The Angel of the Winds casino in Arlington, Washington, has a new five-story hotel addition at the cost of million, the Herald Business Journal reports.
Opened December 15 with an inaugural stay by tribal elders followed other tribal members the next day and special invited guests on December 17, the hotel will accept paying guests starting New Year’s Eve, according to the Herald Business Journal.
The hotel means the tribal casino can rely on more than just day visitors to boost its revenues.
Currently, most of the casino’s customer base comes from Washington’s Snohomish and Skagit counties, but the Herald Business Journal reports the hotel addition should draw overnight visitors from densely populated Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Tribal Chairman Shawn Yanity told the Herald Business Journal the hotel is a “Big commitment, but it was also a necessity to keep up with the growth and demand of the market as well as what customers are asking for.”
Tribal and casino officials estimate a significant portion of that market will include Canadian visitors.
“The Canadian traffic is something we’re going to go after,” Angel of the Winds General Manager Travis O’Neil told the Herald Business Journal. “Right now, they’re just driving right by us.”
The hotel has 125 rooms and six suites plus a meeting space available for business events and other private affairs.
Until now, Angel of the Winds was the only casino along Interstate 5 that did not have a hotel, O’Neil added, saying the increased amenities will help make the casino more successful.
The tribe opened the Angel of the Winds in 2004 after relocating some tribal housing to make room for the gaming operation. The site now has gas station and smoke shop in addition to the casino and its new hotel, the Herald Business Journal reported.
