The first time I stayed at the Tulalip Resort Casino, I was pleasantly surprised at the nice features and amenities in their guest rooms. After a major renovation and update last year, I was amazed at the luxury upgrades to create a high-end destination experience. It’s about an hour’s drive to Tulalip from Sea-Tac International Airport, for us Pacific Northwest locals, a much less complicated option than the two and a half hour flight to Las Vegas. The Tulalip Resort has it all – beautiful rooms, top notch entertainment, great restaurants, an outdoor amphitheater for concerts, pool, and spa treatments – creating a perfect environment for a luxury getaway.
The lobby area is separate from the casino area, and unlike in Vegas, you don’t have to walk through the casino to get to the elevator bank to your room. This layout means that you’re not hit with the clanging of slot machines as you walk in, instead allowing you the chance to soak up the contemporary styling infused with Tulalip tribe artifacts.
With only 360 guest rooms on 10 floors, small by Las Vegas standards, the Tulalip Resort Casino features guest rooms that are over 500 square feet in size – larger than many Manhattan studio apartments. Decor incorporates the history and culture of the Tulalip tribes in dramatic earth tones, and offer luxurious features like floor to ceiling windows, polished stone surfaces, designer walls of glass tile, museum quality artwork, custom-made beds, and a deep plush carpet. It’s better than being at home! The contemporary decor provides ample seating and work space along with other necessities like LED reading lamps, no-fog mirrors, plenty of USB and power outlets, Bluetooth enabled media hub, smart TVs, and free high-speed wifi. Refrigerators, complimentary bottled water and their branded Killer Coffee service in every room.
The bathroom is my personal favorite feature of the room. With three jetted adjustable body spray faucets in the large shower stall, I hardly missed having a tub.
Tulalip has also adopted the Vegas hotel-within-a-hotel room idea, with Resort King rooms located on floors 11 and 12. These limited-availability luxury rooms offer an aqua blue and green color scheme, upgraded room amenities, and killer views of the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re looking for headliner entertainment (we saw Howie Mandel during our stay), planning a getaway Tulalip weekend makes a lot of sense. The Orca Ballroom offers a small venue (around 800 seats) for an intimate experience and the Amphitheater offers outdoor concerts. Summers only, this is the Pacific Northwest after all.
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I’m always looking for a little relaxation on my getaways, and booked in for a couple spa treatments at the T Spa, a 14,000 square foot full-service luxury and lifestyle spa. I had a quick manicure before heading out for the evening’s dinner and entertainment, and a rejuvenating facial the following morning had me glowing all weekend. Use of the spa is complimentary when booking a treatment. Be sure to plan time (before or after) to enjoy the steam rooms, cedar saunas, or the grotto showers. If you don’t have a treatment booked, a day fee is charged. Beauty services and products are also available, and the fitness center is located right next door with equipment for a good workout
The one area that I feel still fell a little flat was the pool. It’s nice – with a glass atrium, waterfall, footbridge, and whirlpool it recreates an outdoor environment indoors – but it feels a little too open and exposed to the rest of the resort. It’s easy to peek in and gawk and doesn’t have the feeling of exclusivity that the rest of the resort exudes.
When it’s time to eat, Tulalip offers plenty of choices. From the steaks at Tulalip Bay to the seafood at Blackfish to the Asian fusion at Journeys East, if you can’t find something you like to eat, you’re probably not really trying.
If you need to do some shopping, Seattle Premium Outlet mall is a short walk away. A complimentary shuttle is also available. There is no sports book, however.
I’m not sure why the Tulalip Resort is so often overlooked as a destination getaway – it may be because the city of Tulalip isn’t on anyone’s radar, it may be because travelers aren’t aware of the resort’s luxury offerings. What a shame, though, as it rivals the best of what Las Vegas has to offer.
While I did see a couple of families in the cafe, this is a casino property and rooms are designed for occupancy by two adults.
The Tulalip Resort is located at 10200 Quilceda Blvd., Tulalip, Washington. Rates start around $200 per night and are substantially higher on weekends and when there is scheduled concerts or entertainment. Valet parking is complimentary. Book directly online with the hotel or try comparing rates at a booking site such as Expedia.
Note: I received a complimentary stay at the Tulalip Resort.
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