Harrah's Resort Southern California
In lieu of two daily free buffets, Seven Stars cardholders can get a weekly $40 dining credit by swiping their players cards at any promotional kiosk. And, in light of recent San Diego County guidelines, Harrah’s will serve alcohol only inside resort restaurants along with a food order, to guests actively gaming at slots or table games, and with food orders at Dive.
Harrah's Resort Southern California
Updated: 5/15/21
(click any image to enlarge)
Hotel overview
Despite its connection with an American Indian tribe, Harrah's Resort Southern California (formerly Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort) is a pretty "standard issue" medium to upscale hotel. There is a beautiful contemporary marble lobby, but, in terms of ambience, this hotel could be plunked down about anywhere with the name Marriott, Hilton or Sheraton.
Outdoor self-parking or in an adjacent garage is complimentary for all guests, but complimentary valet parking is available for everyone. If you're staying in the hotel, definitely use the valet parking. To retrieve your car, simply scan your parking ticket at the kiosk in the lobby.
Hotel guestrooms
There are three towers – Resort North and South, and Dive Inn (formerly Garden). The four-story Dive Inn Tower rooms are slightly larger, and were renovated a couple years ago; the Resort Tower guestrooms are bright, spacious and well appointed, though not particularly distinctive. Refrigerators are standard in most rooms, but not all, though they are available at no additional charge; coffee-makers are in all rooms.
Casino overview
Harrah's has an average medium-sized casino offering all the standard table games and the usual slots. Complimentary drink service is relatively frequent, but is limited to soft drinks, coffee and bottled water. There is a charge for all alcoholic beverages, and you cannot use Reward Credits to pay for your drinks. Dealers, slot attendants and servers all are extremely friendly and helpful.
The Caesars Rewards Center is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.; on Fridays and Saturdays until 3 a.m.
Food and beverage
The casino has several dining options:
Starbucks for coffee, desserts, salads and sandwiches
Fiore (and its Oyster Bar which is temporarily closed) for steaks and seafood. (Be aware that, if you decide to share a salad or entree at Fiore, there is a $3 "split plate charge" that is not indicated on the menu, nor does your server tell you.)
Topgolf
Joining Harrah’s Philadelphia and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Harrah’s Resort Southern California has opened a Topgolf Swing Suite, the first in Southern California.
There are two suites, each with seating for eight. Guests can play virtual golf, zombie dodgeball and hockey shots. Zombie dodgeball lets players chuck balls at the virtual undead in an attempt to knock them down while hockey shots lets participants shoot at targets using an NHL street hockey ball and stick.
The suites also offer food and beverage service (and bottle service for groups of players). The food menu includes burgers and appetizers; drinks include energy drinks, as well as several varieties of champagne, vodka, tequila, rum and bourbon.
Depending on the day, prices range between $30 to $50 per hour for groups of up to eight guests. To make reservations, call 760-751-3100.
PoolThe pool is open only to hotel guests (2 to 4 pool passes are issued daily based on room type), but guests can purchase a day pass.
Depending on what daybed/cabana is rented (both for hotel and non-hotel guests), guests will receive 2 to 10 passes to enter the pool area.
Guests 21 and older may enjoy the pool in its entirety; guests younger than 21 are allowed only in the Lazy River.
The pool also has a Swim-Up Bar.
Special Seven Stars benefits*
There is a 10 percent discount on food in the restaurants; Diamond cardholders also receive the 10 percent discount; Platinum cardholders receive five percent. In addition, Seven Stars cardholders receive two free buffets daily. Seven Stars and Diamond cardholders also receive a $10 discount off the price of the buffet. Note, too, that alcoholic beverage charges may not be paid with Rewards Credits whether using Quick Rewards or charging to your room.
Seven Stars cardholders also are eligible for discounts on daybed/cabana rentals, but they must be booked by the concierge team, because a credit card is required. Call (760) 651-3506.
Spa
Harrah's has an 11,000 sq. ft. spa that includes a salon and barbershop. If they're not paying with Reward Credits, Seven Stars cardholders receive a 25 percent discount on services at the spa; Diamond, 20 percent; Platinum, 15 percent; and Gold, 10 percent. In addition, Seven Stars cardholders who are not receiving a service, have complimentary access to the spa (lockers, sauna, etc.) for themselves and up to two guests.
Seven Stars Lounge
This casino is equipped with Caesars proprietary Total Touch system that allows customers to order drinks, redeem free play, check their Caesars Rewards account balances, and receive real-time offers based on play.
■ Harrah’s will “cap” a slot or video poker machine, i.e., put it temporarily out of service, for up to two hours if you have a Seven Stars card; one hour for Diamond cardholders. Note, though, that some machines are unable to be capped.
■ Not sure whether this is a permanent promotion, so check first, but men getting a haircut and/or a shave get a complimentary bourbon tasting in the barbershop. You must pay for your service with cash or credit card. You can't use Reward Credits or any sort of coupon or other promotion.
Inside Information
NOTE: All shows, events and deadlines are subject to postponement or cancellation due to temporary casino closings and/or safety and health measures implemented by the state.
There is no Seven Stars Lounge, but the bright comfortable Laurel Lounge (formerly Diamond Lounge) with lots of windows overlooking beautifully manicured gardens is very inviting. As on the casino floor, complimentary drink service is limited to soft drinks, coffee and bottled water. There is a charge for all alcoholic beverages, and you cannot use Reward Credits to pay for your drinks. Food service is extremely limited, e.g., chips and salsa, popcorn, etc., but servers pass hors d'ouevre from 4 to 8 nightly, followed by a dessert service beginning at 8 until closing. There is a bar with a few video poker machines, and seats eight to 10 people. Hours (subject to change) are:
Monday - Thursday: 2 to 9 p.m.
Friday: 2 to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 1 to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 9 p.m.
Should you choose this for your Annual Retreat?
For Seven Stars retreats, because of its location, Harrah's offers up to $200 toward a rental car in lieu of limo pick-up at the airport. Since San Diego is nearly 50 miles and – depending on traffic – at least an hour away (via some pretty narrow two-lane roads after you get off the Interstate and some decent surface roads) – it's a good option to consider, especially if you want to spend a day or two away from the casino. Los Angeles is at least a two-hour drive, depending on your destination.
There is a spa, and championship-style golf on one of the many JC Golf San Diego-area golf courses – Encinitas Ranch, Oaks North, Rancho Bernardo Inn, Reidy Creek, Temecula Creek Inn, and Twin Oaks, but there is not much else in the area.
Harrah's also brings in "name" entertainment from time to time so it might be worth planning a trip around your favorite performer if he/she happens to be scheduled. Click here for current and upcoming entertainment.
As always, when you check-in, be sure to verify that your $500 "dining folio" account has been set-up. Alcohol charged to the room does not count toward your $500 in expenses, nor does it include spa charges or gift shop purchases – despite what you may be told by a host or at check-in. Gratuities may be charged to your room and settled at check-out with your credit card on file. Any taxes on food are waived, and not counted toward your $500 in allowable expenses. Best advice is to keep all your receipts until you settle your final bill.
Where Harrah's is located
*subject to change, revision or cancellation
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