room has an array of comforts and services that clearly exhibit the resort’s attention to detail, as well as dedication to innovation and hospitality. Guests can get real time updates on BravoPokerLive, receive complimentary WiFi, order up tableside food and beverage service and charge their phones on recently installed charging stations (available at all tables). Tableside massages are even available during play – just $1 a minute – which is no sweat, especially if you’ve got a winning hand!

“It’s a great vibe in here,” said Director of Poker Operations Frank Foti of the Turning Stone poker room. “It’s very professional, but at the same time we make you feel at home. It’s like a home game at a professional poker room.” The Poker Room at Turning Stone features major events like the $100,000 guaranteed-plus tournaments nearly every other month. (See sidebar about Turning Stone’s October Poker Weekend and visit TurningStone.com for weekend hotel specials).

Owned by the Oneida Indian Nation, the world-class resort was developed based on the rich culture and top priorities of the Oneida Nation: to grow the Central New York region known as their homelands, and, pulling from the principles of their ancestors, to invite and welcome guests from all over the world. And that’s just what the Oneida Nation is doing. The area has grown at an unprecedented rate since Turning Stone Resort Casino opened its doors 23 years ago. They now welcome 4.5 million visitors each year and have put more than $1 billion into their enterprises with consistent facility upgrades, while also building up and enhancing the entire region and making major investments into the surrounding communities.

Being surrounded by picturesque country and greenery adds to the charm of the resort. And that just may be one of the reasons Forbes Travel Guide – the global authority on luxury travel – recently ranked Turning Stone as one of the “10 Top-Notch Casinos in Unexpected Places.” Turning Stone was also named the “Best Countryside Hotel/Lodge” in all of North and South America by international travel resource Condé Nast Johansens.

Once you step inside the resort, with its beautiful and modern décor and top-of the-line amenities, Turning Stone rivals resorts you’d expect to find in major cities around the world. Choose from one of its four hotels – including spacious balcony suites in the all-suite Adirondack-style Lodge and modern Tower rooms with panoramic views of the countryside. In-room conveniences include: flat-screen TVs, complimentary WiFi (resort-wide), coffeemakers, minibars and 24-hour room service.

Still, we all know the perfect destination isn’t complete without award-winning dining and lavish menus. And once again, the resort delivers. Turning Stone Resort Casino recently partnered with Elizabeth Blau, founder of the acclaimed Las Vegas based strategic restaurant planning company Blau + Associates, to bring the resort’s dining experience to the next level. The result: world-class restaurants that continuously earn top spots on award lists, often beating out establishments in New York City. Turning Stone also frequently lures chefs from the country’s top restaurants and resorts, including its executive chef, a graduate of the renowned Culinary Institute of America and three-time James Beard award recipient.

TS Steakhouse, a penthouse restaurant on the 21st floor of The Tower hotel lets you take in the majestic views of the countryside, as well as order up first-rate cuts of meat. The AAA Four Diamond rated Wildflowers restaurant offers classic continental cuisine, plus its signature tableside churned ice cream. Choose from just about every type of cuisine among the many other eateries, including Asian, Italian and New York favorites such as chicken riggies, salt potatoes and shaved beef on weck.

In addition to round-the-clock gaming excitement, Turning Stone Resort Casino also features live entertainment at seven of its nightlife venues. There’s essentially an option for just about every taste, including a country western bar offering line-dancing and downhome barbeque; a rock and roll bar, noted for serving the best New York-style pizza in town; a 1940s Film Noir cocktail lounge for sipping martinis and indulging in fresh, hand-rolled sushi; and an exclusive dance club featuring the hottest DJs.

These first-class amenities, unparalleled guest service, and consistent advancements and upgrades have won the resort several prestigious awards, on both a local and national level, and have established Turning Stone as a leading destination resort trendsetter.

With accolades from the finest gaming, travel and hospitality experts in the industry, Turning Stone warrants the trip and has earned its reputation as a world-class gaming destination. ♠