Back to the Future
• Resorts World Catskills •
A
t the midpoint of the 20th century , New
York ’ s Catskills Mountains were considered among the chicest and most desirable of vacation destinations . Dozens of five-star hotels and resorts dotted the smallish peaks and valleys , providing a welcome getaway for the millions who inhabited America ’ s largest city at that time , New York City . During the summer , a short train ride or bus trip transported visitors from the steamy city to the cool breezes of the mountains . Gambling may not have been a legal activity , but it was certainly one of the amenities offered at the mountain palaces and surrounding properties .
The Concord was a premier hotel of the region , featuring 1,500 rooms and a dining room that sat 3,000 . But its mid-century heyday wound down ; it closed in 1998 , and was demolished soon after .
It took a few years , but like a phoenix rising from the rubble , Resorts World Catskills ( RWC ) made its debut in February 2018 . It may replicate the success of the Concord at its height — complete , this time , with legal gambling .
The last of four “ northern tier ” casinos to open in the last two years , RWC has the most going for it . Only 90 minutes from New York City , it has more amenities than the other Empire State gaming halls . With almost 100,000 square feet of gaming ( out of a total property square footage of 1.6 million ), gamblers can enjoy the latest slot machines , table games and a poker room .
The 332 room all-suite hotel has already turned heads for its in-room amenities and contemporary style .
The best part of RWC is that it will eventually be part of a vast entertainment complex with a water park , additional food and beverage outlets
and more accommodations .
The Concord ’ s legendary golf course , the Monster , will also be revived in a new Rees Jones design . The Monster was often rated in Golf Digest ’ s list of the Top 100 American Golf Courses .
Entertainment was long a staple of the Concord — as in other “ Borsht Belt ” hotels — and RWC is restoring that crown as well . Singers , bands and comedians — including Jerry Seinfeld at the grand opening — will make RWC the entertainment capital of the Catskills once again .
Celebrity chefs like Scott Conant and others will resurrect the dining elegance once experienced only at the Concord . Along with Conant ’ s Cellaio , RWC offers two Asian-themed restaurants , two sports bars , a diner , the Food Hall — RWC ’ s buffet — and several other options .
It ’ s only the beginning in this magical part of the country , with possibilities and plans just ready to happen . — Roger Gros
OWNER : Empire Resorts ARCHITECT : JCJ Architecture FEATURES : 332 suites , 2 pools , 2 fitness centers , 100,000-square-foot casino INVESTMENT : $ 900 million
Refined Rustic
• Choctaw Casino Hotel , Grant , Oklahoma •
In the hyper-competitive Oklahoma gaming market , tribal casinos must take different approaches to attract and retain loyal customers . The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is well aware of this . Whenever it opens up or renovates a property , it adds non-gaming amenities that the competition lacks .
HBG Design ’ s architecture and interior design team worked with the Choctaw Nation on key improvements to the existing operation , with goals of alleviating traffic flow challenges . They added a new 96-room hotel tower with 23 luxury suites , an expanded pool and bar / lounge environment , new and expanded food and beverage venues , and new gaming amenities .
The Choctaw Casino Resort in Grant , Oklahoma is a great example of the upgrades the nation insists upon . With architectural duties handled by HBG , it coined the term “ refined rustic ” to explain the design approach . At once contemporary , edgy and rustic in its interpretation , the concept builds on the Choctaw brand ’ s warm color palette as well as the existing property ’ s affinity for transitional styling , natural textures and materials , wood tones and wooden trim . Designers worked to enhance the materials currently in use , while introducing several new surprises involving unique textures and distinctive detailing .
They drew inspiration from the surrounding Oklahoma landscape : tall , tan grain stalks blowing in the fields , the vast open sky above and a deep contrast of colors all helping to in-
10 CASINO STYLE 2018