Mohegan Sun Resort, Casino and Hotel is an oasis. Located next to a pristine glacial lake in the Connecticut countryside, it beckons us in. And until we call valet parking to retrieve our vehicle a day or a week later, there is no need to ever leave. The futuristic exterior leads us into a circular lobby, whose earth-toned decorations and themes alert us that we are on Native American land. But although reminded of the history of this ancient ground, we soon learn that we are now in the heart of a luxury playland, where a roll of the dice can get the adrenaline flowing, and the pull of a lever can signal the jackpot.
The casino floor of Mohegan Sun is everything you’d want it to be, whether you’re a casual slot player or a high roller. A VIP section separates the poker pros from the weekend warriors, but everyone is welcome here, and there is no reason to be intimidated.
This welcoming attitude extends to the wide variety of bars, restaurants and shops that surround the casino floor. Pre-dinner cocktails — or afternoon pick-me-ups if the casino is draining your resources — can be had at a variety of bars, from contemporary chic to Irish pub style, and when heading for dinner there is everything from gourmet pizza, ethnic buffets, or fine dining.
We ate at Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain, where both the duck and the steak were delicious and satisfying, the sides varied and interesting, and the wine list wide and deep, our decision helped by a knowledgeable waitress. With a menu that ranges from Lobster-Avocado Shellfish Cocktails to Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Bobby manages to combine his American menu with the energetic fast pace of the time-honored European brasserie.
After dinner we headed to the auditorium, where we had tickets to see Eric Clapton, an indication of the world class entertainment available at Mohegan Sun. The hockey-arena sized venue provided excellent sight lines, and crisp sound, and Eric rocked the house, sending everyone on their way happy, to return to their rooms, the bars, or back to the casino floor to recoup the day’s losses.
Our room was tasteful, clean and comfortable, with plush mattresses, and modern lines and decor. But there is so much to do at Mohegan Sun the room is almost secondary, merely a place to crash, but certainly a luxury crash pad is welcome after the hedonism of the day’s activities.
With a full service spa, name-brand shopping, world class concert acts, dining for all tastes, meeting rooms for corporate events, interesting interior spaces, luxurious rooms, and, of course, all the gaming you can handle, Mohegan Sun is a wonderful all-in-one destination, designed to hold you captive, and captivated, for however long you plan to stay.