Pechanga Resort Casino

Temecula has lots to offer more than great wineries, hot air balloon rides, delicious restaurants and a quaint and rustic Old Town.  

It also boasts the largest casino floor in the West Coast; Pechanga Resort Casino. Located just off Highway 15 this resort has just undergone a $300 million expansion. 

Pechanga Resort Casino
Pechanga Resort Casino

Multiple hotel rooms have been added, as have more parking lots, a stunning 4.5-acre swimming pool complex with rentable casitas, poolside swim-up bars and food and drink service, a 2-story luxury spa, a quiet and peaceful rooftop garden, a luxury shopping arcade and seven restaurants. 

Pechanga pool
Pechanga pool
Rooftop Garden
Rooftop Garden

Honoring Pechanga Band heritage

The resort décor highlights the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians’ culture and features relics of their lives in days past; canoes, woven baskets, different tools and pottery. 

Canoe from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
Canoe from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
Basket from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
Basket from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
Basket description
Basket description
Earthy decor in the lobby of the resort
Earthy decor in the lobby of the resort

This visit was during Chinese New Year’s week. Many of the common areas were brightly decorated with dragons and bright red lanterns. 

Dragon in lobby for Chinese New Years
Dragon in the lobby for Chinese New Years

Pechanga Spa

A group of writers was hosted at the resort and given tours of different areas. My group visited the spa, which features Native American healing botanicals into all their treatments. The staff treated us to mixing our own scented body butter using a computer could use their computerized formula to create a scent based on numerology and our birth year. Each date had its own recipe. 

Computer print out of year and recipe for my personalized scent
Computer print out of year and recipe for my personalized scent

My recipe was from a 5 year and consisted of 3 scents: Frankincense, Eucalyptus and Peppermint. Fortunately, they have a card for each scent that explains the meaning. 

My distilled oils
My distilled oils
One of my scents and what it means
One of my scents and what it means
MJ Hong shows her body butter
MJ Hong shows her body butter

Lobby Bar and Grill

The Lobby Bar and Grill hosted our group for lunch. Chef Fernando took a break from cooking to greet us and discuss some of his creations. 

Chef Fernando
Chef Fernando

We tried Shrimp and Grits (gluten-free), Chicken and Waffles either with an egg or with gravy, Ahi Tuna Salad, Strawberry Fields Salad, Butternut Squash Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup and Quinoa Crunch Salad. One of my fellow writers was gluten-free and was surprised that they offered many options for her.

Ahi Tuna Salad
Ahi Tuna Salad
Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and Grits
Strawberry Fields Salad
Strawberry Fields Salad
Macarons
Macarons

The pool complex is currently undergoing another renovation and should be open for the spring season. The lounging pods seem so relaxing and fun, I’d love to try them and jump in to cool off every once in a while. 

Relaxing pod in pool
Relaxing pod in pool

Casitas for rent at the pool
Casitas for rent at the pool

Men, not to worry, the resort has a golf course.

Pechanga Golf Course
Pechanga Golf Course

The resort offers multiple events during the year. Check their website at www.pechanga.com for upcoming happenings. I’d love to attend the Chocolate Decadence and Wine Festival next. 

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