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Durango Casino & Resort is now open and is bringing a fresh take on luxury in Las Vegas. This is Station Casinos’ first new full-service property in 15 years.
This is a step forward on the elevated experience that many of its customers have experienced at Red Rock Casino and Green Valley Ranch over the years. The company touts this as “next generation luxury” and it makes sense.
While the idea of this casino has been around for nearly a decade, Durango got off the ground in 2021. The $780 million casino is just opening its doors and already has plans for a second phase if necessary.
Plans for the property have evolved over the past two years. During a tour, Durango General Manager David Horn told the assembled media that the company has only added to its initial plans.
Taking a tour of the new Durango Casino in Las Vegas
The aesthetic of the Durango casino floor is modern, bright, and beautiful. It’s luxurious but accessible to guests with all budgets. Dining options range from inexpensive quick-serve burgers to fine-dining steaks and fish.
The look of Durango is brighter and fresher than many might expect when thinking of an off-strip casino in Las Vegas. The sun shines onto various sections of the 83,000-square-foot casino floor that features a design inspired by the warm colors of the desert and heritage of Las Vegas.
While the inspiration for the design is inspired by Las Vegas, the desert landscaping outside with numerous palm trees and cacti evokes Palm Springs or Scottsdale. Inside, the bright and airy casino floor has ample natural daylight and fresh flowers from a local florist.
There’s a lot to like about Durango but the highlight might be the destination sportsbook and its adjacent The George Sportsman’s Lounge. The space is a combination of a traditional sportsbook with an indoor/outdoor sports bar and restaurant.
No other Las Vegas casino offers this kind of sports betting experience in one space.
Beyond the casino, Durango offers a variety of dining options from new-to-market eateries to numerous local favorites. The full-service restaurants border the casino floor and offer guests the choice of indoor or outdoor dining.
Durango is the type of casino that will appeal to residents looking for a fresh place to gamble or have a staycation. It will also draw tourists looking for a new relaxed but more elevated casino experience than those on the main tourist corridor for the same price range.
STN Sportsbook offers an unparalleled experience for sports fans
The Durango sportsbook is located steps away from the entrances near the parking garage. Guests will see the large STN Sports sign above the video poker bar that has an oval-shaped dual-sided video screen.
Altogether the sportsbook area has three video poker bars, traditional open and VIP seating, and an indoor/outdoor restaurant with a variety of games.
The main sportsbook has multiple open seating areas for more than 250 people. There are seven betting windows with human ticket writers and 17 kiosks for visitors to place wagers inside and outside of the sportsbook space.
The sportsbook bar separates The George Sportsman Lounge from the main 10,000-square-foot sportsbook that features a 15×136 video wall. Guests drinking at The George bar or dining at the tables have a view of the games on either the main bar or sportsbook screens.
Here’s a view of the sportsbook from The George. pic.twitter.com/UJHGandRhh
— Marc (@MeltzVegas) December 5, 2023
Guests can also head outside to watch the games outside. This area is covered so guests don’t have to sit outside in direct sunlight during the hot summers.
The George has more tables and another bar in this backyard area that overlooks three large video screens. This is the only bar that features both Aristocrat bartop machines with Buffalo slots, etc. as well as the IGT games found at the other bars.
There’s a covered backyard with a variety of games including cornhole, bocce, and duckpin bowling. It’s a laid-back area to watch the games on TV while either playing video poker or other leisure games.
The Durango sportsbook caters to all kinds of sports fans and bettors. Those who just want to watch their bets can do so for free. Guests who enjoy the sports bar and restaurant experience can drink and dine indoors or outside with a view of the games.
Visitors who just want to keep an eye on the games while playing a bartop machine can do that inside or outside as well. The sportsbook is home to one of the few outdoor video poker bars in Las Vegas.
The Plaza opened an outdoor video poker bar earlier this year.
Walking the Durango Casino floor
The main 83,000-square-foot casino floor at Durango is wide open and bright. It features 2,300 video poker and slot machines.
There are no vintage slot machines on the property. All of the slot games are the newest on the market with some exclusive to the property as it opens.
There are more than 60 live dealer and electronic table games at Durango. The ETGs include baccarat and Roll To Win craps.
Nearly half of the live dealer games are blackjack. Visitors might notice more double-deck pitch blackjack games. Station Casinos says a good number of its players enjoy touching the cards.
Oasis is the main casino bar and has 21 IGT bartop machines with video poker, slots, keno, and blackjack. The lounge offers a signature cocktail menu as well as all of the basics.
Durango has separate high-limit rooms for table games and slot machines. The spaces are similar to those added to Red Rock Casino and Green Valley Ranch over the past year.
The high-limit table games room has a total of 13 games. Three of those tables are in the private gaming salon behind the main room. While the doors may be closed to the private salon, the space is accessible to anyone who wants to check it out.
Both high-limit rooms have a video poker bar.
Restaurants and food options to make anyone excited
Durango has a variety of dining options for every budget and mood. Guests looking for a quick, inexpensive bite can grab a meal at the 25,000-square-foot Eat Your Heart Out Food Hall that is open to the casino floor.
Some pics from the Eat Your Heart Out food hall @durangoresortlv pic.twitter.com/S6Pt5Cg5Kg
— Marc (@MeltzVegas) December 5, 2023
Visitors can dine at one of five Las Vegas favorites or five new-to-market restaurants:
New to Las Vegas
- Ai Pono Café – Hawaiian street food
- Fiorella – Italian food from Marc Vetri
- Irv’s Burgers – Classic LA burger stand
- Prince Street Pizza – Grab a slice
- Uncle Paulie’s – Sandwich shop
Las Vegas favorites
- Yu Or Mi Sushi
- Shang Artisan Noodle
- Nielsen’s Frozen Custard
- Oyster Bar
- Vesta Coffee Roasters
In the middle of the action is DRNK, one of many video poker bars at Durango.
The full-service restaurants surround the casino floor and many have indoor and outdoor dining rooms. Variety is the spice of life and between the food hall and other restaurants, no type of cuisine is left out:
Nicco’s steakhouse @durangoresortlv is gorgeous. Look forward to trying the food. pic.twitter.com/1gXqmluVKH
— Marc (@MeltzVegas) December 5, 2023
- Nicco’s Prime Cuts and Fish – A beautiful steakhouse with two bars and distinct dining areas. During our tour, the chef recommended the dry-aged branzino and burger for those looking for something other than steak.
- Summer House – This California-inspired restaurant is made for brunch. The indoor and outdoor restaurant features a variety of rose for drinkers and food including tacos, fresh vegetable plates, salads, housemade pastas, pizzas, and entrees from the live-fire wood grill. Summer House serves delicious pastries and coffee from La Colombe.
- The George – The restaurant connected to the sportsbook is operated by Fine Entertainment. Las Vegas locals would know this name from the numerous Parkway Taverns around town. Guests can eat and drink inside or outside and enjoy live entertainment when there aren’t games taking place.
- Bel Air Lounge – Can a place to party also be somewhere to relax? Depending on the time of day, that’s what this lounge that opens up to the pool offers. Light bites, swanky drinks and beats from the DJ highlight Bel Air Lounge.
- Mijo – This is a modern Mexican restaurant. Dishes range from Mexican street food to prime cuts of beef and fresh fish. There’s also a (not so) hidden speakeasy, Wax Rabbit.
The hotel at Durango Casino & Resort
The first phase of Durango includes 200 hotel rooms and suites. The company will add another hotel tower if there’s demand for it.
While this is a luxury property, the hotel may not hit all points of what some people take into account for this category. The current build doesn’t include a spa many expect from a true luxury hotel. That could be added to a second hotel tower.
The rooms are pretty, roomy, and functional but not fanciful. Guests will enjoy that hot coffee is complimentary for all guests.
Cold brew and other drinks in the minibar have a fee. Since this isn’t a Vegas Strip hotel the minibar prices aren’t quite as high as some would imagine.
My favorite parts ohe @durangoresortlv hotel room are the yuuuuuuuuuuge shower and free hot coffee. Go figure. Minibar prices aren’t too bad. pic.twitter.com/25PAuLAonm
— Marc (@MeltzVegas) December 5, 2023
The pool doesn’t open until next year, but we had a sneak preview. It’s a nice space with two bars and a small area with an astroturf for special events.
