Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino in Lakeside, California
Posted August 7, 2009 , trackbackIt felt like we’d been driving for hours to find the turn-off road. Of course my traveling companion had to take an alternate route from the directions on the website, but still, how far out was this place? Quite far as it turns out. But we eventually ended up at our destination, the Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino near San Diego.
Barona Valley Ranch Resort - Front View
The resort is very upscale, and seems themed after a Texas oil baron ranch. We had a two-bed queen room and it was spacious with a equally large-sized bathroom. It also came with in-room Wi-Fi and small touches like slippers for use during the stay. Each room also had a small standing-room balcony. Ours looked out towards the back of the resort, where the desert gave way to a lush designed golf course.
My companion had a spa treatment scheduled shortly after we arrived, so we headed up to the AmBience Day Spa on the 7th floor. I opted to sit out on spa’s larger balcony and watch the sun set over the hills, sipping some tea before supper. Very relaxing.
We ate at the Oaks Steakhouse, which is actually located in the casino building next door. Service there was impeccable - quite possibly the best we received the entire trip, aside from the spa personnel. After every dish, crumbs were instantly whisked off the table, and after my friend’s napkin fell to the floor, the server immediately gave her a new one without her even saying a word. That kind of attention to detail was wonderful to experience. The food was excellent, too, with everything cooked to order. Expect average entree prices in the $20-$30 range, and they do have a dress code.
Barona Valley Ranch Resort - Two Queen-Bed Room
Neither of us were huge gamblers, which is probably why we didn’t thoroughly enjoy our stay. The resort, which is operated by the Barona band of Mission Indians, is located on reservation land, and as such, it is so far away from the heart of San Diego (the nearest major city) that if you’re not here for the casino action, there’s really not much else to do.
It was also a bit inconvenient to have to go to a totally separate building for our dining options, even with the walkway. I was also a bit mystified that they made the resort building so nice looking, but the casino was housed in a barn-themed building.
Basically, as nice as the resort was, there’s no reason to stay here if you don’t want to gamble or play golf or just enjoy being in a luxury hotel in the middle of nowhere. But if you’re in Southern California - more specifically the San Diego/Temecula area - and want to get away for some peace and quiet with some gambling mixed in, this would be the perfect place to do it.
Weekday room rates start at $129, with weekends starting at $219.
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Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino
1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd
Lakeside, CA 92040
619-443-2300 or 888-722-7662
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[photos courtesy Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino]
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