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The one thing that irritates me about Pala is that while they allow smoking, most of their dealers make no bones about not liking it. I don't smoke except when I gamble. I enjoy both and I am not appreciative about anything that mars my enjoyment. I try and be polite and thoughtful of others when I smoke and I will cut back on my smoking when I'm at a table where nobody else is smoking. However, I don't appreciate it when dealers make faces when I light up, wave smoke away or ask that I hang off the back of a chair just so I can smoke while playing. If the casino allows smoking, they need to either tell their dealers to live with it, or take steps to minimize the impact on the dealers. They supply no fans or anything else to blow smoke away from the dealer. The dealers on one side say the air system blows it in their face but I've switched to the tables on the other side of the pit and find it makes absolutely no difference - the dealers complain about smoke on either side.

I do like this casino, however. Smokers just should be aware they'll have to live with eye-rolling and hand-waving from the dealers. ]]> Julianne Weight Southern CA Casinos 2008-05-11 12:36:56 http://www.cacasinoguide.com/ca-casino-reviews/southern-ca-casinos/12-pala-casino-spa-resort.html c Southern CA Casinos 2007-08-22 23:49:27 http://www.cacasinoguide.com/ca-casino-reviews/southern-ca-casinos/12-pala-casino-spa-resort.html Hope Royaltey Southern CA Casinos 2007-08-19 13:21:18 http://www.cacasinoguide.com/ca-casino-reviews/southern-ca-casinos/12-pala-casino-spa-resort.html
THE PARKING: We recommend parking in the covered garage to keep your car cool, or using the friendly valet if you're staying in the hotel.

THE CASINO: Pala's well designed casino floor is one of the biggest in the state, with a large glass enclosed non-smoking section that really keeps the fumes out! Pala has a healthy selection of table games, including Blackjack, Pala Craps (which, like all California casinos, uses cards instead of dice), Pala Roulette, Pai Gow Poker, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Crazy 4 Poker, 3-5-7 poker and even a real Baccarat pit in the high limit room.

But we're not usually table players, we're slot players... and that's the real reason we love Pala so much. Their slot variety is incredible: Every multi-denom video slot imaginable (with new slots added frequently, sometimes before we've seen then anywhere else!) Plenty of three reel quarter and dollar machines for those in the mood for more traditional slots. A nice amount of video poker machines, Keno & Game Kings (I have personally witnessed two friends hit jackpots over $1200 sitting next to each other at Pala's main Keno area) plus a robust High Limit section. Even on a Saturday night, there's always an appealing machine available that has your name on it.

THE FOOD: We've had a wonderful meal in The Oak Room (try the sautéed mushrooms, yum!) and were impressed by the terrific selection of fine wines. The Pala Café has that cozy diner feel, if you want to eat with a view, try the outside seating on the Pala Terrace. Don't want to spend a lot of time eating? The Deli has a very satisfying foot-long hotdog!

THE SPA: We've not personally had a spa treatment, but our friends have raved about Pala's Spa.

THE HOTEL: We highly recommend staying at Pala's hotel: the rooms are surprisingly large and luxurious... and are usually less expensive than it's neighbors Pechanga and Harrah's Rincon.

THE STAFF: Friendly and eager to cater to your every need. When there was a hotel mixup, we got an upgrade. When a waitress forgot to bring back change, the host was quick to give us a dining comp to fix the situation.

THE ODDS: With a bankroll averaging $300, we frequently leave even or up at Pala. Which says a lot since we've played there over twenty times!

THE PAYLINE: If you're looking for a high-end casino that makes everyone feel like a VIP, Pala Casino Spa Resort is a win-win situation!

UPDATE: Pala is doing some construction to it's gaming floor. Check back for a 2009 update! ]]> Hope Southern CA Casinos 2007-02-03 14:49:18