The newly remodeled hotel rooms feature the same contemporary, boutique-style design found in the gaming areas.
By Jeffrey V. Smith
Chief Operating Officer Dean DiLullo and much of his executive team officially welcomed representatives of the Colorado media to the freshest casino in the state, Reserve Casino Hotel, Jan. 5. The casino is the result of a newly rebranded and remodeled Fortune Valley Casino and Hotel.
From the comforts of the casino’s new Ardore Tuscan Steakhouse, DiLullo detailed some of the newly remodeled features – worth more than $20 million – including a brand new gaming area with slots, table games and live poker; a modern boutique hotel with 118 signature-themed rooms and suites; a Tuscan-style fine dining restaurant with a 500 bottle wine display; the world’s largest casino guitar bar, modeled after Sammy Hagar’s instrument and featuring the “best bartenders on the hill;” and the Lava Room, a 300-person “full service” entertainment showroom that is scheduled to feature the Stray Cats, March 31, along with many other nationally touring and local bands this year.
The largest guitar-shaped bar in the country is at the new Reserve Casino Hotel. Photos by Jeffrey V. Smith
The COO explained that the casino’s executive staff philosophy is that even though they have the land to do it, it would be senseless to try and be the biggest casino in the state or provide the most and largest amenities, so they focus on what they can do: “Provide the best in guest services.”
“We just want to be good at what we do have, we want to be 100 percent on everything we do,” DiLullo said. “That is achievable. We can be a little bit better than the rest and offer intimate, boutique care.”
Chief Operating Officer Dean DiLullo and Advertising/ Entertainment Manager Kelli Miller at the Reserve Casino Hotel
He also told everyone the new name was chosen because the word “reserve” means “something special, just like a reserve bottle of wine or a reserve concert ticket.” The hope is that the casino, and its new intimate, boutique feel, will be perceived in the same way.
Luna Gaming Central City purchased the casino property in a $10 million deal more than a year ago. The new owners, who also own a vineyard in Napa Valley and the Red Dolly Casino in Black Hawk, took over the casino in January 2011. Luna began renovating almost immediately in anticipation of the name change and offering a level of service and VIP treatment not previously found in the mountain gaming towns.
Pointing out the previous casino catered to a core group of guests, DiLullo explained the Reserve Casino Hotel is focusing on “elevating the gaming and entertainment experience” and offering something to appeal to an enormous amount of people in Denver not being served by current casino offerings.
“We want to focus on growing the market,” he said. “There is far more market that needs to see the property changes. We’re excited to take the gaming and entertainment experience to the next level. The Reserve Casino Hotel is the ultimate Colorado casino experience with Vegas-style gaming.”
The new remodeling at Reserve Casino Hotel is immediately apparent and features a sleek, boutique-style design that includes state-of-the-art column lighting and sound systems, contemporary furniture, and music-related memorabilia.
Even the elevators feature an exciting, contemporary design and include colored gel on the floor that can be moved and shaped with pressure from the feet.
Luna Gaming Food and Beverage Director for Reserve Ed Hernandez, Reserve Executive Chef Justin Ente, who was a protégé of internationally-known celebrity chef Bobby Flay, and Reserve Food and Beverage Manager Mick McManus stand outside the casino’s new gourmet Ardore Tuscan Steakhouse and wine experience.
Media members join Advertising/Entertainment Manager Kelly Miller, far left, in checking out the new – and extremely comfortable – beds in the newly renovated hotel rooms.
Even the slot signs got a new look.
Luna Gaming’s principal owner, Tom Celani, also owns the Napa Valley-based Celani Family Vineyards.
The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides gaming and entertainment, signature boutique hotel rooms and fine dining to guests 21 and older. Accommodations may be booked by calling guest services at 800-924-6646 or by visiting the new website at www.reservecasinohotel.com.
