Have Some Fun In The Sun At Mohegan Sun Casino...
Written: Apr 01 '09 (Updated Apr 01 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lots of variety, shopping, great contemporary design, redeeming points for gas
Cons: Somewhat small, slow earning rewards points, hotel prices, smoke
The Bottom Line: I'd recommend taking a trip through this beautifully decorated casino. Hopefully you win some money while you're at it!
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| ace3502's Full Review: Mohegan Sun |
As you may be able to tell by my Foxwoods Casino review, I am certainly a gambler. For those of us in New England, there is another option for gambling other than Foxwoods and that is Mohegan Sun. The way I distinguish between the two is, if I am going for a strict gambling time and focused on that, I'm heading to Foxwoods. If I am in more of a relaxed mood and looking for someplace to chill, take in great sights and designs indoors with great night life and contemporary additions, I'm going to Mohegan.
The Mohegan Sun Card
As is the norm in every other casino, Mohegan offers a players club card which anyone can sign up for and I would certainly recommend getting. It is free to sign up and using the card at the different locations (slots / table games etc.) you gamble at within the casino all earn you points. These points can be redeemed anywhere within the casino for anything! One point = one dollar within the casino so you can earn 100 points gambling and thats $100 off of a room for the night, or off of a watch from one of their fine dealers, or off of dinner at Todd English's restaurant, or any of the other places you can spend money inside the casino. I would highly recommend picking this card up upon arrival at the casino because if you're going to gamble, you might as well earn rewards while you are gambling!
One major plus that you can use the rewards card for is gas. Yup gas. Just before exiting the casino you drive by Mohegan's Mobil Gas Station where you can fill up, you guessed it, using your player points on your rewards card. This is a great incentive for guests that gains major points with me.
The Casinos
Mohegan offers three separate casinos for the gambler to venture to. The Casino of the Sky, The Casino of the Earth, and their newest addition, The Casino of the Wind which was just opened in August of 2008.
The Casino of the Wind, as I stated, is the newest addition to the complex adding 45,000 square feet to the property, making it their smallest casino. Also housing 680 slot machines and 28 table games, the true purpose of the addition was their very elaborate 42 table poker room. The contemporary decorations throughout this casino will keep your head turning, all the way to the awe inspiring 35 foot high water wall.
The Casino of the Sky was opened in 2001 and holds 2,400 slot machines along side 118 table games in the second smallest casino space on the property at 119,000 square feet, but one of the largest gaming spaces overall in terms of gaming space. The non gambling attraction here is the largest indoor planetarium dome which allows guests to gawk in awe at the constellations on the ceiling.
The Casino of the Earth is the largest of the three at 180,000 square feet and contains 3,700 slot machines with 204 table games. My personal favorite part of this casino caters to those non smoker gamblers as there is a fully enclosed non smoking gaming space. This space houses 600 slot machines and 12 table games for those of us who want to preserve their healthy lungs.
Table Games
Mohegan boasts may of the same table games that Foxwoods has. They run the line from very simple to elaborate for those gamers looking for a more fast paced or thought provoking game. There are numerous locations for most games throughout the casino including most under the smoke free sections which is where you can mostly find me. The table games include:
Baccarat
Midi-Baccarat
Mini-Baccarat
Blackjack
Caribbean Stud Poker
Craps
Four Card Poker
Let It Ride
Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Tiles
Roulette
Sic Bo
Spanish 21
Texas Hold 'Em Bonus
Three Card Poker
Wheel Of Fortune
Slots
Boasting more than 6,600 slot machines throughout the casino, Mohegan does not have a shortage of entertainment for the guest. Employing the same denominations as Foxwoods with their 1 ¢, 2 ¢, 5 ¢, 25 ¢, 50 ¢, $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, and up to $100 slot machines, Mohegan also offers unique double point slots and fraction cent points. There are a few locations within the casino that have 1/2 ¢ and 1/4 ¢ slot machines for the really frugal gambler who wants to stretch every penny they are gambling with. These games can be a fun way to pass the time or for your hesitant companion with you to try out a few slot machines without breaking the bank (or breaking a $5 for that matter). The casino offers something else Foxwoods only runs during certain promotional times, which is double point slots. Playing these slot machines will earn you rewards points twice as fast as playing at regular machines. These machines are clearly labeled throughout the casino and are always operational.
Keno / Racebook
Another form of gambling Mohegan offers is their Keno and Racebook. The Keno has two locations for play and draws games approximately every five minutes. With wagers as little as a dollar a game this is a relaxed way to pass the time and enjoy some gaming. Another option is the very elaborate Racebook. For those of you who are not familiar with a Racebook, it is a specific location that most casinos have where you can bet on any type of racing across the country, (i.e. dog racing, horse racing etc.) There is quite a large room with countless television screens broadcasting races from all over the country. With this many races going on at the same time, you usually do not have to wait long to find a race to bet on and try your luck with the dogs or ponies. The Racebook area is nice, its secluded and closed off by glass doors to avoid the noise in the rest of the casino. It is a relaxed and comfortable place to take in a few races.
Other Entertainment (Nightclubs, Restaurants, Shows, Stuff For Kids)
As I said earlier in the review, I go to Mohegan with friends when we are in the mood to relax and take in more of a young night life atmosphere rather than a hard core gambling mode that Foxwoods puts me in. With a variety of bars such as Lucky's Vegas style lounge, or The Doubliner Irish Pub, Mohegan has a variety of places to grab a drink that can accommodate a wide range of crowds. Boasting a great night club Ultra 88, is what gives this casino the edge over the night life that Foxwoods offers. This swanky night club is for the 20 something that wants a feel of being in downtown Hartford, Providence, or Boston within the casino walls.
The other big edge that Mohegan has over its rival is the shows that they have there. Showcasing a large number of big names such as Billy Joel, T-Pain, Kid Rock, Jerry Seinfeld and Britney Spears, Mohegan offers the guest a 10,000 seat arena which houses all of these great shows they are constantly putting on. In addition to those shows they also host sporting events such as boxing and the occasional basketball game. The arena offers a great venue to take in any of the musical or sporting events that they have to offer.
The variety of restaurants offered throughout the casino pretty much covers the line of what you would crave. From Michael Jordan's Steakhouse to Todd English's Restaurant, to Johnny Rockets and Luckys Pizza, and Krispy Kreme Donuts or Ben & Jerry's for desserts. The prices clearly range from place to place but you can get a decent dinner for two for about $50 depending on where you go. Keep in mind you can also use your points at any of these places to take a few dollars off of your bill.
If you are bringing young children with you there is even a place for them to enjoy within the casino. There is a kids arcade where you can drop children off ages 6 weeks to 12 years while you venture out and gamble. There is plenty of entertainment and arcade games for them to play where they can earn tickets and turn them in for prizes. This is a great way to make the outing a family adventure rather than just something for mom and dad.
Staying over for the night? Here is my breakdown of the hotel within the casino.
The Hotel
The casino boasts a 1,200 room hotel which has contemporary decor and pretty steep room rates. The decor is gorgeous and the pond/waterfall you encounter when you walk in is just the tip of the decorative iceberg that you'll see throughout the casino/hotel. One major plus that the casino gets here for me is the beautiful indoor pool they have for guest use.
The Location
Located in Uncasville, Connecticut just off of Interstate 95. Approximately 8 miles from Foxwoods, this location, in my opinion, is significantly easier to get to through back roads from Foxwoods rather than staying on the highway all the way down to Uncasville. The close proximity to the other casino also enables someone to stop down and hit both casinos in the same day if they so wish.
The Service
Mostly helpful, the staff at Mohegan is somewhat touch and go. I have encountered very polite and nice agents willing to help and please the guest, and have also encountered those who were not so pleasant and a little less concerned with your wants and needs and more concerned with shuffling though the interaction so they could get back to what they are doing. All in all I usually have minimal contact with the staff when I stay at the hotel with the exception of checking in, and that, for the most part, has been relatively seamless.
The Rooms
The lavish and up to date decor of the rooms boast flat panel televisions and plush beds and chairs in their rooms. The spacious atmosphere enables you to quietly get away from the energy of the casino and relax for a while in peace. The views from the rooms can be quite spectacular depending on which direction you are facing you could have a great view of the bodies of water that surround the casino.
The Price
I have gotten used to the rates at Foxwoods which can offer as low as $79 a night during the week. Weekend rates I expect to be higher but not as high as some of the prices I have been quoted at Mohegan. During the week I have never been quoted a rate under $200 a night and weekends is double that. Now I don't think I am going during peak times, no holiday weekends or anything so I do not know what the explanation is for these astronomical rates. The casino certainly loses points with me here because although it is only a 2 hour drive from Boston, I don't always want to make it just a day trip to drive down and prefer to stay to be able to relax a little more.
The Breakdown: Foxwoods vs. Mohegan
Mohegan has a better night life, better decor, better stores, and better shows and a better venue for shows which is their arena.
Foxwoods has better gaming, more gaming space, more variety of games, better and faster rewards points on their rewards card, and cheaper hotel rates.
Ultimately the choice is up to you but those are the most straightforward breakdowns I can come up with. Maybe you have a preference or maybe you are like me and each one suits a need based upon which mood you are in on your trip down to Connecticut. Either way you get to gamble!
Overall
Mohegan Sun is a great visit when you are in Connecticut. Its close proximity to Boston enables anyone to venture down and have a great day of taking in a show, games, or great eats with some fantastic decorations to appreciate within the casino. If it is for a day or an overnight Mohegan can cater to most and provide an event filled time with their plethora of gaming options.
© Copyright 2009 - ace3502
Wondering what the other casino in Connecticut is like? Check out my review of Foxwoods Resort and Casino.
Coming up into the Boston area? Take A Look At My Boston Traveler's Series:
# 1 - The Boston Garden
# 2 - New England Holocaust Memorial
# 3 - Fenway Park
# 4 - Lexington, Massachusetts
# 5 - Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market
# 6 - New England Aquarium
Recommended:
Yes
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ace3502
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Member: Andrew
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
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