Luxury Getaway - Sycuan Casino Resort
Giveaway Extra Credit Information at Bottom of Review
Just a short drive from Downtown San Diego, Sycuan Casino Resort is a perfect getaway for some fun and relaxation! Treat yourself to a nice spa day, relax at the pool, or even splurge on a delicious dinner at their steakhouse, Bull & Bourbon. With so much to do, and so much to win, Sycuan casino has everything you need.
Written by: Ashley Dunn
The Room
We had one of the best rooms on the property fully equipped with a King bed, flat screen TV, massive bathroom, and wrap around balcony! If you can splurge for a suite, we definitely recommend as not all rooms come with balconies (maybe even check out the Padres suite, if it’s available!)
The room was the perfect size for Chris & I, but I think the two best parts were the balcony and the bathroom (of course I walk through the bathroom in a little more detail in Ashley’s Bathroom Corner!).
The balcony views were amazing, a perfect spot for both sunrise and sunset. We both enjoyed a few cocktails while overlooking the pool and open valley surrounding the casino. I brought my book out there and just enjoyed the breeze, it was so relaxing!
Retreat Pool
The Retreat Pool & Cabanas is a perfect spot to relax and take in some Vitamin D. My favorite part of the pool is the Lazy River! Sycuan is one of only 2 hotels in Southern California with a lazy river. I personally have always been a big fan of lazy rivers, but in Adulthood you can also sip a cocktail while floating around! They also have a pool side casino room, just in case you’re feeling lucky.
Spa Ritual
What an amazing experience we had at Spa Ritual. When I say a spa day was very much needed, oh boy was it. It’s been a crazy 2 years and now that massages and spa services are up and running again, I think everyone should take some time and just “Treat Yourself”! I always have very high standards when it comes to Spas, especially when it comes to cleanliness. Not necessarily because I’m a connoisseur, just want to make sure (especially as COVID is still prevalent) that the facilities are well taken care of. Spa Ritual definitely did not disappoint in anything. Everything was spotless, very well maintained, with lots of different amenities! We had the opportunity to enjoy both the men and women’s facilities and then enjoy an 80-minute couples massage. It was so relaxing and enjoyable to do together. My massage therapist did an amazing job and was very considerate of my comfort. Chris also had a great massage! We both were very relaxed and highly recommend stopping by for any of their services!
Gambling at Sycuan Casino
Sycuan had some great tables and slot machines to choose from. I loved the central location of all the games, right next to the main lobby and close proximity to the bar and food! We joined Club Sycuan, where we were lucky enough to get some free spins here and there! They have a great program where you can win points throughout your whole stay and redeem all throughout the property, we highly recommend joining! You get 100 points just by signing up and playing for the first time, too!
Dinner - Bull & Bourbon Steakhouse
Curious where to spend all your winnings, while at Sycuan? Well again, I say “Treat Yourself” and visit Bull & Bourbon, Sycuan’s onsite steakhouse. They are well known for their extensive bourbon selection, paired perfectly with a delicious steak prepared on their custom wood burning grills. Of course, don’t forget to pair your steak with some delicious sides…. Which do I recommend? GET THE MAC AND CHEESE, it’s divine (I even came back the next day for some more)…..
Appetizers
We ordered the French Onion Soup and the Wedge salad. Both classic dishes, but prepared so well.
The French Onion soup was delicious, with the perfect amount of cheese covering the sourdough bread topping. It’s a perfect comfort food!
The wedge salad was also great, with pickled onions, cherry tomatoes, and a delicious tangy dressing. I normally don’t enjoy blue cheese crumbles on my wedge, but I actually enjoyed how the cheese paired so well with the dressing!
The Steaks
Bull & Bourbon offers a variety of steaks, with choices for everyone. From a petitie filet to a massive Tomahawk Ribeye, they offer a wide range of sizes and price points!
I got the 8 Oz petite filet mignon. It was the perfect size, making sure I don’t over endulge and save room for the sides! It was prepared medium rare and paired with bearnaise sauce - an egg yolk sauce, with vinegar. It’s the perfect creamy sauce to smother your steak in!
Chris got an 18 oz Delmonico Ribeye, which is an extra thick cut of ribeye. It is served with roasted tomatoes and prepared to your liking. Chris requested Medium Rare, with a bit of a sear on the exterior giving it a bit of a crunch from the custom woodfire grills. You also must order a sauce! Chris chose a bordelaise red wine sauce. This sauce is a red wine reduction, thus if you enjoy the sweeter sauces, this is a great option. It’s very rich!
For all the dishes at Bull & Bourbon, the portion sizes are generous and the steaks are no exceptions. The 18 Oz Delmonico could definitely be shared, potentially!
The Sides
GET THE BAKED TRUFFLE MAC AND CHEESE. Repetitive, I know. But I can’t emphasize this enough. Our server mentioned it was something she orders often when she comes, so we thought we’d give it a try. Wow, it was the perfect ratio of cheese to noodles, with a delicious brioche crumble on top. I was in mac and cheese heaven and I will forever dream about this dish….
Live Music - Chris Janson Country Concert
Sycuan is also home to the Heritage Event Center, a great spot for live music, comedy shows, and so much more. We happened to enjoy a show ourselves, one of my favorite country artists, Chris Janson! We had front row tickets, but the venue is the perfect size making any seat in the venue a great spot. The overall acoustics and small stage vibe made the show so personal and fun, it probably was one of my favorite shows of the year! I also cant complain about their GREAT bar service and awesome prices. I’m used to an overpriced white claw and a bit of a rushed experience at concert bars, but our bartender was the sweetest woman ever and the prices were FANTASTIC.
Be sure to check out all their upcoming shows! Might as well stay the night if you find an event you’re interested in, it’s not only safer but also gives you a chance to explore all that Sycuan has to offer!
Ashley’s Bathroom Corner
I loved the size of the bathroom! It was very roomy and made getting ready super easy, for the both of us. I really liked the style, the tile made the whole room feel very clean and newly remodeled (even if it hasn’t been!). The shower was very large, but a little bit difficult to get in and out of. It was a shower/bathtub situation, where the bathtub was VERY deep, so stepping in and out was a bit nerve racking with my little legs. Chris didn’t have as much of an issue, mainly because he’s a bit taller. All in all, it was a beautiful bathroom though.
Summary
Overall Review: 9.5/10
Sycuan Casino is an amazing spot. With a wide selection of options for all moods, luxury dining, gambling, spa treatments, and lounging around the pool its a perfect weekend getaway!
Room Review: 9.5/10
The rooms are well appointed, and have lots of luxury touches and are a great home base for your weekend at Sycuan. We especially loved the view out of the massive balcony.
Things to Do: 10/10
There is no shortage of things to do at Sycuan. We highly recommend checking out Ritual Spa, Retreat Pools, and of course gambling!
Restaurant Review: 9/10
Bull and Bourbon Steakhouse was a textbook example of a premium Casino Restaurant, the classics are well done, good portion sizes, and pricing. A must visit for any foodies!
Ashley’s Bathroom Corner Review 8.5/10
Solid bathroom, only thing I would change is the shower/tub is very high and can be difficult to get in and out of.
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Giveaway Extra Credit!
We have partnered up with award winning resort and casino Sycuan Casino Resort to giveaway the ultimate staycation package to one lucky winner!
What You Win 🏆
1 Night Luxury Stay ✨ @sycuan_casinoresort (Value $300)
$100 Gift Card to Spa Ritual
$100 Gift Card to Bull and Bourbon Steakhouse
$50 Free Play at Sycuan Casino
Must be 21+ to win, some restrictions apply.
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